International Anti-Corruption Day Celebration
Al-Nahrain Foundation for Transparency and Integrity (NFTI), in cooperation with the Federal Integrity Commission – Iraqi Academy for Combating Corruption, organized a celebration on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day at the Academy’s hall. The event was attended by a representative from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), academics, students from several Iraqi universities participating in the Regional Universities Against Corruption initiative in Iraq, and a number of the Commission’s staff.
In his speech, the Academy’s Director General, Dr. Basem Al-Aqabi, highlighted several activities and projects aimed at promoting integrity, accountability, and ethical behavior among university communities. He recalled programs that had a positive impact, such as the “Integrity as a Core University Value” program and the “Implementing the Vision of the Integrity Commission” program, which targeted students and academic staff across several Iraqi universities, as well as other awareness initiatives launched by the Academy. Dr. Al-Aqabi also discussed future programs and projects aimed at training staff of oversight bodies and various state institutions, expressing his hope that both the Academy’s and civil society organizations’ programs would make integrity a deeply rooted personal and moral value while eliminating external and harmful ideas from society.
In his speech, Mr. Mohammed Raheem Al-Rubaie, President of Al-Nahrain Foundation for Transparency and Integrity, emphasized the awareness program adopted by the Foundation in cooperation with the Commission (the Regional Universities Against Corruption initiative in Iraq). The program aims to train university students and familiarize them with international conventions, their provisions, and requirements for their enforcement, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which Iraq ratified under Law No. 35 of 2007. He noted that the program trains students in investigative methods, research, and monitoring techniques, affirming its success locally and across the Arab region. He also explained Article 13 of the UN Convention against Corruption, highlighting the Foundation’s efforts to improve Iraq’s image in international forums, particularly according to Transparency International standards.
The celebration included a presentation by student Karrar Haider Saher from the College of Law – University of Baghdad, titled “Corruption Devours Tax Money.” The presentation showcased the experiences of several students in the camp organized by the Arab Network for Promoting Integrity and Transparency in Tunisia and Jordan, as well as the outcomes and benefits they achieved through the projects.
The event concluded with the distribution of awards to students who achieved excellence in the Regional Universities Against Corruption initiative in Iraq for 2019.
