DUSHANBE, December 9, 2011, Asia-Plus -- UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan in cooperation with the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption and the Ministry of Education today organized a conference, entitled “Integrity in Education Sector,” according to the UNDP CO in Tajikistan.

This conference is part of the global events taking place worldwide celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day.

Corruption in secondary education sector is a key obstacle to sustainable development and has to be prevented at all levels of the society and the state institutions.

In the course of the conference, both the national and international experience and best practices in conducting risk assessments and awareness raising campaigns in the education sector are being discussed.

Corruption is a key obstacle to good governance; it hinders development and economic growth, has disproportionate negative effects on the poor, the disadvantaged minorities and the women; undermining the democratic process and the effectiveness of the institutions.  Particularly corruption in education has particularly detrimental effects on the future generations by entrenching a culture of corruption.

An important goal of the conference is in raising the awareness of the participants on the dangers associated to corruption in the Education sector, strengthening cooperation among civil society organizations (CSOs), the Ministry of Education, secondary schools and the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption in the field of prevention of the corruption risks in secondary education.

Representatives from international agencies, central and regional education departments of Tajikistan, Agency on State Finance Control and Fighting against Corruption, ministries, as well as representatives of local and private mass media are participating in the conference.

International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually, on December 9, since the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on October 31, 2003.