INTRODUCTORY TRAINING OF TRAINERS COURSE ON ANTI-CORRUPTION

On February 3-6^th AEPLAC jointly with SIGMA and ICHD and in cooperation with the Civil Service Council of the RA and EU Advisory Group to the RA organized training on "Introductory Training of Trainers Course on Anti-Corruption" for the staff of Civil Service Council, trainers and staff of the RA State Academy of Governance, custom officials and others.

The aim of the training program was to enhance the knowledge of future Armenian trainers in anti-corruption issues and provide solid basis for delivering anti-corruption training programs in Armenia. Program provided overview of main international and EU practices in the field. Based on international experience Armenian situation and needs are discussed and tailor-made anti-corruption training program developed as a join effort of European Union and Armenian trainers.

The objective of the training programme was to:

¨        introduce the concept of corruption as well as basic issues related to definition and typologies of corruption, causes and determinants of corruptive practices, consequences and costs of corruption;

¨        outline the three pillar approach in the fight against corruption and identify the importance of prevention of corruption in the overall fight against corruption;

¨        reveal the complexity of the "diagnosis of corruption" with the difficulties related to measuring corruption, its causes and its effects;

¨        present  the concept of integrity and review integrity in anticorruption context;

¨        introduce international legal instruments to fight corruption;

¨        introduce anticorruption and integrity building strategies, as well as selected management tools  to manage integrity( conflict of interest regulations, codes of ethics/conduct);

¨        develop lecturing and presentation skills of the trainers;

¨        elaborate on possible target groups of the training and specific needs of various groups;

¨        discuss most suitable training methods to be used in providing training to civil servants and other groups;

¨        analyse and elaborate training program for the future and reach a common understanding on the program adjusted to Armenian needs;

¨        reach a common understanding on division of responsibilities between Armenian trainers for developing training materials and delivering training in the future.

Training was highly participative, requiring a full contribution from all trainees. Lecturing was combined with presentations of participants, linking the new knowledge acquired with the Armenian context.

Training program was delivered as a joint effort of European Union and Armenian trainers. For introducing international and EU practices a solid team of EU experts was put together representing extensive and diversified experiences dealing with anti-corruption issues.

How to Handle European Issues in Practice?

On 18-19 December 2009, Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre (AEPLAC) in cooperation with the International Centre for Human Development, Ministry of Economy and European Union (EU) Advisory Group to the Republic of Armenia (RA) organized a two-day training course on "How to Handle European Issues in Practice?". The target audience of the training was the staff members ("focal points") in Armenian government institutions dealing with cooperation with the EU in the framework of Twinning (Administrative and Institutional Capacity Building), TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument) and other assistance instruments. The event took place in Multi Rest House, Tsakhkadzor.

The aim of the course was to provide an in depth overview of the European Union policy-making and policy implementation with special emphasis to the European integration process and its impact to Armenia.

In times of global economic recession new political and economic perspectives have higher importance than ever for the Eastern European countries. European Union provides new opportunities and additional benefits to both companies and citizens. A new cooperation framework - Eastern Partnership has been recently launched by the European Union.

Nevertheless, gaining from European integration requires comprehensive knowledge about the objectives of the European Union, its institutions, legal system, main policies and cooperation opportunities offered to Eastern partners. The course focused also on specific skills to analyze the impact of harmonization of national legislation with the EU acquis and other domestic implications of Armenia-EU cooperation. Knowledge acquired in the course will strongly contribute to the successful coordination of European integration process on the national level.

This course was the second in the series of trainings for the officials of the public administration dealing with the European integration issues. This time it targeted officials involved specifically in planning, organisation and conduct of Twinning, TAIEX, SIGMA and other operations under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).

Training for Customs in Post-clearance Audit Techniques

From 2 to 11 November inclusive, the EU Advisory Group to the Republic of Armenia, in cooperation with the State Revenue Committee and AEPLAC,  delivered an 8-day training course for Customs officials responsible for Post-clearance Audit visits to importers' premises.

This course is the first in a series of integrated PCA training events that the EU Advisory Group will be providing for Customs during the next 18 months. The event took place at Araratyan Custom House, Yerevan, and was formally closed on 11 November by Mr. Artak Shaboyan, Deputy Chairman, State Revenue Committee of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, and Mr. Uffe Holst Jensen, Operations Manager, Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia. Certificates of successful completion were awarded to all participants.

Based upon European best practice, the course:

(a) explained the basic methodology to be used in PCA controls, including trader selection, visit/ audit planning, carrying out control visits to traders, and taking post-visit action;

(b) explained the ways in which the Customs Risk Management function should be involved in, and support, these activities; and

(c) provided opportunities for trainees to examine the ways in which current methods of working in Armenian Customs could be revised in conjunction with the PCA methods described.

Customs Officials to Improve Corporate Governance

On the 16-17th of October the EU Advisory Group to the Republic of Armenia, in cooperation with the State Revenue Committee and AEPLAC, organized a two-day training course on Integrity Risk Management for Customs Officials at managerial level.

Under the priority 4, the EU-Armenia European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan stipulates measures to reduce corruption risks by improving the coherence and reliability of the tax system. It also envisions strengthening of the overall capacity of the Tax and Customs administrations as part of wider measures to improve the business climate.

The training aimed primarily at enhancing the knowledge and skills of the customs managers to successfully implement the good governance principles, prevent corruption and minimize the risks of mismanagement in their designated areas of responsibility. The training was of highly participatory character and geared upon the European best practices, in particular those specifically developed by successful transition countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Training course on “How to handle European issues in practice?”

On September 11-12-th AEPLAC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, ICHD and EU Advisory Group to Armenia, organized training for core staff of public administration bodies dealing with the coordination of European integration issues on “How to handle European issues in practice?”.
The main objective of the training was to provide in-depth overview of the European Union policy-making and policy implementation with special emphasis to the European integration process and its implications for Armenia. The target audience comprised officials from the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Economy (Department of the EU and International Economic Affairs, Project Administration Office), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions.
It also includes representatives from academic community actively involved in EU-related education and training in Armenia. The training was mainly conducted by Armenian experts in the field, supervised on substance by the experts of AEPLAC, EU Advisory Group to Armenia and ICHD. With this training course, AEPLAC embarked on a comprehensive EU-related training program for officials and civil society representatives involved in practical implementation of EU-Armenia Action Plan.