Conflict of Interest Laws Professionals Eligible for U.S. Study Tour

January 11, 2010

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is offering a three-week study tour to the United States for professionals from the field of the Effective Implementation of the Conflict of Interest Laws. Through this "Community Connections" program, Serbian professionals will stay with American families and meet with their U.S. counterparts to learn how conflict of interest laws are implemented, respected, applied, and enforced in the United States.

Participants will also experience:

• How conflict of interest or ethics boards operate
• Understand how data is collected, managed, investigated, and which data is open to the public
• See good examples of solving cases related to conflict of interest from beginning to end
• Learn about techniques of raising public awareness on conflict of interest issues
• Explore different approaches that federal and local governments, businesses, and civil society groups use in preventing conflict of interest and combating corruption.

All expenses in the U.S., including international airfare, insurance, professional and cultural programs and room and board are covered (passport fees and travel within Serbia are not included).

The Community Connections program is managed by USAID and implemented by World Learning in collaboration with Public Affairs Department of the U.S. Embassy. The deadline for submitting applications is February 5, 2010.

In order to be eligible for the Program, applicants must be employees of the Anti-Corruption Agency; representatives from NGOs that are dealing with the issue of conflict of interest; representatives from municipalities that have adopted the ethical code of conduct and have monitoring boards; university professors from related faculties; Independent Public Administrative groups (Office of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Data Protection, State Audit Institution, etc.) or journalists with significant and demonstrated positive involvement in the area of conflict of interest; and fulfill the general requirements of the program.

For additional information or to download an application form, please see World Learning/ Community Connections website: http://www.worldlearning.org.rs/ or contact Marijana Todorovic, Program Coordinator Community Connections, World Learning at (011) 3612-462, 3626-092.