“Technology” for Sustainable Culture of Lawfulness Programs

Over the past ten years, NSIC has systematically studied international examples where a culture of lawfulness has taken hold and how this was achieved. NSIC has researched what works and what does not work and has drawn lessons that have guided its efforts to adapt and replicate these experiences. As a result, NSIC has developed an effective, inexpensive, and sustainable approach that has been shown to be effective in diverse settings.

Planning and Program Design

Secure partner – national or local government authorities and key sectors of civil society – commitment to incorporate integrity/rule of law principles into their institutional mandate and to allocate the human and financial capacity to sustain the program. With the partner, adapt existing educational material and approaches for influencing the institutional culture. When possible, identify opportunities across multiple sectors to reinforce educational messages.

Capacity Building

Equip partners with the knowledge and skills to sustain program implementation. This entails:

  • Mentoring partner managers;
  • Adapting curricula to reflect the practical realities of the course participants;
  • Training the trainers;
  • Implementing accreditation standards to ensure instructors/trainers have required knowledge, attitudes, and teaching skills; and
  • Creating a complementary top-down approach to operationalize the program and provide institutional incentives for cultural change.

Evaluation

Ensure that integrity/rule of law education is having the desired impact and that partners acquire the capacity to maintain these programs on their own. (i) Process evaluations ensure that courses are being implemented as intended; and (ii) impact evaluations (short and medium term) measure the effect on “student” knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Based on evaluation findings, guide partner in revising project management, curricula, or instructor training.