The United Nations Training Cooperation Department operates the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) under an agreement concluded between the Government of Japan and the United Nations. With the participation of officials working in the field of criminal justice mostly in Asia and the Pacific region, the Institute has held three types of international courses every year since 1962: one for those engaged in correctional services and probation, another for members of the judiciary, prosecutors and police officials and the third, a seminar-type course for senior officials.
In addition the Institute holds a number of other courses and seminars including the following: a specialized training course on corruption control and a course for senior officials from China. Furthermore, the Institute has been holding joint seminars overseas, together with foreign governments, since 1981.
Starting from the first international training course in 1962, UNAFEI has held 135 international training courses and seminars as of March 2007. More than 3,200 officials from more than 110 countries including Japan, have participated in its international courses. UNAFEI's courses have greatly contributed to the effective prevention of crime in the participating countries as well as to the improvement and strengthening of their criminal justice systems, and therefore the contribution of the Institute is highly valued as part of the overseas technical assistance provided by Japan.
Further, the Institute is engaged in the research and study of criminal justice systems and publishes the results in the UNAFEI Resource Material Series and other publications. UNAFEI is endeavoring to exchange and collect information and data from overseas, and sponsors international conferences, thereby contributing to international cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of criminal justice.
Plenary session of an International Course at UNAFEI
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