The OLAF Anti - FRAUD Communicatirss'  Network (OAFCN) is a unigue cross - European network of communicators working on anti- fraud issues. It plays a pivotal role in communicating the threat of fraud to the public. This includes communicating on the effects of fraudulent activities and on the efforts made by national and European investigative authorities to combat them. Its creation enabled spokespersons and communication experts working for anti-fraud bodies across 28 EU Member States to join forces for the first time to communicate on anti-fraud matters. This helps distribute anti-fraud messages across all these Member States, raise awareness during joint events and inform EU citizens of the actions they can take to report fraud with EU funds. The main purpose of the OAFCN is to prevent fraud through better informing the public ("prevention is better than cure").

By understanding the importance of network and awareness of modern tools, OAFCN network is the platform on which the dialogue is conducted between the Member States and promotion of innovative methods that allow for the exchange of experiences, as well as continuous initiating new projects. OAFCN is also part of the communication strategy of OLAF, so that information about the activities of OLAF and its partners in the Member States is a professional, effective and efficient.

The 13th OAFCN seminar took place from 2 to 4 December in Luxemburg. The theme chosen by OAFCN members is: "How best to communicate to deter fraud".

Opening the seminar, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg Pierre Gramegna pointed out the importance of networking and the role of cooperation between the various partners primarily due to the comprehensive and practical transfer of knowledge and experience in the ways of communication that directly or indirectly contribute to deter fraud.

Subsequently, OLAF Director General Giovanni Kessler noted the significant importance of public awareness about issues highlighted. He stressed that the essential role of the OAFCN is to prevent fraud through by appropriate choice of the ways of communication to inform and educate the public.

The seminar was divided into various panel discussions, which concerned the issue of the use of modern tools to facilitate communication with the public contributes to the prevention of fraud, as well as issues related to investigations, open data and the challenges of data protection respecting procedural rights and ensuring confidentiality.

Lecturers of 13th Training Seminar of the OLAF Anti - Fraud Communicators (OAFCN) in Luxemburg werepeople from the law enforcement environment, customs individual countries, as well as Member of the European Parliament and OLAF. Due to the nature of the issue, the important voice in the debate has become views media environment, which was represented by Alexandros Koronakis (New Europe) or Lorenzo Robustelli (Eunews).

 

see more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/media-corner/anti-fraud-comunicators-network/index_en.htm