Students learn how to drive anti-corruption reform at guest lecture

Brandt school students attended a guest session led by Dr. Anna-Maija Mertens (Board of Directors, Deutsches Institut für Compliance e.V.) titled, “Designing Effective Anti-Corruption Campaigns – How to Make a Change? Lessons Learned.” The hybrid session focused on understanding corruption and promoting anti-corruption efforts through strategic advocacy. Dr. Mertens shared her extensive experience in the field, guiding students through the practical steps of transforming a policy goal into reality.

The lecture emphasized that making a real impact requires more than general demands; it requires being precise, such as advocating for a “legislative footprint” or a lobby register. Dr. Mertens highlighted the necessity of “reality checks,” stakeholder mapping, and “agenda surfing” to catch political windows of opportunity. Students learned that while policy change is often a slow process, it is possible with evidence-based arguments, constructive engagement with opponents, and learning from failure rather than wasting it.