The high rates of crime and violence are two of the main challenges that affect the citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean. That is why the public policies of citizen security are prioritized in the agendas of the governments of the region. To improve the effectiveness of these policies, it is essential to have an informed civil society making sure that social rights are respected and that the rule of law is fulfilled under a regime of democratic governance. Hence the importance of making this material available to the general public, which allows knowing both the theoretical concepts and what is currently being done in practice in terms of the implementation of citizen security and justice policies in the region.

In particular, the course provides applied knowledge and technical tools for the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs aimed at strengthening the different links that make up the criminal justice system: prevention of crime and violence; crime deterrence; law enforcement; crime judicialization and social rehabilitation of prisoners.

It is expected that this course will create awareness among public officials, authorities, academics, journalists, civil society and the public interested in citizen security and justice issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, on the intersectoral nature of policies that seek to improve the services of social prevention of violence, police, prosecutor’s offices, and prisons.

The course was jointly designed by the IDB and the consortium of universities of Chile, John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and FADISMA in Brasil.

This course is "self-paced" so you can enroll at any time, even if the course has been open for a while. You can take it at the time that is most suitable for you inside the enrolment period of the course.

If you opt for the Audit track, you could complete the course free and have 10 weeks to take the course from the day you subscribed.

If you opt for the Verified track , you can access the course in an unlimited way and complete the qualified evaluations until the closing date, (Feb 22th, 2023), after making a payment of $25 . If you pass, in addition to the verified certificate, you will obtain a digital badge *that allows you to change the way you share your academic and professional achievements, as for example, on social media.

*Did you know there is a financial aid to opt for the verified certificate?

EdX financial help: edX offers financial assistance for learners who want to earn Verified Certificates but who may not be able to pay the Verified Certificate fee. Subscribe to the course and apply for financial assistance.

See more information in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.