News  State Ethics Commission Hosts Visiting Fellow From Honduras

Boston, MA — The State Ethics Commission has been pleased to recently host visiting professional fellow Emily Flores Fiallos through the Institute for Training and Development’s Professional Fellowship Program, a project sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Flores, an advisor to Honduran legislators on anti-corruption and transparency measures, was with the Commission from May 15 through June 7.

During her time with the Commission, Flores had numerous meetings with staff, learned about the Massachusetts conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws, and gained insight into the functions of the Commission’s Legal, Enforcement, and Public Education and Communications divisions. She participated in the Commission’s training and education programs, observed Commission staff on the job, attended the Commission’s monthly public meeting in May, and engaged in various other activities.

After returning to her home country, Flores hopes to apply insights gained through these experiences to efforts to combat corruption in Honduras. Flores’s plans include drafting a reform that would require every public employee to complete an online training program on the Code of Ethics of Honduras within the first 30 days of employment, receive a written summary of the code, and sign an acknowledgment of receipt, based on the Massachusetts mandatory conflict of interest law training and education requirements administered by the State Ethics Commission.

Flores holds a master's degree in economics and finance from the Catholic University of Honduras and a specialization in public management from George Washington University and ADEN International. Her career has focused on advising legislators in Honduras, contributing to significant legislative reform and public policy projects. She is interested in governance, transparency, anti-corruption efforts, political advocacy and improving governance and integrity in Honduran public institutions.

The Professional Fellows Program is a global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States.