IACA was originally initiated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Republic of Austria and the European Anti-Fraud Office as well as an overgrowing family of major stakeholders from all corners of the globe. With 53 founding members, IACA became an international organisation, representing one of the most successful international initiatives ever. The Academy as a centre of excellence-provides a new, holistic approach to professionalising anti-corruption education and research. It observes geographical and cultural diversity, and seeks broad partnerships with public and private sector institutions, including academia, civil society and NGO's.