Angola hosted its first National Symposium for Internal Auditors in Luanda on 22-23rd March 2010. The Symposium was the inspiration of Dr. Ladislau Ventura, the head of the Internal Audit department of Angolan Customs.
The aim of the Symposium is to increase awareness of the important role of Internal Auditors and to encourage the establishment of an Angolan chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (the IIA) as the professional body for all individuals who carry out Internal Audit functions in the public or private sector. Internal Audit is a multidisciplinary activity, undertaken by members of several different professions. The aim of the Angolan chapter, which will be a non-profit organisation supervised by a board, will be to encourage recognition and adoption of qualifications specific to the Internal Audit function, as an important step towards improving the quality and professionalism of practitioners.
Crown Agents was invited to speak on the role of the Internal Auditor in detecting and deterring fraud and corruption, which the President of Angola has said is an important element in helping to bring about a more transparent and just society, essential if the country is to achieve the position on the regional and international stage to which it aspires.
The Symposium was attended by senior representatives from both the public and private sector from a number of countries including Brazil, Portugal and Mozambique, as well as from Angola itself.