Summer School 2023
Description
Money laundering. Terrorist financing. Drug trafficking. Arms smuggling. Tax havens. Human smuggling and the modern-day slave trade. These are not just abstract terms, but billion-dollar industries forming part of the world’s ever-globalized economy and which overlap with and fuel terrorism, organized crime, conflicts, corruption, authoritarianism, environmental degradation and other security threats. With such industries often being cast in a veil of secrecy, the University of Groningen, in association with the University of Catania, announce the 2023 Summer School on Illicit Trade, aiming to shed light on the dark side of globalization.
The fourth edition of our Summer School will take place in Catania, Sicily, a region that has been historically linked to mafia activity, including the smuggling of contraband, human trafficking, and money laundering, as well as widespread corruption. Hence, participants will learn from local practitioners in the area with a unique perspective on illicit trade, in addition to internationally renowned experts in the field. The panel of experts includes speakers from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime and the Siracusa Institute which will also be visited for a field trip.
This exciting course is the first of its kind in teaching illicit trade in a holistic and practical manner; combining both essential theoretical knowledge with contemporary investigation skills. Participants will learn how criminals set up offshore companies and bank accounts; how they obscure the beneficial ownership of assets; how they exploit the loop-holes of dual-use goods legal systems, and identify vulnerabilities in particular jurisdictions. The program will also include a field trip to local institutions, providing participants with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities associated with combating illicit trade.
Course Schedule
Day 1: Overview
Day 2: Trade and Trafficking
Day 3: Money and Money Trafficking
Day 4: Field Trip to the Siracusa Institute
Day 5: Responses and Exam
Learning outcomes & workload
Have foundational knowledge of the theory associated with illicit trade, including the different types of trafficking, how organizations and practitioners operate in this field, and how illicit trade is addressed in different jurisdictions.
Be able to utilize important contemporary investigative techniques such as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and Network Analysis.
Have practical insight on the workings of local organizations in their effort to combat illicit trade.
Have access to a network of fellow peers, experts, and practitioners active in the field of illicit trade.
Certificate of Participation
Upon attendance of all lectures and completion of the course activities and assignments, participants will receive a University of Groningen/University of Catania certificate of participation.
ECTS equivalence
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants can apply for recognition of 5 ECTS to the relevant authorities in their home institutions, therefore the final decision on awarding credits is at the discretion of their home institutions. Participants who wish to fulfill the equivalent work of 5 ECTS will need to deliver a written assignment to the University of Groningen within one month after the end of the Summer School. More detailed information can be requested at illicittrade@rug.nl.
Practical Information
Dates: 3 - 7 July 2023
Location: Catania, Sicily, Italy
Fee:
Early Bird: 600€ (before 21 May - extended deadline)
Regular: 650€ (after 21 May but no later than 31 May)
Scholarship fee: 300€
Scholarships:
Students from the University of Groningen, Students from the University of Catania or Students from the Global South (see list below)
Deadline for application:
Early bird deadline: 7 May 2023 (extended to 21 May)
Regular deadline: 31 May 2023
Level: All (Final Year BA/MA/PhD/Postdoc/Practitioners)
Academic coordinators: Dr. Francesco Giumelli, Dr. Tim Wittig, Dr. Pim Geelhoed
Contact for questions: illicittrade@rug.nl - Please indicate “Illicit Trade Summer School” in the subject of the email
Tel: +31 50 363 3666
Application
Requirements
The Summer School is designed for students in their final year in the undergraduate studies, masters students, PhD students in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Science and other relevant disciplines, who are interested in learning more about illicit trade. It is also addressed to professionals working in governmental institutions, local authorities, international and non-governmental organizations seeking to deepen their understanding of current illicit trade issues.
It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.
Procedure
To apply, kindly fill out the online application form. Please include the following documents with your application:
CV
Letter of motivation (max 1 page)
Deadline for application:
- Early bird deadline: 21 May 2023 (extended)
- Regular deadline: 31 May 2023
Applications are going to be evaluated on a rolling basis until the 30 available spots are filled. Therefore we advise you to apply as soon as possible.
Applicants will receive the results of the selection process via email within 5 working days following receipt of their application. This will be in the form of either rejection or conditional acceptance.
Applicants who have been conditionally accepted into the course shall receive full acceptance when the minimum number of 15 applications has been reached.
*Global South Countries eligible for Scholarships: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Congo (Rep.), Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Prince, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan (Rep.), Tanzania, TImor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia.
Cancellation and refunds
Participants who cancel more than 4 weeks before the start of the course are liable to pay 15% of the full course fee, unless the Summer School in question decides otherwise.
Participants who cancel within 4 weeks before the start of the course are liable to pay the full course fee, unless the Summer School in question decides otherwise.
Participants who withdraw during the course are liable to pay the full course fee, unless the Summer School in question decides otherwise.
