GLITSS Annual Conference
The general purpose of the Annual GLITSS Conferences revolves around addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by illicit trade in the context of globalisation. These conferences aim to foster a comprehensive understanding of illicit trade’s impact on global security, economic sustainability, and social well-being. The GLITSS Conference is open to both participants and presenters. The paper presentation proposals are reviewed by the GLITSS Core Group, and they are also considered for publication in edited volumes planned to be published within the scope of this COST Action.
2024 2nd Annual Glitss Conference - Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegowina
The second annual GLITSS conference titled “The Unseen And Far-Reaching Consequences Of Illicit Trade In Times Of War And Beyond” takes place on 16 May 2024 at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security Studies, University of Sarajevo. While focusing on the consequences of illicit trade, it delves into the intricate repercussions of illicit trade on contemporary societies within the European and global context. Illicit trade, encompassing activities such as counterfeiting, smuggling, and trafficking, extends beyond mere economic and legal concerns to pose significant security, safety and sustainability challenges. It enables security threats to materialize, such as natural-resource-fueled conflicts and terrorism. It presents safety hazards, such as those created by counterfeit medicines and drugs. It threatens the sustainability of our societies by consuming excessive planetary resources and undermining the regulated functioning of international markets. Yet, despite this apparent objective relevance, the discussion on illicit trade remains compartmentalized within disciplinary boundaries. Bringing together experts, policymakers, academics, and industry stakeholders, the conference explores the complex interplay between illicit trade and its multifaceted threats to security, safety, and sustainability.
Agenda
May 15th – Wednesday
Arrival of participants
19:30 Conference Dinner at Nova Bentbaša
May 16th – Thursday
08:34–09:00 Registration
09:00–09:30 Welcome Speeches
09:30–10:15 Keynote Speech by Louise Shelley
10:15–10:30 Coffee Break
PANEL SESSIONS
10:30–11:45 Panel Session 1: Illicit Trade undermining Global Security: Financing Terrorism and Armed Conflicts
- Donna Yates – Antiquities Were (probably) Never a Significant Source of Terrorism Financing
- Janis Grasis – Sanctions and illicit trade between EU member states and Russia: Case of Latvia.
- Mirela Imsirovic – The Influence of Wars in the Middle East on China’s Cooperation in Southeast Europe: Unraveling China’s Economic Attitudes to Trade Flows
- Namchoke Sasikornwong – Informal Economy At The International Level: The Art of Bypassing Western Institutions, A Case Study of Thailand’s Non-Sanction on Russia for the War in Ukraine
11:45–12:15 Coffee break
12:15–13:30 Panel Session 2: Various Consequences of Wildlife Trade
- Çağdan Uyar – The Effectiveness of CITES Convention Scientific Authorities in Preventing Illicit Trade
- Esra Per – Illegal Wildlife Trade and Smuggling in Türkiye: A Comprehensive Examination of Its Environmental, Biosecurity, and Health Dimensions
- Luis Miguel Nunes Valente Afonso Reino – Impacts of the EU trade ban in the wildlife trade network: Is the war in Europe affecting the patterns of both legal and illegal trade?
- Pim Geelhoed – Private Prosecutions for Wildlife Trafficking in Uganda
13:30–14:30 Lunch break
14:30–15:30 Panel Session 3: Environmental and Economic Consequences of Illicit Trade
- Besa Shahini – Unravelling the Nexus of Illicit Waste Trade, Circular Economy Strategies, and Environmental Conservation: Towards Sustainable Solutions
- Karol Bieńkowski – Combating agri-food fraud – A Challenge for Europe
- Sandra Kobajica Misanovic – Assessing the Dimensions of Environmental Crime: A Case Study of Bosnia and Herzegovina
15:30–16:00 Coffee break
15:30-16:30 Panel Session 4: Illicit Trade Fueling Corruption and Organized Crime
- Aleksandar Maršavelski – Consequences of Financing of Political Parties from Illicit Trade in Southeast Europe
- Andrius Puksas – Illicit Trade and Criminal Activities: Analyzing Trends During War and in the Aftermath of Conflict
- Lorenzo Bernardini – Investigating and Prosecuting Human Traffickers: Is the EU’s Holistic Approach Effective To Tackle Organised Crime Networks?
- Zora Hauser – Cooperation, Surplus Sharing, and Conflict in Criminal Settings
17:00–17:30 Cocktail Event
2023 Kick-off Conference - Skopje, North Macedonia
Upcoming Conferences
The third annual GLITSS conference will take place in 2025 and will focus on the causes of illicit trade. This event aims to shed light on the multifaceted reasons behind the persistence and growth of illicit trade in the context of globalisation, including globalisation, migrations, weak legal frameworks, corruption, conflicts and instability.
The fourth annual GLITSS conference scheduled for 2026 will focus on the responses to illicit trade. This conference aims to explore and evaluate various strategies and responses that governments, international organizations, private sectors, and civil society have developed and implemented to combat illicit trade. These include strengthening international cooperation in combating illicit trade, enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks, leveraging technology and innovation, capacity building, consumer awareness and education.
Do you want to host the 2025 or 2026 GLITSS Annual Conference?
Our Conferences usually take place in the spring and venues need to be able to host between 50–100 researchers. If you would like to host one of our upcoming GLITSS conferences in 2025 or 2026 please send an expression of interest containing room availability and capacity via the button below.
