THE UNSEEN AND FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES OF ILLICIT TRADE IN TIMES OF WAR AND BEYOND
16 May
The Second GLITSS Annual Conference
on May 16th, Thursday, 2024
Background
The second annual GLITSS conference 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. TI threatens the sustainability of our societies by consuming excessive planetary resources and undermining the regulated functioning of international markets. Yet, despite this obvious 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
PART 1 – INTRODUCTION
08:45 – 9:00 Registration
09:00 – 9:30 Welcome Speeches
09:30 – 10:00 Keynote Speech: Louise Shelley, (George Mason University, USA)
10:00 – 10:30 Local Keynote Speech: TBA
PART 2 – PANEL SESSIONS
10:30 – 11:30 Panel Session 1 – Economic Consequences of Illicit Trade: From Modern Slavery to Poverty
Panel Description: Illicit trade often operates on a lower cost basis than legitimate businesses, due to factors such as tax evasion, lower labor costs, and environmental disregard. Trafficking in human beings as the worst form of illicit trade generates millions of victims of modern slavery across the world. This unfair competition can drive legitimate businesses out of the market, leading to job losses and economic decline. Furthermore, the presence of illicit goods in markets can distort prices, making it difficult for legitimate businesses to compete. This can lead to lower-quality goods being sold at higher prices, or to genuine products being priced too low to remain profitable. Illicit trade generally undermines efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, such as reducing poverty, and it can also divert resources away from essential services, such as education and healthcare.
Moderator: TBA
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break
12:00 – 13:00 Panel Session 2 – Illicit Trade Undermining Global Security: Financing Terrorism and Armed Conflicts
Panel Description: Illicit trade undermines global security by contributing to instability and conflict in some regions, as it is frequently used to fund armed groups and fuel violence. Illicit trade is a major source of funding for terrorist organizations, guerilla groups, and private military companies. The proceeds of illicit trade are used to purchase weapons, explosives, and other supplies, as well as to pay for the recruitment and training of terrorists, paramilitaries and mercenaries.
Moderator: TBA
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14.00 – 15.00 Panel session 3 – Illicit Trade Fueling Corruption and Organized Crime
Panel Description: Illicit trade is typically linked to organized crime and often relies on corrupt officials and businesses to operate, which can erode public trust in institutions and the rule of law. Illicit trade is also a major source of funding for criminal organizations. The link between illicit trade and political corruption can lead to impunity for criminals, enabling them to continue their illicit activities with little fear of punishment.
Moderator: TBA
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break
15.00 – 16.00 Panel session 4 – Other Consequences of Illicit Trade: From Environmental to Health Concerns
Panel Description: The illegal exploitation of natural resources, such as timber, wildlife, and minerals, is a major driver of illicit trade. This exploitation leads to deforestation, habitat loss, and the extinction of endangered species. Furthermore, illicit goods pose serious health and safety risks to consumers. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals, for example, may contain harmful ingredients or be ineffective, while substandard medicine, food, and electronics can malfunction or cause injuries, and even death.
Moderator: TBA
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee break
16:30 – 17:00 Closing remarks
Moderator: TBA
17:00 – 17:30 COCKTAIL EVENT
Submission and Deadlines
GLITSS members are invited to express their interest to attend the Conference by choosing one of the roles:
Speakers: Abstract up to 300 words (including disciplinary perspectives, methods, and preliminary results).
The Deadline for Submission is 16th March 2024.
Selected participants will be informed about the outcome via email.
Please submit your proposals via the Registration form.
Based on selected proposals, conference organizers will determine the exact scope and might invite additional participants (stakeholders, experts, politicians, etc.) to contribute to the event.
Logistics & Participant Info
For your stay at the 2nd Annual GLITSS Conference, we suggest the following hotels:
Hotel Grand – 3 stars
Location: Approximately 6 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot from the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security Studies.
Hotel Holiday – 4 stars
Location: Approximately 2 minutes by car or 7 minutes on foot from the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security Studies.
Hotel Novotel (Bristol) – 4 stars
Location: Approximately 4 minutes by car or 12 minutes on foot from the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security Studies.
Swissotel Hotel – 5 stars
Location: Approximately 3 minutes by car or 10 minutes on foot from the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security Studies.
