Linkages between illicit arms, organized crime and armed conflict not only reinforce one another but also escalate violence and erode governance. Similarly, armed conflict provides an environment which enables organized crime to flourish due to the widespread availability of surplus arms and ammunition and the absence of rule of law, which allows illegal financial activities carried out by non-state armed groups to prosper.

In some countries in transition, like Colombia or Afghanistan, illicit economies such as drug cultivation, illicit mining or logging have sustained the livelihoods of many impoverished communities who possess no viable alternatives, so entering the criminal economy can be the only means of survival. It is also the primary driver of terrorism, with more than 99 percent of all terrorist-related deaths occurring in countries in conflict with social alienation, lack of economic opportunity and political instability.

This five-day course will seek to explore the definitions of concepts such as organized crime, terrorism and extremism, and transnational crime provided in legal frameworks. Identifying similarities and differences, as well as the cause-effect relations between various factors, will help to understand the current response mechanism established to combat this phenomenon.

Learn more about Module IV here.

OBJECTIVE AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Understand the different concepts and definitions of organized crime, terrorism and extremism, and the definition under different legal frameworks.
2. Get acquainted with the major financing mechanism of organized crime and its relations with existing conflicts.
3. Understand the legal implications of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding workers engaging with terrorist groups under different jurisdictions.
4. Explore the challenges of the international community’s response to maintain peace and security and fight organized crime and terrorism.

LECTURERS

• Edgardo Buscaglia: Senior Research Scholar in Law & Economics, Columbia University
• Iftikhar Zaidi: Senior Lecturer, Centre for Defense Management and Leadership
• Andrew Whitley: Executive Director of Geo-Political Advisory Services
• Rossella Urru: Humanitarian Affairs Specialist, Independent Consultant
• Enric Gonyalons: Senior Program Manager, Middle East and North Africa Division at Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• University degree or equivalent professional training
• Fluency in English: B2+
• Strong interest in international affairs

ABOUT HELSINKI ESPAÑA

Helsinki España was created in 1992 to advance the principles related to the human dimension of the Helsinki Final Act of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Our mission is to promote the respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, at both national and international levels. We achieve this by developing specialised, high-quality education and training programmes on issues intersecting human rights, conflict prevention, peace-building, and development. Our flagship international programme is REACT.

REACT is an intensive five-week (220h) in-person training on Conflict Prevention, Crisis Management and post-Conflict Rehabilitation. It is imparted by high-profile experts and trainers from international and public institutions – including numerous UN agencies; the OSCE, EU, NATO, and ICRC; and Spain’s ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs – and seeks to prepare selected candidates with the skills and competencies required to deploy in international field operations. The course represents an opportunity for both career development as well as career transition, and is the only training programme of its kind that takes place in Spain. The next REACT edition will take place from May 27th to June 28th, 2024. The deadline to apply for visa candidates is 1st of April, 2024.

The International University Centre for Peace Missions of Helsinki Spain (CIUMP) was created in 2003 under the auspices of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with the aim of training professionals with the necessary competencies and skills to work in peacebuilding. The Centre offers programmes, courses, and workshops on relevant issues on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and development.