Winter School on Environmental Crimes, 18-22 November 2024, Online - Deadline for application: 3 November 2024
For information about the 2025 edition of the Winter School, please contact: unicri.courses@un.org
Addressing environmental crimes is more urgent and crucial than ever before, as they affect all countries indiscriminately, impacting biodiversity, national security, human rights, and socio-economic development. Illegal acts that directly harm the environment such as illegal trade in wildlife, smuggling of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), illicit trade of hazardous waste, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and illegal logging and trade in timber, not only degrade ecosystems but also threaten the health and livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. As the planet's ecological balance becomes more fragile, the consequences of these crimes are more far-reaching and severe. Therefore, the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and proactive measures to combat these offences are essential to safeguard our planet and ensure a sustainable future for all.
Since 1998, UNICRI has been at the forefront of tackling environmental crimes. The Institute has spearheaded numerous international projects designed to enhance knowledge and develop capabilities to combat the illegal trade and trafficking of environmentally harmful materials, including e-waste, chemicals, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances, and precious metals. Fueled by individuals but also by organized crime groups attracted to high profits and low detection risks, these crimes continue to proliferate. The recently released World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 highlights the strict interconnection between wildlife crimes and organized crime, revealing that the illicit trade in wildlife is not just a matter of conservation concern but also a significant component of transnational organized crime networks. This emphasizes the necessity of integrated efforts and international cooperation to combat these intertwined criminal enterprises effectively.
Environmental crimes are becoming progressively integrated and viewed within a broader, global system. They are no longer seen as isolated incidents but as interconnected issues that impact the environment, public health, and international security. At the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP 28), UNODC presented evidence of the need to address environmental crimes to support climate change mitigation.
As the challenges continue to evolve, ongoing training and knowledge dissemination remain crucial to sustain and expand efforts to combat environmental crimes. Based on these considerations, UNICRI and the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI) will organize the eighth edition of the Winter School on Environmental Crimes, from 18 to 22 November 2024, in an online modality.
The course will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of environmental crimes and the current responses from the criminal justice system. The Winter School adopts a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach, emphasizing the connections between environmental crimes and other significant legal and societal challenges. The existing international legal framework will also be also examined to improve participants’ ability to thoroughly understand the various aspects. More specifically, the curriculum of the course will focus on:
- Existing international legal frameworks to prevent crimes against the environment.
- The concept of environmental protection and its evolution.
- Ecocide.
- Environment and illegal mining.
- Environmental crimes and terrorism.
- Involvement of organized criminal groups in environmental crimes.
- Waste trafficking and its impact on human health and security.
- Wildlife crimes.
- Environmental conflicts and justice.
- Individual, Corporate and State accountability for environmental crimes.
The Winter School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through live webinars, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty is composed of top scholars and academics from prestigious universities, representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and civil society organizations.
Through a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts and peers from all over the world, enabling them to build lasting professional relationships. This experience fosters intercultural dialogue and promotes a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most complex and debated issues.
Detailed information
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Dates |
18-22 November 2024 |
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Venue |
Online |
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Application deadline |
3 November 2024 (rolling basis) |
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Confirmation of acceptance |
Within 1 week following receipt of the application |
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Payment deadline |
Within 1 week following confirmation of acceptance |
1. Entry requirements
The course is intended for university and post-graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, professionals, including United Nations (UN) personnel, as well as anyone interested in gaining a deep knowledge of current environmental crime issues.
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
• Possess a strong command of the English language.
2. Course Methodology
This course is delivered online. It combines live webinars in our virtual classroom, led by subject matter experts, with self-paced activities and interactive group discussions.
The live webinars are conducted on a dedicated online platform. Participants need a computer (recommended) or a mobile device with audio and video capabilities, a headset with a microphone to connect to the audio through the computer or mobile device, as well as a reliable internet connection. We recommend accessing audio through the computer. No special software is required. Upon acceptance to the course, participants will be provided with the information to access the platform.
The live webinars are from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm Rome time (8:00 am to 12:00 pm New York time), from Monday to Friday.
3. How to apply
The selection is carried out on a rolling basis.
- Application deadline: please complete and send the application form - and a scanned copy of your valid passport - to unicri.courses@un.org and formint@sioi.org by 3 November 2024
- Confirmation of acceptance: the results of the selection process will be communicated via e-mail within 1 week following receipt of the application.
- Payment deadline: full payment has to be finalized within 1 week following confirmation of acceptance (i.e. candidates should provide UNICRI and SIOI with proof of payment via e-mail to unicri.courses@un.org and formint@sioi.org).
Download the Application form:
4. Registration Fees
Registration fees amounts to 800 Euro.
Registration fees includes:
- Tuition
- Course material on electronic version
5. Cancellation and Refunds
In the event of a participant cancellation for any reason, including visa denial, registration fees will not be refunded.
6. Certificate of participation
Upon attendance of all live webinars and completion of the course activities and assignments, participants will receive a certificate of participation jointly released by the United Nations and SIOI. The Organizers retain the discretion to consider severe reasons for absences when issuing the certificate.
7. Contacts
Email: unicri.courses@un.org – formint@sioi.org (please indicate “Environmental Crimes” in the subject of the email).
Tel: UNICRI +39 06 6789 907 | SIOI: +39 06 6920781
