Transnational organized crime is to be regarded as one of the greatest global threats to human security and the development of open and democratic societies. For the only overarching purpose of maximizing profit at the least possible risk, transnational organized crime has come to permeate the very fabric of the structures and institutions by which we define the international system. From activities such as the trafficking of drugs, humans and small arms to money laundering and fraud actors engaged in organized crime are able to use their enormous profits for re-investments into the legal economy. The long term results include serious damage to society such as the growth of corruption and public mistrust in political actors.
Based on several years of academic research, projects and policy studies on issues related to transnational organized crime, ISDP now launches a greater and more focused initiative on transnational organized crime. The aim of the initiative is to raise the public awareness and create a debate on the negative societal effects of transnational organized crime. Six major research areas will form the initial base of the initiative; Organized Crime in the Baltic Sea Region, Protecting Legitimacy in Politics, Drug Prevention, Human Trafficking for Labor Exploitation, Russian Organized Crime, Financial Crime and Money Laundering. Within each area the work will be done in close cooperation with academics, practitioners and policy makers in the field. Results will be disseminated in reports, articles and open seminars.
