“Modern security challenges – Organized crime and contemporary security threats” is the name of the conference held in Sarajevo, which brought together representatives of law enforcement institutions, the judiciary, the academic community, international organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations.
The goal of the conference is the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices, as well as the strengthening of cooperation between institutions facing increasingly complex security challenges. Experts point out that this approach will enable a stronger focus on the prevention of various forms of crime and further strengthen institutional capacities.
A joint response is required
Through a thorough discussion and three panels, representatives of the government, security and police agencies, as well as the academic community, strive to assess the increasingly complex global security challenges that require a coordinated response from institutions.
The president of the Association of Criminologists, Criminologists and Security Managers, Mirela Mujović, emphasized that organized crime, cyber threats and drug abuse represent a problem for the entire society.
“Organized crime, cyber threats and drug abuse are not a problem of one institution, but of the whole society. That’s why we believe that this kind of conference opens up space for creating partnerships and offers concrete answers and recommendations of importance for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Mujović.
The Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Admir Katica pointed out that a multidisciplinary and multidepartmental approach is necessary to deal with contemporary security challenges.
“The answer to each of these problems is a multidisciplinary and multidepartmental approach. We in the Sarajevo Canton are especially grateful that the issue of the fight against drug abuse is open. We consider it an important achievement that we started this fight in the first place, by reducing the supply, which is police work, but also by reducing demand, preventing and remediating harmful consequences. We will share our experiences with the participants of the conference. It is great that representatives of the academic community, judicial institutions and police agencies are here, and I believe that we will reach conclusions that will improve our work”, said Katica.
Crime knows no borders
Institutions and the academic community recognized the danger and decided to act promptly. In this, they have the support of the institution of the International Community.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Kemal Ademović pointed out that contemporary forms of crime cannot be viewed through administrative borders.
“These types of crime, such as cross-border and organized crime, cybercrime, drug abuse and endangerment of critical infrastructure, know neither state nor administrative borders. That is why it is especially important to strengthen the institutions that deal with these areas in order to successfully deal with these types of crime,” said Ademović.
The role of the academic community
The Dean of the Faculty of Criminology, Criminology and Security Studies of the University of Sarajevo, Jasmin Ahić, emphasized the importance of connecting different professional perspectives within the security system.
“What is important for us to emphasize is that through all sectors within the complex security system, we make a contribution that will connect the sometimes opposing opinions within the professional community and show where we are good, where we have room for improvement and how to further connect these segments,” explained Ahić.
Recommendations for competent institutions
Security challenges are a global problem. The participants of the conference announced the adoption of recommendations that will be sent to the competent institutions as a contribution to the improvement of the security system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federalna writes.
