CIROC seminars


CIROC focuses on knowledge transfer from theory to practice and vice versa, and the disclosure of information about organized crime and the fight against it for Dutch audiences. This takes shape through seminars organized four or five times a year in Utrecht on a topical issue in the field of organized crime. The themes are introduced by speakers from the Netherlands and abroad.

The aim is to make the subject accessible for different groups (scientists and scientific institutions, central government, public prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and relevant free-professional groups) and to initiate a discussion. In the archives of the seminars you can find an overview of the programs and the presentations (mostly in Dutch).
 

  • Upcoming seminars

    Drugs in the Netherlands: fifty years of navigating the balance between criminalisation and regulation


    Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Location Utrecht 


    More information is only available in Dutch. Click on Nederlands.

     

    24-hour Virtual Conference on Global Organized Crime


    Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - Online - Call for applications


    Since 2020, six editions of OC24 have taken place, bringing together researchers and practitioners from all over the world.

    This year, we’re excited to host a continuous 24-hour edition of the conference. Twenty-four sessions will run sequentially in one Zoom webinar, allowing participants to follow the full programme without choosing between parallel streams. Organized crime scholars and practitioners will discuss topics including human trafficking, drug trafficking, cybercrime, corruption and the impact of climate change on organized crime worldwide.

    Submit individual proposals, no later than 16 September 2026, to Dina Siegel at d.siegel@uu.nl, or full panel proposals to Jay Albanese at jsalbane@vcu.edu.

    English is the official language of the OC24 conference. 
    Please address queries to iasoc@globalinitiative.net
    Click here for more information. 

     

    Anniversary Seminar: Organised Crime in Europe and Beyond; reflections on the developments of organised crime


    Wednesday, December 2, 2026 - Location Amsterdam 


    We are organizing this special seminar to celebrate CIROC's 25th year anniversary. 
     

    Programme
    09.45 - 10.00   Welcome with coffee – VU Amsterdam

    Morning session: looking back 
    Moderator: Hans Nelen (UM; CIROC)

    10.00 - 10.45   Letizia Paoli (KU Leuven): Organised Crime in Europe; major developments during the 25 years after the publication of the edited volume
    10.45 - 11.30   Zora Hauser (University of Cambridge): The Dynamics of Mafia Expansion: Trade, Governance, and Hibernation
    11.30 - 11.45   Coffee break
    11.45 - 12.30   Francesco Calderoni (Uni Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Trans crime): 25 years of fighting and containing organised crime
    12.30 - 12.45   Discussion

    Lunch

    Afternoon session: Looking forward 
    Moderator: Jay Albanese (Virginia Commonwealth University)

    13.45 - 14.15   Jay Albanese: Organised crime beyond Europe
    14.15 - 15.30   Roundtable 25 years of CIROC-activities; the members of the board interviewed by Jay Albanese on their dreams, major achievements, disappointments, and future ambitions
    15.30 - 15.45   Coffee/tea break
    15.45 - 16.30   Discussion with representatives of law enforcement agencies of the meaning and added value of CIROC
    16.30 - 18.00   Reception 

     

    Costs: 
    The cost of participating in this seminar is €245,-. This amount includes lunch and reception.
    A special arrangement applies to students: we are pleased to welcome up to 15 students from the universities participating in CIROC (EUR/TU/UM/UU/VU) at a reduced rate of €25.
     

    Location: 
    The seminar will take place in the main building of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) at De Boelelaan 1105. 
     

    Registration: 
    You can register until Monday 16 November, via this link. 
    Space is limited, so sign up quickly - once it’s full, it’s full. Your registration is confirmed once payment is received. You can choose from several payment options, including instant payment (iDeal, Visa or Mastercard, or PayPal). After payment, you can download your invoice.
     

    Cancellation: 
    You may cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the seminar begins. After that, 20% of your payment will be charged, and 100% will be charged starting two days before the seminar.
     

    Accessibility: 
    The VU Campus can be reached from Amsterdam Central Station by Metro or tram and from Amsterdam South Station by foot in 10 minutes. 
    Paid parking is available in the parking garages on and around the campus or on public streets.