“Towards a More Safe and Secure World:
Cooperative Efforts in
Combating Transnational Crime”
 
US Department of State Special Initiative
 
May 5-11, 2023

After a four-year hiatus during the pandemic, World Partnerships was honored to again host this US Department of State Special Initiative gathering of 68 IVLP leaders from 56 countries in Africa, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, Central Asia, the Near East and North Africa, and the Western Hemisphere for a three-day series of workshops focused on cooperative efforts in combating transnational crime. With the St. Petersburg Police Department, our law enforcement partner for TMSSW, World Partnerships brought together speakers and panelists from law enforcement, the judiciary, research institutes and the United States military from local, state, and Federal institutions. IVLP visitors also enjoyed a Tampa Bay Rays-New York Yankees baseball game and engaged in a volunteer beach clean-up and community cookout at Fort DeSoto Park. 

​TMSSW is an extraordinary gathering of professionals who combat transnational criminal organizations, terrorism and cyberwarfare every day, helping make our world safer and more secure. And, it all happened right here in Tampa Bay!
About TMSSW

In its ninth year, the U.S. Department of State’s Towards a More Safe and Secure World initiative brings approximately 70 judicial, law enforcement, and security officials to the United States each year to engage with U.S. counterparts and examine methods for upholding the rule of law, leveraging partnerships, expanding international cooperation and defeating terrorism. The initiative is administered by the Institute of International Education and conducted from May 1 – May 19, 2023.
 
“Towards a More Safe and Secure World” is designed to promote global cooperation in the war against transnational crime, terrorism, and violent extremism. The global initiative examines how the U.S. government at all levels, often in cooperation with private-sector institutions such as faith-based organizations and NGOs, works to secure its borders and combat illicit trafficking of persons, arms and drugs, with particular emphasis on the global trade of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl by transnational criminal organizations. Participants will examine the broad range of policies, operational strategies, and federal, state, and local government and private-sector institutions working to combat transnational crime and protect the integrity of cross-border commerce and travel. Participants will explore cooperative international efforts to combat cross-border criminal activity, in addition to services provided domestically and internationally to assist victims of transnational crimes.
TMSSW Objectives

  • Provide an understanding of the American criminal justice system and the legal framework for combating a range of transnational crimes;
 
  • Explore the role of law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities at the federal, state, and local levels to detect, investigate, and prosecute various transnational crimes, such as financial and organized crimes, the trafficking and smuggling of people and goods, and terrorism;
 
  • Explore initiatives that seek to identify and address root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities; and
 
  • Identify ways in which American policymakers and law enforcement agencies can collaborate with international partners to counter transnational threats. 

Click the Links Below & Take the TMSSW Journey in Tampa Bay!

Monday, May 8: Workshop on Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces to Combat Transnational Crime
Tuesday, May 9: US Military Combatant Commands Briefing on Countering Transnational Threats
Tuesday, May 9 Keynote Address: Prosecuting Transnational Crimes 
​Wednesday, May 10: Building Cybersecurity Capacity
​Wednesday, May 10: The Challenges of Disinformation, Misinformation, and Artificial Intelligence for Global Security Professionals
Cultural Activities in Tampa Bay!
Special Acknowledgements!
TMSSW Partners
CLICK HERE for Mark Parker's May 8 reporting about TMSSW in the St. Pete Catalyst!

Monday, May 8: Workshop on Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces to Combat Transnational Crime