International Summer School on Financial Security starts at Lobachevsky University
On July 20, the International Summer School on Financial Security began its work for the first time at Lobachevsky University as part of the International Movement for Financial Security and the International Summer University. The event is organised by UNN, and its co-organisers are Rosfinmonitoring, the International Educational and Methodological Centre for Financial Monitoring, the International Network Institute for Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism, the Nizhny Novgorod Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the Volga Branch of the Lebedev Russian State University of Justice, and the Volga-Vyatka Main Directorate of the Bank of Russia. The school is being held with the support of the Priority 2030 programme.
Yuri Chikhanchin, Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, gave a welcoming address. "Today, threats in the field of financial security are becoming increasingly technologically advanced: virtual and gaming assets, cross-border schemes, and digital payment tools. It is therefore important for young professionals from different countries to learn to work together using real analysis tools and gain knowledge from leading practitioners. The school participants will examine financial security issues from various perspectives — those of a regulator, law enforcement, an analyst, and a scholar. This fosters a comprehensive mindset, which is essential in today's world," said Yuri Chikhanchin.
More than 50 participants from 12 countries are taking part in the school. They include representatives of the International Movement for Financial Security and universities of the International Network Institute for Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Serbia, Ethiopia, Tajikistan, Ecuador, and Iraq. The school runs from July 20 to 24, during which time participants will find out how financial security is perceived by financial intelligence officers, judges, employees of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, representatives of the Central Bank of Russia, crypto compliance experts, scholars, educators, and young people. Next year, it is planned to increase the number of countries participating in the school and launch it in English.
In his address, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, the First Deputy General Director of the International Educational and Methodological Centre for Financial Monitoring, highlighted Lobachevsky University's contribution to establishing the International Network Institute for Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism. He expressed hope that the International Summer School on Financial Security would motivate participants to submit their projects to the International Competition of Research Papers by Students on Financial Security titled "Modern Mechanisms for Ensuring Financial Security. The Russian AML/CFT System: 25 Years Protecting Global and National Financial Security," which is part of a separate track at the International Olympiad on Financial Security.
As part of the school, a series of lectures and workshops will be held on modern digital mechanisms in the field of combating money laundering, terrorist financing, extremist activities, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as on the practices of investigating and preventing financial crimes, assessing risks in the AML/CFT area, regulating cryptocurrencies, and the role of government and banking structures in enhancing financial literacy, security, and culture. The instructors will include representatives from Rosfinmonitoring, the Bank of Russia, law enforcement agencies, and relevant universities participating in the International Network Institute.
"The International Summer School on Financial Security is a platform for professional international dialogue. We have combined the academic foundation and practical expertise of leading experts to immerse participants in the practice as deeply as possible. The involvement of representatives from 12 countries makes the school truly global. Ensuring financial security is a task that transcends national borders, and it must be addressed through joint efforts," noted Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University.
Victor Tsyganov, Head of the Rosfinmonitoring branch for the Volga Federal District, emphasised the key characteristics of this school: "It is particularly valuable that the school has an interdisciplinary nature: attendees simultaneously explore economic, legal, and informational aspects of financial security — such a synthesis of competencies is highly relevant for us today. I believe that for many participants, the school will serve as a growth point and the beginning of significant professional paths."
During the school, a roundtable will also be held, dedicated to the youth model of the Eurasian Anti-Money Laundering Group (EAG). There, the participants representing the younger generation will familiarise themselves with decision-making mechanisms at the international level, hone their skills in interstate interaction, and study risk assessment techniques in the field of AML/CFT.
