SUMMER SCHOOL ON CYBER-CRIME & CYBER-SECURITY (3CS)

4^TH EDITION

The Summer School on Cyber-Crime & Cyber-Security (3CS) is organized by the REACT Initiative (Research Excellence Against Child Trafficking) which is established under the Center for Human Rights and Migration of the Romanian-American University, with financial support and expertise provided by the Netherlands National Police. In collaboration with the Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence (CRAI), this Intensive Blended Program explores the intersection of law, human rights, security, technology, and AI. For 2026, 3CS places a strong emphasis on fight against organized crime and human trafficking, as well as on the impact of AI and human rights, in the context of global challenges increasingly driven by cybercriminal exploitation of advanced technologies.

The 4^th edition of the International School will take place at the Romanian-American University between 2^nd and 10^th of July 2026.

This Summer School is an ERASMUS+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) and participants (students and professors) are eligible for funding through ERASMUS+ Mobility.

3CS offers international students and professors participating in this summer school a unique environment to explore cutting-edge issues at the crossroads of technology and law as a pioneering training program for those passionate about addressing global challenges in the digital age. Throughout the program, participants will delve into the mechanisms behind cybercrime, focusing on fighting organized crime and human trafficking. These issues are examined within the broader context of digital transformation, highlighting how cybercriminals exploit advanced technologies like cryptocurrency, AI and digital platforms. Participants will engage with real-world scenarios.

To enrich the learning experience, the program integrates lectures by professional experts, practical activities, and collaborative projects. Students will explore the role of global legal frameworks, ethical dilemmas surrounding digital platforms, and strategies to protect vulnerable persons from technology-enabled exploitation. The interdisciplinary nature of 3CS encourages participants to think critically about innovative solutions to these pressing issues. They better understand how online organized crime poses a significant threat to national and international security. These criminal groups, often operating with tacit institutional approval or political support, can undermine the stability of the state, weaken the rule of law and judicial systems, eroding public trust in governmental institutions. By the end of the summer school, students will not only have gained in-depth knowledge of organized crime challenges but will also have developed an international perspective on fighting this global issue. The program emphasizes the importance of collaboration, preparing participants to contribute meaningfully to the international fight against organized crime and prevention of human trafficking.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

✔️ to understand the dynamics of cyber-environment, with a specific focus on organized crime and human trafficking

✔️ to explore the role of technology, especially AI, in both facilitating and fighting organized crime

✔️ to develop practical skills to detect, prevent, and fight online organized crime

✔️ to foster collaboration among participants from various disciplines and sectors, mainly social sciences and ITC, to innovate and implement effective solutions

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

🔹 practical activities: better understanding of global challenges in the field of organized crime and human rights (2-4 July)

🔹 seminars: daily sessions led by experts in law enforcement, legal research, cybersecurity, or AI (6-7 July)

🔹 workshops: using cyber-security tools, AI applications, data analysis, and investigative techniques to tackle potential organized crime groups/human trafficking cases (8-9 July)

🔹 discussions: engage at a multidisciplinary group level to discuss current challenges and solutions (10 July)

🔹 networking: opportunities to connect with peers, lecturers, and stakeholders committed to fighting organized crime and human trafficking (25 June-17 July)

🔹 projects: team-based projects where participants will apply their learning to propose and develop a solution to a specific challenge related to human trafficking, cyber-crime, and AI

🔹 cultural activities: Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour and other cultural visits in Bucharest (4-5 July)

Please check the event’s Description here. The event’s Agenda can be accessed online, here.

➤ Who should participate?

👤 Students in law, political science, computer science, law enforcement, security studies, economics, humanities, and other related fields. While prior knowledge is not required, students should complete the online readings and take the online test beforehand (see the Agenda). The interdisciplinary program encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a deeper understanding of transnational organized crime and human trafficking. English-speaking students can apply by 18 June 2026.

👤 Academic staff (professors & researchers) who are interested in delivering or attending the training, with the opportunity to contribute to the Global Scientific Conference on Human Rights at Risk: Organized Crime at Sea and Across Borders (2 – 3 July). A supplementary Training module on Academic Networking and Research Project Development will be provided for conference participants (4 July).

➤ How can you Register and what is the Registration Deadline?

📝 To secure your seat, please complete the online Registration form available HERE as soon as possible, no later than 18 June 2026.

Registration may be completed as follows:

🔹 by nomination through the applicant’s home Erasmus Department, where the participant is eligible to receive Erasmus funding; or
🔹 by individual submission, where the participant intends to attend at their own expense.

➤ What is the Participation Fee?

👉 Accepted participants must confirm their participation by paying a non-refundable fee of €100 within 15 days from acceptance, but no later than 18th of June 2026. Places are allocated on a first-paid basis, subject to availability. Coffee breaks and lunches are provided by the organizers.

🔹 CREDITS OFFERED: 3 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)

🔹 ACCOMMODATION: on-campus hostel options include a 4-star double room with AC at €60/night or a 3-star standard triple room without AC at €45/night. The hostel is located 100 meters from the school’s venue.

🔹 ERASMUS+ ELIGIBILITY AND FUNDING: participants (EU/UK/EEA students and academic staff) should consult their home Erasmus+ Department to confirm eligibility and to establish bilateral agreements. They may receive a grant of €70 per day to cover transportation, accommodation, and meals in Romania, with an additional optional funding for 2 travel days. All Erasmus+ beneficiaries are required to submit the necessary documents for funding and nomination (ID, Transcript of Records, CV, etc.) to their university’s Erasmus Department prior to receiving mobility funds.

📧 CONTACT: In case of need, please contact the 3CS Scientific Coordinator, Ms. Silvia Tăbușcă, Ph.D. – Director, Center for Human Rights and Migration, via email at [email protected].