Monica Guy

This paper explores whether a more systematic use of financial crime legislation could help strengthen enforcement against illegal waste trade in the European Union (EU) and thereby prevent negative impacts on sustainable development from waste that is illegally shipped and improperly managed.

An analysis of open-source data from 2018–2023 was complemented by semi-structured
interviews with experts from different backgrounds. The findings suggest that a more
systematic use of financial crime approaches could help to increase detection rates as a complement to border controls, increase the chances of a successful prosecution,
strengthen deterrence by targeting the profit motive behind the trade, and increase
confiscation of assets linked to the crimes. EU countries have several incentives to do so, including promoting fair competition, preventing loss of tax revenue and reducing environmental impacts from inappropriate waste management.

Nonetheless, the paper identifies concerns about an over-emphasis on financial crimes in efforts to target illegal waste trade. This includes the “collateral damage” of penalising individuals and companies whose trade may be technically illegal but is potentially in line with the principles of a global circular economy.

Ultimately, the paper concludes that caution is needed. Before increasing the use of financial crime legislation, it is essential to address the systemic problems that make it difficult for companies to operate legally and profitably and easy for unscrupulous operators to find loopholes.

Note: The data used for this analysis is available as an Excel file at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OMUmNlzoJCBtGNvY0ZiiaRV2vtNnIoQ3?usp=sharing

Response to Henry Jenkins' white paper introducing the concept of spreadable media: (http://www.henryjenkins.org/2009/02/if_it_doesnt_spread_its_dead_p.html).

This essay places Jenkins' theory in the context of a bottom-up approach to marketing. It argues that the concept of spreadable media is useful in helping us think not just about marketing material but about all kinds of content: political, educational, analytical, health-related. Could we use spreadable media not just to help companies market their brands or politicians market themselves but to help poor people climb out of poverty and avoid disease?

I shall argue that anyone trying to disseminate information to people in remote corners of poor countries – educational, cultural, health-related – should think carefully about how to make that information spreadable.

Social media can be an effective way of spreading information
quickly and widely, and for testing popular opinion before
launching a protest or resistance movement. It is problematic as
a tool for mobilizing activists to achieve serious social change.

This chapter covers the steps you must consider when crafting a strategy for exposing corruption and
mismanagement through social media. Along with practical advice and thought-provoking questions, it
examines several case studies which throw light upon how social media has been and is being used to
expose corruption around the world.