News
2026-04-23
From project to community: CYCLOPES gathers in Malta
As CYCLOPES approaches its conclusion, the Malta event brings together practitioners, researchers and innovation partners from across Europe to reflect on what …
Read more
In recent years, public security in Europe has faced new and serious challenges. Terrorism, organised crime and financial crime are now transnational in nature and require coordinated action that goes beyond the borders of individual states. In response to these threats, cooperation at the level of the European Union and the use of modern information technologies in the work of law enforcement agencies and the justice system are becoming increasingly important.
These needs gave rise to an initiative aimed at bringing together the potential of academic communities, public institutions and the commercial sector. Its objective is to translate the achievements of scientific research into practical solutions that support public security management and enable more effective crime prevention and enforcement.
The impulse for launching joint activities was an expert meeting held in September 2004 in Poznań. During the meeting, a research project concept was presented based on the assumption that effective action against crime—including economic and organised crime—is not possible without the use of advanced information technologies. The discussion helped to define the main directions for further work and the scope of cooperation between the involved communities.
The next step was the international conference entitled “Modern Methods of Scientific Support for Public Security Management in the European Union”, organised under the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief of Polish Police, with the participation of Poznań University of Technology, the University of Białystok, Adam Mickiewicz University, the Poznań University of Economics, the AGH University of Science and Technology, and Gdańsk University of Technology. The conference took place in Poznań on 9–11 May 2005.
The event brought together representatives of European institutions, uniformed services, the justice system, local government authorities, as well as numerous academic centres from Poland and abroad. The outcome of the discussions was not only the formulation of specific recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of security-related activities, but also the ceremonial signing of an agreement establishing a University Scientific Network – the Polish Platform for Homeland Security (PPHS).
The Platform is intended to become a space for long-term cooperation between science, research and development, and the practical functioning of the state. The presented concept assumes a comprehensive approach to research and development projects, particularly those using advanced information technologies to support the work of the police and other security services, as well as to counteract crime committed with the use of modern technologies, including in cyberspace. This direction is consistent with European priorities in the field of security research.
The conference held on 24–28 October 2005 in Będlewo.
An important element in the development of the initiative were consultations held in Brussels in September, during which representatives of the Platform presented its objectives to Members of the European Parliament and representatives of European Union institutions. These meetings confirmed strong interest in the project and opened the way for further activities, including the acquisition of European Union funding for joint research initiatives.
The work carried out to date was complemented by a nationwide conference held on 24–28 October 2005 in Będlewo. During the event, detailed arrangements concerning the operation of the Polish Platform for Homeland Security were agreed upon. The meeting created a unique forum for dialogue between legal practitioners, representatives of law enforcement agencies, and academics dealing with legal, economic and technical issues. Particular attention was given to the possibilities of using advanced information technology tools in diagnosing and combating organised crime and terrorism.
The culmination of the conference was the signing of a letter of intent, in which the signatories declared their willingness to cooperate closely in integrating scientific knowledge with the practical application of law. In this way, the establishment of the Polish Platform for Homeland Security was formally confirmed as an initiative of key importance for the development of modern security systems – not only at the national and European level, but also globally.
Signing of a letter of intent during the conference in Będlewo, 24–28 October 2005.
