On 13 October 2025, UNICRI Headquarters in Turin welcomed a delegation from the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law (SHUPL), reaffirming the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions in the areas of crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law.
The SHUPL delegation, composed of Vice President Luo Ligang; Senior Leadership Team Member Liu Zhiqiang; Deputy Dean of the School of Continuing Education Cheng Xiuling; Dedicated Deputy Director of the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation (CNISCO) Zhang Shaoying; and Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange Xia Ganling, was welcomed by UNICRI’s Acting Director Leif Villadsen and Programme Manager Duccio Mazarese.
The visit further strengthened the ongoing cooperation between UNICRI’s applied research and technical cooperation and SHUPL’s academic expertise and theoretical insight. Building on their respective areas of focus, the two institutions combine UNICRI’s support to Member States in developing advanced policies, tools, and preventive approaches with SHUPL’s research and knowledge exchange, offering practical solutions to challenges related to justice, judicial cooperation, and the rule of law.
Discussions during the meeting centred on identifying new opportunities for collaboration aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and law enforcement practice. The two institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing education, research, and innovation in crime prevention and justice. Among the areas of cooperation discussed were the exchange of academic personnel and students to foster mutual learning; the joint development of research projects and academic programmes to promote innovation and knowledge sharing; and the delivery of technical assistance and capacity-building activities to strengthen judicial and law enforcement cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States.
Reflecting on the discussions, Acting Director Villadsen expressed his appreciation for SHUPL’s continued engagement and commitment. He noted that the collaboration provides a valuable platform to advance capacity-building, research, and innovation, contributing to stronger institutions for justice and security. “In a world facing increasingly complex criminal and security challenges,” Villadsen remarked, “partnerships like this are essential to ensure that knowledge is shared, capacities are strengthened, and justice and security are upheld through cooperation and mutual learning to support peace, stability, and sustainable development.”