As the official ACAMS partner for Italy, Scuola Italiana Antiriciclaggio will participate in the Association's European Conference, which will be held in Dublin on May 23 and 24. Since 2021, over thirty graduates of the AML Master's program have already earned the CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) certification. The two-day event, featuring over 60 speakers and 15 sessions, will provide an opportunity to discuss and share experiences with all European partners with a view to future collaboration on international anti-money laundering projects. The conference will focus on four main themes: the European Union's AML Reform Package; common challenges for implementing sanctions; opportunities, emerging risks, and responses for virtual assets; and the UK's new Economic Crime Act and its implications for the rest of Europe. The event's theme is "Dealing with Disruption." Our industry, the organizers explain, is accustomed to disruption from ever-evolving technologies. However, the greatest disruptor of the past fifteen months has been Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Almost no aspect of Europe's financial infrastructure has been left untouched by its fallout. The question the organizers want us to ask is: how are AFC frameworks and AML programs, sanctions policies and procedures, evolving in the wake of this conflict? We must also not forget the effects of Brexit, another challenge to coordinated AML/CFT efforts in Europe, and the emerging risks and opportunities in the rapidly expanding FinTech and crypto sectors.

Monday, May 22nd marks the Conference's introductory day, with a seminar dedicated to cryptocurrencies and another on artificial intelligence and the monitoring systems that utilize it. Tuesday, May 23rd, the event gets into full swing, with many exceptional speakers including Scott Liles, CEO of ACAMS; Rick McDonell, former Executive Secretary of the FATF Financial Action Task Force and Executive Director of ACAMS; and Michael McGrath of the Irish Department of Finance. Discussions will include the effects of Brexit on financial regulation, the UK's Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, and data as a tool for effective risk management. Of particular interest are also the sessions on automated KYC systems for continuous monitoring and increased compliance. A workshop on AML/CFT policy in Europe, the UK, and the United States is also scheduled. Another interesting event will identify the current major obstacles to creating a culture of compliance and how they can be overcome. Best practices in training, reporting, and management will also be discussed. On the second day, Wednesday, May 24, Guardian journalist Oliver Bullough will discuss his latest book, "Butler to the World," which explores "how Britain has become the servant of tycoons, tax evaders, kleptocrats, and criminals." Moderator: Kieran Beer, ACAMS's Director of Editorial Content.