This year the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime will celebrate its thirty-third year. It is a testament to the 　　Symposium’s unique blend of relevance, practicality and topicality that over the years it has enjoyed the support of so many 　　institutions and experts from around the world. It also attests to the deep concern of governments, financial and other institutions and 　　their professional advisers as to the extent of the risks to stability and security thrown up by economic crime and misconduct, and in 　　particular organised crime. The annual Cambridge Symposium is a truly unique event, which, over the years, has made an unrivalled 　　contribution to understanding the real issues involved in preventing and controlling economically motivated serious crime. As a 　　uniquely respected and trusted international forum and network it has also made an impressive and meaningful contribution to 　　fostering international co-operation and promoting mutual understanding and goodwill. 　　The Thirty-third symposium has as its overarching theme the vital role that compliance plays in promoting integrity and reinforcing 　　the law. In recent years we have increasingly placed those institutions and their advisers who mind other people’s wealth in the 　　vanguard in reducing exposure to the risks presented by economic crime and subversion. The obligations that are placed on those 　　who operate in the ordinary course of their business and profession in the financial sector are significant and the consequences of 　　failing in the discharge of their compliance duties severe. The benefits to society by transferring legal and regulatory risk in this 　　manner on to those who mind other people’s wealth, as the agencies adopt disruptive strategies rather than those of the traditional 　　criminal justice system, are sometimes less obvious. Getting the balance right in sharing the responsibility to protect our institutions, 　　economies and ourselves is neither easy nor uncontroversial. Banks and other institutions devote vast resources to compliance and 　　yet repeatedly they are sanctioned for not doing enough. Notwithstanding the serious regulatory, legal and financial consequences of 　　all this, little considered thought has been given to the issues let alone to the future. The Symposium seeks to address this deficit in a 　　practical and informed manner in its plenary sessions, numerous specialist workshops and think tanks. 　　While the primary focus of this year’s symposium is on the risks related to compliance, as in previous years the programme includes 　　a host of other issues, some more related to the theme than others, which are of pressing concern to those seeking to protect the 　　integrity and stability of financial and business institutions and the wider economy. In particular this year we will be focussing on 　　strategies that are being developed within law enforcement and the regulators to target key facilitators and the choke points in the 　　flow of crime related wealth. Relevant to, but also beyond this, will be the concern to improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption 　　laws particularly in regard to the financial sector and law enforcement itself. We will also give considerable emphasis to the sharing 　　of information between the public and private sectors both domestically and internationally. The programme provides a unique 　　opportunity, at a very practical level, to share the experiences of over 360 specialist speakers and panellists in the prevention and 　　control of risk to the integrity and stability of the financial system and those who operate within it. 　　The Symposium brings together in one of the oldest medieval Colleges within the University of Cambridge, ministers, legislators, 　　senior officials, diplomats, judges, regulators, law enforcement, intelligence and security officers, financial intermediaries, bankers, 　　professional advisers, compliance and risk officers and scholars from around the world. Last year the symposium attracted well over 　　1,600 participants from over 100 countries. 　　The programme is structured to provide a depth and breadth of opportunity - second to none, for those participating in the 　　programme to become aware not only of existing, but also new threats, and how best to address them. Through the numerous 　　plenary and other workshops and in particular the considerable opportunities to meet colleagues socially, there is a degree of 　　interaction and collaboration that could only be encountered in an institution that has the highest world reputation for learning and 　　research. The University of Cambridge, collaborating with a host of distinguished institutions throughout the world, offers a wholly 　　different experience in addressing these fundamentally important issues. 　　The Cambridge Symposium is not and has never been just a conference. It is organised on a non-profit making basis by some of the 　　world’s most respected academic and research institutions with the active involvement and support of numerous governmental and 　　inter-governmental organisations. It was established to promote meaningful international co-operation – in the fight against financial 　　crime. Its record is its best testimonial. Successive symposia have made a real contribution – at all levels, to promoting stability, 　　good governance and the disruption and control of serious crime and terror. Those who are concerned to protect and promote the 　　integrity and wellbeing of their national economy, institution or enterprise – or who are concerned to better understand the risks 　　facing business today, cannot afford to miss this very special event