Astana together with the EU/UNDP Border Management Programme in Central Asia and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. The objective of the seminar was to raise participants’ awareness of anti-corruption policies and tools and strengthen their professional skills in applying them On 15 November, the Centre supported an international conference on approaches to countering corruption and ensuring economic security, co-organized jointly with the Financial Police Agency. Over 70 participants from government institutions, law enforcement agencies, scientific and educational establishments as well as civil society representatives took part in the conference, where international experts shared their knowledge of advanced strategies and techniques to minimize the risks of economic crime, and to prevent and fight corruption. Counter-Terrorism On 19-21 June, the Centre and the EU/UNDP Border Management Programme in Central Asia co-organized a training seminar on countering organized crime and terrorism for representatives of law enforcement agencies in Aktau, Mangystau Region. 20 border and customs officials, representatives of the National Security Committee, the Financial Police, the MoIA and its regional departments were trained in best practices to prevent and combat organized crime and terrorism, including practical exercises and simulations. The event highlighted the importance of inter-agency co-operation in addressing threats to security stemming from organized crime and terrorism and the importance of interaction of institutions on a national level and across borders. From 3-5 October, the Centre supported a three-day seminar on countering violent extremism co-organized with the Institute of the Prosecutor General’s Office in in Atyrau. The event brought together 50 representatives from law enforcement agencies and regional authorities to discuss the prevention of violent extremism and terrorism, as well as the identification of factors leading to intolerance and radicalization. The development of a coordination mechanism between law enforcement, other state agencies and civil society to prevent violent extremism and terrorism was also on the agenda. Gender/Domestic Violence The Centre supported a number of projects aimed at promoting gender equality, and preventing and countering domestic violence. These have included the promotion of adoption of the draft laws On the Prevention of Domestic Violence and On Equal Access and Opportunities for Men and Women, as well as follow-up activities on raising awareness among legal professionals, capacity-building in implementing the law, and the development of clear procedures and guidelines on how the laws are to be enforced. In April, the Centre supported a three-day training seminar in the framework of a projectseminar “University for Lawyers 2013”. The seminar gathered 18 NGO lawyers working on domestic violence cases from the countrywide Union of Crisis Centres NGO network and six Almaty police officers from departments dedicated to women’s protection. The training was provided by government officials, judges, lawyers and academicians. In July, some 50 officials, including representatives of the MoIA and officials from central government agencies and local executive authorities responsible for gender equality issues participated in an international two-day training seminar on gender mainstreaming, women and security. The event was co-organized by the Centre and the National Commission for Women’s Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the President, with the support of the Akmola Region Administration. The event focused on how the principle of gender equality is implemented in Kazakhstan and what practices still give rise to discrimination against women. 130