Delegates will:
- Discuss current policy initiatives and priorities in Europe in the field of human trafficking
- Raise awareness of the various dimensions of human trafficking, examine the needs of victims of trafficking and define common procedures for dealing with them
- Learn from existing partnership and multi-agency frameworks at EU, national and local levels
- Identify gaps and explore possible solutions for creating more robust and integrated multi-level structures to improve co-ordination and information exchange between statutory authorities
- Share best practices and establish recommendations for future actions at policy and practical levels
Key Speakers:
1. Prof. Willy Bruggeman, Professor at the Benelux University Centre; Chair of the Belgian Federal Police Board
2. Angelika Molnar, Project Manager, Operational Project Trafficking in Human Beings, EUROPOL
3. Fadela Novak-Irons, Policy Officer, UNHCR Bureau for Europe
4. Mike Hand, Team Specialist, National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People UK Network
Human trafficking is an increasingly disturbing phenomenon in Europe with terrible consequences for victims, the majority of whom are forced into prostitution, street crime, domestic servitude and other forms of labour exploitation. Recent reports from the European Commission have indicated an 18% rise of people being trafficked between 2008 and 2010. However, the number of people being convicted of the crime has fallen by 13% over the same period.
Around one million children are trafficked worldwide and there is growing concern that the global economic crisis may further increase child vulnerability to trafficking. Actions to prevent human trafficking do not need to be costly. Many studies have consistently highlighted the urgent need to raise public awareness of trafficking, improve training in order to better identify victims, and develop better co-operation and multi-agency working – all are critical in the fight against trafficking. There needs to be a clear focus on prevention, prosecution of traffickers, and protection of, and assistance to, victims.
At an EU level, there are two tools to act as guidance. The EU Directive 2011/36 lays down provisions to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute traffickers. To underpin this, the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016 sets out concrete and practical measures to be implemented over the next five years, placing victims at the forefront.
In order to encourage greater political will, facilitate policy discussion and explore comprehensive and integrated solutions to properly recognise and meet the needs of all victims of human trafficking, Public Policy Exchange is proud to host this annual Symposium and welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.
Delegates will:
- Discuss current policy initiatives and priorities in Europe in the field of human trafficking
- Raise awareness of the various dimensions of human trafficking, examine the needs of victims of trafficking and define common procedures for dealing with them
- Learn from existing partnership and multi-agency frameworks at EU, national and local levels
- Identify gaps and explore possible solutions for creating more robust and integrated multi-level structures to improve co-ordination and information exchange between statutory authorities
- Share best practices and establish recommendations for future actions at policy and practical levels
Registration:
