Tackling Child Trafficking and Exploitation in the European Union

Despite the continuing economic development and social progress across Europe, disturbing facts reveal that child trafficking and exploitation is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue affecting many countries within the EU. It is an alarming phenomenon that spreads across borders and sectors affecting the most vulnerable groups in society. The EU Commission has acknowledged that urgent action is required to develop a strengthened child-focused framework, recognising children as independent citizens with their own interests and needs. This approach should also encompass action plans at EU and national levels working alongside a comprehensive European strategy for the protection of children against all forms of exploitation.

Although some crucial steps have already been taken in terms of “child proofing” EU legislation and policy, an inclusive and longer term strategy is needed to engage all international, national and regional stakeholders to raise awareness of this issue and also to provoke new and more decisive measures in the EU.

This special International Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, offers an invaluable opportunity for local, regional and national authorities to gather comparative knowledge, discuss the latest challenges and share examples of cross-border best practices. Tackling child trafficking and exploitation in new and innovative ways requires action on several levels:

  • An appraisal of current policy initiatives and priorities of the EU
  • Delineation of existing co-operation and multi-agency frameworks at local, national and
  • trans-national levels
  • Identify gaps and explore solutions to improve co-ordination and information exchange
  • Analyse and learn from tangible examples of best practices in different member states to
  • establish recommendations for future actions

In order to encourage greater political will, facilitate policy discussion and explore comprehensive and integrated solutions to tackling child labour, the Centre for Parliamentary Studies is proud to host this second event as part of a series of international conferences aimed at raising awareness of these issues 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.

Programme

9:00 Registration & Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Willy Bruggeman PhD, Professor at the Benelux University Centre; Chair of the Belgian Federal Police Board (confirmed)
10:10 Child Labor in Europe – Applying ILO Experience and Best Practices
  • Labor exploitation as an international phenomenon
  • Conceptualising child labor in the EU – creating sustainable pre-emption
  • Link between child labor and child trafficking
  • Recommendations for future actions at regional and local levels in the EU
Speaker: Ms. Yoshie Noguchi, Senior Legal Officer, International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour, International Labour Office (confirmed)
10:40 First Round of Discussions
11:00 Morning Coffee Break
11:20 Panel Session: Tackling Preventive Measures against Child
Trafficking at International and Regional Levels
  • Pan-European cooperation in child trafficking – future challenges and necessary actions
  • International legislative, judicial and punishment aspects of child trafficking
  • Information technologies on child trafficking
  • Current scourge of trafficking in Europe – recommendation for action to the future EU Presidencies
Speakers: Mr. Humbert de Biolley, Deputy Director, Council of Europe, Liaison Office with the European Union (confirmed)
11:50 Second Round of Discussions
12:10 Networking Lunch
13:10 Panel Session: Children Trafficking and Different Forms of
Exploitation at National and Local Levels
  • UK experiences and lessons learned in children trafficking
  • Motives for child trafficking – national and local preventive measures
  • Minimum standards for children victims
  • Developing victims’ capacities towards attaining economic independence
Speaker: Mrs. Christine Beddoe, CEO, ECPAT UK (confirmed)

13:35
  • Reducing vulnerability/ exposure to exploitation
  • Lack of facts & information
  • Child protection must be the primary concern
  • Children’s own vies must be taken into account
  • The EU strategy in the rights of the child
Speaker: Mrs. Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General of Eurochild (confirmed)

14:00
  • The National Rapporteur and her task
  • Data collection
  • Other initiatives and mechanisms involved in the fight against THB
  • Accomplishments so far? Just some examples
Speaker: Mrs. Corinne Dettmeijer-Vermeulen, Dutch Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings (confirmed)
14:25 Third Round of Discussions
15:00 Session: Protection of Children from Travelling Sex Offenders – Child focused Approach at EU and National Levels
  • Revision of national jurisdictions in protecting children from travelling sex offenders;
  • Existing EU legislation – place for improvements;
  • Necessary partnerships – police cooperation; border cooperation and control;
  • Using best practices from existing collaboration at national and European levels – recommendation to the future EU Presidencies;
Speaker: Mrs. Madi Sharma, Group I – Employers – UK, European Economic and Social Committee (confirmed)
15:25 Fourth Round of Discussions
15:45 Chair's Summary and Closing Remarks
15:55 Networking Reception and Refreshments
17:00 Symposium Close

Who Should Attend?

  • Police Service, Police Authorities
  • Interpol
  • Missing Persons Units
  • Diplomatic Missions
  • EU Officials
  • Border Agency Staff
  • Visa & Consular Sections in National Administrations
  • Port & Airport Authorities
  • Travel & Transportation Industry
  • Licensing Enforcement Officers
  • Housing Officials
  • Children & Youth Services
  • Social Services
  • Public Health Practitioners
  • Asylum & Refugee Groups
  • Domestic Violence Co-ordinators
  • Crime Reduction Partnerships
  • Alcohol & Drug Action Teams
  • Victim Support Organisations
  • Local, Regional & National Authorities
  • Local Authority Officers & Councillors
  • Governmental Departments & Agencies
  • School Authorities & Local Education Welfare Authorities
  • Workers & Employers Confederations
  • Licensed Entertainment Industry & Private Sector Organisations
  • Media Organisations
  • Academics & Research Institutes
  • Migration Organisations
  • Criminal Justice Specialists
  • Judges & Magistrates
  • Legal Professionals
  • Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences
  • Faith Groups
  • Equality & Human Rights Practitioners
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A picture of a vulnerable Asican child with the words 'not for sale' superimposed
Wednesday 2nd December 2009
Radisson Blu EU Hotel, Brussels


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“The fight against those crimes which particularly affect children, such as trafficking in human beings, must be based on concrete measures to protect children from violence and exploitation. Preventive measures must be combined with assistance to child victims of these crimes so as to ensure their rehabilitation, recovery and long-term social inclusion.

110 million children and adolescents are involved in child labour and are effectively deprived of the opportunity to receive an education. The employment of many of these children is in breach of the ILO Convention on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973). In addition, conditions in the workplace are often hazardous and the children themselves may work as slaves or be victims of trafficking in breach of ILO Conventions 29 on forced labour and 182 on the worst forms of child labour.”
'A Special Place for Children in EU External Action', Communication from EU Commission, February 2008
“In 2005, the ILO has estimated that 2.45 million people are victims of human trafficking in the world, 43% for purposes of sexual exploitation and 32% for purposes of labour exploitation. Children represent 40% to 50% of victims … Europe must ensure that the rights of the child, as well as human rights in general are fully taken into consideration within the development and implementation of our policies. The Commission Communication on the ‘Stockholm Programme’ clearly states that we must now continue to develop an ambitious EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. I believe that particular attention should be paid to the issues of violence, poverty and children in situations of particular vulnerability, particularly in the context of immigration.”
Vice-President Jacques Barrot, EU Commissioner, June 2009
“Child labour needs to be tackled at all levels and through concerted efforts from governments, international community, civil society, industry and social partners. We need to ensure that children's rights are promoted throughout the world - with all our policies and programmes. Therefore we pursue a comprehensive approach to eliminate all forms of child labour, covering political, trade, development and governance dialogue, and action on poverty alleviation, the labour market, social dialogue and social protection with an emphasis on free and universal primary education. After all, children are our future and we owe them the best possible start in life!”
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner, June 2009