International Events > New Approaches in Preventing Human Trafficking: Integrating the European Knowledge

New Approaches in Preventing Human Trafficking: Integrating the European Knowledge

The problem of Human Trafficking is an increasingly disturbing phenomenon in Europe with terrible consequences for victims, the majority of which are forced into prostitution, street crime, domestic servitude or other forms of labour exploitation. Furthermore, as well as devastating the lives of individuals, this crime has far-reaching implications for the social, economic and organisational fabric of every affected community in Europe.

Recently, several reports have highlighted the urgent need to raise public awareness of trafficking, improve training in order to better identify victims, and develop better institutional co-operation and multi-agency working – all critical in the fight against trafficking, which alarmingly includes large numbers of children. In order to tackle its multi-level and cross-border roots effectively, a multi-disciplinary and comparative approach at EU and national level is required, alongside a renewed political will to combat this problem.

With the recent announcement of the latest EU proposals to fight human trafficking, this major two-day International Symposium offers a timely opportunity for local, regional and national authorities to gather comparative knowledge, discuss the latest challenges and share examples of cross-border best practices.

Any new approach towards preventing Human Trafficking must harness the existing European knowledge and experience from both a bottom-up and top-down perspective. To that end, the Symposium will seek to explore preventive and coordination measures, NGO activities at local levels, collaboration between different operational levels and across borders, financial opportunities for capacity building and awareness raising projects, and best practices and lessons learned from numerous initiatives at regional, national and local levels in Europe.

In order to encourage greater political will, facilitate policy discussion and explore comprehensive and integrated solutions to fighting the ‘hidden’ crime of human trafficking, the Centre for Parliamentary Studies is proud to host this annual Symposium and welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. Throughout the two days, the Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Day One – Tuesday 16th November 2010

09:00

Registration and Morning Refreshments

10:00

Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

Prof. Dr. Gert Vermeulen, Professor of Criminal Law, University of Ghent (confirmed)

10:10

Panel Session One:
Fighting Human Trafficking in Europe – Applying Local and National Experience – Applying Local and National Experience – First Round of Case Studies

Identifying Common Implementation Challenges at National and Local Levels
National Rapporteurs’ Best Practices in Fighting HT and Effective Multi–Agency Cooperation at National and Local Levels
Identifying Checklists/ Indicators as Flexible Instruments for Identifying Traffickers and Trafficked Persons

Panelists:
Mrs. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, Austrian Ambassador, Director General IV for Legal and Consular Affairs, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (confirmed)
Mrs. Marion Walsh, Executive Director, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Department of Justice and Law Reform, Ireland (confirmed)

11:10

Morning Coffee Break

11:30

First Round of Discussions

12:10

Networking Lunch

13:10

Panel Session Two:
Increasing Pan European Cooperation – Towards Better Synergy between International Organisations

Effective Channels for Cooperation with all Relevant Actors
Creating Thematic Debate
Cross-Border Referral of Victims
Engaging Civil Societies in the Consultation Processes
Towards Inclusive and Multilevel Approaches
Shrinking the Gap between Political Initiatives and Realities on the Ground
Council of Europe Convention and its Monitoring Mechanism – Cooperation with Other International Instruments and Organisations

Keynote Speeches:
Ms. Sabine Zwaenepoel, Deputy Head of Unit, Fight against Organised Crime, DG JFC, European Commission (confirmed)
Carolina Lasen Diaz, Administrator Secretariat of GRETA and Committee of the Parties, DG Human Rights and Legal Affairs, Council of Europe (confirmed)
Dr. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Organisation for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) (confirmed)

Panelists:
International Organization for Migration (invited)

14:10

Second Round of Discussions

14:50

Afternoon Coffee Break

15:10

Panel Session Three:
Tackling the Root Causes of Human Trafficking

Applying National and International Practices
Protection and Assistance – Towards Effective Minimum Standards for Non Punishment of Victims of Trafficking
Labour Market Based Measures
Identifying Trafficked Persons in Areas such as Labour Exploitation, Domestic Servitude, Begging and Forced Marriages

Keynote Speeches:
Ms. Edith Bauer MEP, Member of the Bureau, Group of European People’s Parties (Christian Democrats), European Parliament (confirmed)
Ms. Yoshie Noguchi, Senior Legal Officer, International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), International Labour Office (invited)

Panelists:
Dr. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, OSCE (confirmed) International Organization for Migration (invited)