Initiating a regional NGO network on anti-trafficking in southeast Europe
(IOM)Continuous awareness campaigns on human trafficking are an important tool for tackling this modern form of slavery. (IOM)
BELGRADE, 26 November 2002 - Representatives of 23 non-governmental organizations from 11 different countries discussed the creation of a network of NGOs working on anti-trafficking issues in southeast Europe at a conference in Belgrade.
The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the non-governmental organization ASTRA, aimed at initiating a regional network of NGOs that is able to co-ordinate victim assistance, prevention and education activities and to join forces to lobby international, regional and national governments and organizations.
"This conference proved that the NGOs are important partners of governments and international organizations to increase and standardise victim identification, protection and assistance procedures," said Gabriele Reiter, an officer on anti-trafficking issues at OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
More than 30 NGO representatives who participated in the event exchanged experiences on anti-trafficking activities, including public awareness programs, information dissemination and providing assistance to victims of trafficking and their families.
The conference on "Creating an Anti-trafficking NGO Network in the Balkans", held on 23 and 24 November, was the first of its kind in southeastern Europe, as it initiated a pilot process in co-ordinating anti-trafficking activities of NGOs throughout the region. Participants agreed to develop common actions over the next six months.
More information on the issue may be found at websites of the ODIHR and ASTRA (Belgrade Hotline: +381 11 3347 817).
The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the non-governmental organization ASTRA, aimed at initiating a regional network of NGOs that is able to co-ordinate victim assistance, prevention and education activities and to join forces to lobby international, regional and national governments and organizations.
"This conference proved that the NGOs are important partners of governments and international organizations to increase and standardise victim identification, protection and assistance procedures," said Gabriele Reiter, an officer on anti-trafficking issues at OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
More than 30 NGO representatives who participated in the event exchanged experiences on anti-trafficking activities, including public awareness programs, information dissemination and providing assistance to victims of trafficking and their families.
The conference on "Creating an Anti-trafficking NGO Network in the Balkans", held on 23 and 24 November, was the first of its kind in southeastern Europe, as it initiated a pilot process in co-ordinating anti-trafficking activities of NGOs throughout the region. Participants agreed to develop common actions over the next six months.
More information on the issue may be found at websites of the ODIHR and ASTRA (Belgrade Hotline: +381 11 3347 817).