http://www.atina.org.rs/sr/dunavski-gradovi-u-borbi-protiv-trgovine-ljudima

Danube cities against human trafficking

On April 18, 2018 an interesting seminar took place in Ljubljana - “Danube cities against human trafficking”, with purpose of opening a discussion on the role of cities and municipalities in the prevention and fight against human trafficking. This approach is significantly different from previous practice of European countries that in their respective policies recognize combating human trafficking, but solely at a national level. This seminar was one of the rare opportunities to exchange practices among countries where combating this issue is done locally, i.e. in the communities themselves that are the core of the incidents of this issue, as well as the key change triggers.

Nina Cepon from Slovenian civil society organisation Center for European perspectives opened the seminar; afterwards, Mr. Sandi Curin, Slovenian National Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking addressed the audience too. Polona Kovac from Slovenian Citizens’ Association Kljuc that has been dealing with combating human trafficking in Slovenia and running human trafficking victims empowerment programs for decades now, also gave her remarks. The focus of the abovementioned speakers pertained to the efforts Slovenia is making to put an end to human trafficking.  

Ms. Helga Konrad, currently serving as a director of the Regional Implementation Initiative on Preventing and Combating Human trafficking in Vienna, and Mike Dottridge, independent anti-trafficking expert and consultant from the United Kingdom spoke about the appoach that includes local response and how municipalities and local self-governments can help with early detection of human trafficking, and thus prevent exploitation.

Ms. Helga Konrad placed special emphasis on the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation and collaboration in combating human trafficking. She stressed that local level offers a wide range of possibilities to effectively counter human trafficking. European Union report on "Strategy for Supperssion of Human Trafficking 2012-2016" strongly recommends that the member states consult local stakeholders while implementing measures and reporting on achievements in the area of combating human trafficking. To that end, EU Strategy for the Danube Region with its special priority area 10 is dedicated to "institutional capacity and cooperation" and works on the networking initiative focusing on cities, local self-governments, relevant NGOs, and local institutions in an effort to enhance capacity – building and passing knowledge on this genuine transnational and transversal issue.  

The objective of the project Danube cities against human trafficking is to raise the awareness on human trafficking among local stakeholders, as well as to provide expert support to local stakeholders, administrations, NGO representatives in the identification od common challenges, as well as practical tools for the work of local stakeholders. The project has also developed "Guidelines for Municipalities in Danube Region" with purpose of enhancing actions against human trafficking based on the findings of project STROM, funded by the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). For more information visit site  https://www.danube-capacitycooperation.eu/danube-cities-against-human-trafficking 

The guidelines can be found below.  

 D-CAHT-Guidelines_Version-12_March-2018_.pdf