“The Smile of the Child” contributes through its longstanding experience to the 18th High-level Alliance against Trafficking in Persons conference

Vienna, 25 April, 2018

“The Smile of the Child” participated in the 18th High-level Alliance against Trafficking in Persons conference on Monday 23rd and 24th April, 2014 at the OSCE premises in Vienna. The focus of this year’s high-level conference was to promote the importance of inclusive partnerships to further enhance the coherence of anti-trafficking efforts and strengthen co-operation at the local, national, regional and international level.

The conference brought together representatives of the 57 OSCE participating States and partners from international organizations, NGO’s, as well as academia, civil society, the media, trade unions and think-tanks.

“The Smile of the Child” participated in a side-event organized by the Permanent Representations of Greece, France and Belgium under the title “Care for Minors: the complementarity between NGOs and Public Services”.

“The Smile of the Child” was represented by the Honorary Ambassador and Head of International Cooperation of the Organization, Marc Van Den Reeck who presented the work and experience of “The Smile of the Child” and the added value of civil society actors in the fight against trafficking. A representative from the Office for unaccompanied minors of the Headquarters of judicial juvenile protection of the French Ministry of Justice contributed also to the discussion.

Particular emphasis was put to the need to build trust with the victims or potential victims of trafficking and ensure a holistic approach that addresses not only the basic needs of shelter and food, but offers affection, empathy, stability and a perspective of individual development.

In this context, “The Smile of the Child” shared its experience in the field of prevention and awareness on the risks of trafficking among children through its dedicated actions, which are implemented nationwide by the scientific personnel of the Organization (social workers and psychologists).

In addition, important guidelines were highlighted in the combat against trafficking focusing on the necessary complementarity between the public sector and civil society actors. Another important area identified was the issue of local ownership as a key factor that ensures the continuity and sustainability of civil society actions on the ground.

In this regard “The Smile of the Child” contributed to the discussion by analyzing the model of institutional cooperation that it has developed for more than 22 years through specific MOU’s, protocols and procedures with national and international authorities, organizations and agencies.

The Alliance against Trafficking in Persons is a broad international forum that includes international, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations in joining forces to prevent and combat human trafficking. It helps develop effective joint strategies, combines individual efforts, and provides OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation with innovative and co-ordinated approaches to strengthen the prevention of trafficking in human beings and the fight against it.