We build a safer environment by raising awareness

On October 18-21, a training "Human-trafficking prevention. National Mechanisms of Interaction" took place, during which participants worked out important components of this topic, and most importantly, acquired the ability to use specific mechanisms to fight trafficking and coordinate their activities with other state and public institutions.

"I was negatively impressed by the real scale of human trafficking in Ukraine and how acute this issue is, because some people think that this problem is not as much our concern", Vita Strizheus, a civic activist and member of the Public Councillors network said.

During the training, participants repeatedly noted that it was important not only to get a clear roadmap with instructions on how to work most effectively at the local level, but also to expand the network of those working to combat trafficking and share experiences on how to counteract these crimes locally. The very understanding that you are not alone in your activities in a particular field, that there are motivated people who systematically carry out work towards combating human trafficking can make you more confident that this problem is addressed comprehensively.

According to Victoria Melnychuk, head of the sector of social and pedagogical work of the State Scientific Institution "Institute of Modernizing the Content of Education of the Ministry of Education and Science":

"In fact, the concern of human trafficking should be brought up both at the level of united territorial communities' authorities and the central executive power. And I think it is also important for their representatives to be present at such trainings.

Indeed, the association of various structures and institutions during the training shows a nation-wide picture in a reduced form – what gaps are there in the topic of human trafficking, what aspects need to be worked out better; and gives an understanding of what issues are necessary to advocate and which path to strike".

It is clear that it is difficult to influence the situation in the state as a whole with a single training event, and at the same time, the implementation of systemic educational activities allows attracting more people and structures not only to solving situations when a person has already become a victim of human trafficking, but also towards prevention of similar occurrence.

The event was held in the frames of the "Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Ukraine – Step Forward" project, implemented with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by IFA (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding programme zivik.