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In line with the objectives of prevention and protecting victims of trafficking the Task Force puts a strong emphasis on the Training of Diplomatic and Consular Personnel
Why Trainings for Diplomatic and Consular Staff?
Inadequate and deficient identification of (potential) victims of trafficking still remains one of the biggest obstacles to fight human trafficking effectively.
Law enforcement agencies and government offices often lack the expertise, experienced personnel or the sensitivity to ensure that victims can be identified as such. Due to this potential victims and victims of human trafficking can neither expect to receive pressingly needed support to prevent or put an end to an exploitative situation, nor can a successful prosecution with maximum enforcement of law act to prevent and deter human trafficking in general.
Therefore, broadening of the relevant actors' knowledge on human trafficking will directly assist in the identification and protection of victims of trafficking. Since the consular staff at the embassies are often the first contact point between the authorities of the home country and the victims, the Task Force puts a strong focus on training diplomatic and consular personnel. If provided with the right tools the consular sections at the embassies can act as a first filter against human trafficking when it comes to visa applications. They of course also fulfil an important role when assisting in cases of return of identified victims.
The overall aim of the training program is to increase knowledge about trafficking in human beings of the staff responsible for consular matters in the capitals and at the embassies of CBSS and relevant non-CBSS countries in the Baltic Sea Region. Furthermore, the program aims at delivering tools to these personnel on how to react if there are any suspicions of such cases and/or discoveries.
The training seminars especially strive to provide participants with instruments to assist victims through collaborating with the police, social services, support organisations, immigration authorities, customs, labour inspectors and others relevant actors.
Our Training Seminars
The Training Seminars are carried out in all of the countries of the Baltic Sea Region with a common curriculum for all the trainings. Every CBSS Member State as well as the Observer States to the organisation can send participants from relevant embassies or government ministries in the region to each of the training sessions. Furthermore,
depending on the trafficking situation in each country, representatives from other relevant embassies, such as relevant countries of origin, transit or destination, are also invited. The Training Seminars are usually undertaken during one full day or two half days. For each and every training one team of consultants from the intergovernmental organisation International Organization for Migration (IOM) is hired to conduct the trainings together with national teams of experts on human trafficking, both governmental and nongovernmental. Additionally, a representative from the Expert Group for Cooperation on Children at Risk (EGCC) provides the child perspective at these trainings.
The outcome of the trainings will be the development of a joint regional methodological handbook to be distributed to the CBSS embassies in the region. The handbook will be designed as an easy to use manual when handling trafficking cases at the consular sections.
The Training Schedule for the current Training Programme of the TF-THB:
2008 - November - Denmark. The TF-THB held it´s first Training Seminar under the Danish Presidency in the Danish Parliament.
2009 - April in Estonia, May in Iceland (as part of the launch of the first Icelandic National Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings), September in Lithuania (as the first Training under the Lithuanian Presidency of the CBSS), Finland on the 11 November followed by Brussels 25th November during the Swedish EU Presidency.
Please find the presentation in powerpoint format from the previous training in Brussels 25 November, to your right for downloading.
2010 - Russia, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Norway, Latvia
Our training will provide the participants with:
1. Basic information regarding flows of human trafficking to, from and within the CBSS Region
2. Understanding the nature of human trafficking as well as knowledge of international and national law
3. Specific instructions regarding victims of trafficking to increase comprehension of their vulnerable situation and to enhance the support provided to them
4. Knowledge on how to handle suspicious and actual cases of human trafficking within the embassies and with cooperating authorities in line with international human rights standards
5. An opportunity for exchange of experiences and best practices with other professionals and the establishment of relevant contact points
6. A clear understanding of the role of diplomatic and consular staff in identifying, assisting and safely repatriating victims of human trafficking
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