OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB)

With profound sadness, we mourn the passing of #DrHelgaKonrad, the first OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. Helga Konrad's legacy extends far beyond her official title; she was a champion of justice, a tireless worker, and a source of inspiration to all who knew her. Her impact was broad and will endure for years to come. As her colleague #VeraGracheva, former OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) Senior Adviser, eloquently stated: "Dr. Konrad… the most dedicated fighter against #HumanTrafficking, my hero, my friend, my unbelievable inspiration… It is a great loss for so many of us, for those who were honoured to participate in the creation of the #OSR_CTHB in Maastricht and later, in 2004, to comprise the first SR's team of advisers, to start the 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, to turn the first pages of the #OSCE's anti-trafficking Book of Answers." "Dr. Konrad's legacy of courage, compassion, and tireless service will continue to inspire us all," commented Kari Johnstone, "Her life serves as a testament to the power of unwavering dedication and the profound impact one person can have on the world."

This week I had the privilege of participating in the 1st Mediterranean Regional Simulation-based Training Exercise on Human Trafficking at the premises of the CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units in Vicenza. During this learning week organised by OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB), I was able to apply in a practical way the premises of the human rights, victim-centred and multi-agency approach, with more than 160 professionals from Spain, Italy, Malta, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. I have never participated in a training of this kind before, and I can only say that it has exceeded all my expectations. And best of all, it has been the opportunity to share this learning with other relevant actors in the in the field of anti-trafficking in Spain. We return home with the determination that another way of working, based on cooperation and always putting the victims at the centre, is possible. Thank you Eva Márquez, IRENE SOTELO REYES, Stefania Iannice for being the best NGO collegues I could have asked for in this trip. And also to the representatives of the Guardia Civil , #PolciaNacional, Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (Ana Hernandez Rodriguez) and Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (Juan Pablo Parra Gutiérrez ), we have definitely been the Dream Team. And finally, many thanks to the Direx team, who have guided us through this learning process. In particular to Livia Zampolini for always taking care of us and Dr. Ezgi Yaman Kennedy as our NGO HiCon.

It was such an honor to join so many great colleagues at CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units in #Vicenza for our first #Mediterranean regional simulation training to combat #HumanTrafficking. The diverse trainees from six OSCE participating States and Partners for Cooperation and the very diverse training team, observers, and fabulous role players really brought it to life--you could see the learning happen! Huge thanks to our partners at CoESPU and our OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) team, Katharina Thon, Livia Zampolini, and Claire Gilliot. Congratulations to everyone who made this possible and completed the course.

I had the opportunity last week to represent Ireland and An Garda Síochána by observing and partaking in an OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) multi agency focused, multi national, live simulation exercise on trafficking of human beings, which took place in CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units in Vicenza, Italy. The exercise involved over 160 participants from human trafficking related fields across Europe, Canada and northern Africa. It was a great opportunity to talk about, and to advocate to trainees and attendees, An Garda Síochána's proactive approach to multi agency engagement and cooperation and to work closely again with officers from Arma dei Carabinieri and with other European police colleagues. https://lnkd.in/eyZFC2WF Colm Noonan marco codispoti

More than 160 people - prosecutors, social workers and NGO agents - from Italy, Spain, Malta, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, France, Turkey, just ended the 1st terrific OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) organized anti- #HumanTrafficking Mediterranean live simulation-training exercise carried out at #CoESPU. #stabilitypolicingopenclub #StrongerTogether Arma dei Carabinieri EUROGENDFOR NATO STABILITY POLICING CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Università degli Studi di Padova Comune di Vicenza - Pagina ufficiale OSCE

Just finished an impressive training on trafficking in human beings at CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units. During one week police, gendarmerie, financial police, social services, ngos, migration authirities, prosecutors, lawyers and, of course, labour inspectors have worked together in a highly realistic simulation. Congratulations to the organizers! THB does exist in Europe and it is closer to us than we think. https://lnkd.in/g8tZrqzC

👏𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲👏 We just completed a powerful one-week simulation-based training in CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, #Vicenza, that brought together 55 practitioners from six #Mediterranean countries (#Italy, #Malta, #Spain, #Algeria, #Egypt, and #Tunisia), an 11-person expert team from five countries, 19 co-trainers from 13 countries, 26 role players (mostly college students), and 14 international observers. Based on a methodology developed by the OSCE, the training goal was to enhance participants' skills in victim identification, investigation, and multi-agency collaboration to combat #HumanTrafficking within mixed migration flows in the Mediterranean region. Confronted with realistic case scenarios, at the end of the week, the trainees were able to solve complex human trafficking cases through a victim-centered, trauma-informed, and human rights-rooted approach. 👥👥 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: ✳️ The critical importance of a multidisciplinary, collaborative response ➡️ we're stronger when we work together across agencies and sectors, coordinating the efforts of prosecutors, labour inspectors, social workers, law enforcement, NGOs, and more to identify presumed victims and build successful trafficking prosecutions. ✳️ The need for a victim-centered approach, focusing on safety and recovery through a trauma-informed lens ➡️ this requires empathy and patience. ✳️ The necessity of strengthening the ability to detect trafficking indicators, especially within mixed migration flows ➡️ victims may be hidden in plain sight.  ✳️ The shared experience boosts bonds and mutual respect, resulting in more effective anti-trafficking work. 🔝 Congratulations to all!🔝

Last week I was in #Warsaw, attending the Human Dimension Conference with our Special Representative Kari Johnstone, where I had the privilege of presenting OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB)'s latest research, done in collaboration with OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR): ➡ "𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨: 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨" (https://lnkd.in/dfw7wScC) A very productive week with many interesting discussions on methods to more effectively combat #humantrafficking! Huge thanks to all of my colleagues for their work to make this such a successful trip and publication👏 Anne-Lise Robin Alessia Vedano Ala Vechiu #WHDC #HumanRights #OSCE

Loved filming with Kari Johnstone at the #WHDC24 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. So valuble and amazing working with ISTAC and other survivors with OSCE and @odihr not only planning new strategies and plans together but new friendships and partnerships ❤️

🤝 Collaboration is critical in the anti-#HumanTrafficking field, and to tackle this heinous crime, we need 𝘢𝘭𝘭 hands on deck, especially those who have lived experience and understand the issue best: #survivors. For too long, policies and programs have been developed about survivors rather than with them. This approach misses crucial insights and ultimately limits our effectiveness. Survivors’ expertise is irreplaceable and vital to crafting impactful solutions.   📸 In the video below, hear directly from two incredible survivor leaders: #JeanneCelestineLakin, the Chair of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (#ISTAC), and Jane Lasonder, Vice Chair of ISTAC. They share their insights from the recent #WHDC24 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference with Kari Johnstone, where they shared their expertise and leadership in a powerful reminder of why survivor voices must be central to the conversation. 🗣️ #survivorleadership #endhumantrafficking