Presentation for the Twentieth Meeting of the Task Force to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation in Tourism 9 March 2007, Berlin

Transcription

1 OCEEA Anti-Trafficking Programme: Existing Tools to Combat Child Trafficking Presentation for the Twentieth Meeting of the Task Force to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation in Tourism 9 March 2007, Berlin Ina Jurasin Project Officer Office of the Co-ordinator ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

2 OSCE Promotion of the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism Public-Private Private Co-operation operation in the Prevention of Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Minors in Travel and Tourism Industry 44 Pilots countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Montenegro Background Introducing the Code of Conduct as a prevention tool in the region of South Eastern Europe Pilot countries chosen due to rapidly growing tourism sector in these countries (Black Sea, Adriatic Sea) Financed by OSCE, GTZ, Austrian Development Agency MO AL RO BU

3 Effectiveness of the Code as a Tool for Prevention of Children Exploitation Awareness raising among stakeholders of the risk of international tourism and mobilization of new cooperative relationships and structures in South Eastern Europe Strengthened understanding of Code of Conduct as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and child protection tool YET: Impact of the Code is limited if implemented alone must be coupled with other prevention and child protection efforts, such as awareness raising in other sectors, education in schools, increased law enforcement Does not address the socio-economic root causes of the problem

4 Project Outcome per country Romania: NGO driven (Save the Children Romania) 4 signatories of the Code of Conduct on 19 May 2005 (Sofitel Hotel, Golden Tulip Hotel, Romanian Hotel Industry Federation) Apart from signature, awareness raising campaigns and training at Black Sea Successful training of staff of Sofitel Hotel Bulgaria NGO driven (Animus Association) 10 signatories of the Code of Conduct on 11 May 2005 (different business associations, hotels and travel agency) Very little commitment of the tourist industry, low participation in the training seminars

5 Project Outcome per Country Montenegro Implemented by OSCE Office in Podgorica, Ministry of Tourism, Office of the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Very successful ceremony: Over 288 representatives of tourism and travel industry signed the Code of Conduct on 15 September 2006 Successful series of 5 training workshops for signatories was held shortly after signing Widely information campaign among tourists (including at all Montenegrin border crossings) Current challenge: funding for additional signatory trainings and operations of the national monitoring committee. Albania Implementation starting through a MOU between OSCE Albania, Ministry of Tourism and Minister of Interior (national anti-trafficking coordinator) Foreign expert on the Code is now needed to participate in the planned training seminars on how to operationalize the Code. Regional dynamic: Success in Montenegro also led to more commitment in Albania

6 Common Challenges Difficult implementation of NGO driven projects, eg: Bulgaria and Romania ---- political commitment and support is essential! Lack of understanding and commitment of local tourism industry --- need for stronger support from foreign signatories to recognize business value Weak inter-ministerial cooperation, especially among tourism ministries and child protection/anti-trafficking agencies ---- new dimension Limited cooperation among government, civil society and private sector --- important to have a lead coordination mechanism or organization, eg: OSCE, UNICEF, others Lack of resources for Code (continued) implementation --- cannot be subsidized by OSCE or others for long term --- need for income generation mechanism to be established

7 Common challenges Weak law enforcement of prostitution by minors (and adults where it is illegal); no responsibility of clients Poor private sector understanding of its role in prevention of trafficking and child exploitation - limited long-term support and commitment Status of transition - countries continue re-structuring government structures and staff, ie: Bulgaria and Albania) and delays effective implementation.

8 Code of Conduct as a Tool Recommendations to strengthen Code Effectiveness Increased and stronger programmatic role of governing Code structures on international and national levels Greater involvement of foreign Code signatories in new Code countries to mobilize local business community and industry. Increased inter-government and multi-stakeholder cooperation Funding sources for continued implementation and monitoring the Code, also in a long-term Strengthening the global Code of Conduct structure

9 Thank you for your attention! Ina Jurasin Project Officer Tel: Helen Santiago Fink Senior Economic Affairs Officer Tel: For further information contact: Organization for Security and Co-operation operation in Europe (OSCE) Office of the Co-ordinator ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA)