Seminar On Combating Trafficking In Human Beings

ART, in the framework of its “Prevention of trafficking in human beings by pastoral counseling and assistance” program, held a seminar on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for 20 clergy of the priests’ network involved in HIV and trafficking activities in Armenia. The seminar was conducted by Mrs. Gyulnara Shahinyan, UN Special Rapporteur on slavery, its causes and consequences.
The event was very informative, and the participants learned about the new trends in definition of trafficking; new concepts; trends of developing comprehensive approaches to prevention of trafficking in humans; role of church leaders in advocating actions against trafficking; labor trafficking – concepts, tendencies, laws, gender aspects of trafficking, child trafficking; reintegration of victims in communities, best practices, experiences, etc. The clergy were also involved in group work and elaborated project ideas on prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of Trafficking. It was the second workshop on Trafficking for the clergy, as the first one took place in November 2007, when the clergy were first exposed to the phenomenon of Trafficking in Human Beings.
As the participants expressed willingness to work with the victims in the shelters, it was agreed that the next workshop will be organized with participation of the psychologist, doctor and lawyer of one of the existing shelters and a victim, who has already passed rehabilitation and is in the stage of complete reintegration, who can tell her story to the clergy and express the main needs she was having during rehabilitation and the challenges she faces during reintegration. It is envisaged that in the framework of the program, the clergy will do prevention projects and provide direct assistance to the survivors of trafficking.