Permanent Representation of Greece to the E.U (M.E.A.), Brussels, November 18, 2022
On the initiative of the Center for Security Studies of the Ministry of Citizen Protection, an event within the framework of the co-financed by the EU Internal Security Fund project: "ERADICATING: Enhancing pRevention AnD multi-agenCy cooperAtion against TraffickING" was held on November 18, 2022 in the Permanent Representation of Greece to the E.U, with the aim of preventing human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
The purpose of the Project is to strengthen the capacities of the Law Enforcement Agencies and to improve the services they provide in three European countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Germany), in order to strengthen the mechanisms of prevention and early identification of victims of human trafficking and sexual and labor trafficking exploitation.
The Project consortium, which is active since December 1st, 2021, includes the following partners: the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A.) as the Project Coordinator, the University for the Public Service in Bavaria BayHfoD - Germany, the Hellenic Police, the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime – Bulgaria, the NGO "Together Against Human Trafficking" - Germany, the "SOCIAL ACTION & INNOVATION CENTRE" - Greece and the "Center for the Study of Democracy" - Bulgaria.
As part of the event, representatives of Working Groups of other European projects and specialist experts on related issues participated in round table discussions and presented implemented awareness actions and developed technological solutions, to prevent and combat human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, initiatives to strengthen the role of co-competent authorities, services and organizations in supporting victims and finally, in cultivating a culture of victim-centered approach.
In the context of actions to raise awareness and inform the general public on issues of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, a Digital Children's Handbook was presented in the form of a fairy tale, specially designed and adapted to highlight the different forms of child sexual exploitation, created as part and deliverable of the ERADICATING project.
At the start of the event, the Permanent Representative Ambassador Mr. Ioannis Vrailas, the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Mrs. Diane Schmitt, the Head of the ERADICATING Project Mrs. Koralia Kontou and the Director of KE.ME.A. Lieutenant General EL.AS. (retired) Ms. Konstantia Koroni, made the opening remarks.
In the context of the event activities, over 100 attendees participated, representing European institutional organizations and agencies, police or other law enforcement authorities (Greece, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, Albania, Italy, Portugal and Cyprus), relevant government agencies of European countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, France and Malta), the International Organization for Migration, Italian prosecution authorities, the Central Investigation Office of Albania, the European Office of Cyprus, Permanent Representations of European countries (Hungary, Greece, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Cyprus and France), University Institutions (Greece, Germany, Pakistan, England, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Spain), Non-governmental organizations active in related issues (Greece, Belgium, Malta, Portugal, France), research institutes (Greece, Belgium and Italy), and finally companies that develop technological solutions and participate in consortia implementing European research projects (Italy and United Kingdom).
