On Monday the 5th of August 2019, the United Nations Information Centre Canberra, together with partners – International Organisation of Migration (IOM); Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) – welcomed guests of the diplomatic community at the ACC&C multi-faith chapel to acknowledge World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Attendees appreciated insightful and informative video presentations and a panel discussion between representatives from both IOM and DFAT, covering such issues as Human trafficking and the extractive industry; Technical Assistance in Palau and Countering Human Trafficking: Policy and Practice.
In his opening remarks for the event, Pär Liljert, IOM Australia Chief of Mission and Coordinator for the Pacific, left the audience with the words of their Director General António Vitorino:
“it is not a day to reflect on what we feel about migrants who are victims of trafficking. Rather it is a warning that yet another year has passed in which we can remind ourselves that no matter how much good we can do, we still haven’t done enough. It is time to end the trafficking of men, women and children across the globe”.
At any given time, an estimated 2.5 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery. This first World Day against Trafficking in Persons is a call to action to end this crime and give hope to the victims, who often live unrecognized among us.