Meg's update: Combating Human Trafficking, 9-21-11

UNODC sponsored event, 'Innovative Collaborations to Combat Trafficking', featured several outstanding speakers, the first being UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov, who reiterated the need for sustained efforts in fighting this at all level: "It is only through working together from the community-level right through to the international arena that we can break this crime and put an end to human tafficking". This multi-billion dollar crime enslaves an estimated 2.4 million people, many of whom are children. Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at- Large for Global Women's Issues, highlighted the underpinnings of trafficking which are: greed, gender inequality, poverty, political unrest where women and children are at risk, promises made, but not fulfilled. Mr. David Arkless, President of Gov't Affairs for Manpower Group, the first company to sign on to the Athens Ethical Principles, covering zero tolerance toward trafficking in human persons; encouraging business partners to apply like principles in all their enterprises; report and share information on best practices. Representatives from Brazil and Netherlands shared best practices offered through training programs, and law enforcement.