The 25th OSCE Conference “Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons” represented a significant moment of international exchange, responsibility, commitment, and cutting-edge solutions to combat human trafficking, specifically child trafficking. Thanks to the use of innovative new technologies and data-driven approaches, new digital tools, online prevention methodologies, and multidisciplinary, intersectoral, and international cooperation models were explored.
The OSCE’s openness to the third sector was crucial, enabling CESIE’s active participation through the ASIT project, contributing to this international platform for discussion and field engagement, sharing their innovations, and actively contributing to the development of effective protocols.
Towards Collective Action
This year’s theme, “Protecting Childhoods, Shaping Futures,” emphasized a crucial imperative: to renew commitment and unite forces to end child trafficking. A detailed analysis of current trends examined various vulnerabilities of minors, including children in care institutions, children with disabilities, marginalized communities, and all the existing intersections between them. Gaps in existing responses were identified, guiding the development of new strategies for effective action.
Speakers presented promising practices and cutting-edge digital tools that can enhance prevention, early identification, and victim protection. The OSCE member states were called to embrace a “whole society” approach — one based on strong partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector, and local communities, where shared responsibility becomes the cornerstone of every effective strategy.
These needs align perfectly with ASIT’s mission: developing innovative digital tools, strengthening cooperation across sectors, and empowering institutions in the fight against trafficking, with particular attention to online exploitation, which is increasingly present and hidden in our society. Traffickers are often quicker than government responses, policies, and strategies in combating human trafficking, especially child trafficking.
Various OSCE representatives, keynote speakers, international NGO representatives, and survivors shared their expertise, experiences, commitment, and needs with the international audience we had the opportunity to engage with.
Three main panels:
- The evolving landscape of child trafficking: This panel shed light on emerging trends and current exploitation patterns. Experts from UNODC, the Internet Watch Foundation, prosecutors, and survivors analyzed new digital channels used for recruiting and exploiting minors. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro moderated the debate, highlighting the critical importance of data-driven intelligence for real-time monitoring and timely intervention.
- From vulnerability to innovation: The second panel explored new risks and cutting-edge solutions. Led by Diane Schmitt, EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, and Heather Komenda from IOM, along with NGO experts and survivors, the speakers shared the latest digital screening tools and best practices for victim recovery. Robbert Hoving moderated the debate, stimulating a discussion on the most effective ways to turn vulnerability into protection opportunities.
- It takes a village to raise a child: The third panel evoked powerful emotions. The representative from Nespresso Austria discussed the company’s vision on sustainability and social responsibility. The session was moderated by Gustav Lindström from CBSS, who stressed the need for collaboration among all involved actors.
The final session, with the voices of survivors and OSCE coordinators, reaffirmed the urgency of collective commitment and coordinated action. The survivors’ intervention, in particular, evoked waves of empathy and a strong sense of solidarity. Their words were not only a call for justice but also an invitation to never forget the pain and suffering they endured, all in the pursuit of protecting minors who can still be saved. The conclusion of the meeting left a profound impact, emphasizing the need for a united effort to combat child trafficking and build a better future.
Want to know more about ASIT and stay updated?
Visit the ASIT project page on CESIE and follow us on LinkedIn.
About the project
ASIT – Adequate Support measures and Improved capacities in countering THB a project funded by ISF-2022-TF1-AG-THB (Call for proposals on actions against trafficking in human beings).
Partners
- MoISR – Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic (Coordinator, Slovak Republic)
- AMoIBG – Academy of the Ministry of Interior Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
- INT – Departament d’Interior – Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain)
- HP – Hellenic Police (Greece)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- KEMEA – Center for Security Studies (Greece)
- KWP Kraków – Regional Police Headquarters in Kraków (Poland)
For further information
Read the project factsheet and follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact Cinzia Broccolo: cinzia.broccolo@cesie.org.
