consulate events
Trafficking in Persons
Trafficking in Children in Southeast Europe
Actions and Interventions in Greece in view of the Olympic Games
The conference was organized by ARSIS, the Association for the Social Support of Youth in the framework of the European Program Stop II with the support of the B’ Directorate of the European Union and the Cultural Olympiad 2001-2004 -- Hellenic Culture Organization S.A.
Acting Consul General Demitra Pappas attended and greeted the Conference on
“Trafficking in Persons - Trafficking in Children in Southeast Europe.”
Following are her remarks:
I would like to say a few words in English, if you don’t mind since I see that we have a broad representation from the Balkans and throughout Europe.
Trafficking in persons and particularly the exploitation of the most vulnerable victims -- children -- is among the greatest human rights challenges of our time.
The US government is committed to leading the fight to eradicate human trafficking which claims up to 900,000 victims a year – mainly women and children – being moved across international borders for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery. That figure does not include trafficking within countries.
Unfortunately, trafficking remains a major challenge in Southeastern Europe. The United States is committed to working with our partners in Greece and throughout the region to eradicate this scourge.
ARSIS has been at the forefront of the fight against child trafficking, sensitizing the public and rescuing children from the streets. I am proud to say that the Consulate General works very closely with Nick Gavalas and his team in Thessaloniki on such critical issues as establishing a victims shelter locally, which we have been working on for quite some time.
We applaud the initiative by ARSIS to bring together regional and Greek actors on child trafficking. Particularly as Greece prepares to host the Olympic games -- the hallmark of ancient civilization -- we must ensure that this most inhumane and barbaric of practices has no place. We are looking at the Olympics but also beyond the Olympics.
I wish you well today; I will be with you most of the day. I am anxious to exchange views with you.