On Monday September the 25th, Mercy International Association, Global Action at the UN, co-sponsored an event at the United Nations, entitled, ‘Children on the Move: Preventing Child Trafficking by Implementing the UN Global Plan of Action’. This event was strategically timed, as it was held two days prior to the UN General Assembly High –level Meeting on the appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

       

It was a great privilege to have H.E. Jorge Skinner-Kleen, Ambassador of Guatemala and H.E. Kornelios S. Korneliou, Ambassador of Cyprus, co-sponsor the event and address all present. Central to the panel discussion were strategies to prevent child trafficking and a focus on the particular vulnerabilities of children on the move. It was acknowledged that at this time of mass global displacement, unaccompanied minors and homeless children are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. Angela Reed rsm was a panelist and stressed three points: 1) Prevention is key, 2) Trafficking survivors must contribute to global policy and practice 3) The Global Plan of Action on human trafficking must be integrally related to the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Moderated by Salesian Father, Tom Brennan, the event was well attended by representatives of Member States as well as Civil Society. View the webcast version here.

Messages to: Angela Reed rsm - MIA Coordinator at the UN - Mercy Global Action