Secretary of State, Mr. Michael R. Pompeo unveiled the 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 28 June, 2018, at the U.S. Department of State and was joined by Advisor to the President, Ivanka Trump. 
As required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the TIP Report assesses government efforts around the world to combat human trafficking and highlights strategies to address this crime and protect the victims. This year’s report, the 18th instalment, includes narratives for 187 countries and territories, including the United States. 
The report is available at: https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2018/
One European country stands out in particular for having been demoted-Ireland- was downgraded to Tier 2, for insufficient action on modern slavery. The Tier 2 ranking places Ireland on a par with Indonesia and India because of what it describes as the government’s failure to adequately protect victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and labour abuse, as well as failure to convict traffickers, despite the introduction of legislation in recent years. Of particular criticism was reference to permitting human slavery to flourish in the fishing industry, a sector where ‘’…human rights are under constant attack …by unscrupulous and greedy employers,’’ according to the International Transport Worker’s Federation.   
During the ceremony, Secretary Pompeo and Advisor to the President, Ivanka Trump, who has taken a leadership role in highlighting human trafficking as a priority for this Administration, honoured the 2018 TIP Report Heroes, men and women from around the globe whose tireless efforts have made a lasting impact on the fight against modern slavery. Following the ceremony, many of the Heroes now travel to cities across the United States to engage with the American people through an International Visitor Leadership Program. 
In launching the report, US Secretary of State, Mr. Michael Pompeo, stated:
‘’ This year’s report focuses on effective ways local communities can address human trafficking proactively and on how national governments can support and empower them.  Local communities are the most affected by this abhorrent crime and are also the first in line of defence against human trafficking.
By engaging and training law enforcement, religious leaders, teachers, tribal elders, business executives and communities, we become more vigilant and learn to identify and address vulnerabilities swiftly. Proactive community-driven measures strengthen our ability to protect our most vulnerable and weaken a criminal’s ability to infiltrate, recruit and exploit.
I have experienced first-hand that individuals closest to a problem are often the best resource to solving it, which is why the Department prioritises equipping and empowering front-line civil society leaders.
Modern slavery has no place in the world and I intend to ensure through diplomatic engagement and increased action, that the United States government’s leadership in combating this global threat is sustained in the years to come.’’
For a thorough analysis of the TIP 2018 report, please see the latest edition of Stop Trafficking, prepared by Jean Schafer, SDS, available at:  http://www.stopenslavement.org/
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

 

Raising awareness about Human Trafficking is a priority for RENATE members at APT Ireland (Act to Prevent Trafficking), who are pleased to announce the staging of the internationally acclaimed DIABLO , a hard-hitting play about Human Trafficking and how it occurs in ‘’plain sight.’’
The play has a small cast of 5 actors and is written by Patricia Downey, Artistic Director for Belfast based Spanner in the Works Theatre Company, which is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
The play will be performed at the C Venues Edinburgh Fringe Festival on 1-13 August, 2018, followed by a performance in Munich, Germany on 19 September (venue to be advised). DIABLO will be performed in Ireland on both 25 and 26 September- venues to be advised.
Speaking about the play’s challenging subject matter, playwright Patricia Downey commented: “Human trafficking is a fast growing criminal enterprise due to the fact it is relatively low risk but with a high profit potential. Sadly, criminal organisations are increasingly attracted to human trafficking because, unlike drugs, humans can be sold repeatedly. Diablo deals with the contentious matter of human trafficking that may go unnoticed right here in Northern Ireland. We might not be aware of it or like to acknowledge it, but this form of human exploitation is happening right here on our doorstep and I hope this play serves to increase awareness and, in turn, save lives.’’
Please see www.aptireland.org for updates on confirmed venues.
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

 

 
On the 21^st of June last, as part of its continued commitment to ensure awareness-raising and prevention of human trafficking, Mary Ward Loreto Albania conducted an Anti-Trafficking training seminar at the Kuçova Youth Centre. The 26 young people who participated in this training were informed about the phenomenon of trafficking and modern slavery.
There was a lot of animated interaction during the training and it was encouraging to see how interested the young people were in the topic as they enthusiastically engaged in the exercises.
At the end of a very positive seminar, the students invited the team to visit again and to give more training in the future. Such openness to learning and to being empowered to protect oneself, illustrates the positive impact and value of awareness training and personal interaction with youth, who are most vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.
More at: http://www.albaniahope.com/   and also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryWardLoreto/photos/pcb.1786378904754363/1786375891421331/?type=3&theater
 

 

 

 
On 18 October 2017, several classes from an Alsatian college participated in an event organized by the Council of Europe to raise awareness about the fight against trafficking and exploitation.
During the academic year, they worked with other to discover more about the existence of Human Trafficking and its different forms. On 19 June 2018, these students presented the fruit of their work to the Secretary of GRETA and its assistants, as well as the Associations that were present during the sensitization (SOS-Caritas France, NDC of the Good Shepherd, Association Themis …). Each small team of 2 or 3 students explained the work involved and the results -displays, 3D realization, filmed interviews and even animated film, which you can quickly see in the video above. 
Des jeunes au Conseil de l’Europe.

 
RENATE member Maria Luis Puglisi and her colleagues took the opportunity at the Granada festival of the south, which is celebrated from 3 to 10 June, by presenting a day-long  exhibition to raise awareness about Human Trafficking and Exploitation.
They set up an information stand and met with countless of people over the week, thereby heightening awareness about the realities of violence towards women as well as sharing information about their work against human trafficking.
Maria Luisa and her colleagues also presented the exhibition of their work in Togo, where they also screened a documentary film about Human Trafficking ‘’Trata di Evitarla.’’
It was a good opportunity to bring home the reality of being actively engaged as a citizen.
More at Fundación de Solidaridad Amaranta
https://www.facebook.com/242455492499648/posts/1750707618341087/
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.