“What is my role in the system of protection of children from human trafficking?“ was the guiding question discussed at the training activities held in Sarajevo on 24-25 March and Banja Luka on 31 March - 1 April, organised in the framework of the joint European Union - Council of Europe action "Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina" .
Fifty-nine participants (secondary and high school professors, pedagogues, psychologists, directors, representatives of social welfare centres, NGOs and ministries of education and science) from Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Brčko, Mostar, Bijeljina, Kneževo, Tuzla, Zenica, Gradiška, Bihać, Orašje, Cazin, Tomislavgrad and Derventa have increased their knowledge related to the detection and timely assistance and referral of potential child victims of trafficking.
The education professionals discussed the phenomenology, risk factors and indicators of child trafficking, and good practices in dealing with potential child victims with experienced lecturers - professor Elmedin Muratbegović from the Faculty of Criminalistic, Criminology and Security Studies from University of Sarajevo; Bojana Jovanović from the Association „Otaharin“, Bijeljina; Hristina Piskulidis from NGO Astra, Serbia; Mirsada Bajramović from the Association „Zemlja djece“, Tuzla; Snežana Vuković from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia; and Lejla Gačanica, independent expert on gender issues.
The participants agreed that life-long learning is important for professionals who are in daily contact with children; further exchanges of good practices and right approaches to children affected by violence, abuse and trafficking are needed; more information on the domestic referral system and involved anti-trafficking institutions is necessary; and last but not least personal awareness of the responsibility and the duty to ACT and PROTECT children in case of a suspicion of danger is crucial.
The action “Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is implemented under the joint European Union - Council of Europe programme ”Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”.
