Private sector addressing human trafficking

 

5 May 2010.- The private sector has enormous potential to prevent human trafficking. Business participation in key initiatives has proven to be an effective approach to combat trafficking. La Strada Belarus is a non-governmental organization that has been actively involving the private sector in the fight against trafficking. La Strada organized in Minsk the International Round Table "Business response to Human trafficking in Belarus".

The aim of the round table was to assess companies' potential to join anti-trafficking initiatives and to strengthen collaboration with other stakeholders in the field. The event brought together representatives from non-governmental organizations from Eastern Europe, members from the Belarus government and business leaders from Belorusian and international companies.

Participants shared information about business initiatives at the international level, as well as examples of cooperation between the private sector, government and civil society organizations in Belarus. UN.GIFT, IOM and the UN Global Compact were represented at the meeting where participants also discussed the importance of increasing awareness about human trafficking in the private sector.