The event was introduced by Mr. Charalampos Oikonomou, Professor at Panteion University, who analyzed the relationship between social policy and human trafficking in the contemporary context of globalization. Afterwards, Dr. Stavros Pantazopoulos, referred to the social and institutional conditions that create the environment of human trafficking and the necessary conditions for combating the phenomenon. The sociologist Ms. Eftychia Zarachoviti presented the findings of the two researches conducted within the framework of the Scientific Society for Social Cohesion and Development, on human trafficking in Greece and other European countries, the protection of unaccompanied minors and the role of the Internet in the escalation of the phenomenon, additionally with the risks it entails. Lastly, Ms. Marina Donopoulou, President of the NGO A21, spoke about the ongoing actions of the organization, which provides support to victims of trafficking, and elaborated on the psychological impact faced by these victims, the reasons for their victimization, and the methods used for their recruitment.

After the presentations, a lively discussion followed, where participants had the opportunity to ask questions about the evolution of the phenomenon of human trafficking and propose policies to combat it.

At the Ministry of Justice, participants engaged in discussions with the anti-trafficking and anti-violence advisor regarding the current situation in Estonia. It was recognized that trafficking networks frequently move victims across Europe, making tracking efforts challenging. Victims may remain in one country for approximately six months before being compelled to relocate. Additionally, there is a concerning trend of organized crime increasingly targeting minors, who are more vulnerable and often face fewer legal repercussions.

A workshop was held at Ellulin’s office to discuss the new EU directive 2024/1712. Presentations highlighted the relationship between demand and human exploitation, emphasizing strategies to reduce or control this demand to prevent human trafficking. New measures were proposed during these discussions.

Further lectures focused on the critical role of cultural mediators in facilitating more effective and gradual adaptation for victims. Finally, a meeting with the Social Affairs Committee in Parliament provided an overview of the situation in Estonia concerning efforts to combat human trafficking, including an analysis of the profiles of victims of labor and sexual exploitation in the country.

Kleos – Strengthening skills and networks facing the new THB scenario is a 2-year European -AMIF Project and wants to be a bridge between advanced and already consolidated experiences of intervention for the integration of the third country national victims of trafficking and the significant challenges that the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have brought even in this delicate area. Five partners from five European countries, Italy, Spain, Estonia, Poland and Greece, already used to share best practices in the management of THB cases, respond by expanding their action, involving the “frontline” of the current emergency, a regional public institution in Poland, to increase the wealth of skills and experiment with a plurality of interventions that can, in a holistic logic, support: from the emergence of cases, to rehabilitation intervention; from skill-enhancement of specialized cultural mediator to paths of socio-labor integration in host societies; from research on the increased risk of online traffic to the awareness-raising of the frontline stakeholders, and the reviewing of trafficking indicators. In 24 months the project develops three large WPs in chronological sequence:

– Key actors training targeting (new) cultural mediators and former victims to become peer trainers;

-Integration measures for THB victims / groups at risk offering mediators rehabilitation ad adjustment paths;

-THB awareness-raising activities, with an eighth partner competent in digital social engagement, to launch in 5 countries the Stuck in trafficking awareness campaign for professional categories that can intercept the victims (bus drivers, taxi drivers, railway workers, pharmacists, restaurateurs, etc.).

Kleos wants to reach and help at least 700 adult victims, 50 unaccompanied minors, train 50 new operators and raise awareness among up to one million people, building at least 60 strategic collaborations with private and public companies and professional categories. The Project’s Partners participated in the seminar were: 1.AGORÀ SOCIETÀ COOPERATIVA SOCIALE (AGORÀ), Italy, 2. FUNDACION RED INCOLA (RED INCOLA), Spain, 3. WOJEWODZTWO SWIETOKRZYSKIE (UMWS), Poland, 4. CENTRO STUDI MEDI (CS MEDI),Italy, 5. EPISTIMONIKI ETAIREIA GIA TIN KOINONIKI SYNOCHI KAI ANAPTYXI (EPEKSA), Greece, 6. MITTETULUNDUSUHING ELULIIN (ELULIIN), , Estonia, 7. RISE UP COMMUNITY APS (Rise Up), Italy