Project duration: 01/09/2011 – 31/12/2011
The project is financed by the Philip Morris. .jpg)
Project justification:Human Trafficking (HT) is a global problem that affects millions of people. They are suffering from violence caused by sexual exploitation, forced labour and illegal trade of human organs.
According to the USA Trafficking in Persons Report, Latvia despite sustained governmental efforts and non-governmental organizations constantly has been ranked in TIER 2 level. During the last two years, human trafficking cases have been rising due to the severe economical recession in Latvia; increase in unemployment especially in the Eastern region of Latvia, its reaching 23% and is the second highest unemployed rate in European Union; and increase of emigration. Emigration from Latvia in 2010 increased by 23% and continues to be on the way up. As a result, the number of people, who are dealing with their financial problems by joining human trafficking networks, getting involved into fake marriages and becoming forced labour victims, is increasing as well. Desperate people in search for employment abroad, can be deceived easier and fall into the trap of traffickers.
Due to financial difficulties less people have internet access at home or subscribing for news items. More people are using public libraries to access internet and news sources. Libraries in Latvia, especially in rural areas, have become local, social, cultural, and educational centres, and are providing various consultations and training activities.
The goal of the Project:to raise awareness about the problem of human trafficking amongst the most vulnerable groups of population by training librarians as future human trafficking consultants.
Project activities:
1) A round table meeting for representatives of the ministries, NGOs, and international organizations will be organised in order to introduce the project idea and planned activities, to discuss the involvement of state stakeholders and latest tendencies of human trafficking.
2) Librarians (around 40 people) will be invited to attend 1 day training session in Riga to educate them about human trafficking. Booklets will be distributed in all the libraries across Latvia.
3) Development of training/information material about human trafficking as a reference material to be used by librarians to help them inform visitors in libraries and answer their questions regarding human trafficking.
4) Five regional pilot sessions about human trafficking will be organised in the libraries. Representatives of the organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Libraries will organise 5 pilot training sessions in the regions.
5) Press conference about the activities of the project will be organised, press releases will be send informing mass media about the activities, results, and findings of the project.