Embassy Events 2009
Poland Raises Awareness of Trafficking in Persons
26 October 2009
Exhibit at Warsaw’s Central Train Station (Dworzec Centralny)
On October 18, Poland observed the third annual EU Anti-Trafficking Day with a number of activities designed to raise awareness of this modern-day form of slavery. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Polish government created a televised public service announcement (PSA) designed for high risk target groups. The advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi and MTV Polska donated their services to develop and produce the PSA, titled “Trafficking is a Fact”, which will be broadcast on MTV Polska and local television channels through November. In addition, a repeat of last year’s exhibition titled “Trafficking Knows No Borders” ran in Warsaw’s central train station from October 16 – 23. The exhibit, which was jointly funded by the Polish government and the U.S. Embassy, previously was displayed in several major train stations around Poland. A digital version of this exhibit also aired in Warsaw metro train cars from October 15-22.
On October 22, The Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration held its biennial National Conference to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Persons. Earlier this month, the Warsaw-based Institute of Public Affairs presented Stana Buchowska, Director of the leading anti-trafficking NGO La Strada, its Jerzy Zimowski award for her contribution to integrating foreign trafficking victims in Poland and providing assistance to Polish trafficking victims abroad. The EU Anti-Trafficking Day was created in 2007 to raise awareness about the phenomenon and to promote the establishment of national mechanisms to identify and assist victims in every EU Member State. More information on this year’s Anti-Trafficking campaign can be found at www.stophandelludzmi.pl.