OSCE organizes first-ever simulation-based training for anti-trafficking practitioners in Albania

A simulation-based training on combating human trafficking — the first of this kind in Albania — took place from 18 to 21 October 2021 in Tirana. The training, organized by the OSCE Presence and the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, promoted an innovative approach to the capacity development of anti-trafficking practitionersanti-trafficking practitioners
Anti-trafficking practitioners include a broad range of professionals such as law enforcement personnel, public prosecutors, migration officers or asylum authorities, lawyers, labour inspectors, social welfare practitioners, NGOs, and journalists..

The training consisted of realistic, practical and cross-dimensional simulation exercises aimed to enhance anti-trafficking officials’ ability to identify and investigate human trafficking and assist trafficked persons in a victim-centred and human rights-based manner. Around 60 anti-trafficking practitioners — including social workers, police officers, prosecutors, labour inspectors and civil society activists — participated in the training.  

“The Presence has long prioritized the fight against trafficking of human beings, and this training encapsulates many core elements of our commitment — to pursuing a human-rights based, victim-centred approach, to advancing inter-institutional co-ordination, to applying cutting edge tools to develop capacities and respond,” said Vincenzo Del Monaco, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, at the opening ceremony held on 18 October, on the European Anti-Trafficking Day.

He added that, despite being a terrible crime, trafficking in human beings is, first and foremost, a violation of human rights, and everybody carries the responsibility to counter such tragic scourge. “Indeed, no institution or individual can work alone in tackling trafficking in human beings. As in every common challenge, the solution is never in me, but it is always in we,” Del Monaco said.

In a video message at the opening of the training, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Valiant Richey said: “We are delighted to support OSCE participating States who use our innovative methodology to train their national anti-trafficking practitioners”. 

Albania’s Deputy Minister of Interior Romina Kuko, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection Denada Seferi, UNICEF Resident Representative Roberto de Bernardi, and British Embassy’s officer Harriet Morgan spoke at the event.

The training was delivered as part of the programme “Transforming the national response to human trafficking in and from Albania”, which is implemented by a consortium of local and international organizations led by UNICEF Albania, and supported by the United Kingdom.