Ha Noi – Over 200 students and changemakers from various Vietnamese universities and colleges participated in the “Dialogue with Leaders: Youth actively leading communication efforts to prevent human trafficking” on 2 August 2014 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. The dialogue is part of the youth-led initiative for safe migration and human trafficking prevention programme, organized by the International Organization for Migrations (IOM) and the Viet Nam Central Women Union, in partnership with the UK Government. The event aimed to connect youth with leaders from government agencies, international organizations and the private sector and to empower them to act against human trafficking. 

The dialogue is part of Viet Nam’s National Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which runs from 1 July to 30 September 2024. IOM Viet Nam, along with other UN agencies in Viet Nam, highlighted the importance of inclusive and focused efforts to protect children and young people, including addressing risk and vulnerability, enhancing resilience and strengthening the protection of children in the context of trafficking.   

Globally, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child – although in some regions, the proportion is much higher – and children are twice as likely as adults to face violence while being trafficked. IOM’s research reveals that no age, gender or nationality is immune from trafficking in persons. Family members or friends are involved in more than 50 per cent of trafficking cases. The growing use of online platforms makes it easier for traffickers to exploit children. 

IOM Chief of Mission in Viet Nam, Park Mi-Hyung, praised Viet Nam’s steering efforts to effectively promote safe migration and human trafficking prevention, especially the nation’s revision of the 2011 Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Combat. This is a remarkable milestone for Viet Nam and shows the nation’s commitment to tackle this crime. This law revision will establish a stronger foundation for addressing the increasingly complex trends in trafficking in persons, which are exacerbated by socio-economic challenges. 

With nearly 2.4 billion youth worldwide, this is the largest generation in history. Among the 281 million international migrants, approximately 11.3 per cent are below 24 years old.  In Viet Nam, over 22 million young people aged 16 to 30 are considering moving out of their hometowns in search of better work and study opportunities. 

Park noted that these young people are increasingly vulnerable to traffickers who exploit online platforms to prey on young individuals. However, this same generation holds the power to drive significant changes. Their dynamism, creativity and tech-savviness uniquely position them to develop innovative solutions to combat trafficking in the digital age. Therefore, investing in this generation empowers them to safeguard their peers and harnesses their potential to build a safer and more resilient world. 

“While we are working closely with each other to effectively tackle the challenges posed by human trafficking, we need to engage youth in crafting their key advocacy messages for human trafficking prevention campaigns. We need to act now to create a more supportive environment for youth-led advocacy, driving social and behavioural change and assist them to realize their full potential by delivering on the promise of migration,” stated Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator. 

“Taking action against illegal migration and human trafficking continues to be a top priority for the UK Government. We are committed to working more closely with Viet Nam to combat human trafficking, particularly by boosting capacity building, raising awareness, information-sharing, prosecuting the criminals involved, and protecting vulnerable people. We hope to spread the message to raise people's awareness about the risks involved in illegal migration and careful consideration of their options when contemplating a migration path to protect themselves and the future welfare of their families,” said British Ambassador to Viet Nam, Iain Frew. 

The dialogue was also the venue of a side event, the “Changemakers United: Take action to end human trafficking” exhibition and interactive space, where children, young people and their parents could proactively learn to spot the signs of human trafficking and equip themselves with essential knowledge and skills in making informed decisions to prevent human trafficking. 

***

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Ms Nguyen Ngoc Tram, National Communications Officer at IOM Viet Nam, Email:  ngocnguyen@iom.int, Tel: +84912893964 

Background information:  

The theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (WDATIP) this year is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”.  

• Findings from IOM’s joint research with Harvard University (From Evidence to Action: Twenty years of IOM child trafficking data to inform policy and programming) show that no age range, no gender and no nationality is immune to child trafficking; it is a truly global phenomenon. According to UNODC’s Global Trafficking in Persons Report, 1 in 3 victims of trafficking are children. Despite efforts, large numbers of children continue to fall victim to traffickers worldwide, due to inequitable socio-economic, environmental and political factors that engender exploitative and discriminatory practices. 

• Combatting trafficking in persons should remain an international priority, with responses tailored to the context of each country, and to the complex intersection of individual, community and societal factors affecting children.