Working Together for a More Resilient and Sustainable Future (UN Office Austria)
Written by: WFWPI UN Vienna Office Team
The WFWPI UN Vienna office hosted its second virtual "Meet and Greet" on December 19, 2023. Due to our attendance at various meetings and conferences that encourage the presence of NGOs, the WFWPI UN Vienna team has gotten to know very ambitious representatives of different organizations. As there is always a strong emphasis on prevention and good practices to counter “Human Trafficking,” “Smuggling of Migrants,” or any other kind of “International Organized Crime,” we thought it would be beneficial to connect the various initiatives with the local WFWP chapters. A strong force behind this is Mrs. Merle Soquila Blaschke, who as a born Philippina has first-hand experience of migration.
This time the focus was on Africa. In African countries, youth make up 75 to 80 percent of the population. The exposure to drugs and crime, as well as how to prevent human trafficking such as modern type slavery or prostitution, is a major concern for the African youth. Instead, young people should be given the chance to learn and be trained in a job according to their specific talents and abilities. This makes a prosperous future possible and helps a nation to develop!
Each one of the speakers underlined this effort:
Mr. Patrick Erlandson from Los Angeles, Founder and Director of FATHER -CON, highlighted the great impact a father has on the healthy development of children, for boys and girls equally!
He created FATHER -CON, a platform for men to meet, share experiences and be educated about the impact they have on child development, intellectually and emotionally. Mr. Erlandson felt driven to take this initiative while working for UNHCR- in California, where he was confronted with the worst cases of Human Trafficking. He found out that the missing father is one of the root causes of the vulnerability of girls and boys.
Mr. Gene Alcantara spoke about the human trafficking of Filipinos in Europe. He covered some practical examples of so-called modern type slavery that are not necessarily accepted by the authorities as such, E.g. the cases of truck drivers who are contractually employed in Eastern Europe but are made to work in West Europe. Despite their clear exploitation and unacceptable working conditions, like having to live and sleep in their trucks, no resting hours, or time off, wages far below the legal minimum, etc., local authorities repeatedly dismissed their complaints.
The cases of "Overseas Domestic Workers" are similar and hard to believe. Many are brought into servitude and abuse in the recipient countries with fraudulent contracts saying they would be paid the minimum wage applicable but despite clear evidence, they remain in immigration limbo. The above cases need to be brought to the authorities in a concerted way with recommendations for action.
Mr. Justus Mokaya, founder and executive director of EZEHSA -PLUS, an institute for learning and job training in Nairobi, Kenya. His desire is for young people to receive education and vocational training and to guide them through finding a job. EZEHSHA-Plus has helped hundreds of women and youth from disadvantaged circumstances.
Mr. Mutuku Nguli is the Chief Executive for “Countering Human Trafficking Trust-East Africa," a subregional Christian NGO, registered in Nairobi, Kenya, but established in 7 East African Member countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo). The vision of the organization is to create a world free from the shackles of human exploitation and the prosecution of every woman or man who goes against it. Victims of human trafficking are mainly women and children, engaged in forced labor, domestic servitude, prostitution and begging. The organization conducts awareness-raising campaigns and educational programs are undertaken for youth, police, medical staff and others to warn about the dangers of human trafficking. Sometimes the traffickers are even working through recruitment companies. Many hope to escape poverty, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Ms. Joana Adesuva Reiterer, founder of JOADRE - Fashion and Film to foster positive social change, was born Nigerian and now living in Austria. Her special life story has brought her into close contact with human trafficking. She founded the organization “EXIT” in Austria to help victims of human trafficking. She made a remarkable effort to raise awareness among the population and gained the support of the Austrian police and government, to help victims of human trafficking - to leave their unbearable situation and restart their lives. Later she decided to invest in prevention in her own hometown. She engages with young people, providing education, job training and coaching until they make their way into the real world. JOADRE is a network of professionals supporting each other to become successful in their lives.
Risa Smart, President of WFWP Nigeria, introduced her amazing program on Microcredit. A small amount of money can help a woman to start or expand her business, so she can pay her bills, send the children to school, etc., gradually paying back what has been given to her so that the next person can receive the money. Up to now, Ms. Smart raised 130 people who benefited from this program!
Ms. Merle Soquila thanked everyone for participation and encouraged ongoing interaction! She announced the continuation of such online talks. Ms. Kyung In Van De Ven Oliveira, WFWPI UN Vienna Youth Representative, moderated the event. In her professional life, she deals with minor-migrants so this event topic was very relevant to her interest.
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