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Gambia to Host Summit on Human Trafficking

The Gambia in collaboration with the African Tourism and Development Organisation and Sub-sahara Inter Agency Network Against Human Trafficking, Sexual exploitation in Tourism, and Illegal Migration will host its first annual training summit from the 12-14 April, 2007, at Sun Beach Hotel, Bakau.

The summit is expected to address ways to tackle the root causes of trafficking as a development issue, especially those affecting women, boys and girls.

Speaking to Daily Observer, Modou Demba, a member of the co-ordinating committee said the event is in support of African Tourism and Development Organisation, which is a five year pilot project. He said the project started last year in partnership with the Swedish ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to him, the summit will be used to address issues confronting human trafficking and illegal migration. He said “the objective through effective partnership programmes with stakeholders is to prevent and reduce the demand for trafficking and as well protecting human rights”.

Mr Demba added that His Excellency Anders Oljelum, the newly appointed ambassador and international co-ordinator against trafficking in humans for the Department of Development at the Swedish ministry of Foreign Affairs, is invited as a special guest of honour to lunch the summit. 

According to him, the inaugural event will featured ATO’s president, His Excellency Lassana Kuyateh, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Guinea and His Excellency Dodou Bammy Jagne, Ambassador of The Gambia, to the United States, who will chair the training summit.

Mr Demba further revealed that sixteen resource agencies including the European Union Office of Human Trafficking and Development, and Office on Drugs and Crime, Geneva, destination countries, Spain, BBC world service, ATO Sub-saharan Agency Net-work, Gender and Development as well as The Gambia Police Force amongst others are expected to the take part in the summit.

As part of activities marking the summit, the youth awareness cycling campaign against trafficking in humans and illegal migration will be followed on the 14th April 2007.

Adapted from: Hatab Fadera. "Gambia to host summit on human trafficking." Observer.1 April 2007.