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U.S.-European Union Joint Information Campaign
To Prevent Trafficking in Women

Fact Sheet released by the Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration, May 25, 1998.

In November 1997, the U.S. Government and the European Union (EU) formally launched a joint information campaign to combat the trafficking of women from and through central Europe and the new independent states of the former Soviet Union. The U.S. first announced the initiative at the U.S.-EU Summit in The Hague in May 1997, as a mechanism to expand transatlantic cooperation on migration issues and to address a common, serious problem.

The U.S. and the EU have developed the information campaign concept jointly and are implementing it on separate, twin tracks in the region. The U.S. is sponsoring an information campaign designed for Ukraine and is implementing it through the International Organization for Migration, while the EU is sponsoring one in Poland, using "La Strada," a European non-governmental organization, as its implementing partner. Although the two countries are considered as both source and transit venues for trafficking in women, they also have shown a commitment to confront migration problems and work cooperatively to protect potential victims of trafficking.

The information campaign targets potential victims, warning them of methods used by traffickers. It also provides information to local border and consular officials to help them recognize and deter trafficking in women from third countries through the region. The two implementing partners are coordinating their activities and are using proven techniques such as group discussions with potential victims, public service messages broadcast on radio and television, poster and pamphlet distributions, and magazine and newspaper articles. Research and development took place from January through March, and the joint implementation phase is April through June 1998.

In July, the U.S. will sponsor a seminar in Lviv, Ukraine, where all involved parties will evaluate the effectiveness of the campaigns in the two countries and further highlight their messages. If the project is successful, the U.S. and the EU will consider adapting and expanding it to other critical source and transit countries.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Scotti at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration, (202) 663-1064.

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