Today, and following on from last weeks International Migration Review Forum, we hosted a side-event titled “Human Trafficking at the Ukrainian Border: Protecting Migrants In and Around Conflict Zones”. The event began with a short video providing visuals and statistics surrounding our ongoing efforts in and around Ukraine. H.E. Ambassador Beresford-Hill then spoke on his personal visit to Warsaw, where he himself witnessed the horrific effects of the conflict on the civilian population of Ukraine, and heard stories of the extreme efforts traffickers are going to to deceive the most desperate and vulnerable people seeking to flee conflict. Ambassador Beresford-Hill then went on to introduce the events’ moderator, and our Special Advisor on Human Trafficking and Child Protection, Mrs. Deborah O’Hara-Rusckowski. Mrs. Rusckowski briefly spoke about her role as founder of Global Strategic Operatives, and then proceeded to introduce each panelist. Our excellent line-up of panelists consisted of Bishop John Bonnici, a member of the Board of Aid to the Church; Mrs. Laura E. Ellsworth, the First Partner-In-Charge at Jones Day Law Firm; Mr. Joel Millman, a former United Nations Spokesperson on Migration Matters, and former Wall Street Journalist; Dr. Coralanne Griffiths-Hunte, a trained psychologist and the founder of Created for Greatness Leadership Group: an International Humanitarian Training & Development Organization; Mr. Steven Procopio, a specialist in the field of human trafficking surrounding the sexual exploitation of men and boys; Ms. Melissa Katsoris, a Publications and Events Manager at the Center for Migration Studies. The event concluded with an open forum style of discussion with questions being asked by those both in physical and virtual attendance.

To watch the full event, kindly follow this link.