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TREATNET Training of Trainers for health professionals from Serbia and Albania
Zlatibor, Serbia, 21 st April 2013 - Under the joint global UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care, UNODC organized a TREATNET Training of Trainers on Drug Dependence Treatment in Zlatibor, Serbia from 08-21 April 2013. The focus of the training was to educate participants from Serbia and Albania (psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, social workers and nurses) in order to apply the new knowledge and skills in their everyday jobs.
Total number of participants who attended and successfully completed the training was 20 (10 from Serbia, 10 from Albania). Participants of the training were trained on three volumes of the TREATNET educational package - Volume A: Screening, Assessment and Treatment Planning; Volume B: Elements of Psychosocial Treatment; and Volume C: Addiction Medications and Special Populations.
Continuation of the Strengthening Families Programme in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Skopje, 29 th March 2013 - Under the global UNODC Programme "Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS and crime among young people through family skills training programmes in low- and middle-income countries", UNODC continues with implementation of the Strengthening Families Programme for Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) through conducting the second training cycle to a selected group of families recruited from five elementary schools in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Within the second cycle of implementation of the SFP 10-14, a Training of facilitators was organized from 25-29 th March 2013 in Skopje, the FYROM, with help of the Ministry of Education and Science and NGO H.O.P.S.
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The training was attended and successfully completed by 24 participants from five schools. These elementary schools delegated for the piloting of the programme were provided with the presentational technique (lap tops, projectors and flip charts) in order to support the qualitative implementation of the training sessions and sustainability of the project realization in the future. |
New schools in Albania benefit from UNODC Strengthening Families Programme Trainings
Tirana, February-March 2013 - UNODC activities in regard to Strengthening Families Program (SFP) are being expanded to new schools in Albania. With the primary objective to prevent or delay the use of drugs among adolescents, the seventh sessions of SFP were organized at "Vasil Shanto" and "Edith Durham" schools in Tirana during February - March 2013.
Twenty families with a total number of 58 parents and children were trained by the facilitators previously trained by UNODC. The training demonstrated that drug prevention program works, is cost-effective and efficient, and represents one of the best investments in long term.
Feedback from participants was very positive. Ms. Anila Salihi, Director and Coordinator of the SFP Training at "Vasil Shanto" school said: "At the very beginning, I was concerned about the attendance, especially of the parents, but I was wrong. They all attended the seventh sessions and were thankful to our school for its organization. The parents concluded that prevention leads to reduction of violence, child abuse, injuries, loss of productivity, etc. while one parent stated that "Prevention is not Vaccination but we have to reinforce "the no - use" message to our children consistently".
The same training is presently going on with two new schools in Shkodra city.
Presentation event on Container Control in Port of Bar, Montenegro
Bar, 26 th March 2013 - Customs Administration and Police Directorate organized a presentation event "Border Control Partnership on Montenegro's path to the EU: Container Control" , for representatives of diplomatic core in the port of Bar in Montenegro.
One of the priorities of the accession process of Montenegro to the EU is strengthening the inter-agency cooperation in countering organised crime. In line with this, representatives of Customs Administration and Police Directorate of Montenegro presented the joint operational activities whose aim is to strengthen the border control, as well as to conduct an efficient container control on the basis of risk analysis. Complex container transport industry proved to be appropriate for illicit drugs, arms, goods and humans trafficking. For that reason, the need for constant reinforcement of container traffic control is reiterated once again.
Director of Customs Administration, Mr. Vladan Joković, said that the customs service is responsible for prevention of illicit drug trafficking, trafficking of arms, goods that violate the right to intellectual property and other illegal and prohibited goods. For that reason, Customs Administration is intensively working on reinforcing the operational, administrative and technical capacity in order to harmonize its procedure on the border with the EU regulations and standards, jointly with other state institutions.
Director of Police Directorate, Slavko Stojanović, stressed the determination in creating the strong and uncompromising response to all challenges the Police Directorate is facing with. He emphasised that Police Directorate and Customs Administration are reaching very good results through their joint activities on the border crossings.
In this respect, they presented the attendees their modus operandi, the equipment being used in detecting the illegally trafficked goods, as well as results achieved through joint activities. During 2012 and first two months of 2013, there were 53 cases of detaining the illegal drug trafficking (seized 1359 kg of skunk, 15,5 kg of heroin and 686 grams of cocaine), and discovered and detained smuggling of other types of illegal goods.
Programme Coordinator of UNODC Global Container Control Programme, Mr. Ketil Ottersen, and Chief of UNODC Regional Section for Europe, Mr. Tullio Santini, emphasized that the joint efforts and impressive results of work of two agencies have been recognized and that these successes deserve full attention and readiness for further assistance and support.
At the end of the event, there has been organized a presentation of scanners at the Customs Branch Office in Bar for all diplomatic representatives present at the event.
Source: Website of Customs Administration of Montenegro (link: http://bit.ly/14KgS27).
UNODC Executive Director Fedotov visits Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, 22 nd March 2013 - UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov completed a two-day mission today to meet the head and senior officials of ministries and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. UNODC's work in the region is delivered through UNODC's Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe. Launched last year, the regional programme is at the forefront of UNODC's efforts to counter the trafficking of illicit opiates from Afghanistan to the lucrative markets in western Europe via the so-called Balkan route.
During his visit, Mr. Fedotov said: "UNODC is building a coherent response to drugs, crime and terrorism, which views them as global phenomena needing global solutions. To achieve this we are introducing integrated programmes that deliver effective assistance. As we continue with this strategy we will use our core strengths in analysis, technical assistance and helping to build capacities to support the Member States who confront these challenges."
Based on UNODC's estimates, around 60 tons of heroin, worth US$13 billion, moves along the Balkan route to west and central Europe. For this reason, the Balkan route remains the main trafficking route for illicit drugs connecting Afghanistan to Europe. Largely a transit country for illicit drugs, in 2011, the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities reported the following seizures: 10.2 kg of heroin, 444 kg of marijuana, 0.3 kg of cocaine and 9.2 kg of amphetamines.
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UNODC provides technical assistance and helps build capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a number of areas. Regarding drug prevention, UNODC has provided training for experts from the country, particularly in the use of quality standards. UNODC has also published surveys on corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the region. A new survey on how corruption and crime affects the business sector is currently being drafted. |
To help stem the flow of illicit drugs, UNODC is also seeking to extend the joint UNODC/World Customs Organization Global Container Control Programme to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The programme would include a Bosnian port.
Towards the end of the mission, Mr. Fedotov said: "Our goal in South Eastern Europe is to work closely with Member States to counter transnational organized crime, corruption, money laundering, terrorism and drug abuse. I am very glad that Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to be such a strong partner for UNODC in all these areas."
UNODC and WCO continue to provide capacity building for Joint Container Control Units of Durres Port (Albania) and Bar Port (Montenegro)
Bucharest, March 2013 - A one week basic classroom training to 6 participants from Customs, Border Police and the Anti-drug Police from Dures Port (Albania) and Bar Port (Montenegro) took place at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Training Center in Budapest, Romania on March 04 - 08 and March 18 - 22, 2013.
The training covered various aspects on different types of smuggling via maritime containerized traffic, such as risk analysis on commercial documents, risk indicators, advanced container search techniques, different types of concealments, ContainerComm, as well as practical exercises.
Ad-hoc meeting of the Programme Steering Committee of the Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe
Vienna, 15 th March 2013 - On the margins of the 56th Session of Commission on Narcotic Drugs, UNODC Regional Section for Europe convened an Ad-hoc meeting of the Programme Steering Committee. The meeting was hosted by the Director-General/Executive Director Mr. Yury Fedotov. Beside the representatives of Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Vienna and various institutions of participating countries of the Regional Programme, the meeting was attended by representatives of donor countries, partner countries and the European Union.
The meeting was convened to brief all key stakeholders on the developments occurred since the last Programme Steering Committee in December 2012 and to provide them with the possibility of sharing their efforts and views in support of the Regional Programme. After the introduction by the Executive Director and brief statements by delegations of each of participating countries, delegations of donor and partner countries expressed their views and contributions to the Regional Programme, reaffirming once again their political will and commitment to continuous support to the Programme. At the end, Chief of Regional Section for Europe presented the update on the Regional Programme's progress, initial results in and plans for 2013, as well as on the funding situation and ongoing resource mobilisation efforts.
It was agreed that UNODC continues to meet with the Permanent Missions in Vienna on a regular basis and/or keep contact with them. UNODC officers in each of the countries will continue to meet with the PSC members when possible and to keep them informed of any activities under the RP. On the basis of recommendations from the last PSC meeting convened in December 2012, all participants once again reaffirmed its strong commitment to strengthening the partnerships in local resource mobilisation, strengthening the existing partnerships and identification of new partnership opportunities, as well building partnerships with regional and inter-regional agencies.
UNODC and WCO organize training for the Joint Container Control Units of Durres Port (Albania) and Bar Port (Montenegro)
A one week joint training for the 6 participants from Durres Port and 6 participants from Customs, Border Police and the Anti-drug Police from the Port of Bar (Montenegro) was organized in Vlore, Albania on March 11 - 15, 2013 by UNODC and World Customs Organization (WCO).
The training covered various WCO and UNODC conventions, including those on human rights and integrity, International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention (CITES), intellectual property rights (IPR) and precursors.
Likewise, a UNODC expert on Firearms provided training on the global, regional and national legal frameworks for transfer controls on controlled goods; review of the decision making process for issuance or denial of import/export licences and authorizations; licensing control and reporting; overview of the documentation requirements and data relevant to the export/import of controlled goods; and record-keeping for the purposes of investigation and tracing of seized firearms.
Yury Fedotov
Director-General/Executive Director
Remarks at the Briefing to Member States on the Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe
Vienna, March 6 th, 2013
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome this opportunity to brief you on UNODC's Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe-2012 to 2015, which I launched in May last year.
The Regional Programme was created at the request of the Governments in the region.
Its goal is to counter illicit drug trafficking across the Balkans as well as confront transnational organized crime, corruption, money laundering and drug abuse.
At the programme's core is the need to deal with the heroin that flows out of Afghanistan and along the southern corridor towards the European markets.
This illicit flow creates corruption, other forms of crime, drug abuse and the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Around 60 tons of heroin, worth US$13 billion in West and Central Europe, is moved along the Balkans route.
Although the amount appears to be decreasing in recent years, it remains the main illicit trafficking route connecting Afghanistan to Europe.
The proceeds from illicit drugs can have a destabilizing effect on the economic and social development in this region and beyond it.
In South-Eastern Europe, there is a risk these threats could hinder countries on the path towards EU accession.
During the intervening months since it was launched, the Regional Programme has achieved much with very little.
The Programme has:
- Launched the Container Control Programme in the Balkans (Albania and Montenegro) and established a Container Control Unit in the Albanian Port of Durres;
- Conducted in-depth surveys on corruption, as experienced by the general population and the business sector;
- Drafted a new national Drug Strategy and a new Action Plan for Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Montenegro;
- Worked with 317 families from Albania, FYROM and Montenegro in the Prevention of Drug Abuse Programme which helps to strengthen families; and
- Trained 547 drug abuse treatment and care experts from the region.
And the list does not end here.
The Regional Programme has achieved an implementation rate of over 99 per cent in 2012.
I would like to thank the donors: Germany, Italy , France, Turkey, Belgium, EU, as well as Romania and Russia , who have offered in-kind contributions.
We have done much, but it is not enough, and we have raised considerable expectations in the region, and elsewhere.
I would, therefore, encourage you to remain engaged in the region. I would also like to encourage other donors to come forward.
There are excellent reasons for your continued support.
UNODC's networking, fostering of local ownership, and partnership building in the region, creates added value when combined with the delivery of solutions.
In addition, we must all work to counter the threat of opiates from Afghanistan.
As 2014 and the withdrawal of international forces draws close, we must place ourselves in the strongest possible position to assist and support Afghanistan.
This means working at the country level, at the regional level, and in an integrated manner, across the main routes of drug trafficking.
Such an approach includes South Eastern Europe.
The governments of those countries participating in this process view the Regional Programme as an excellent tool that complements the work of the EU and the OSCE, among others.
Considerable efforts have been made by UNODC to ensure the closest possible coordination with these valuable partners, both on the ground and at our headquarters.
UNODC is an organization that goes beyond national, regional, hemispheric borders.
We deliver our activities based on an integrated response between our different regional and thematic programmes.
The Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe is a key element in that approach.
It offers countries in the Balkans the opportunity to work with partners worldwide.
At present, most of the Programme's funding will end in mid-2013. The Regional Programme has a notional budget of just over US$14 million of which US$2.7 million has been raised. Of this figure, US$1.7 million has been spent leaving US$1 million available for 2013.
Therefore, to succeed, the Regional Programme needs urgent funding and the support of countries in the region. Without this, we will be unable to offer tangible results.
Indeed, after mid-2013, a date which is now close, a review of UNODC's presence in the region will be conducted.
Participating Governments have agreed to approach key donors and advocate for the support of the Regional Programme.
It is also hoped that participating countries can soon provide some concrete contributions to support the implementation of the Regional Programme, especially in financial terms.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The drug and crime problems of the Balkans are not in the past, they are here acting on the present.
Our joint work is to confront these issues now, and in doing so, to help guard the region's future.
A future within the European Union where the countries of the Balkans are the strong partners of the organization's existing members.
I call on all Member States present today to help UNODC turn this vision into a reality.
Thank you.
Consultations between UNODC and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC)
Vienna, February 27 th, 2013 - UNODC and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) held a consultation meeting on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two agencies on 4 December 2012 in Bucharest, Romania. Experts from both organisations attended the meeting the purpose of which was to agree on the practical steps for cooperation in particular in the area of countering illicit trafficking.
Ms. Snejana Maleeva, Director for Legal and Internal Affairs, SELEC, presented the SELEC mission, thematic areas, activities, capacity, operation and cooperation on the local, regional and international level. The core of SELEC work represents the Convention of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre, which allows SELEC to:
- coordinate regional operations and support investigations and crime prevention activities of the Member States in trans-border cases;
- provide the Member States with the opportunity to exchange information and criminal intelligence and offer operational assistance in a quick and timely fashion;
- collect, collate, analyze, process and disseminate information and criminal intelligence;
- produce strategic analysis and threat assessments related to its objective;
- and establish, operate and maintain a computerized information system, which implies also to ensure the protection of personal data.
The agencies agreed to continue regular contacts and ensure close coordination in order to avoid any duplication of action. UNODC will participate in the meeting of the SELEC Task Force on Drug Trafficking on 21-22 May 2013, as well as in other events that are relevant to the UNODC mandated areas. The agencies will ensure a constant flow of information on ongoing and future initiatives in the region of South Eastern Europe with the goal of assisting the countries of the region in a complimentary manner. UNODC may also consider supporting SELEC in establishing a stronger inter-regional link between the Balkans and the countries and law enforcement institutions in West and Central Asia towards a more comprehensive response to illicit trafficking in Afghan heroin through the region.
Cooperation between UNODC and Center for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC)
Vienna, February 25 th, 2013 - Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz, Director, Division for Operations, UNODC, hosted a meeting with the Director of the Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC) Mr. Branimir Mandić.
RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation (Zagreb, Croatia) - is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 2000 by Croatia and Germany with the initial focus on the training of verification experts in order to lay the groundwork for implementing arms control agreements such as the Dayton Agreement, Vienna Document, Open Skies Treaty, Chemical Weapons Convention and the Oslo Convention. In this way, RACVIAC significantly contributed to enhancing trust and cooperation among security forces in the region and beyond.
Today RACVIAC has a newly defined mission: to foster dialogue and cooperation on security matters in South Eastern Europe through a partnership between the countries of the region and their international partners. RACVIAC developed into a regional institution with a strong focus on capacity building activities within the area of security cooperation, which are supported by regional organizations and bi-lateral donors.
The Center organizes annually more than 30 regional conferences, which cover three main themes:
- Security Sector Reform,
- international relations and cooperation, with a special focus on the Euro-Atlantic integration and
- the establishment of cooperative security environment, with the focus on arms control.
UNODC and RACVIAC agreed to work together in the future towards result oriented and practical cooperation in the region of South Eastern Europe taking advantage of their respective mandates and expertise and complementing each other, thus avoiding duplication and contributing to more efficient and effective coordination on the regional level.
UNODC Director noted that the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe (2012-2015) represents a broad and solid basis for future cooperation between the two organizations. This specifically applies to the work in such areas as countering transnational organized crime, prevention of terrorism, fighting against drugs and human trafficking, illegal migration and cybercrime.
RACVIAC Director welcomed the readiness of UNODC to share its expertise with RACVIAC and agreed with the importance of avoiding duplication of work. Mr. Mandić acknowledged good cooperation of RACVIAC with governments in the region and their inclusion in the process of planning from its early stages, giving a priority to identifying and addressing the particular needs of the countries.
It was agreed that the two organizations will maintain regular communication and coordination in order to concretise mutual cooperation, and that they will coordinate between each other on any regional initiative under the above mentioned possible areas of cooperation.
UNODC donates search equipment to the Customs Branch Office in Port of Bar, Montenegro
Bar, February 18 th, 2013 - A ceremony of handing over the search equipment for the Customs Branch Office in the Port of Bar, Montenegro, was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in cooperation with the National Coordinator for the UNODC Regional Programme in Montenegro on Monday, 18 February 2013. The search equipment was provided through the Container Control Programme run jointly by UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO). A ceremony on the premises of the Customs Branch Office in the Port of Bar was attended by representatives of Police Directorate, Customs Administration and Border Police.
The hand over protocol for the donated equipment was signed by Mr. Vojislav Marković, Police Directorate, Deputy Director of Criminal Police Sector, Mr. Dragan Lučić, Customs Administration, Head of Bar Customs Office Branch, and Ms. Ela Banaj, UNODC National Project Officer in Tirana, Albania.
The Container Control Programme, developed jointly by UNODC and WCO, helps countries to create sustainable law enforcement structures in selected seaports to minimize the exploitation of maritime containers for illicit drug trafficking and other transnational organized criminal activities.
The Programme creates strategic alliances between customs, police, trade and other relevant bodies to prevent criminal organizations from abusing legitimate commercial trade; establishes port control units comprising analysts and search teams from different law enforcement agencies; and introduces new tools and mechanisms for collecting, analyzing and sharing information and optimizing existing human, technical and logistical resources.
At the global level, the Container Control Programme supports enhanced collection, standardization and reporting of data on container crime for use in strategic analysis and information-sharing.
During the ceremony, the Montenegrin counterparts welcomed the Container Control Programme and their willingness to continue working with UNODC in this and other areas of mutual interest. They expressed appreciation to UNODC for the donation of the equipment and noted good cooperation among national authorities operating in the area of border control. Seizure figures have increased in Montenegro, which is a clear indication of a pro-active response to the illicit trafficking of narcotics and smuggled goods. Furthermore, joint operational teams operate at the border control points and various inter-agency agreements have been signed.
Montenegrin counterparts highlighted that technical support and training for the joint container control unit should continue. They underlined that participation of Montenegrin officers from the joint container control units at the regional and global meetings should be considered and supported in future as well.
Joint Container Control Unit Established at Durres Port, Albania
Durres, February 11 th, 2013 - A Joint Container Control Unit of six officers from Customs Administration, Border Police and Anti Drug Unit was inaugurated in a ceremony organized at Durres Port, Albania on February 11, 2013. Durres Port, the largest in Albania, is one of the 17 selected ports across the world benefiting from the Global Programme on Container Control run jointly by UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The ceremony was attended by the Albanian Minister of Interior, HE. Flamur Noka, Ambassadress of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana, HE. Carola Mueller-Holtkemper, Director General of the Albanian State Police, Director General of the Customs Administration, UN Resident Coordinator, UNODC Senior Programme Coordinator and other dignitaries.
In their greeting speeches, the dignitaries stated that the joint team will contribute to the improvement of the cooperation between customs police and other relevant bodies to prevent criminal organization from abusing legitimate commercial trade, as well as to the creation of new tools and mechanisms for collecting, analyzing and sharing information.
They reiterated that the event was another important milestone in the partnership among police and customs, and expressed their belief that they will continue to work accordingly with the ultimate goal of contributing to the order, security, prosperity and protection of citizens' health and welfare.
The attendees visited the newly refurbished premises, which are fully equipped to enable the joint unit to use risk analysis and other proactive techniques to systematically target high risk containers for scrutiny.
Control of transnational flow of goods along with protection and surveillance duties constitute the core elements of the management of the borders. Nowadays, transport by container is a typical example of a speedy mean of transport, which poses more complex and additional problems for the customs and other border control authorities. Consequently, preventive and specialized search techniques become a necessity.
The opening of the Joint Container Control Unit in Durres was supported by UNODC-WCO, through the financial contribution of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
UNODC and SELEC sign Memorandum of Understanding to counter illicit trafficking, crime and money laundering in Southeastern Europe
Bucharest, December 4 th, 2012 - On 4 December 2012, The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at furthering joint cooperation in countering illicit trafficking, crime and money laundering. The MoU is the first cooperation agreement between the two entities and was signed by UNODC Director for Operations, Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz, and SELEC Director-General, Mr. Gürbüz Bahadir.
The MoU constitutes an important partnership-building step for UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe to strengthen cooperation within the Balkans and beyond. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the UNODC Director for Operations said the MoU will promote better coordination and joint initiatives between UNODC and SELEC in years to come, for the benefit of states within and outside Southeastern Europe. He also noted that both SELEC and UNODC understand that serious organized crime problems surfacing in one member state, if unchecked, will have direct negative consequences on states within and outside the region.
SELEC is a regional instrument for cooperation of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It is located in Bucharest, Romania. SELEC is a successor of SECI (Southeast European Cooperative Initiative established in the late 1990's). It consists of 13 member states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. The primary objective of SELEC is to provide a platform for law enforcement cooperation among member states to prevent and combat transnational crime. Its excellent facilities can deliver trainings, specialized task force meetings and conferences.
Successfully launched and implemented Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking in Serbia
Every year, only in Europe, criminal groups are involved in trafficking of several hundreds of thousands of people for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation or organ trafficking. Serbia is part of this trafficking chain.
MEXICO - first country In the world to launch the "Blue Heart" campaign against Human trafficking, a pilot project of UNODC.
SERBIA - first country in Europe to launch its own national-led United Nations "Blue Heart" campaign against human trafficking.
On October 17 th, 2010, The European Anti-Trafficking Day, in Belgrade started shooting and promotion of movie "Sisters". The start of shooting on 17 th October, 2010 was marked by a public event, and was attended by Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic; EU Ambassador in Serbia Vincent Degert, and along with more than 20 media representatives.
"Sisters" campaign to prevent human trafficking promotes also the global campaign of the UNODC "Blue Heart". This action wasn't planned at the start of the project, but the project "grew" and accomplished all set objectives:
- Raising awareness of at-risk groups (especially youth);
- Raising awareness of potential clients and exploiters of trafficking victims;
- Raising awareness among parents, teachers and social workers;
- Engaging celebrities in the activities of raising broad public awareness about the issue of trafficking;
- Fulfillment and promotion of the social role of the media.
THE PREMIERE
• At the premiere of the film in Belgrade it was explained to all the media what the Blue Heart represent, and that this is a UN campaign. All daily, weekly and monthly newspapers published that information. All TV stations in Serbia, too.
• Monte Royal Pictures produced the 4000 Blue Heart symbols which were pinned at the premiere of the film on 10 th April 2011 to the President of the Serbian Parliament, Serbian Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs and Heads of EU delegations and the IOM, by actress and producer who is at the same time the face of the campaign "Blue Heart".
The essence of the campaign is showing the film "Sisters" in Serbian towns and then organizing public discussions on human trafficking, and broadcasting the film on TV.
The campaign is conducted in accordance with the principle of "public-private partnership" so that the main partner of the Ministry of Interior is the production company "Monte Royal Pictures" and the main promoter of a campaign is a well-known actress Bojana Maljević, which is the film's producer as well.
At the end of March 2011, simultaneous campaigns for the announcement of the film "Sisters" started with putting up 3000 posters were stick all over Belgrade, with the logo of MRP, EU, IOM, MUP and the UNODC campaign "Blue Heart".
An English version of posters for the film was made, and also film subtitles in English.
PROMO MATERIALS - MRPI PRODUCED:
Two large banners and the 6 roll-ups that follow the projections of"Sisters", panel discussions and in front of which press statements are being made - with the logo of EU, IOM, the Blue Heart and Serbian Government;
1000 information notebooks from the CD with the music from the film;
4000 notebooks of the film, the back side of the information notebook,containing information about the film "Sisters" and basic information on human trafficking problem;
3000 bookmarks with short information.Everyone who sees the film gets a blue heart pin, notebook or a boo k marker, with information, logo of the Blue Heart and contact telephone numbers where people can report cases of trafficking.
10,000 DVD copies of the film "SISTERS" was produced. On the front page of DVD there is a symbol of the Blue Heart, and on 3 movie trailers inside in DVD menu.
DVD copies that are made in order to continue prevention campaigns among young people and professionals, on the principle of "training-trainers" and peer's education, shall be distributed to all schools, local police, social welfare centers, prosecutors, courts, NGOs, the Red Cross and NGO, with the aim to implement prevention activities in local communities.
The main stakeholders who supported the realization of the project and promotion campaign of the film "Sisters" are Government of Republic of Serbia, EU Delegation in Serbia and IOM Country Office.
