The spot calls on the general public to take action against human trafficking by showing a woman helping a victim escape her forced labour situation. UNODC worked closely with local partners in the distribution of the spot to add a telephone hotline number at the end for help or more information.
Duration: 0:45
8 April 2008 - A month after attending the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, under the umbrella of the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin recently visited Cambodia to promote the fight against this heinous crime.
Lake Volta, Ghana: the internal trafficking of children for cheap labour is one of the biggest challenges.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty caught up with Executive Director Costa on the sidelines of the UN-organized Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking in mid-February to discuss international efforts to combat "modern-day slavery." He told correspondent Eugen Tomiuc about the birth of the Global Initiative To Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) and the obstacles to more effective policing.
22 February 2008 - In a recent event at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in San Salvador, El Salvador, UNODC launched a regional project aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities to fight trafficking in persons in Central America. The event marked the official beginning of an important initiative to support law enforcement, prosecutorial and judicial authorities of the region, which is gravely affected by this crime.
I was buoyed by the institutional impact, awareness building and policy pledges made in last week's Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, all of which went beyond my expectations. Nevertheless, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we will never end human trafficking until we change the way women are portrayed. I do not like to see women in burkas, nor do I appreciate seeing half-naked girls featured in provocative fashion ads, both of which may be a form of female exploitation.
15 February 2008 - The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, which this week brought together 1,400 delegates from 116 countries to share knowledge and develop an international strategy to combat human trafficking, called for greater awareness, more resources and coordinated action in the fight against human trafficking.
14 February 2008 - Music star and activist Ricky Martin told participants at the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking on Wednesday that music had given him "an excuse to talk to people about this global nightmare."
The picture is all over the newspapers. British actress Emma Thompson with no shoes on, sitting on the podium of the Austrian Parliament.
For those of us who witnessed this performance, it deserved an Oscar. She ran about, cried, tore out her hair - waking up an audience of sleepy parliamentarians with a moving monologue from the perspective of a trafficking victim. It was a spectacle never seen before in such hallowed halls. The mock trial that followed kept the audience glued to their seats.
13 February 2008 - UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa gave the following opening statement at the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking:
13 February 2008 - British actress Emma Thompson opened a harrowing new art installation yesterday that graphically depicts the terrifying ordeal of a woman sold into the sex trade. Kicking off the Vienna Forum on Human Trafficking, Thompson warned that human trafficking had increased "exponentially" over the past decade and that traffickers were "fantastically sophisticated".
To coincide with the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, UN.GIFT has produced a new Public Service Announcement video spot. The theme - a man walks through a market without realising the human trafficking crimes happening around him - calls for people to open their eyes to human trafficking.
Duration: 0:30 and 0:60
Troels Vester from UNODC's Anti-Human Trafficking Unit speaks about UN.GIFT.
Duration: 7:16
A series of audio public service announcements has been produced within the framework of UN.GIFT. Using real-life examples from around the globe, these radio spots show that by joining forces action can be taken against this crime. UNODC encourages broadcasters around the world to support UN.GIFT by airing these PSAs.
PSA 1 - Victims can be freed from situations of exploitation (Duration: 0:30)
11 February 2008 - Each day, people are recruited, transported and abducted for purposes such as forced labour and sexual exploitation. The Film Forum on Human Trafficking - coinciding with the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking - will feature 18 films that show the many aspects of this crime.
The city gears up for the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking which will take place from February 13-15
Through her work with victims of human trafficking, Emma Thompson felt inspired to take action. She said that Elena's story, 'somehow contained the seeds of a rebirth and also of a creative act that could be taken'. So, she joined forces with fellow artists to create "Journey".
Duration: 3:40
8 February 2008 - Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson is joining forces with UNODC to raise awareness about human trafficking. The British actress will be participating in the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking that will take place from 13-15 February.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new series of anti-human trafficking radio spots, featuring the voice of British actress and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond. Ms Ormond, whose film credits include Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Sabrina with Harrison Ford, became UNODC Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking last December. The public service announcements are part of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, which - as shown in a new UNODC report - affects virtually every country in the world.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new series of anti-human trafficking radio spots, featuring the voice of British actress and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond. Ms Ormond, whose film credits include Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Sabrina with Harrison Ford, became UNODC Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking last December. The public service announcements are part of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, which - as shown in a new UNODC report - affects virtually every country in the world.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new series of anti-human trafficking radio spots, featuring the voice of British actress and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond. Ms Ormond, whose film credits include Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Sabrina with Harrison Ford, became UNODC Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking last December. The public service announcements are part of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, which - as shown in a new UNODC report - affects virtually every country in the world.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new series of anti-human trafficking radio spots, featuring the voice of British actress and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond. Ms Ormond, whose film credits include Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Sabrina with Harrison Ford, became UNODC Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking last December. The public service announcements are part of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, which - as shown in a new UNODC report - affects virtually every country in the world.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new series of anti-human trafficking radio spots, featuring the voice of British actress and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond. Ms Ormond, whose film credits include Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Sabrina with Harrison Ford, became UNODC Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking last December. The public service announcements are part of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, which - as shown in a new UNODC report - affects virtually every country in the world.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new series of anti-human trafficking radio spots, featuring the voice of British actress and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond. Ms Ormond, whose film credits include Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Sabrina with Harrison Ford, became UNODC Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking last December. The public service announcements are part of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, which - as shown in a new UNODC report - affects virtually every country in the world.
As I am sure you are aware the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking is now only weeks away.
I recently met with Ruslana Lyzhychko, the Ukrainian pop singer, dancer, producer, composer, social activist and former parliamentarian. Ruslana's active involvement in the anti-human trafficking cause led her to contact my office and generously offer her help.
Lake Volta, Ghana: children represent cheap labour
The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) aims to mobilize state and non-state players to eradicate human trafficking by reducing both the vulnerability of potential victims and the demand for exploitation in all its forms; ensuring adequate protection and support to those who do fall victim, as well as efficient prosecution of the criminals involved. "The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking" will be held under the framework of UN.GIFT. For more information, please visit www.ungift.org.
9 January - UNODC Regional Office for Brazil and South Cone has just launched a new public service announcement (PSA) on human trafficking to raise awareness about a problem that many people find is not part of their daily reality. Trafficking in persons has many facets other than the most notorious one in the country: international trafficking of women.
7 January - Some of Bollywood's biggest stars have joined UNODC's efforts to curb human trafficking in India. Millions of moviegoers in India and world-wide have seen a two-minute video called One Life, No Price - aiming to sensitize viewers to this crime - which preceded the premiere of the new film, Welcome.