The International Organization for Migration estimates that every year, nearly a million people are trafficked across borders and that 1.5 million are trafficked within their own countries. These individuals are forced to labour in a range of industries including agriculture, construction, garment/textile, and sex. Yet, few victims of trafficking are identified and the number of convicted traffickers remains objectionably low. This one-day conference aims to bring awareness to the phenomenon of human trafficking, in particular to the treatment of victims of trafficking. It is organized jointly by the Swiss and Austrian Embassies, in collaboration with the Centre for International Policy Studies, and will feature experts from the OSCE, the Council of Europe, European and Canadian governments and universities, and NGOs.
