PROGRAM ON HUMANITARIAN POLICY AND CONFLICT RESEARCH HARVARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
SUPPORTING HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING Project Description Human trafficking and modern slavery affects an estimated 27 million people per year and constitutes one of the most complex and growing threats to fundamental human rights, integrity, and the health of men, women, and children worldwide. The highest level of vulnerability to human trafficking is found in countries and regions exposed to continued political instability and a lack of resources, undermining the capacity of public authorities to prevent the activities of criminal networks preying on poor families and communities. Natural disasters and armed conflicts are primary environments for this illicit trade, raising the need for a cogent international response to human trafficking in complex emergencies. Interestingly, humanitarian organizations have had only limited engagement on human trafficking. This issue is perceived as belonging to a law enforcement and crime prevention agenda under the mandates of development and peace-building agencies, to be implemented in the context of the reestablishment of a functional legal and social order. Yet, the increase of human trafficking activities emanating from complex emergencies such as in Haiti, Sudan, Somalia, or Afghanistan over the last decade makes it a priority. Therefore, international agencies and NGOs are bound to engage on the prevention of this illegal trade, calling for a clear, sustainable, international humanitarian response to human trafficking. Such a response will require proper strategies, as well as concrete tools and mechanisms for early warning and emergency response, so as to build the capacity of international agencies and NGOs to address this phenomenon in situations of armed conflict and natural disaster. The Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) at the Harvard School of Public Health proposes to undertake the necessary policy research to support the development of such mechanisms in partnership with key UN agencies and other international stakeholders. It also plans to develop training material and engage in the professional development of leaders and senior professionals from UN agencies, the Red Cross Movements, and humanitarian NGOs on the importance of the humanitarian response to human trafficking. Based on these activities, HPCR hopes to mobilize the attention and participation of the academic community at Harvard and beyond on the dramatic impact of this barbarous trade of populations already victimized by armed violence and natural disasters. The Project on the Humanitarian Response to Human Trafficking at HPCR is based on a partnership between the Program at Harvard and the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) based in Vienna. Under this partnership, a series of consultations with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have taken place to set plans for building the international response to human trafficking in complex emergencies. The Project also builds on the work of and cooperation with the Program on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery based at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, with which HPCR has been engaged in close cooperation and dialogue. The core goal of this policy research project is to assess strategies for improving local and international responses to human trafficking in complex emergencies and to support public and private sectors’ planning and programming activities in addressing this issue. 1
In its research, HPCR will approach human trafficking through three critical operational angles: (1) Preventive measures to address the vulnerabilities of targeted populations in the countries of origin affected by armed conflict or natural disasters; (2) Mitigating strategies to address abuses faced by trafficking victims in the countries of transit; and, (3) Corrective measures to prosecute violators and respond to the consequences of disempowerment, detention, and deportation of victims. The end goal of this project is to strengthen the overall international response to human trafficking in situations where the response is at its weakest. HPCR believes that trafficking in persons is an inevitable consequence of weakened or failed states. Therefore, significant energy to address this issue should be invested as part of the international response to complex emergencies. In discussing options for operationalizing the international humanitarian response, the project will gather data on the populations affected by such practices in complex emergencies and map local and regional response activities of governments, civil society, international agencies, and private corporations. HPCR will also consider potential synergies between the business sector and social enterprise on the local and national levels to address human trafficking. Project Outputs Policy Research • Reviews of literature on human trafficking in complex emergencies; • On-site interviews with stakeholders and social entrepreneurs addressing human trafficking; • Assessment missions in the field to gather data and assess strategies; • Development of practical recommendations for humanitarian professionals in the identification, assessment, planning, and evaluation of activities to address key challenges of human trafficking. Teaching and Training • Design of teaching materials for a Harvard University graduate level Winter Field Study Course, to be offered in January 2012; • Design of online and onsite training modules for humanitarian professionals, in cooperation with the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT); • Elaborate executive education curricula for social entrepreneurs and philanthropists interested to engage on this issue. Advisory Services • Development of Informal Regional Workshops for humanitarian professionals; • Support the development of leadership skills of humanitarian professionals and social entrepreneurs engaged in this domain; • Provide on-site support in the early phase of complex emergencies in the design and implementation of early warning and response mechanisms.
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Partnerships
United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) UN.GIFT was conceived to promote the global fight on human trafficking, on the basis of international agreements reached at the United Nations. UN.GIFT was launched in 2007 to create synergies among the anti-trafficking activities of UN agencies, international organizations, and other stakeholders to develop the most efficient and cost-effective tools and good practices. In particular, UN.GIFT aims to mobilize state and non-state actors to eradicate human trafficking by reducing both the vulnerabilities of potential victims and the demand for exploitation in all its forms; ensuring adequate protection and support to those who fall victim; and supporting the efficient prosecution of the criminals involved, while respecting the fundamental human rights of all persons. In the context of their partnership, HPCR and UN.GIFT have identified a common strategic interest in expanding research and policy to address human trafficking in armed conflict, natural disaster, and other complex humanitarian situations. With the objective of increasing knowledge and awareness of human trafficking, and, in turn, of providing practical tools and processes to equip professionals and organizations to effectively address this issue in their work, HPCR and UN.GIFT have developed a strategic partnership to work on policy research, facilitating knowledge-sharing and networking among professionals, and strategic planning for action. Among other project outputs, HPCR will develop, in partnership with UN.GIFT, training material promoting concrete recommendations to humanitarian professionals for the identification of sources of human trafficking in times of crisis, the assessment of needs and opportunities for humanitarian action in this domain, the design and planning of humanitarian activities, and the evaluation of impact.
Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government Throughout the research and curriculum development process, HPCR and the Carr Center, particularly its Program on Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery, collaborate on knowledge-sharing and substantive contributions from renowned experts in this topic. This research will establish a critical foundation for the design of the curricula of the various project components, including the Harvard Field Study Course, the Field Study Seminar for Philanthropists, an Informal Regional Workshop series for humanitarian professionals, and training modules, in cooperation with UN.GIFT and HPCR partners.
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About the Program The Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University (HPCR) is a research and policy program that provides technical assistance and information support for international organizations engaged in humanitarian action and conflict transformation. The Program was established in August 2000 as a collaborative effort of the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. With the governments of Switzerland and Sweden serving as its core donors, the Program services international organizations, in particular the United Nations, with innovative and coherent policy inputs on humanitarian law, human security, conflict management, and conflict prevention. Special attention is devoted to the role of new information technologies in the policymaking work of governments and international organizations. Situated in one of the world's most dynamic academic and policy environments, HPCR applies its unique access and resources to address new policy challenges. Valuing flexibility and entrepreneurship, the Program nonetheless measures success in terms of practical impact. After a decade of activity, HPCR is widely recognized within the humanitarian community as having fostered pioneering policy and professional development methodologies in an effort to support the elaboration of new approaches to humanitarian challenges in armed conflicts. It has expanded current analysis of legal and policy requirements for the protection of civilian populations, established policy dialogue with practitioners, and advised humanitarian agencies and donors in the development of their strategies. Project Contact Ana誰de Nahikian, Project Coordinator and Teaching Associate Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) Harvard University School of Public Health 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, Fourth Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA Tel: +1 (617) 384-7407 Fax: +1 (617) 384-5908 Email: anahikia@hsph.harvard.edu
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Humanitarian Field Study Course: Strategic Response to Human Trafficking Time and Location:
Winter Session: January 2012 Three-week field study course in Europe
Course Format:
Field interviews, group analysis, site visits, student research projects and presentations.
Course Instructor:
Claude Bruderlein Director, Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research Lecturer, Harvard School of Public Health
Teaching Associate:
Anaïde Nahikian Email: anahikia@hsph.harvard.edu Telephone: 617.384.7407
Office Hours:
Claude Bruderlein – by appointment Email: cbruderl@hsph.harvard.edu Telephone: 617.384.7407 Office Location: 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th Floor - Cambridge
Targeted Audience:
Harvard University graduate students interested in strategic planning, human security, conflict management, humanitarian assistance and protection. Maximum enrollment: 15 students.
__________________________________________________________________________________ Course Description The aim of this interdisciplinary field study is to assess strategies for improving local and international responses to human trafficking. The course will examine public and private sectors’ planning and programs in addressing in this issue. In discussing options for operationalizing the international humanitarian response to such phenomena, the course will consider the potential synergies between business management and advocacy, law enforcement, public health, development, human rights, and other relevant domains of interest. The human trafficking case will be considered in terms of its epidemiological profile, local and regional response mechanisms, and the role of civil society, private corporations, international cooperation, and governance. The Field Study Course involves a three-week field mission in three different locations across Europe to assess the local and international response to human trafficking from the countries of origin to the countries of transit and destination. Using a community of learning approach, the field study mission will feature a series of visits and interviews with professionals engaged in this response, as well as group analysis exercises. Students will be accompanied by a course instructor and a teaching associate for the duration of the course. 5
During the Field Study Course, students will have the opportunity to meet with high-level practitioners representing a diversity of perspectives from local non-governmental organizations to government representatives, private corporations, advocacy groups, United Nations officials, and international humanitarian and health professionals. High-level discussions will be complemented by lectures and practical workshops to maximize the experiences of the field study. Students will survey the various perspectives and strategies of relevant actors, as well as the underlying assumptions and biases each of these approaches reveal. This course will not only seek to learn from, but also to evaluate, critique, and expand existing methods. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop their own professional thinking in this field, to network with practitioners, and to test and hone their newly acquired skills in this dynamic and complex social and political context. Purpose of the Course The purpose of this Field Study course is to bring students to examine strategic approaches to complex population issues, in particular those involving vulnerable groups affected by global trends and abuses. Following successful missions to the West Bank, Nepal, Indonesia, and Lebanon, the Humanitarian Field Study Course will focus its attention in 2012 on populations affected by human trafficking in Europe, and on the local and international response to this tragic global phenomenon. According to the US Department of State, over 600,000 individuals are trafficked across international borders every year, and 80% of them are women and children. Over 70% of these individuals are forced into the sex industry. Over the recent years, the plight of this population has generated significant attention from political, social, and economic actors from all angles who interact to support this population and develop local and international response strategies. This phenomenon represents an extremely interesting and sophisticated political, social, legal, and policy environment for graduate students to explore and analyze the various agendas and situational factors through scientific lenses. In particular: •
the historical narrative will help to explain the origins of human trafficking in contemporary history and ascertain the common elements on this complex migratory phenomenon;
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the law enforcement lens will help to explain the immigration and criminal law environments in which these individuals are being trafficked, with specific attention to the gaps and loopholes used by traffickers for their activities;
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the economic and market oriented lens will help to explain the dynamic of human trafficking in terms of supply and demand of slave, bounded, or forced labor for illicit trade and activities;
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the human rights and advocacy perspective will survey current efforts to mobilize attention from private and public actors at the local and international levels to address human trafficking and undertake the necessary preventive, mitigating, and corrective measures;
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the public health perspective will examine the impact of this migration on the health of the affected individuals as well as the host communities; and,
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the social perspective will examine how these individuals manage to survive this ordeal and create their own social norms, values, ideologies, and expectations despite their seemingly hopeless fate.
The goal of the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) is to select among the most challenging, complex, and sensitive topics amenable to dialogue on past, present, and future trends 6
in humanitarian action, as well as to assist graduate students in developing the necessary political and cultural sensitivities to engage in worthwhile dialogue with a range of concerned actors. HPCR approaches this issue with an open mind and without bias, as a means to further professional dialogue on complex issues to shed light on the challenges of engaging on the dilemmas entailed in the local and international response to human trafficking. Course Objectives Through readings, discussions, dialogues, and on-site meetings, students will: • •
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Gain an understanding of the challenges and dilemmas specific to the local and international response to human trafficking and explore different approaches to addressing these dilemmas; Build knowledge of the complex political, economic, and social environment surrounding human trafficking, with particular attention to the roles and approaches of different actors and institutions in the region; Develop practical and professional skills in mission planning and implementation; Engage and network with practitioners and policy makers from the operational, NGO, policy, political, and academic communities.
Course Requirements Students are expected to participate actively to all the field study activities, in particular by taking part to the professional meetings, by engaging with local and international interlocutors, and by developing their own analysis of the situation through group sessions. In the last days of the course, students will prepare in groups an internal presentation on a specific challenge surrounding the response to human trafficking and opportunities to address it. Group papers will be handed over by the students at the end of the session. While students will document their research in a personal policy paper, there will be no official report or record of either the mission or the Field Study course. As with other Humanitarian Field Study courses organized by the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR), the course on human trafficking is an intensive and engaging experience suitable for graduate students with prior travel and multi-cultural experiences. These courses are an extension of HPCR’s research agenda on conflict management and serve as an opportunity to explore new and unexpected dimensions of this topic.
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