Shakti Vahini in association with the U.S Consulate General, Kolkata, hosted the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Youth Champions Conclave from 13th March 2019 to 16th March’ 2019 at American Centre, Kolkata, which marked as the eighth international gathering of stakeholders, bringing over 130 youth leaders and stakeholders from the U.S., India, Nepal and Bengladesh. The International Conclave witnessed participation of youth leaders, who were extremely enthusiased in bringing a change in the society and to take active steps in ending Human Trafficking. After hosting 130 youth leaders in March, Shakti Vahini and U.S Consulate General, Kolkata organised a follow up of the Youth Champions Conclave from 30th July’ 2019 to 31st July’ 2019, inviting all the participants who had undertaken effective steps and activities to combat the crime of Human Trafficking post the previous Conclave and to share the same with all the other participants at the Conclave.
The objectives from THE Youth Champion conclave:
1. Create a strong curriculum which will expose youth leaders to understand various dimensions of human trafficking including mental and psychological conditions of victim and survivors the related issues of sensitive handling of trafficking cases.
2. Bringing a select group of activists in India Nepal Bangladesh and Bhutan who can mentor the youth leaders
3. Using case studies, best practices and creative tools to start discussions on various aspects of Human trafficking
4. Using the pool of resources from PAS Kolkatta experiences and alumni to create a very informative and knowledge sharing workshop process.
5. Use the information and knowledge to create next generation of youth leaders and to provide the youth viable and effective tools to address human trafficking.
6. Equip the youth with specialized techniques to use theatre, mainstream media, social media to amplify their prevention campaigns.
7. Create and strengthen youth networks across India, Nepal and Bangladesh in order to have a collaborative approach to this global issue of human trafficking.
8.Empower the youth and provide for necessary mentorship so that they can initiate local initiatives in their communities and campuses.
Brief Report including Beneficiary Details
1. Activities on Prevention of human trafficking WAS been initiated in 30 College Campuses and 10 Universities in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, North East India, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
2. Innovative campaigns and social media initiatives were initiated by students which made deep impact on awareness. Anti-Human trafficking campaigns have been institutionalized and many of the initiatives will be repeated every year by the educational institutions as their faculties have been involved in the initiatives.
3. College Campuses were provided awareness materials, resources, contact of local NGOs and active mentoring by Shakti Vahini to ensure that Universities and college campuses continue to take up human trafficking campaigns.
4. The Conclave has been successful in bringing Universities, campuses and students in the fight against human trafficking. The effect of the Youth Conclave will be felt for many years as the college campuses continue to take up anti-trafficking campaigns every year on their own motion.