UNICRI Public Information

UNICRI actions answer the need to improve knowledge on crime prevention and justice related issues. Policy and actions should be based on reality and concrete facts. Since its establishment, the Institute has provided governments and the international community at large with new knowledge and tools to interpret complex and evolving phenomena. Information sharing and communication are therefore fundamental as they influence political decision-making and public opinion and establish most of the priorities and agenda of the international community. As well, knowledge is the most important tool to promote the rule of law and a culture of human rights and to create awareness of the problems that we address.

Information sharing and communication are integral components of UNICRI activities. While addressing problems with practical interventions, we create knowledge and awareness of issues as well as a momentum from which we can act. UNICRI’s communications strategy is meant to be a dialogue, as everybody can contribute and must also be aware that terrorism is not only a simple matter of security but also the outcome of frustrations and loss of points of reference, that crime can be generated by poverty, and that justice, respect for human rights and development are the solutions to the problems.

UNICRI contributes to information sharing and awareness by:

• Creating forums of discussion;
• Producing new publications and audiovisual material;
• Promoting events as a way to improve dialogue, share information and develop cooperation platforms;
• Sharing updated information on its web-site;
• Developing awareness campaigns.

The Project

The Programme, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was carried out from September 2002 to April 2004. Designed as a pilot project, the Programme intended to contribute to the formulation and implementation of effective policies in the field of criminal justice and social prevention to curb trafficking practice.

The Programme had four components:

• Assessment and Research: two desk reviews and two researches on trafficking and existing counter-trafficking responses in Nigeria and Italy;
• Technical Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building: two Task Forces that formulated guidelines to improve bilateral co-operation and established mechanisms for information sharing. Within this component two specific trainings for Nigerian Law Enforcement officials have been carried out;
• Prevention: three awareness raising campaigns carried out in Edo State, Nigeria and a video spot broadcasted in Italy;
• Victims' Assistance: pilot micro-credit activities in Edo State, Nigeria, and "street units" on Turin's territory, Italy.

Introduction

Article 3 (c) The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt   of a child for the purpose of exploitation   shall be considered "trafficking in persons" [...]   Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons supplementing the UN Convention against TOC

The goal of the "Action Programme against Trafficking in Minors for Sexual Purposes", implemented in close cooperation with ECPAT International, was to contribute towards reducing trafficking in minors for sexual exploitation and the serious violations of children's fundamental rights linked with this phenomenon through:

• Analyzing and monitoring the evolution of trafficking in children for sexual purposes;
• Disseminating the information acquired through the development of this website and relevant databases;
• Expanding and strengthening international and regional cooperation through information sharing;
• Implementing models of technical cooperation activities in 3 pilot countries (Costa Rica, Thailand and Ukraine).

The project lasted 20 months, from January 2005 till August 2006.

This section of the website has been updated
on January 30, 2007