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Speech by H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden at Counter-Trafficking Award Ceremony

Rights of Children and the Fight against Child Trafficking

Ladies and Gentleman,

It is wonderful to see how you have gathered here today to combat one of the worst crimes in modern times. I have for many years been close to the issue of abuse of children and the commercial sex industry involving children and I have, like all of you, been a witness to how this industry has become the third largest criminal trade after weapons and drugs. Our gathering here is an expression of the concern and the awareness of not only us, but most importantly, the Government and authorities of Ukraine. I know that your concern is shared by many other governments and organizations throughout the world. Today I had the opportunity to visit IOMs centre for rehabilitation and I was moved and impressed by the dedication and quality of work carried out at the centre. And I know that this is only one example of many.

However, my concern and World Childhood Foundation’s concern is not only all those children who have or are being trafficked. I would like to draw your attention to the millions and millions of children who at every minute of the day live under the threat of being trafficked. I am thinking of all children living in violent homes, of all the children being left behind when their parents are seeking job opportunities elsewhere due to economic hardship at home and I am thinking of all the children living in institutions and orphanages. These children have little social skills and in most cases no experience from the world outside of the institutions.

Institutions have become the breeding ground for traffickers preying on children who they know are not experienced enough to identify a potentially dangerous situation, or are so thirsty for love that they will believe any kind gesture offered them. When giving numbers in the field of trafficking, we must therefore also consider the millions of children at risk of being trafficked throughout Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union who are living in institutions or without parental care.

If we ever want to be able to come to terms with the problem of trafficking we have to go to the source of the problem. We have to meet the need of children in their own environment. This is the reason why Childhood has focused its support to projects working with preventive methods. We work with after-school activities, where the children will have somewhere to go after school, where they are seen by someone who cares, and where people are willing to work not only with the child but with the child’s family - to instil family values and to keep the family intact.

We also actively work with children living in institutions in order to provide them with the social skills they lack and to ensure that their rights are being protected. Of course the ideal situation would be if the large institutions which are so detrimental to children’s health did not exist. It is therefore very encouraging to see how countries like Ukraine are changing their policies and are actively working away from large institutions and towards smaller family units and foster care.

It is truly inspiring to follow the work of many organizations like IOM, who put so much effort and care into finding new solutions to a major problem. But we must never forget that in the end it is the work of dedicated individuals who make the difference. I therefore would like to extend a personal thank you to all of you who are being honoured here tonight.

September 7, 2006, Ivan Franko Drama Theatre, Kyiv