ECUADOR - K 11 Project Raises Awareness on Human Trafficking

The IOM Office in Ecuador is providing support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presentation of the K11 Project next week in Quito and Guayaquil.

Guy Jacobson, the founder and producer of Priority Films of New York and creator of the K11 Project (http://www.priorityfilms.com/index3_28.html) will be on hand to discuss with audiences his project, which consists of one film and two documentaries telling true stories of child prostitution from around the world.

During a visit to Cambodia in 2002, Jacobson, an American lawyer and investor, was shocked by the number of children working in prostitution. Jacobson decided to take action by calling the world's attention to the issue of human trafficking, particularly the sexual exploitation of minors.

Jacobson has travelled around the world to talk about his experience, expose and incite debates on the issue of human trafficking. In countries such as Mexico, the Netherlands, the United States and Brazil, amongst others, his work has generated a strong public reaction against this form of modern slavery.

The K11 Project includes the work of renowned producers and directors, human rights activists, and international artists. International organizations, UN agencies and NGOs also have taken part the project's development.

The press, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, NGO, government authorities, actors involved in Ecuador's National Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking, academics, students of the Diplomatic Academy and representatives from the private sector have been invited to the events.

IOM-Ecuador is currently implementing a programme to combat human trafficking with funding from USAID.

The program aims to:
a) strengthen the government's Inter-institutional Commission and the Technical Secretariat for the implementation of the National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking;
b) contribute to the prevention and the reporting of human trafficking cases through the "Call and Live" Campaign;
c) identify and support prevention, protection, and prosecution activities to complement other national initiatives,
d) develop a protocol for victim assistance;
e) strengthen existing victim assistance services; and
f) develop mechanisms for transition and follow-up to support the reintegration of victims.

For further information contact Ana Maria Guzman at IOM Ecuador, Tel +593 2 244 49 26, aguzman@oim.org.ec

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