National Women’s Education Center of Japan

International Forum for Women’s Empowerment titled Global Partnership to Tackle Human Trafficking was held at National Women’s Education Center (NWEC) from 20th to 21st in December.

Opening Remarks was delivered by Organizer, Dr. Michiko Kanda, President of NWEC, congratulatory message from Ms. Chieko Nohno, Member of the House of Councilors, Chairperson of Parliamentary League of Women in Development was given subsequently.

Finally there were greetings from co-host organizations, Professor Miyoko Tsujimura of Tohoku University Global COE program and Professor Kimio Ito of Kyoto University Global COE program.

13:00 pm - 15:00 pm
Symposium : “Current Issues of Trafficking in Persons -In the World, Asia and in Japan”

Panelists:

Ms. Vittoria Luda di Cortemiglia, Focal Point on Human Trafficking and Program Coordinator, Counter Human Trafficking and Emerging Crimes Unit, UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)

Ms.Yanee Lertkrai, Director, Bureau of Anti-Trafficking in Women and Children, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security

Dr. Maria Rosario Ballescas, Professor, Social Sciences Division, Visayas Cebu College, University of the Philippines
Ms. Carmelita Gopez Nuqui, President and Executive Director,
Development Action for Women Network（DAWN)

Ms. Naoko Hashimoto, Program Coordinator, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Prof. Yuriko Saito, Assistant Professor, Keisen University, Steering Committee Member, JNATIP

Dr. Kimio Ito, Professor, Graduate School of Kyoto University

Coordinator: Ms. Mariko Bando, President, Showa Women’s University

In the opening symposium, Ms. Mariko Bando, President of Showa Women’s University acting as a coordinator, panelists from which various sectors such as International Organizations, Government officials, NGOs and researchers in and out of Asia, made presentations current situation of Human Trafficking from their own perspectives.

At first, Ms. Vittoria Luda di Cortemiglia, Focal Point on Human Trafficking and Program Coordinator of UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) made report on counter Human Trafficking projects conducted by United Nations.

Secondly, Ms.Yanee Lertkrai, Director of Bureau of Anti-Trafficking in Women and Children, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand reported on the new form of human trafficking targeting males and immigrants, and the multidisciplinary effort of Thai Government to prevent human trafficking by networking with organizations concerned domestically and internationally.

One of the two panelists from the Philippines, Dr. Maria Rosario Ballescas, professor of University of the Philippines Cebu Campus reported on Philippines’ migration policy and the emerging problem. Another speaker from the Philippines, Ms. Carmelita Gopez Nuqui, President and Executive Director of Development Action for Women Network（DAWN) reported on the support activities for returning women and their children (JFC).

Ms. Naoko Hashimoto, Program Coordinator of International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Tokyo, made a presentation on the current situation of immigrant in Japan. Prof. Yuriko Saito, Assistant Professor of Keisen University and Steering Committee Member of Japanese NGO Against Trafficking in Persons (JNATIP), proposed the need of victim centered protection and support system.

Finally, Dr. Kimio Ito, Professor of Graduate School of Kyoto University and member of NWEC research studies on Human Trafficking made a presentation on the importance of education to control demand of Human Trafficking in Japan.