INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC HEARING

"COMBATTING TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN: THE ITALIAN LEGISLATION – BEST PRACTICE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION?"

Rome 12^th September 2003

Rome, 23^rd July 2003

Sergio Briguglio

We greet you from the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), the Ecumenical organisation of the European Churches on questions of Migration, Asylum, Refugees and Anti-racism.

On behalf of CCME we would like to invite you to the

PUBLIC HEARING "COMBATTING TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN: THE ITALIAN LEGISLATION – BEST PRACTICE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION?"

Rome, Capitol, Sala del Carroccio

12^th September 2003

9.30-12.30

Some information about the background of the hearing:

CCME and Caritas Europa have last year launched the project “Christian Action and Networking against Trafficking in Women” (CAT). The project aims at strengthening the efforts against trafficking in women by creating a strong and sustainable European network of churches

and church related agencies, which are active in the fight against trafficking. The project involves organisations from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Russia, Romania and Ukraine. The project receives financial support from the European Commission under the STOP programme.

As one of the steps of building the network, the participating organisations meet for thematic workshops. The second workshop will take in Rome 12^th-14^th September 2003.

On the occasion of the visit the Municipality of Rome has invited the project partners for a public hearing on 12^th September 2003. CCME is extremely grateful and honoured by this invitation and welcomes the possibility of discussing trafficking in women in Rome during the period of the Italian EU presidency.

The hearing will be a chance to compare the experiences of the fight against trafficking in different European countries. Particular attention will be given to the article 18 of the Italian Immigration and aliens law, which includes the possibility to grant residence titles to victims of trafficking as part of a social integration scheme. The hearing will be a chance to discuss, how article 18 works in practice, how it serves as a means of protecting the victims of trafficking but also in the long term perspective contributes to successful persecution of the criminal networks of traffickers.

Different actors from Italy, who are active in combating trafficking (Italian government, City of Rome, NGO community) will share their experiences with article 18 and European actors (European Commission, European Parliament, European NGOs) will reflect how article 18 could be a best practice example from other countries in Europe.

There will be also an open discussion, in which additional actors from Italy as well as the partners in the CAT project will contribute from their experience.

We would in view your knowledge of the issue cordially like TO INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HEARING AND CONTRIBUTE YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO THE OPEN DISCUSSION.

We would be grateful if you could confirm your participation by 21^st August to Federazione delle Chiese Evangeliche in Italia- Servizio Rifugiati e Migranti.

( Tel. +39 06 48905101 Fax +39 06 48916959 E-mail: srm@fcei.it)

Looking forward to meeting you in Rome, we remain

Sincerely yours

Doris Pescke Annemarie Duprè

CCME General Secretary CCME Moderator