Bridging the gap between academia and practice, the SAIS Europe Human Trafficking Initiative contributes to countering human trafficking, one of today's most challenging issues, by building an independent, analytical and knowledge-sharing platform for both practitioners and academics in Europe and beyond.
As a cutting edge research institution strategically located in one of Europe's main immigration entry points, SAIS Europe is uniquely positioned to host and run the HT Initiative which aims to help dynamic young leaders meet the most pressing challenges that human-trafficking presents.
The HT Initiative builds on SAIS Europe's know-how in this and related areas and also offers students the possibility to closely interact with experts in the field.
Daily Supervisors
Chair: Sara Pennicino
Adjunct Professor of International Law at SAIS Europe; Associate Professor of Comparative Public Law, University of Padua, Italy
Alexandra MalangoneAssociate Fellow and coordinator of the Human Trafficking Initiative at SAIS Europe
Scientific Committee
HTI Project Pillars
Pillar One: "The Hub"
Objectives:
Enhancement of practical real time multi-agency cross-border cooperation through an international platform for prosecutors, police, NGOs experts and institutional actors.
Activities:
Collect, compile and share HT related information in a user-friendly format facilitating practitioners' Rapid Response.
The aim is to provide analytical support based on Memoranda of understandings with institutional actors to formalize mutual cooperation with HTI. HTI aims to provide real-time transmission of such open-source analytical information.
Through workshops with field operators (including lawyers, prosecutors, judges, investigators and NGO workers) further dissemination of this knowledge in operational contexts will be ensured. Final documents will be disseminated through networking meetings as well as on the website.
Pillar Two: "Learning"
Objectives
Create a Thematic Annual Learning Plan based on the analytical work conducted in the HUB and on the basis of needs assessment. The Plan will consist of two key areas of activity: - sharing of best practice through networking meetings
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capacity building technical workshops for law enforcement, civil society and national authorities; staging of anti-trafficking simulations based on the OSCE model engaging SAIS students.
Activities
Training will support practitioners from the institutions mentioned above to:-
develop comprehensive assessment, analytical and investigation skills
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draw up safety plans and ameliorate assistance interventions;
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improve investigative and prosecution outcomes;
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improve dealing with trafficked persons as holders of rights ;
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improve cross-agency cooperation and coordination.
Learning Pillar Examples
Understanding Organized Crime in the Context of Ukrainian Conflict, War Crimes Investigations and Enhancing Multi-Agency Cooperation and Coordination
22-24 August 2022 | Košice, Slovakia
Slovak National Crime Agency and National Headquarters of Specific Crimes
"Financial Investigations in Combating Organized Crime"
STUDY VISIT | 19-21 October 2022 | SAIS Europe, Bologna
HTI Events @ SAIS Europe
- Automation of Financial Compliance in the Financial Industry
Alexandra Andhov, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Alexandra Malangone, Associate Fellow and Coordinator of the Human Trafficking Initiative, Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe
- Advantages of the Blockchain. Disrupting Organized Crime through Law Enforcement, Private and Other Non-Traditional Partnerships
Alexandra Andhov, Copenhagen University
Michal Gromek, Digital Asset Taskforce (DATF), Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime
Alexandra Malangone, Moderator - Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe
- Hijacked States, Fighting Windmills and the Value of the Rule of Law
Peter Kysel, Special Prosecution Office, Slovakia
Rachel Witkin, Helen Bamber Foundation, UK
Alexandra Malangone, Moderator - Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe
- Criminal Threats and EU Response
Filippo Spiezia, National Member for Italy, Eurojust
- Improving International Human Rights Law Fact-Finding
Obiora C. Okafor, Johns Hopkins University SAIS, US
- The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Providing Access to Justice and Assistance to Victims of Labour Exploitation
Marija Andjelkovic, ASTRA - Anti trafficking action, Serbia
- Human Trafficking for Criminal Exploitation: Adolescents and Young Adults: Victims or Offenders?
Craig Barlow, Criminologist and Forensic Social Worker, UK
Pina Di Bari, Social-legal Operator, Comune di Venezia, Italy
David Mancini, Magistrate, Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Juvenile Court of L'Aquila, Italy
Alexandra Malangone, Affiliated Practitioner, Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD), Italy
- Screening of the Documentary Vidas Menores by Alfredo Torrescalles
Alfredo Torrescalles, Film Director, Spain
Antonia Palomo, Head of Area for Minors, Government of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, Spain
Alexandra Malangone, Affiliated Practitioner, CCSDD, Italy
- Legalization of Migrant Workers under Covid 19: A Tale of Two Countries
Giulia Crescini, Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration (ASGI), Italy
America Hernandez, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), US
Alexandra Malangone, Moderator: Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD), Italy
- Business and Human Rights in the Agri-food Industry: The Case of Migrant Workers
Nina Luzzatto Gardner, Chair: Johns Hopkins University SAIS, US
Sara Pennicino, Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe; University of Padua, Italy
Laura Safer Espinoza, Fair Food Standards Council, US
Yvan Sagnet, NoCap, Italy
