CCARHT Symposium Spotlight: Tatiana Kotlyarenko on Ethical Survivor Inclusion and Trafficking of Ukrainian Refugees

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CCARHT Symposium Spotlight: Tatiana Kotlyarenko on Ethical Survivor Inclusion and Trafficking of Ukrainian Refugees

We are thrilled to announce that Tatiana Kotlyarenko, a leading counter Human Trafficking Voice and known to so many of you here, will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming Cambridge Centre for Applied Research in Human Trafficking 8th Annual Symposium 11th –12th September 2024.

Who is Tatiana Kotlyarenko?

Tatiana Kotlyarenko brings a wealth of experience to our symposium:

  • Former Advisor on Anti-Trafficking Issues at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (2016-2023)
  • Key contributor to the National Referral Mechanisms handbook which provides practical guidance for protecting the rights of trafficked persons.
  • Recipient of the Last Girl Award in 2022 for her kick ass attitude to counter trafficking work and driving through co-operation at the OSCE for gender-sensitive approaches in trafficking responses.
  • Member of BMW Responsible Leaders and 100 Women of Davos

Her contribution has been pivotally placed to shape policies and practices particularly in Europe and the OSCE, (https://www.osce.org/) to combat human trafficking. She has responded to global crises (Ukrainian invasion, Covid 19, the implosion of Syria and the challenge of massive migration of millions looking for safety) and emerging trends driven by tech, biotech and criminal entrepreneurialism.

Key Publications and Research

Tatiana’s work includes several significant publications:

  1. “Addressing human trafficking risks in light of military attack on Ukraine: Training for civil society and frontline responders” – Developed with ISTAC experts, based on NRM principles, within ODIHR’s Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine project.
  2. “Addressing emerging human trafficking trends and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic” – Co-published with OSCE/ODIHR and UN Women.
 

Tatiana’s Symposium Topics

At the CCARHT Symposium, Tatiana will address two critical issues:

  1. Ethical Survivor Inclusion in Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts: Tatiana emphasizes that ethical survivor inclusion is key to developing successful responses. Survivor leaders are not token stakeholders, but changemakers who can ensure that anti-trafficking frameworks reflect the needs and realities of victims and survivors of trafficking.
  2. Addressing Demand and Creating Impactful Responses to All Forms of Trafficking of Ukrainian Refugee Women: The continued vulnerability of Ukrainian refugee women to various forms of human trafficking is a fact. From the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian women have been targeted for various forms of trafficking including for the purpose of sexual exploitation and surrogacy.

Drawing from her recent rapid assessment missions, Tatiana will share insights on:

    • ○ Current trends in trafficking of Ukrainian refugees
    • ○ Effective strategies for prevention and intervention
    • ○ Recommendations for countries hosting Ukrainian refugees

Tatiana emphasizes, “Responses to eradicate human trafficking at the core need to address the crime of human trafficking and the demand that fosters it. Responses and national referral mechanisms for victims and survivors of human trafficking have to be human rights based, victim and survivor centred, trauma informed and gender and child sensitive.

Why Tatiana’s Contribution is Crucial

Tatiana’s expertise is particularly relevant in today’s global context:
  • A Ukrainian herself, she was well positioned in the OSCE to enable critical, significant, and strategically timely work on mapping the challenges facing Ukrainian citizens as they sought safety from Russian tanks, missiles and ground forces in flight across borders, and the risks presented by agile trafficking networks. 
  • She has important news to share on what is occurring with the Ukrainian diaspora as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year. The information is deeply disturbing.
  • Her focus on ethical survivor inclusion enables NGOs and government agencies to improve approaches to anti-trafficking work and seize opportunities latent in the business and public sector to extend our EDI vision into this sector of engagement.
 

Join Us at the Symposium

Don’t miss this opportunity to join with Tatiana Kotlyarenko and other leading experts in conversation and tough thinking. The panels created across the four ‘chapters’ of the symposium will be challenging and enlightening. Panels on Land, Widows, Wombs and Survivor Voice. Just what is going on under the radar in geo-political outcomes for women on the move from the Ukraine, new legislation in the offing in Albania which could have profound impacts on the safety of migrant women seeking a ‘place to call home’, for the critical voice which survivors bring and is vitally necessary for the safe and socially inclusive outcomes of counter trafficking work.
 
Date: 11th -12th September 2024 
 
Location: Newnham College, Cambridge (In-person and online options still available)
 
Take a virtual or actual seat around the table with Tatiana Kotlyarenko and other experts. Thank you, Tatania, for your dedication to addressing the tough questions which must be raised. We look forward to some discomfort as we let some much-needed clarity break in.