Open World Program - Delegations “Human Trafficking”
The Open World Program Romania started in March with the first delegations of the year 2023. The theme of the delegations was Human Trafficking and were comprised of law enforcement officers and NGO representatives.
On March 7, the Open World team held the Pre-Departure Orientation for the future delegations, Human Trafficking and Nursing & Hospital Management. The participants had a chance to meet each other and find out more about the professional exchange, as well as have an open discussion with Eliza Chirilă-Pop, the Country Director of American Councils for International Education Romania, Jane Sargus, Executive Director of the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL) and Mark Taplin, American Councils for International Education Trustee.
On March 22, two more delegations began their journey through the Open World Program. The participants traveled to Washington, DC for national meetings before they headed to Cleveland, OH and Columbus, OH for 8 days. In Washington, DC, the delegates met with Jane Sargus, Executiv Director of COIL, Professor Dr. Sam Potolicchio, from the Georgetown University, as well as with Cindy Dyer, the United States Ambassador-at-Large.
The delegates have had the occasion to experiment the American culture first-hand and learn more on how to prevent and combat human trafficking. From meetings with U.S. Congress representatives, prosecutors, police departments to NGOs that fight against human trafficking, the delegates have had a full week both in Washington, DC, as well as in their host communities.
In Cleveland, OH, the delegates met with members of the Human Trafficking Task Force and with agencies which respond to the needs of families and of children, having a chance to discuss ways of preventing human trafficking and the type of services provided for the victims. Moreover, they discussed with NGOs dedicated to fighting for freedom, such as The Salvation Army and spoke with Dr. Williamson, from the University of Toledo about the programs of the Social Justice Institute.
In Columbus, OH, they had a conversation with the Presiding Judge of the Southern District of Ohio, talking about the involvement of the court in the human trafficking area, as well as with the State Coordinator of the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, where they found out how the victims are being identified and what are the services provided to them. Furthermore, the delegates visited The U.S. Air Force Museum where they discovered the oldest and the largest military aviation museum in the world.
