The Swedish Institute: Measure 31
The Swedish Institute are organizing visiting programs and international seminars focusing on the Swedish perspectives and initiatives to combat prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes, 2009-2010
During the last decade the efforts towards combating the modern slavery of human trafficking have become an important topic on the political agenda, both on a national and international level. Sweden has during this period of time actively taken important legal and preventative measures within the field of prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes. Substantial efforts have been made to sharpen the legislation – most controversially by criminalizing the sex buyers, improve the cooperation between relevant public authorities and other key actors and to develop more humane mechanisms for a safe return of victims of human trafficking. Several of these Swedish initiatives and perspectives have received great international attention, both in origin, transit and receiving countries, and in many cases triggered to interesting discussions on the subject.
In July 2008 the Swedish government launched the first National Plan of Action on prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes. A number of authorities, NGO’s and other key actors have, in relation to the plan of action, received public funding to further enhance the efforts toward combating this transnational problem.
The Swedish Institute has, in connection to this as measure number 31 out of 36, been commissioned by the Government to spread information on Swedish methods and perspectives relevant to the work on prostitution and human trafficking on an international basis. As part of the assignment the Swedish Institute has been allotted financial means to develop and carry out visiting programs for foreign key actors within the field of work and organize seminars in foreign countries on the subject. The activities expect to attract employees within the judicial- , police- and social authorities, decision makers, NGO’s, journalists and other experts who may have a specific interest in studying the Swedish efforts in preventing and fighting prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes.
The visiting programs are to a large extent planned in correlation to a number of conferences and seminars on the subject, organized by the Swedish Institute, both in Sweden and in other countries.
The activities involve a close cooperation with a number of Swedish experts on the subject, i.e. police authorities and prosecution offices, social welfare departments, NGO’s and other actors of importance. A specific focus are set on the Swedish gender equality work, as lack of equality between the sexes constitutes a crucial part of the problem.
For questions, please contact the Swedish Institute:
Ulrika Rosvall Levin, Account Manager, telephone: +46 (0)8 453 78 83,
cell phone: +46 (0) 73-231 85 34, e-mail: 