The year 2025 marks significant milestones in the global fight against human trafficking. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the 30th anniversary of La Strada International, La Strada Foundation against Trafficking in Human Beings and Slavery in Poland and La Strada Czech Republic.
On 15 September 1995, the first La Strada project was launched by NGOs in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Poland. Now La Strada International is a European NGO Platform against trafficking in human beings, uniting 33 members across 24 European countries.
While these are important milestones, there is unfortunately still much effort to take to realise the prevention of human trafficking and to ensure the protection of trafficked persons rights. Despite the existence of legal and policy frameworks, we continue to witness a lack of adequate implementation. We operate in a challenging European and global context, marked by increasing globalisation, armed conflicts, and wars that affect the lives of millions and drive migration and displacement – often accompanied by heightened risks of exploitation and abuse.
Public Event
30 Years Anti-Trafficking Work in Europe & Supporting Victim Rights – How to effectively address human trafficking and ensure that trafficked persons receive protection and support?
To reflect back on the evolution and impact of anti-trafficking legislation, policies and efforts undertaken across Europe in the past decades, a conference on the 18 September 2025 will be organised by the Ministry of Interior and Administration of Poland, together with the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe, La Strada Poland and La Strada International. The event will bring together Polish and international policy makers, practitioners, civil society actors and other experts.
Jointly, we will reflect on the past three decades and discuss remaining challenges and gaps and examine the impact of anti-trafficking legislation, policies, and efforts undertaken across Europe and beyond. How effective have these measures been, and how optimistic can we be about the current state of play? What lessons have been learned, and what challenges remain?
We will also consider the impact of migration and anti-gender policies on the rights of trafficked persons and related vulnerable groups, next to the shrinking civic space in Europe. Next to that, the event will explore what is needed in the coming years to effectively combat human trafficking.
Read more about the event and the programme here.