INVITATION TO CONSULTATIVE MEETING

THE ROLE OF THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY IN ADDRESSING THE TRAFFICKING OF AFRICAN CHILDREN TO THE UK

The trafficking of African children and young women into the UK for exploitative purposes is becoming rife, thus becoming a major source of concern for the African diaspora in the UK. Increasingly, cases of children trafficked to the UK from different parts of Africa are being highlighted by the media, government agencies and non-governmental organisations. These unfortunate children, brought into the UK from some African countries, are often subjected to various form of abuse which include sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and benefit fraud, amongst others.

Several of the trafficked children are from very poor rural families whose parents are unable to look after them, whilst others are street children with no government strategy in place to look after them and cater for their needs. A combination of poverty and the lack of effective social protection systems to safeguard and provide for these children make them easy prey for child traffickers who bring them into Europe under false pretexts of a ‘better life’.

It goes without saying that the African diaspora has a duty to protect vulnerable African children and to engage UK institutions on how best to safeguard African children in the UK. Therefore as the UK Government launches a consultation process to develop ideas and proposals for an Action Plan to tackle child trafficking into the UK, AFRUCA, in partnership with other African organisations is holding a series of consultative meetings to discuss the role of the African community in combating child trafficking.

This event in South London organised by CAPPS will enable members of the community in the South London area to input into the government consultation process by providing their views and suggestions on the issue of trafficking and what they feel should be done to prevent it and protect vulnerable children.

Date: Tuesday 21^st March 2006

Time: 6 – 8.30pm

Venue: The Civic, 600-608 Old Kent Rd London SE15 1JB

Admission is free but registration is essential. Dinner and refreshments will be provided. Should you have any enquiries or require any clarification, please contact Ms. Miama Foster by phone: 0207 242 0780 or via e-mail: events@thinkafrica.org.