TIP Ministerial Task Force participated in Mining Week activities
Ministry of Public Security, Guyana, Thursday, September 1, 2016
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission celebrated Mining Week from August 21-27, 2016 in acknowledgement of a critical sector in Guyana’s economy.
During Mining Week, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission took the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons in sensitising those participating in the various exhibitory activities on the dangers associated with trafficking in persons, especially related to the mining sector.
The Task Force’s involvement in Mining Week included the managing of booths at the National Mining Exhibition at Jubilee Park from August 22-23, 2016 and at Pork Knockers’ Day at Bartica on August 27, 2016.
Members of the Task Force, which included a representative of the Mines Division of the Geology and Mines Commission, managed booths featuring materials created to facilitate the spreading of awareness on the crime of trafficking in persons in Guyana.
Materials which were utilised included brochures, flyers, key-rings, bags, wristbands, sunhats, caps, water-bottles and umbrellas. The brochures bore valuable information regarding trafficking in persons, which would inform readers about the risk factors, signs to look out for and help available to victims. Other materials bore anti-trafficking slogans along with the TIP Hotline Number – 227-4083.
The booth at the Mining Exhibition also featured the presentation of a movie titled ‘Human Trafficking’ along with a documentary on trafficking in persons which allowed viewers to observe and experience both enactments and real life portrayals of the perpetration and investigation of the crime, and to consider testimonies given by victims.
Those manning the booth were also able to hold discussions with persons working in the mining sector, others living in interior regions, and generally interested members of the public who visited. They all gained an understanding of the public’s knowledge on trafficking in persons and also were able to supplement that knowledge.
Persons benefitting from the exhibition generally displayed a basic understanding of the crime of trafficking in persons but left with an increased appreciation for its scope, both locally and worldwide, and key aspects of the modus operandi of traffickers. They also gained an improved capacity to share information on the subject with others and to recognize the signs linked to an otherwise latent occurrence of the crime so as to utilize the Hotline Number effectively.
The Guyana Geology and Mines, along with other agencies represented on the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, has regularly and diligently taken part in and supported the Task Force’s programmes and activities.
The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons wishes to extend its gratitude to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, along with other stakeholders in the fight against trafficking in persons, who remain committed to ending the scourge in Guyana.