A calendar of events to commemorate this year’s Blue Heart Campaign was developed by HRIU to raise awareness on human trafficking. Many relevant THB stakeholders including governmental entities, civil society and international organisations participated through various activities between the 8th and 31st of July. Activities included awareness raising on social media, news articles, information sessions, and the dissemination of leaflets and posters amongst others. This year’s theme ‘Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking’ inspired many of the activities such as an information session with the Children’s Advisory Board organised by representatives from the HRIU together with officials from the Council of Europe and the European Commission, the screening of a film on child trafficking entitled “The Sound of Freedom” by CCIF, and a training session held at MCAST delivered by IOM. Blue heart pins were provided by the UNODC’s Advocacy Section, and these were disseminated to the children at the meeting with the Children’s Advisory Board.
As in previous years many local councils collaborated to light the facades of their buildings/other landmarks in blue to commemorate the Blue Heart Campaign and raise awareness on human trafficking. These included: