Not for Sale - Choose for your own sake

The "Open Your Eyes" campaign raises awareness on sexual exploitation through human trafficking. This campaign was initiated by Nea Zoi (Athens; Greece) in collaboration with Ratiu Center for Democracy (Turda, Romania), “Love 146” (Bouremouth; UK) and the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (Romania). The campaign had its European start in March 2010, while the Romanian national section was implemented between March and September 2011.

“Open Your Eyes” reached 23,000 beneficiaries out of which 17,000 were 14 to 20 years old. The beneficiaries learnt new information regarding human trafficking related to its dimension, its causes and the different ways of decreasing the risk of victimization.

For the first time in Romania, the Ratiu Center for Democracy, along with its partners, addressed the issue of human trafficking in informal public spaces – such as shopping centers and coffee shops, by connecting the risk of being trafficked to daily life decisions. Moreover, through the training events, enforced in the counties of Calarasi and Iasi, the first Romanian group of young activists against human trafficking was trained. The group included girls from residential areas.

Congratulation to all our participants for their involvement and enthusiasm! The final report on the “Open Your Eyes” campaign will be available soon on our website.

Between August and October 2011, the Ratiu Center for Democracy implemented a new anti-trafficking project "(YH)2 - “Your hope in your hands". It empowered 200 young people (ages 14 to 19) from the six counties of the Romanian NW development region (Cluj, Salaj, Maramures, Bistrita-Nasaud, Bihor and Satu Mare) to act against human trafficking.

200 young people reacted against modern times’ slavery by participating to written workshops, writing prevention messages directed to their peers. These workshops aimed at writing articles on this topic. Students have also researched and used their artistic skills for drawing awareness messages.

1500 people from 13 locations spanning 3 countries (Romania, Hungary, USA) protested simultaneously in public places to mark the European Day of Fighting against Trafficking. Having Romania as a reference point, the International Flash Mob raised awareness for basic rights violation by all forms of human trafficking.
Participants protested against violation of fundamental human rights through trafficking by being silent and displaying handmade signs. Additionally, the crowds dressed in white and black were "frozen" for four minutes to support the cause.

For more information about the International Flash Mob please click here!