CHISINAU, 12 September 2012 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, opened today an anti-trafficking exhibition of photos by children from Moldovan residential schools.

The photos were produced by participants in an OSCE project to help prevent human trafficking among children without parental care in Moldova. Children from several residential schools, as well as recent graduates, were given professional photography training and sent to their home regions to create photographs which deal with the subject of trafficking in human beings.

“The pictures describe poverty, violence, loneliness and sorrow. Through this activity, the children became aware of the risks related to trafficking, and simultaneously contributed to making society aware of this scourge,” Giammarinaro said at the opening.

The OSCE project is implemented by the Child Rights Information Centre Moldova in partnership with Moldova’s Education Ministry and Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, with the financial support of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino.

The 18-month programme, which runs until the end of this year, targets 133 residential school graduates in the districts of Bender, Orhei and Leova. It teaches crucial professional and life skills to children without parental care in order to contribute to the prevention of trafficking in human beings and irregular migration from Moldova.

“These children have their dreams, just like all children do. We want them to have an alternative to migrating in unsafe conditions to pursue their aspirations,” Giammarinaro said. “We want them to have real opportunities and the ability to take advantage of them, at home or abroad.”

Eighteen of the programme participants took part in the photography project, and 53 of their photos are on display at the exhibition in the National Library of Moldova, which runs until 22 September.