Press Release
For Immediate Release
24 February 2009
ACTE AND ECPAT PARTNER TO EDUCATE THE CORPORATE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES ON LABOUR-RELATED ISSUES
Alexandria, Va --
With an estimated 10 million children worldwide subject to various forms of sexual exploitation, this issue has moved to the top of the economic and social agendas of many countries. The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), in partnership with ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), will devote an education session at its upcoming Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C., 5-7 April, to the issue of child sexual exploitation, its impact on business, and the measures each company can take to comply with global standards.
The session, Beyond Green: Are Your CSR Efforts Going Far Enough? will feature Carol Smolenski, Executive Director, ECPAT-USA, and Amy O’Neill Richard, Senior Advisor to the Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, U.S. Department of State. The session will take place on Monday, 6 April, from 10:15-11:15.
“As the leading educator for the global business travel industry, ACTE has a responsibility to inform and educate travel management professionals about issues such as the sexual exploitation of children,” Susan Gurley, ACTE Executive Director, said. “Partnering with organizations like ECPAT allows us to offer conference attendees valuable information about what their companies and travellers can do to ensure they are not unknowingly contributing to this pernicious problem.”
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with ACTE,” noted Carol Smolenski, Executive Director of ECPAT-USA. “We have a difficult subject to talk about, but we know that a lot of companies, like Carlson Companies and Accor, are taking the lead in preventing the sexual exploitation of children. Our job is to provide support and technical assistance and we’re happy to work with ACTE on spreading the word.”
ECPAT International is a global network of organisations and individuals working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
During the hour-long session, speakers will demonstrate the business impact of the issue of child sexual exploitation on organisations, and introduce participants to the “Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism,” which identifies those measures companies can take to protect this vulnerable segment of the population.
“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not just about reducing carbon emissions,” noted Gurley. “ACTE is partnering with ECPAT to raise awareness of this issue and to offer solutions on how to promote and increase more responsible practices.”
During the last two years, ACTE has worked with International Office of Migration (IOM) and MTV Exit Europe Foundation to end the exploitation and trafficking of women and children.
Registration is limited for the ECPAT session and is on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in attending, please contact Amber Kelleher, Director, Global Programs, at [email protected].
yle="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">ABOUT ACTE:yle="font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry. Our members serve more than 12 million business travellers worldwide. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to yle="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">tle="http://www.acte.org/">www.acte.orgyle="color: black">.
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Innovators to the Business Travel Management Profession
“The Most Widely Adopted Standards in the Industry”
Education • CSR • Traveler Safety/Data Privacy • Advocacy
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com