The Events Industry Council, the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, has announced it has joined The Code, a multi-stakeholder initiative to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
EIC has become signatories of The Code, which provides awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry to protect children against sexual exploitation. The Code is a voluntary set of six criteria that members commit to, to keep children safe. The Code is supported by ECPAT, a worldwide network of organizations working to end the sexual exploitation of children around the world. Events took place July 30 to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2021.
Amy Calvert (pictured left), chief executive officer, Events Industry Council, says, “EIC supports all efforts against human trafficking, and we are very proud to have joined The Code to support its global mission. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), over 40 million people are living in slavery worldwide; by working with The Code and ECPAT we can play our part in finally ending global human trafficking and exploitation. Given the scope and scale of our industry we have the ability to be a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change and progress.”
The Code is the world’s first and only voluntary set of business principles companies can implement to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. The Code will support EIC, a global federation supporting the business events industry, by collaborating and engaging with stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children; establish policies and procedures; train employees; include a clause in contracts; and provide information to travelers on how to prevent and report suspected cases.
“ECPAT International welcomes the newest member of The Code, Events Industry Council,” says Thomas Mueller (pictured right), deputy executive director at ECPAT International. “They join more than 350 member companies worldwide in a shared, proactive commitment from the travel and tourism industry to protecting children from sexual exploitation. It is vital that the private sector works together with the ECPAT network, law enforcement, and local communities on this difficult but important issue.”
“Partnerships with the private sector are crucial to achieving the goal of the ECPAT network and ECPAT-USA to eliminate the sexual exploitation of children, and ECPAT-USA is pleased to welcome the Events Industry Council as a new member of The Code,” said Yvonne Chen (pictured left), ECPAT-USA’s Director of Private Sector Engagement. “We look forward to working with them to raise awareness of these issues and protect children around the world.”
For more info on the Events Industry Council, visit www.eventscouncil.org. For more info on The Code, visit www.ecpatusa.org/code
The Events Industry Council’s more than 30 member organizations represent over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the events industry. The Events Industry Council’s vision is to be the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. It promotes high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and signature program activities. The CMP credential is recognized globally as the badge of excellence in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. The four signature programs – Sustainability and Social Impact, Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), Knowledge, and Leadership – represent the key initiatives, assets, services and products for the Events Industry Council. For more info, visit www.eventscouncil.org.
ECPAT-USA is the leading anti-child trafficking organization in the United States seeking to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation. ECPAT-USA is a member of ECPAT International, a network of organizations in more than 100 countries with one common mission: to eliminate the sexual exploitation of children around the world. For more info, visit www.ecpatusa.org.
