The Training Workshop is part of a Canadian Government-funded project to increase information sharing between Bali Process Member States to address people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime. The project aims to enhance knowledge and skills and raise awareness in matters related to information and intelligence sharing.

Under the project, the RSO has, in consultation with Bali Process Members, developed:

• A draft Framework for Information Sharing (Framework),
• Draft Guidelines for Information Sharing to Address People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (Guidelines) and
• A training curriculum on information sharing based on the Guidelines.

The Training Workshop looked at information sharing in the context of people smuggling and trafficking in persons and provided tools for strengthening information exchange. Tools included the application of shared principles and a step-by-step guide to requesting information. Scenario-based elements of the training programme allowed participants to explore different perspectives of an information exchange in the context of a fictionalised trafficking in persons case.

Twenty-four participants from thirteen Bali Process Member States, Organisations and Observers took part in the Training Workshop. Participants included representatives from law enforcement, border management and immigration agencies with experience in information sharing.

The Training Workshop included presentations from representatives of the Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons (AAPTIP), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Malaysia Police and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Representatives shared their expertise and experience on how information sharing can be used to address the challenges posed by people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime.

Participants recognised the value of the training programme to support understanding of the Guidelines, including elements of the Framework and welcomed these tools developed by the RSO for strengthening cross-border information exchange. The Framework, Guidelines, and training curriculum are being finalised and will be made available to Bali Process Members at the conclusion of the project in June 2018.

For further information on this project, including delivery of this training in your country, please contact info@rso.baliprocess.net or visit www.baliprocess.net.