The conference's main objective was to make a final evaluation of the campaign launched two years ago in collaboration with Ethiopia's four major dioceses: Addis Ababa, Meki, Adigrat, Gambella. The project has now reached its second phase, its first focused on the awareness campaign, while the second stage on awareness creation and needs assessments. The conference was moderated and brought forward by Dr Antonio Raimondi, a consultant, and Ms. Meaza Tesfagiorgis, the project's General Coordinator.

Despite the high risk of irregular migration, people, especially young people, are still migrating irregularly with many ending up in the hands of human traffickers. Despite the risks, they still choose to migrate and risk death rather than stay home and try to look for opportunities they may find in their own countries. The Salesians of Don Bosco, in addition to showing the dangers and consequences of irregular migration and human trafficking, have been raising awareness among the target groups to help them bring about behavioral changes in the work habits in their own country.

Cardinal Brehane Yesus Surafiel, Bishop Abraham Desta, Mons Hrvoje Skrlec, the secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia, Fr Leonardo di Mauro (CEI), Dr Beppe Magri, among others, were present at the national conference. After a brief welcome by Rev Fr Estifanos, AET provincial, and an introduction by Brother Cesare Bullo, PDO Executive Director, project implementation results and outcomes of the various vicariates were presented; Dr Abebaw, from Addis Abeba University, then spoke on the topic of the “Way Forward... Human Trafficking”, a summary of the reasons leading to illegal migration, the factors favoring it and challenges in mitigating the phenomenon. 

The afternoon session focused mainly on questions and answers from participants and stakeholders on, indeed, the way forward. As a result of this campaign, the outlook was largely consoling. It was noted that over 5 million people were reached through the awareness campaign; a great human capital was created to do the work of campaigning against human trafficking; a set of tools, such as leaflets, booklets, pamphlets, audio-visual aids, etc., has also been produced and distributed; and the needs assessments made in various regions. The conference will certainly be a great help in answering the urgent needs of Ethiopia's youth, especially in the context of human trafficking and illegal migration.

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