On 2 December the European Border Surveillance System becomes operational. EUROSUR will make an important contribution to saving lives and will also equip the EU and its Member States with better tools to prevent cross-border crimes and to detect and provide assistance to migrant boats in distress.

On Wednesday 13 November 2013, Public Policy Exchange will host the 4th Annual International Symposium on Preventing Human Trafficking, in Brussels.

Today, 18 October 2013, three international anti-trafficking expert mechanisms called for a global response to fight the transnational scourge of trafficking in persons.

Today, 30 september, an Inter-Ministerial Conference on the application of the International Convention for the suppression of the traffic in persons and the exploitation of the prostitution of others, by the EU Member States, has taken place in Brussels, at the eve of it's 65th birthday.

At the occasion of the 13th Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference in Vienna, discussions focus on inequalities linked with migration and the labour market, that increase vulnerabilities to trafficking.

This conference aimed at exploring the latest evidence and policy perspectives on the identification and investigation of human trafficking offenses.

Today the Royal Decree, signed by Ms Maggie de Block and Ms Annemie Turtelboom on 18 April 2013, recognizing Pakoke, Pag-Asa and Sürya as specialized centres for the reception of victims of trafficking in human beings, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette.

On the occasion of Europe Day and Fête de l’Iris, the Directorate-General for Home Affairs of the European Commission is organising a screening of the film Sisters followed by a debate on the subject of trafficking in human beings.

Eurostat and DG Home Affairs are publishing the first report on statistical data on trafficking in human beings at EU level, covering the reference years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Today is the last day for civil society organizations that wish to participate in the first meeting of the EU civil society platform on THB to send their duly completed form to the anti-trafficking unit.

The International Symposium of the Public Policy Exchange will facilitate policy discussion and provide a timely opportunity to explore comprehensive and integrated solutions to fighting the 'hidden' crime of human trafficking.

At the occasion of the IE EMN NCP conference in Dublin, a wide audience, including national policy makers and experts as well as representatives from the Commission and other NCPs, discussed protection challenges.

Today, the law from 4 December 2012 modifying the Belgian Nationality Code with a view to making the aquisition of nationality neutral from an immigration point of view, was published.

On Wednesday 5 December in the European Parliament, key stakeholders, including EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Ms Vassiliadou, will comment on the realities of combating trafficking.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) achieved a Political Agreement on the Reception Conditions Directive, discussed recent developments in Syria and council conclusions were endorsed concerning the new EU strategy to combat human trafficking.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives approved a proposition to tighten the conditions for acquiring the Belgian nationality. When the draft becomes law (probably on 1 January 2013), there will be integration requirements to acquire the Belgian nationality.