Ambassador Speeches

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

by Ambassador Michael D. Kirby

Center for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CCTIP)
Police Academy “Stefan cel Mare”
July 28, 2006

Dear participants,
I am very happy to be here with you at the conclusion of this Leadership Education and Development Training provided by the United States Department of State, and I would like to congratulate all the participants successfully completing this course.

The United States is deeply committed to combating trafficking in persons and to protecting its victims both in the United States and abroad. Those of you involved in this struggle know that it is a difficult one. To achieve success, it is important to develop leaders of character and competence, people who know how to get things done and take action.  I certainly hope that this training provided you with some tools you can use to develop such leadership skills in yourselves and others. 

Our fight against human trafficking is a collective one. Cooperation throughout the region and the world is imperative. While we must assist each other in building anti-trafficking projects and networks, the primary responsibility for combating trafficking remains with each government. The Republic of Moldova has come a long way in the last few years in improving its ability to fight trafficking. Laws have been created to combat trafficking and to protect victims.  Public awareness of the breadth and impact of the problem has been vastly increased. International organizations have become engaged.  But we are far from ending the scourge of human trafficking.  We are now at a phase where implementation is critical. The U.S. Government strongly believes that the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Moldova to fight trafficking in persons represents a key condition for winning the battle against this horrible form of human exploitation.

You will be on the front lines in the fight against trafficking in human beings. It will be up to you and your colleagues to ensure that the rule of law is applied without fear and favor. Doing your job honestly and to the best of your ability will be the surest sign of your commitment to this important effort. The US Government will do what it can to help you, but the fight – and the future – are yours!

In closing, allow me to extend our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Internal Affairs that kindly provided us the venue as well as assistance in organizing this training, which serves as an excellent example of cooperation between the US Government and Republic of Moldova.

We are proud to be your partners in this effort, and I wish you all the success.

Thank you.