A delegation from Romania visited The Ohio State University on March 28 as part of the Open World Leadership Program “Human Trafficking – Law Enforcement.” The young professionals from Bucharest work on various challenges of human trafficking, including understanding the legal system, law enforcement, healthcare and more.
The delegation met with Ohio State faculty and a student who specialize in women’s studies and human trafficking and conduct their research in the Slavic, East European and Eurasian region. Jennifer Suchland and Yana Hashamova detailed their research on Slavic and East European approaches to human trafficking. Nancy Pellegrino, a master's student researching human trafficking in Romania, provided additional analysis and insight.
The group also met with Jacquelyn Meshelemiah, who addressed the social work approach to trafficking and the systems in place that often allow for its proliferation.
While the International Visitors Council of Columbus handled the logistics of the delegation’s stay in Columbus, Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs scheduled the campus itinerary. The delegation traveled under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL).