UNIS/MA/357
17 June 2025
VIENNA, 17 June (UN Information Service) – Journalists are invited to cover “Voices of Resilience”, the first-ever Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), taking place on 24–25 June in Vienna, Austria.
Funded by the European Union, the forum will bring together more than 30 survivor leaders including Malaika Oringo, Sophie Otiende, Laurent Ziegler and Frey A Worku, as well as service providers and civil society organizations, to advocate for a survivor-centred approach in the global fight against human trafficking.
By elevating the voices of those with lived experience, this landmark event represents a critical step toward shaping more inclusive, responsive and effective strategies to stop this crime.
At the opening of the event, acclaimed Viennese tenor Angelo Pollak will debut “Resilience,” an original composition by American composer Lauren Bernofsky, created exclusively for the event.
Pollak, celebrated for his appearances at the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival, has performed with renowned orchestras and under the baton of leading conductors around the world. He is also the first classical musician from Austria to be included in the Forbes “30 Under 30” list.
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Media can follow the opening of the forum in person, in Board Room D, or online on 24 June at 09:30 (CEST) on United Nations Web TV.
Journalists are also invited to interview selected survivors during the event. Interviews can be conducted in English, German, Spanish, French and Dutch.
Media accreditation
Media representatives who wish to cover the forum, and who are not accredited to the Vienna International Centre should write to UNIS Vienna at press.vienna@un.org.
Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #VoicesOfResilience and follow @UNODC_HTMSS, @UNODC and @UN_Vienna on X for updates.
Further information can be found here.
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For interview requests please contact:
Alejandra Silva
Public Information Officer
UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section
Mobile: (+43-699) 1458-3101
Email: alejandra.silvagarduno[at]un.org
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