The Code is very excited to be attending one of the largest global Travel Fairs, ITB Berlin which runs from the 5th to the 9th March. During the show we will be hosting 2 discussions on responsible tourism.
The full details of these presentations follow below. If you are attending ITB this year, please come along!
Is there a place for child protection in tourism?
Wednesday 5th March: 16:30 – 17:30
Hall 4.1, Regensburg Room, ITB Berlin
What part does child protection have to play in the broad world of tourism? Is it the responsibility, possibly even the prerogative, of tourism companies to take a stand? The Code, along with its partners, will ultimately help you determine whether or not there is a place for child protection in tourism.
This panel explores these questions and the mechanisms available to all tourism businesses that wish to stand at the forefront of a CSR concern that is rapidly growing in importance.
Panelists represent both NGOs and tourism businesses, and are able to share their insights on child protection with the audience. Various tools and solutions will be offered and discussed, all designed to strengthen your business and help provide a competitive edge. In today’s society of hyper-connectivity and awareness, it is increasingly important to adopt sustainable and ethical practices.
The session is sponsored by ITB and hosted by The Code, an industry driven initiative providing tools for tourism companies worldwide to protect children from commercial sexual exploitation.
Thursday 6th March: 10:00 – 11:00 Hall 4.1, Small Stage, ITB Berlin
The Stakeholder Talk will focus on the different roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders of the Child Protection Code from the Private Sector (Travel Associations, Tour Operator and Business Travel), NGOs, government among others. The discussion will provide insights in best-practice examples and different approaches to implement child protection measures.
Besides a focus on business travel, the joint destination workshops to protect children in travel and tourism of the German Travel Association (DRV) and End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT) of Germany will be highlighted and the outcomes of the destination workshop in Vietnam (October 2013) will be presented.
After the discussion panel, a Signing Ceremony for new tourism businesses becoming member of the Child Protection Code will take place featuring several of The Code’s newest members.
On the panel:
- Matthias Leisinger, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Kuoni Group; Chairman of The Code
- Kirsten Cibis – Quality Manager, FCm Travel Solutions
- Dorothea Busche – Protection of Children, DRV (German Travel Association)
- Katarzyna Nowak – Corporate Communication & CSR Manager, Accor Poland
- Jennifer Seif – Executive Director, Fair Trade Tourism
- Moderation: Anita Dodds (Child Protection Advisor)
