Combating Human Trafficking in Aviation Summit with the BLI

An in-person summit to raise awareness of human trafficking in aviation.

The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), an element of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Blue Campaign, led by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and DHS Component Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month by hosting an in-person summit to raise awareness of human trafficking in the aviation sector. The summit will feature subject matter expert presentations, partner representative panels, and a lived experience expert's perspective on best practices to combat the crime.

This summit is intended for BLI partners and aviation industry professionals responsible for providing training and awareness.

Registration for this event is required and ends at 5pm EST on Thursday, January 12, 2023. After registering, you will receive additional information about the in-person summit.

Location

The event will be hosted at DHS Headquarters in Hitchcock Hall in Washington, D.C. You will receive additional details on navigating to and accessing Hitchcock Hall, as well as recommendations for hotel accommodations, as the event approaches.

Agenda

Local Hotel Options:

About Blue Lightning Initiative

The Blue Lightning Initiative is an element of the DHS Blue Campaign, led by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and DHS Component Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The BLI trains aviation personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. To date, more than 200,000 personnel in the aviation industry have been trained through the BLI, and actionable tips continue to be reported to law enforcement.

Learn more at https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/blue-lightning-initiative.

About Blue Campaign

Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to develop general awareness trainings, as well as specific educational resources to help reduce victimization within vulnerable populations.

Located within the Office of Partnership and Engagement and aligned with the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Blue Campaign leverages partnerships with the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), law enforcement, and state/local authorities to maximize national public engagement on anti-human trafficking efforts. Blue Campaign’s educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons.

Learn more at https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign.

About the USDOT Counter-Trafficking Initiative

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) combats human trafficking by working with public and private sector stakeholders to empower transportation employees and the traveling public to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking.

USDOT’s Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative is comprised of transportation and travel industry stakeholders working jointly to maximize their collective impact in combating human trafficking. Through TLAHT, the Department offers a variety of resources, including a transportation leaders’ pledge, counter-trafficking strategies, training resources, and public awareness materials.

Visit transportation.gov/tlaht for details.