The Events Industry Council (EIC) has joined The Code*, a multi-stakeholder initiative to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

The Code provides awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry to protect children against sexual exploitation. It is a voluntary set of six criteria that members commit to, to keep children safe. the Code is supported by ECPAT, a worldwide network of organizations working to end the sexual exploitation of children around the world.

“EIC supports all efforts against human trafficking, and we are very proud to have joined The Code to support its global mission,” said Amy Calvert, chief executive officer of Events Industry Council. “According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), over 40 million people are living in slavery worldwide. By working with The Code and ECPAT we can play our part in finally ending global human trafficking and exploitation. Given the scope and scale of our industry, we have the ability to be a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change and progress.”

The Code will support EIC, a global federation supporting the business events industry, by collaborating and engaging with stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children; establish policies and procedures; train employees; include a clause in contracts; and provide information to travellers on how to prevent and report suspected cases.

“ECPAT International welcomes the newest member of The Code, Events Industry Council,” said Thomas Mueller, deputy executive director at ECPAT International. “They join over 350 member companies worldwide in a shared, proactive commitment from the travel and tourism industry to protecting children from sexual exploitation. It is vital that the private sector works together with the ECPAT network, law enforcement, and local communities on this difficult but important issue.”

“Partnerships with the private sector are crucial to achieving the goal of the ECPAT network and ECPAT-USA to eliminate the sexual exploitation of children, and ECPAT-USA is pleased to welcome the Events Industry Council as a new member of The Code,” said Yvonne Chen, ECPAT-USA’s director of Private Sector Engagement. “We look forward to working with them to raise awareness of these issues and protect children around the world.”

*The Code is short for The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism