From 20–24 May 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Dynamics of Countering Human Trafficking in South Asia and the Gulf Seminar held at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. The seminar was designed to help participants assess, analyze, and identify opportunities to effectively counter human trafficking in South Asia and the Gulf and improve regional coordination and cooperation to dismantle illicit networks in the area. The seminar focused on the creation, dissemination, and use of standard operating procedures (SOPS) for victim identification and referral to rehabilitation services. The five-day seminar engaged 19 participants from 14 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Türkiye.

Dr. Hassan Abbas (left), Ellie Bird (center), and Cynthia Day (right) during Session 2, “U.S. Global Engagement for Combating Human Trafficking – Role of U.S. Department of State.”

Dr. Hassan Abbas led the seminar as the Course Director and Dr. Wayne Clark served as the Faculty Facilitator. Leading international scholars and practitioners helped participants analyze the nature of the challenge and lead guided discussions after each session. There was a session focused on relevant problem-solving analytical tools such as artificial intelligence, among others. On the final day of the workshop, participants collaborated through a guided conversation on utilizing the knowledge gained and analytical skills learned to develop a strategy to counter human trafficking in their own countries.

Dr. Shanthie D’Souza (standing) and Ishta Rony (seated) during Session 7, “Tackling Human Trafficking in South Asia: Perspectives from Bangladesh and India.”

NESA Center speakers and moderators included Dr. Roger Kangas (Academic Dean, NESA Center), Dr. Hassan Abbas (Distinguished Professor, NESA Center), Dr. Wayne Clark (Professor, NESA Center), Dr. Gawdat Bahgat (Professor, NESA Center), and COL David Lamm, USA (Ret.)( Deputy Director, NESA Center). Guest speakers included Glenn Dickson (Program Manager, Training and Outreach Section, DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking), Maraya Lasinsky (Acting Section Chief for the Blue Campaign, DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking), Cynthia Day (Communications and Outreach Strategic Coordinator, Department of State), Ellie Bird (Senior Police Advisor and former senior police officer, UK), Amna Baig (Superintendent of Police, Pakistan; Currently at Oxford University, UK), Rose Muckenthaler (Retired Detective on Human Trafficking, NYC), Dr. Shanthie D’Souza, (Amherst University), Wahiduzzaman Noor (Bangladesh Embassy, Washington, D.C.), Ishta Rony (Deputy Secretary, Public Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh), Dr. Ali Naqvi (CEO American Institute of Artificial Intelligence), Professor Anila Duro (John Jay School of Criminology, New York), Dr. Davina Durgana (Professor American University), Saurabh Surendra, DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking.

From the left: Dr. Wayne Clark, Dr. Hassan Abbas, Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, and Dean Dr. Roger Kangas during Session 3, “Understanding the Relevance of Non-Traditional Security Threats.”

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