Keynote speakers

Ms Eva Biaudet, OSCE's Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

Since the beginning of 2007 Ms Eva Biaudet has functioned as OSCE’s Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. In the past, she has been a Member of the Finnish Par-liament representing the Swedish People's Party. She has been a cabinet member twice as Minister of Health and Social Services. She has also been a deputy member of the Finnish Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly since 2004. In addition, Ms Eva Biaudet has participated for many years in the human rights work of non-governmental organizations, especially in the field of child protection, gender and refugees.

Ms Tuija Brax, Minister of Justice

Ms Tuija Brax is currently a cabinet member as Minister of Justice. Ms Brax is an experienced Green politician and she has been a member of the Parliament since 1995. In the past, Ms Brax has also been the Chairwoman of the Finnish Green League. During the years 2003 - 2007 Ms Brax acted as a Chair of the Finnish Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee. Issues related to human rights and environment have been central in her political career. Ms Brax has also been active in local politics and she has been a member of the Helsinki City Council since 1993.

Ms Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs

Ms Astrid Thors is currently the Minister of Migration and European Affairs. Since 2004 she has been a Member of the Finnish Parliament representing the Swedish People’s Party. Ms Thors was elected to the Helsinki City Council in October 2008 municipal. She has also served as a Member of the European Par-liament. Ms Thors acted as a Chairperson of the Refugee Advisory Council in 2007.

Ms Liv Jessen, Director of Pro Sentret

Ms Liv Jessen is the Director of the Pro Sentret in Oslo, which is a na-tional resource centre on matters related to prostitution, and a social service centre for men and women in prostitution. The centre is founded in 1983 and it is financed by the Municipality of Oslo and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Ms Jessen has edited the book called “Det ideelle offer – Andre tekster om prostitusjon”. In 2004 she won Amnesty International’s award for human rights for her efforts to strengthen the rights of prostitutes.

Ms Julia Lowndes, Senior Policy Officer, Safer Birmingham Partnership

Ms Julia Lowndes, was born and has lived and worked in Birmingham for most of her life. She is currently a Senior Policy Officer, Birmingham City Council (BCC), based in the Safer Birmingham Partnership (SBP). From year 1971 she worked on Public library department and 1983/84 set up the first mobile library service in Birmingham. In 1985 she moved to the then new Neighbourhood Office service. This service was aimed at devolving service provision to neighbourhoods. The offices were developed as public access points for all council services as well benefits advice. From year 1995 she became a senior policy officer in Safer Birmingham Partnership, Julia has lead responsibility for policy on domestic violence, hate crime, prostitution and FGM. In the 1990's she was founder member of the strategic Birmingham Inter Agency Domestic Violence forum, and in 2006 launched in conjunction with SBP Birmingham's DV strategy. In year 1999 she became Policy officer on the Birmingham Prostitution Action. And in 2008 she actes as a Chair of the Birmingham Against Female Genital Mutilation. A strategic partnership group, that looks at awareness raising, training and education. In 2009 she became a memeber of the Hate Crime Special Project and worked on the launch of the SBP Hate Crime Strategy and Implementation plan. And in 1999 she became a magistrate sitting on at Birmingham's Victoria Law Courts and is now Vice Chair and is now Vice Chair of the Probation Sentencers' Liaison Committee, a group that looks at sentencing and the training needs of magistrates with the Probation Service. She also is a mentor for newly appointed magistrates.