Proposing an Anti-Human Trafficking Educational Program in Kazakhstan

Abstract

This paper argues that Kazakhstan’s new anti-trafficking law will succeed only if it addresses the gap between pol-icy and practice in higher education. Why do I think so? Because otherwise the law risks becoming what Matland (1995) calls a policy that looks strong on paper but fails in action. And what does “action” mean? It means teach-ing vulnerable groups how to protect themselves from trafficking and slavery. In my view, this can be done through special educational programs that teach students how to recognize fake job offers, how to protect their documents, and how to seek help if they find themselves in a situation of exploitation.