The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior today, "Tuesday", launched the Fifth Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) Conference website in the Internet www.vgtconference2012.ae.
The website of the VGT conference, to be held in Abu Dhabi to be held 11 – 13 December 2012 in Abu Dhabi, was launched by Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Committee Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior, and representative of the UAE in the VGT Board.
The Secretary-General said the website was launched today to coincide with “Safer Internet Day”, pointing out that this initiative highlights annually the efforts of a wide range of individuals and organizations who are working to make the Internet a safer place, and to provide opportunities for educators, parents and policy makers for the production of technical and technological materials. It also highlights the efforts of children themselves to demonstrate their achievements in this regard, and to identify risks and future challenges.
He pointed out that children, adolescents and young people are the largest group using the Internet and smart phones, and this event contributes to ensuring their protection by increasing their awareness and combating the various unacceptable, harmful and illegal materials and behavior.
Secretary-General added that the preparations to host the VGT Conference in the UAE at end of the year are in full swing, calling on the concerned authorities at the Interior Ministry to make all efforts and overcome obstacles to make the event a success.
He said that, according to the agenda of Virtual Global Taskforce, the conference is held every two years in one of the Member States, referring to the continued keenness of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who wants the UAE to become a center of civilization, and an example to be followed in the region in terms of enhancing child protection and security by applying all security procedures.
The conference will encapsulate the theme of International Collaboration: An enabler for Prevention. Its aim is to examine the cause of the crime type and identify the potential triggers. A strong focus will be placed on the motivating factors behind pedophile activity and the impacts on child sexual abuse victims and their offenders, said Neil Cogan, Chairman of VGT in a press release.
By maximizing global attendance, this conference will provide a unique opportunity to challenge ideas and explore new methods to prevent online child sexual exploitation. Through the VGT Conference, law enforcement, victim support, offender risk management specialists, academia, industry and other interested parties have the ability to influence change and create a safer online experience, Cogan added.
For his part, Lit Colonel Faisal Al Shammari, director of the Child Protection Center at the Ministry of Interior, declared that the Higher Committee for Child Protection, working upon the instructions of the Secretary-General, will prepare a comprehensive program this year that reflects its objectives in this respect, marking the global Safer Internet Day.
Awareness among children and parents should be enhanced so that they can deal effectively with the challenges associated with the protection of their privacy, reputation and health, he urged, pointing out that the young people in their dealings with the digital world may be exposed to various types of threats that require advice, guidance and proper solutions.
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