United Nations Gets Involved in Blockchain System against Child Trafficking

It has often been said that the potential behind blockchain technology is limitless, as it can be used in most industries. Now, recent reports indicate that the World Identity Network has teamed up with the United Nations, in order to help fight against child trafficking. The initiative will be backed by blockchain technology, and was announced at the recent Humanitarian Blockchain Summit which took place in New York.

This project will work with the help of a system, meant to advance universal ID. Through the use of the blockchain network and distributed ledger technology, the system will keep children without an identity or birth certificate safe from the hands of those involved with trafficking. So-called invisible children lack a birth certificate, thus putting them at risk as there’s currently no method of tracking them. Through the use of blockchain technology, it will be easier to create a safe identification mechanism for these children, meant to better keep track of their whereabouts.

So far, it seems like the United Nations Office for Project Services, also known as UNOPS alongside with the United Nations Office of Information and Communication Technology (OICT) will be involved in the project.

The co-founder and CEO of WIN, Dr. Mariana Dahan stated that: "Several developing countries are actively looking at more efficient ways to prevent child trafficking. Identification is always at the heart of the solution."

Traffickers also tend to use fake identification documents, in order to transport young children across the border, either for trafficking, or for the purpose of illegal organ trade. As all children up to a certain age will be registered, this will make crossing the border by using fake documents significantly more difficult.

As child trafficking has often been referred to as one of the biggest forms of human right abuse, the blockchain-based system would serve as a powerful tool towards addressing this problem, and hereby saving millions of children throughout the world.

At this time, the project partners are seeking more funding from NGOs, and companies to help make this project a reality. In return, experts believe that if implemented well-enough, this system could potentially end trafficking at the borders. Advancements in the future will likely enhance it even further.