The Global Forum on Human Trafficking Shatters Expectations & Advances the Movement

The first annual Global Forum on Human Trafficking (GFHT) occurred on October 8-9, 2009 in Carlsbad, California. Seeing the need for a major event that would catalyze and engage a greater abolitionist movement, the Not For Sale Campaign created the GFHT to connect intellectual, political, social, religious, and business leaders.  Largely seen as a resounding success by presenters, speakers, organizations, and the host the GFHT allowed for an open and fluid dialogue structure allowing participants to interact with one another and strategies to address human trafficking.

Thank you to everyone who came, engaged, and contributed to make the first Global Forum on Human Trafficking, Oct. 8 & 9 in Carlsbad, CA a resounding success! The gathering exceeded all expectations, as speakers and attendees from across the globe gathered to advance the movement to end modern-day slavery.

The Forum was truly global, bringing together leaders from Uganda, Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Canada, Ghana, Peru, Cambodia… all committed to the fight against human trafficking, both at home and abroad. Thirty leading experts convened in nine panel discussions, all seeking solutions-based approaches to address the issue in their specific fields.

Keynotes were presented by Lou de Baca, Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Bama Athreya, Executive Director, International Labor Rights Forum, and David Arkless, President of Global

Corporate & Gov’t Affairs, Manpower, Inc. At the end of his presentation, Arkless made the “Carlsbad Declaration,” another tremendous stride forward in corporate engagement to combat modern-day slavery! Also making appearances via video message were Canadian Member of Parliament, Joy Smith, CEO World Vision Australia, Tim Costello, and U.S. Representatives Chris Smith and Jackie Speier.

Thousands tuned in LIVE to the event via USTREAM. Click HERE to watch the fascinating breakout discussion on slave labor in supply chains, “A Conversation with David Batstone & David Arkless,” if you missed it!

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THE ABOLITION CONCERT

The phenomenal keynotes and panel discussions were welcomed in by an exclusive acoustic performance by world-renowned artists at the Abolition Concert: Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Brant Christopher, and Bradley Corrigan of Dispatch. International photographer U Roberto Romano provided stunning visuals from around the globe, illustrating the issues that the forum sought to address.

The Abolition Concert honored lifetime Abolitionist Lucy Borja for her heroic work rescuing children in Lima, Peru, and raised funds for a music program to rehabilitate survivors of human trafficking at her project.

THANK YOU!

The Global Forum on Human Trafficking was enabled by the incredible support of its sponsors: Humanity United, the Glue Network, Global Exchange, Giving Children Hope, christianaudio, and the University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.

Finally, an enormous thank you to our phenomenal hosts at North Coast Calvary Chapel who aided in every logistic to make the Global Forum possible, and consistently amazed us with their support and commitment to this cause.

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Stay tuned for recordings of Global Forum sessions… soon to come! And be sure to check out the first posted session, “A Conversation with David Batstone & David Arkless,” posted to USTREAM.

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