In April, LifeWay Network co-sponsored two important conferences to raise awareness about human trafficking, and educate the public about the often hidden crime of modern-day slavery.
“Slavery No More – Breaking the Supply Chains of Human Slavery”
LifeWay Network was a co-sponsor of this annual education day of CRC-STOP (Coalition of Religious Congregations to Stop Trafficking of Persons). Held at Manhattan College on April 18, 2015, it included the active participation of both faculty and students.
Panel discussions included, The Push and Pull Factors of Modern Slavery, The Global Supply Chain, Slavery in Light of Christian Faith and Pope Francis’s World Day of Peace Message, Advocacy Action to End Slavery, and most importantly, The Voice of a Survivor.
At this conference, LifeWay House also had the opportunity to sell its Birds of Freedom – origami birds with messages of gratitude created by survivors of trafficking.
For survivors, the Birds of Freedom are a work of the heart to help themselves and others. The birds represent freedom, which is important for many who have experienced a loss of freedom through human trafficking.
“Migration, Trafficking, & Freedom”
As part of this conference held at the College of Mount Saint Vincent on April 24, 2015, LifeWay Network’s Executive Director, Joan Dawber, and Education & Training Coordinator, Lima James, provided a workshop that discussed LifeWay’s important work in the anti-trafficking movement, and raised awareness about labor trafficking. The audience of students, college faculty and community members learned how prevalent the issue is both internationally and within the United States.
When asked, “What is one thing that you learned today and/or that changed your perspective of what you thought human trafficking was?” one student said:
“I didn’t know it was something happening to people here in the United States. I thought it was mostly in other countries and happening to people from other countries.”