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Kevin Bales – Breaking the Wall of Slavery @ Falling Walls Conference 2016

How Social Science Combats Unfree Labour in the Global Economy
We tend to think of the cruelties of slavery as a thing of the past, something that humanity has largely overcome. This assumption is false. Globally, there are some 46 million people in slavery, according to Kevin Bales, Co-Founder of the NGO Free the Slaves and Professor of Contemporary Slavery at University of Nottingham. Whether it is child workers in African mines, deforestation crews in the Amazon or people trapped in commercial sexual exploitation in Europe, unfree labour is very much a part of our daily lives. Like all other aspects of the economy, slavery has also become a globalised phenomenon – affecting production and supply chains all over the world and generating a 150-billion-dollar trafficking industry. Kevin has studied these new forms of contemporary slavery for two decades. His work, for example as lead author of the Global Slavery Index, has been highly successful in raising awareness and as a researcher and activist, he approaches this complex problem both on an individual as well as a systemic level. For Kevin, slavery itself is not an isolated problem but it is also closely connected to environmental devastation. In his most recent work, he showed that industries which rely heavily on slave labour are also some of the biggest contributors to climate change. At Falling Walls, Kevin provides insights into the vast scope and consequences of contemporary slavery and suggests future paths for tackling one of the most shameful features of the modern world.

Slavery still exists. Here’s how to end it. Richard Lee. TEDxCapeMay

For Americans, slavery is the stuff of history books, sailing ships and shackles. Richard Lee’s work with International Justice Mission shines a light on the complex socioeconomics of modern day slavery around the world, and offers hope for combatting it. Richard Lee serves as a Director of Church Mobilization for International Justice Mission. This role affords him the opportunity to equip churches and communities by sharing the biblical call to seek justice, introducing them to IJM’s work, and mobilizing them to engage in both local and global ministry.

Previously, Richard served as Campus Pastor at Liquid Church at their fastest-growing campus in Mountainside, New Jersey. Prior to that, he served as Lead Pastor at Bethany Well Church. He also started and led 2 networks for pastors, providing accountability and encouragement for local pastors. In addition, Richard has served as a Missions Field Director and Team Leader for missions trips around the globe, including trips to Mexico, China, and Ukraine. He is available to speak at church engagements, anti-human trafficking groups, and a variety of conferences.

Living Heroically – From slavery to success: Sarah Symons at TEDxSarasota (13:22)

Sarah has had many surprises in her years of working with those she and her team have helped free from slavery and trafficking but nothing prepared her for the messages she shares in this talk.. Looking back on the last decade she noticed that it had not turned out as she envisioned. In many ways, its been the opposite.

Sarah Symons is the Founder and Executive Director of Made By Survivors. Over the past ten+ years, they have helped over a thousand women get out of slavery and poverty, and to build safe, independent lives. Prior to this work, Sarah worked as a composer of TV music, and as a recording artist.

Kevin Bales: How to Combat Modern Slavery (20:33)

In this moving yet pragmatic talk, Kevin Bales explains the business of modern slavery, a multibillion-dollar economy that underpins some of the worst industries on earth. He shares stats and personal stories from his on-the-ground research – and names the price of freeing every slave on earth right now.

SPEAKER’S WEBSITE

Human Trafficking: Rachel Lloyd at TEDxUChicago 2012 (19:23)

Rachael Lloyd is an anti human-trafficking advocate. She is the founder and Executive Director of the New York-based Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS). Since immigrating to the United States, Rachel has worked with incarcerated women, as well as combatting commercial sexual exploitation of children and young women within the United States. GEMS is the only organization in New York State of its kind.

SPEAKER’S WEBSITE