Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking
Multiple Perspectives to Addressing this Complex Issue
Sponsored by National
Council of Churches – Justice for Women Working Group & United Methodist
Women’s Division United Methodist Seminar Program on National and
International Affairs
Conference Report
The Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking began at 12:30 pm on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 United nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017 and finished at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. There were 72 participants representing 15 different denominations or faith communities, 3 interfaith organizations and 7 secular organizations. Young Adult participants (under the age of 30) comprised 10% of the participants. The conference consisted of worship, panel presentations, site visits and an Open Space strategy session. The full agenda can be found at the end of this report.
On Wednesday morning (Oct. 1st), conference participants were invited to identify issues and/or areas of interest for which they would like further discussion and an opportunity to begin developing strategies. Through the process of Open Space Technology – people volunteered to lead discussion topics and then spent 2 ½ hours in various group discussions. Each topic leaders was responsible for writing up an Open Space Report. Ten reports were generated on the following topics: (listed alphabetically by convener’s title)
- How can we address the broader issue of modern-day slavery?
- How LGBTQ church members/organizations/allies be involved?
- International Partnerships
- Inspiring individuals to care about human trafficking (and other egregious abuse) that occur overseas.
- Language and Imagery
- Men – Ending Demand
- Rescue/Restore Materials
- Resources and Theology
- Root Causes of Trafficking: How Do We Help Congregations Go Deeper to Engage These?
- Shelter
On the conference evaluation forms many participants indicated the time given for this process was too short and that they were just beginning the conversations. The reports generated will assist the NCC – Justice for Women Working Group and United Methodist Women’s Division United Methodist Seminary Program on National and International Affairs to determine possible next steps to take individually and together. We hope the ideas generated in these reports and throughout the conference will also be picked up by others and new partnerships may be formed. Each report identifies the discussion group leaders and other participants. Feel free to reach out directly to each other as you continue to address this complex topic. If you wish to continue discussion and strategy planning with the NCC contact Rev. Ann Tiemeyer at atiemeyer@ncccusa.org and with United Methodist Women’s Division contact Dr. Glory Dharmaraj at gdharmar@gbgm-unc.org
NOTE: the Shelter report does not have a list of participants due to a technical problem with the computer on site. The group convener was asked to re-write the report a few days later and no longer had the list of names. If you would like your name added to this report or if your name was left off another report by mistake, please send an email to atiemeyer@ncccusa.org.
Several other topics of interest were identified throughout the conference, but because of time constrains they did not generate an Open Space report. A list of these additional topics follows the Open Space Reports.
On the conference evaluations, participants were asked to identify what they would do when they returned home. The responses to this question identified several other positive follow up steps. We have also attached a list of these plans. We encourage you read these responses and reach out to each other in support of this ongoing work.
During the three conference panel discussions a member of the NCC – Justice for Women’s Working Group took notes. These notes are attached for your records.
You can also find news releases that document the conference at the following websites: http://www.ncccusa.org/news/081001traffickingconference.html
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=6059617
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=1723955&ct=6059571
Please also continue to check the NCC Women’s Ministry webpage for future information at http://www.ncccusa.org/womensministry.
Finally, attached you will find a list of conference participants and contact information.
We hope these items will assist you in your work and continue to help us together build a network for the ecumenical community to join together with each other and beyond to speak out and act to end the sin of human trafficking.