Facing up to slavery ‘‘You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.’’ William Wilberforce 1787 A RACSRAG presentation by Stephen Sypula

One man’s vision “There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from want and fear...” Kofi Annan, Secretary General,

Slavery v child labour A slave is someone who is:  Controlled by violence or the threat of violence  Forced to work for little or no pay  Likely to have been abducted and have no retained formal identity  Unable, or fearful of leaving

There are some 35.8 million slaves – Source: Walk Free Foundation That’s 3x those taken from Africa in 350 years of the Slave Trade Modern slaves are cheaper, have fewer rights, and are more disposable than ever Slavery generates some $150bn in illegal profits – 2 nd only to drug smuggling – Source: Walk Free Foundation Slavery is illegal everywhere - yet

It’s a growing problem in the UK Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index suggest the UK has 8,300 cases -124 th / 167 countries Let’s put the UK in context... Spain (6,100), Jamaica (4,200), Australia (3,000), Portugal (1,400), and Ireland with 300 The governments that are taking the most action to end modern slavery are: Netherlands Sweden United States Australia Switzerland Ireland Norway United Kingdom Georgia Austria

Recent BBC case studies Jane was just 13 when she was groomed and then abused, before being trafficked across the UK by groups of men for sex. Bilkisu was sent from Nigeria to the UK under false pretences. From the age of 15 she was kept as a domestic slave - working long hours for no pay for almost 10 years.

Sectors where slavery is evident Hotels and catering, domestic service, sex industry Industry, construction, agriculture & fishing Factories and garment manufacture

About RACSRAG’s - objectives Create awareness: That millions of children are held captive for illegal gain Take action: Support and work in partnership with Rotary Clubs Promote anti-slavery bodies & activities worldwide with programmes, campaigns & projects to help rehabilitate and protect children from slavery and its consequences

RACSRAG’s global development HQ and principal officers in UK Formed in 2009, RI endorsed 2013 Membership in over 65 countries Has a network of Coordinators in Africa, USA, India, Australia & New Zealand

RACSRAG – influencing RACS Italy Coordinator Laura being greeted by Pope Francis at the Vatican Workshop on Human Trafficking in Nov 2013 RACS’s US Coordinator Dave McCleary organises Summit on Human Trafficking in 2015 with former US President Jimmy Carter

RACSRAG - informing RI President Gary Huang’s representative attends the UK Government’s global Conference on Modern Slavery in London on 5th and 6th December 2014 together with RACSRAG’s Chair Mark Little

RACSRAG - Supporting & developing projects 4x4 purchased victims recovery vehicle for Bal Vikas boys Ashram... and the boys below Installation of security lighting Punarnawa Girls Ashram Construction of a bio gas oven at Punarnawa Ashram & Gazebo purchased as class/ meeting room

RACSRAG - Supporting and developing projects Rescue Mission for Children Centre, Mae Suai, Thailand Mukti Ashram, India – studying hard Mukti Ashram, IndiaWomens refuge, Nepal

RACSRAG – Funding vocational courses

RACSRAG – Supporting information & technology Polaris – National Helpline in the USA Developing smart phone App to help identify victims Asha Nepal – PC’s and Usborne Dictionaries

Promoting new projects SCHOOLS4FREEDOM Teaching children to read, provide them with food, and freeing an enslaved village… all in one project …... all for $80 (£50) per head Each year for 3 years Funds raised: $10,000 Needed: $20,000 (April 2015)

Working together Matt Friedman, past Regional Project Manager of the United Nations Inter- Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP) in Thailand, CEO Meking Business Club (Hong Kong) “Coming together is the beginning, Keeping together is progress, Working together is success.”

Kesher Nanker’s story

Rehabilitation is not easy... Huro (aged 11) rescued from a carpet factory after five years a slave, courtesy Channel 4 TV (UK)

... but it’s doable RACSRAG’s Mark Little with Huro & cousin Shivji revisiting Mukti Ashram, Delhi, 3 years after their rehabilitation

Next BIG Rotary challenge We’re ending polio  RACS is a developing Rotarian organisation  It’s informing opinion...  Supporting & promoting projects, and  Developing partnerships and alliances

What we do... Source: Mekong Club