Observe “Shine a Light on Slavery Day” Feb 23rd

Your World Affairs Council contributed to the dialogue in our community about the scourge of human trafficking and slavery when it presented, in association with Belmont University, a screening of the film, “Not My Life” and a panel of specialists.  The documentary depicted “the cruel and dehumanizing practices of human trafficking and modern slavery on a global scale.” The Council continues to work to raise awareness about this human tragedy.

[The “Not My Life” trailer is included below. The documentary is available for sale and download at http://notmylife.org/]

Thursday, February 23, 2017 has been designated “Shine a Light on Slavery” Day. To mark that day we are pleased to share with you information about observances offered by the office of  Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Senator has leveraged his position on Capitol Hill to raise his voice for those trapped in slavery around the world today. Thanks to him, the “End Modern Slavery Initiative” Act was passed and signed into law by President Obama in December 2016.

The Council applauds this work and thanks Senator Corker and his office for championing observance of this important date. More information is available at the “End It 2017” Web site. [https://enditmovement.com]

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More information at “Not My Life”

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HOW YOU CAN RAISE YOUR VOICE IN SUPPORT OF “SHINE A LIGHT ON SLAVERY” DAY:

Senator Corker is teaming up again with the END IT Movement for its annual “Shine a Light on Slavery” day, which will occur on Thursday, February 23. In the lead up to February 23, we are building an online coalition of supporters and key influencers to help raise awareness about this horrific practice and express support for Senator Corker’s End Modern Slavery Initiative (background information below). 

We will be using our social media accounts to raise awareness throughout the week of February 20-24 and would love for you to join us by posting on social media using the hashtags #EndSlaveryAct and #enditmovement. 

A number of influencers have participated in the END IT Movement’s red X initiative in the past, including:Carrie Underwood and Mike Fischer, Peyton Manning and Todd Helton, Russell Wilson, Matt Hasselbeck,Natalie Grant, Deron Williams, Kyle Korver, as well as a number of local, state and federal leaders and organizations.

Here is how you can help:

On Thursday, February 23, post a photo of your hand(s) marked with a red X on your social media accounts. This simple action opens the door to conversations and allows us to tell more people that slavery still exists and that we want to end it.

Don’t have your own social media accounts? Send your photo(s) to [email protected] with your name, title and organization, and we will make sure your voice is heard!

SAMPLE LANGUAGE:

• Join me and @SenBobCorker in the fight to end modern slavery and human trafficking. #EndSlaveryAct #enditmovement
• Proud to join @SenBobCorker in his efforts to eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. #EndSlaveryAct #enditmovement
• Last year, Congress passed @SenBobCorker’s #EndSlaveryAct but more work remains. We must continue to raise awareness. #enditmovement
• Today, in 2017, more than 27 million people are enslaved around the world. I want to end it. #EndSlaveryAct #enditmovement
• Slavery still exists in 165+ countries, including our own. Thankful for @SenBobCorker’s efforts on the #EndSlaveryAct. #enditmovement

BACKGROUND: Today, in 2017, more than 27 million people are enslaved around the world. That’s more than at any time in history. Two years ago, with input from leading stakeholders and industry experts, Senator Corker created a bold vision to end this horrific practice once and for all. The idea? With U.S. leadership, we could create a coordinated effort to fight the problem. Not unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS worldwide, the End Modern Slavery Initiative is designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to focus resources responsibly where the crime is most prevalent. In December, President Obama signed legislation (NDAA) that included authorizing language for the initiative. Senator Corker (1) continues to raise awareness about the problem; and (2) remains focused on launching the initiative by working with his colleagues in Congress and the new administration.

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The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a nonprofit (501c3), nonpartisan educational charity based in Nashville that works to build understanding of global issues in our communities. Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org  — Join / Donate / Volunteer