CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GUILD AND WORLD MISSION COUNCIL

HUMAN TRAFFICKING : TODAY’S SLAVERY AND OUR RESPONSE
A conference held in Glasgow on 7 March 2006 

The Conference arose out of the shared concerns of the World Mission Council and the Guild.  Human trafficking had emerged as one of the key issues for the Council’s partner churches at their consultation meeting in May 2005 and the Guild had, through its membership of the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women, long campaigned for action on this international crime.  The joint Home Office and Scottish Executive consultation document,  Tackling Human Trafficking – Consultation on Proposals for a UK Action Plan, published in January 2006, gave a focus for the conference as a way of informing the wider church on this issue.  

Some 120 people, from the major denominations in Scotland, and some from England attended the conference. The keynote address was given by Elena Timofticiuc who has worked , through the ecumenical agency of Romaid, to help trafficked people in Romania.    Her presentation, which is available on request, gave conference participants an insight into the nature of trafficking, the contributory factors, the suppliers, the ‘commodity’, and the customers who generate the demand.  Efforts being made to combat the trade, through government legislation and international co-operation, and to help victims to recover were also highlighted.

Lesley Orr placed the issue of enslavement and exploitation in its theological context in a challenging address which asked where God could be found operating in the attitudes which have allowed this evil to be perpetuated.

Workshops were offered on a range of aspects, with the support and help of Church , local government and police resource people :


* Trafficking in Asia
* Trafficking in the Middle East
* The situation in Scotland
* Modern day slavery
* Politics and legislation
* The policing perspective
* Recovery
* Churches’ action


Each workshop was asked to provide one major theme from its discussions and these were :

> Trafficking is a male issue
> The rich exploit the poor
> The victim is a casualty not a criminal
> Awareness raising is vital
> Make trafficking visible
> Effective legislation is needed
> A place of safety necessary
> Churches together to counter exploitation

Following the feedback session there was a closing summary and reflection 

(Further details available on www.cos-guild.org.uk
or contact  Alison Twaddle , or Kenneth Ross,  121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN) 
                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                             AT/05/06