Closing Summary

A New Perspective
Through their presence at the conference, participants registered something important: the question of human trafficking had troubled them and they had sensed that they had to do something about it. The conference was one step on a journey. For many participants it gave them the opportunity for the first time to look at the human trafficking issue from the perspective of those who are trafficked.

Complexity of the Issues
The conference revealed many different aspects of the human trafficking issue:

* Economic conditions: privation in some communities and commodification of sex in others 
* The need for effective legislation
* The need for effective law-enforcement
* Education
* Awareness raising
* Campaigning
* Action for restoration and reintegration
* Counselling
* Practical care

The range of fronts on which the battle must be fought is extensive.

It is also a highly intensive issue. It goes deep, asking searching questions of our society, our culture, our faith, ourselves. If we go forward with this issue it will not be comfortable for any of us. Already it has disturbed us and asked awkward questions of us.

We are not powerless - action can be taken
Though we are daunted by the magnitude and complexity of the challenge, there are steps that we can take:

* At source we can act against the forces which make people vulnerable to human trafficking - e.g. by campaigning on poverty.
* We can campaign for effective legislation to be enacted to protect the vulnerable.
* We can support the work of law enforcement in respect of those benefiting from trade in people.
* We can find appropriate, sustainable and collaborative ways to contribute to the reintegration of those who have been tom from their home communities by human trafficking.
* We can rethink our understanding of God, of ourselves, of the human community.
* Despite the bleak situation, we can nurture hope - a characteristic of our calling as followers of Jesus.

Next Steps
Both the World Mission Council and The Guild are committed to reflect carefully on the Conference Report. We sense that we are at the beginning of something. There can be little question that the Conference has identified a situation which calls for a much more committed and consolidated response from the Church if we are to be true to Jesus Christ in our context today.

Kenneth Ross, 7 March 2006