Ending Global Slavery - News
WASHINGTON (April 10, 2008) – Humanity United and Changemakers are launching a global competition to identify innovative approaches to exposing, confronting, and ending modern-day slavery. The online competition will help raise awareness of the hidden problem of forced labor and provide a collaborative forum for those working to battle it. Today over 27 million children and adults are in slavery or bonded labor around the world—more than any other period in human history. One of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, modern-day slavery is largely hidden from the public eye and thrives on the rising global demand for inexpensive, unskilled labor and commercial sex. “While this problem is disturbing and growing at an alarming rate, it is also solvable,” says Randy Newcomb, president of Humanity United. “Inventive, passionate entrepreneurs are bringing new ideas to bear against this crime against humanity every day. We’re committed to discovering those individuals and helping to bring their solutions to scale.” Ending Global Slavery: Everyday Heroes Leading the Way aims to find holistic solutions to modern-day slavery by recognizing individuals and organizations that have raised awareness of the issue’s root causes, liberated those in bonded labor, and successfully reintegrated former slaves into communities. This one-of-a-kind competition celebrates and welcomes innovations on policy, research and grassroots levels. “Humanity United is committed to supporting the most sustainable, long-term solutions to the problem of modern-day slavery. By using Changemakers’ groundbreaking social solutions platform, they will be able to convene a network of innovators, stimulate dialogue and raise awareness of this obscured and complex issue,” notes Charlie Brown, executive director of Ashoka’s Changemakers. The competition will accept applications on the Ashoka’s Changemakers website at www.changemakers.net through June 18, 2008. During this time, applications will be available for review, comment and discussion on the website. Once the competition has closed, a panel of judges will select approximately 12 finalists and three winners. The winners will receive $5,000 in funding to pursue and expand their work. About Humanity United About Ashoka’s Changemakers CONTACT: Delyse Sylvester |
