Chocolate, coffee, minerals, clothing and technology, believe it or not, are just a few of the goods in today’s global economy that are produced through supply chains utilized by slave labor. The community is invited to learn more about the harsh realities of slavery at Slavery No More: Breaking the Supply Chains of Human Slavery, a conference hosted this month by Manhattan College.
Scheduled to take place from 8:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, the event invites the College community and the general public to the Raymond W. Kelly ’63 Student Commons, where they will hear from experts in the field of human trafficking, as well as several people who have escaped the clutches of slavery. In addition, Manhattan College faculty and students will discuss the United States’ participation in an economy that utilizes approximately 20 million slaves imprisoned by sex slavery, forced labor and debt bondage.
“Whether we want to or not, we’re engaging in our daily lives with global supply chains that involve many people working against their will,” says Kevin Ahern, Ph.D., director of the labor studies program and assistant professor of religious studies. “Given the commitment Manhattan College has to fair trade and social justice, this conference is going to be something special for us to offer.”
In addition to Manhattan College’s Labor Studies program, the conference is co-sponsored by several organizations, including LifeWay Network Inc. and the New York Coalition of Religious Congregations Stop Trafficking of Persons (NY-CRC-STOP). This is Manhattan’s first time hosting the annual event, which has been held in the past at Fordham and St. John’s universities.
For more information, please contact Kevin Ahern at (718) 862-3865 or at kevin.ahern@manhattan.edu.