GAATW Canada members attended GAATW’s International Members Congress and Conference in Bangkok from October 15-18 to celebrate the Alliance’s 30th anniversary.
The event offered GAATW and its international members opportunities to reflect on their work, review strategies, renew their commitment, and plan future initiatives.
The conference featured sessions led by survivor leaders, emphasizing the critical need to amplify the voices of those with lived experiences in shaping policies, leading civil society, and advocating for their rights.
For GAATW Canada, participating in this global conference was invigorating to engage in insightful, evidence-based discussions and learn from colleagues from 40 countries who bring informed perspectives to issues of labour rights, sex work, migration, informal economies, and trafficking, among other related issues.
An interactive timeline traced milestones and achievements of the Alliance and its members since 1994.
Co-chairs Dr. Annalee Lepp and Leigh Elliott and National Director Alison Clancey.
On the first day, GAATW Canada’s co-chairs Dr. Annalee Lepp and Leigh Elliott facilitated panels on protecting the rights of trafficked persons, migrants, and workers in the informal economy. The discussions centered on effective strategies, areas where efforts have fallen short, the interconnections among these groups, the impacts of legislation and policy, and key recommendations for improvement.
Co-chair Dr. Annalee Lepp facilitating a panel discussion.
Co-chair Leigh Elliott providing feedback on a session.
On day two, GAATW celebrated the publication of the latest issue of of l'Anti-Trafficking Review, Following the Money II.
GAATW Canada’s National Director, Alison Clancey, joined the panel to discuss anti-trafficking funding in Canada. The panellists agreed that, despite a global increase in anti-trafficking funding over the past 30 years, these resources have unfortunately not always effectively supported anti-trafficking efforts.
To conclude the conference, GAATW released a joint statement with its members on the occasion of EU Anti-Trafficking Day, standing in solidarity with its European members.
Photo credit: GAATW