Freedom From Slavery Forum Moves to Thailand in 2018

One of the most important annual gatherings of anti-slavery leaders is set to get bigger and better this year. The Freedom From Slavery Forum will double in size and move to the Global South for its fifth annual convening. The event is slated for December 3-5, 2018 in Bangkok. The forum, for which Free the […]
April 3, 2018

One of the most important annual gatherings of anti-slavery leaders is set to get bigger and better this year.

The Freedom From Slavery Forum will double in size and move to the Global South for its fifth annual convening. The event is slated for December 3-5, 2018 in Bangkok.

The forum, for which Free the Slaves serves as the secretariat, is an annual gathering designed to bring leaders from the anti-slavery field together to coalesce, create partnerships, discuss promising practices, and develop a shared agenda for action.

2017 Forum Participants at Stanford University

 

In 2017, more than 50 different organizations were represented at Stanford University in California (the forum’s report is here and executive summary is here). Participants discussed the state of the anti-trafficking field, as well as five thematic priorities:

  1. Prevalence Studies and Determinants of Slavery: focusing on the new global estimates of modern slavery, which were recently released by the International Labor Organization, the Walk Free Foundation and the International Organization for Migration.
  2. Applications of Technology: how organizations can use a design-thinking framework to solve complex problems both in the field and internally.
  3. Intervention – What Works: a session that looked at challenges faced by NGOs relating to enforcement of victim rights, the criminalization of victims, corruption, and worker protection.
  4. Survivor Leadership and Inclusion: with emphasis placed on the importance of elevating survivor voices and building survivor leadership programs within organizational structures.
  5. Network and Coalition Building: focusing on how NGOs might best interact with Alliance 8.7, the International Labor Organization’s newest initiative to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labor.  

The 2017 forum concluded with commitments to scale-up the event and include more representatives from the Global South, more survivor leaders, and additional voices from other disciplinary backgrounds.

The 2018 forum will serve to catalyze civil society involvement in the global campaign to achieve U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, the end of modern slavery by 2030.

Can you help end the conditions that cause modern slavery?

Related Posts

From Pain to Power: Survivors Network Kenya Launches Bold Strategic Plan to End Human Trafficking

From Pain to Power: Survivors Network Kenya Launches Bold Strategic Plan to End Human Trafficking

In a groundbreaking step for survivor leadership in Kenya, the Survivors Network Kenya (SNK) has launched its first Strategic Plan (2025–2027). Developed through a participatory, survivor-led process with support from Free the Slaves and the UK FCDO, the plan outlines a bold vision to end human trafficking and modern slavery—placing those with lived experience at the center of change.

read more
Field Visit Report: Exploring Institutional Collaboration on Human Trafficking and Forced Labor in Chile

Field Visit Report: Exploring Institutional Collaboration on Human Trafficking and Forced Labor in Chile

Free the Slaves met with national stakeholders in Chile to explore new avenues for collaboration in the fight against human trafficking and forced labor. Through targeted training, a national seminar, and strategic discussions with government officials, this visit laid the groundwork for future partnerships to strengthen institutional capacity and advance anti-slavery efforts across the country.

read more
The Modern Slavery Glossary: Standardizing the Language of Freedom

The Modern Slavery Glossary: Standardizing the Language of Freedom

Effective action against modern slavery requires more than just awareness—it demands precision. Misused or misunderstood terms can weaken policies, misdirect resources, and fail those most affected. The Modern Slavery Glossary, developed by Free the Slaves, is a vital resource designed to standardize the language used in advocacy, policy, and survivor engagement.

read more