A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY THE JOINT DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “ It’s one thing to know about a terrible problem and not be able to fix it; It is another to know about the problem and have the means to do something about it.” – Mr. Andrew Forrest AO > Cover image: “please don’t photograph my face, my in laws cannot see me like this” Photo Credit: Grace Forrest Copyright © 2018. The Minderoo Foundation Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. Over 40 million people around the world are trapped in modern slavery, more than at any time in our history and in spite of the fact that slavery is illegal in almost every country. Those enslaved have had their rights and freedom stolen from them in horrendous circumstances. They are often subjected to abuse, both physical and mental, and are treated as commodities to be bought, sold and traded. Slaves can be found in factories, fields and brothels, on fishing boats, within private residences and a multitude of other places where greed and corruption have overridden human values. People trapped in slavery live brutal existences in cities and villages, slums and rural areas. From Thai fisherman trawling fish, to the Congolese boy mining diamonds, from the Uzbek child picking cotton to the Indian girl stitching footballs - modern slavery is big business. Acknowledging the problem, and advocating against it is our responsibility. Change is long overdue, and that change has begun. ABOUT THE GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK The Global Freedom Network is committed The Global Freedom Network is continuing to the eradication of modern slavery to build upon the momentum achieved through engagement with faith leaders from the Joint Declaration of Religious > around the world and working with them Leaders Against Modern Slavery in events The Joint Declaration of Religious to take spiritual and practical actions to in Vatican City, Delhi, Canberra, Jakarta, Leaders Against Modern Slavery eradicate modern slavery. We empower Buenos Aires, Medellin and Auckland translated by hand into Spanish them to mobilise their efforts and work in between 2014 and 2018. We believe that collaboration with the private, public and the actions and testimony of the faith civil sectors to fight modern slavery. We leaders will inspire other leaders and their also work with the Governments of the communities around the world to also unite Calligraphed by hand > ten leading economies of the world to in this vision of ending modern slavery, support them to enact laws, and ensure for all times. Engagement is ongoing with budget and capability for enforcement, to other world faiths that share the aspiration hold organisations accountable for modern for a world without modern slavery. slavery in their supply chains. DERN SLAVE MO RY Tracking for labour Into the light and sexual exploitation “ Sometimes I wish I could be a boy. Then I could just work, working is ok. When we get to a certain age, or look a certain way, other things are expected of us. Being a boy seems so much more simple.” Photo Credit: Grace Forrest Human Forced labour tra cking (cross border and within a country) ABOUT MODERN SLAVERY Modern slavery is a hidden crime that Governments have a central role to play by Slavery and affects every country in the world. In the enacting legislation, providing safety nets Forced labour Tracking for slavery as a result of slavery like practices and slavery like period between this Index and the last to their populations, and pursuing criminals forced marriage (including forced practices (published in 2016), modern slavery was who participate in this heinous crime. marriage) found in many industries including garment As no single actor can address all these manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, challenges, governments need the support and in many contexts, from private homes and engagement of the private sector, civil to settlements for internally displaced society, and the community at large. people and refugees. Instances have been This information is sourced from The identified in Thai fishing, coal mining in Global Slavery Index which is a tool for North Korea, in the homes of diplomats in citizens, non-government organisations Australia, car-wash stations in the United (NGOs), businesses, and governments Kingdom, cocoa agriculture in Côte to understand the size of the problem, TERMINOLOGY d’Ivoire, and cattle ranching in Brazil, existing responses, and contributing just to name a few examples. Countries use differing terminologies to Essentially, it refers to situations of factors so that they can advocate for describe modern forms of slavery. This exploitation that a person cannot Modern slavery impacts on all of us, and build sound polices that will includes how they describe slavery itself, refuse or leave because of threats, from the food we consume to the eradicate modern slavery. but also other concepts such as human violence, coercion, deception, abuse goods we purchase. It is everyone’s 1 Visit www.globalslaveryindex.org for more trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, of power, or deception. responsibility to address and eliminate forced or servile marriage, and the sale information and downloadable resources. For full terminology please download this crime everywhere it occurs. and exploitation of children. resource 7 from the below link: Nearly every country in the world In the 2018 Global Slavery Index https://www.globalslaveryindex.org/ has committed to eradicate modern publication, modern slavery is used as an resources/downloads/. slavery through their national legislation umbrella term that focuses attention on and policies. the commonalities across these concepts. THE VATICAN CITY 2 December 2014 “ We call to action all people of faith, leaders, governments, businesses, all men and women of good will, to give their strong support and join in the action against modern slavery in all its forms. Sustained by the ideals of our confessions of faith and by our shared human values, we all can and must raise the standard of spiritual values, common effort and the vision of freedom to eradicate slavery from our planet”. – Pope Francis On Tuesday 2 December 2014, the was possibly the first time ever that world’s leading faith leaders gathered these faith leaders had met as a group, together with representatives from public unified in a common cause, signing their and private organisations, and other names on the same document. It was influential individuals, at the Casina Pio the first time since the establishment of IV in Vatican City. Global leaders from the Catholic Church that the Pope had the Christian, Catholic, Anglican and met with a Grand Ayatollah in person. Orthodox religions, as well as Buddhist, In addition, it was the first time post the Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths signed Reformation that the Catholic Church the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders and Anglican Communion had reached Against Modern Slavery. an agreement on a global initiative. Furthermore, it was a rare joint initiative Initiated and coordinated by the Global between Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders. Freedom Network, the event was historic They were joined by leaders from many not only for its definitive commitment countries of the world, representing the to work across religions to eradicate business, political and civil sectors. modern slavery, but also because it < The Joint Declaration Of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery > His Holiness Pope Francis and Mr. Andrew Forrest Signatories at the faith leaders event, 2 December 2014 in Vatican City Since 2015, the Australian Freedom Network has participated in these initiatives: • Raising awareness about slavery in • Inspiring people to engage with the Australia amongst faith communities issue of modern slavery as an extension and continuing to provide ongoing of their faith in Australia. support, strategic alliances and • Encouraging faith communities to take identifying opportunities for joined up meaningful actions to end slavery in practical and spiritual action. Australia. • Unifying faith-based organisations • Supporting and amplifying existing to collaborate on ending slavery in anti-slavery work in Australia. Australia. The official party at the Australian faith leaders > > Mr. Andrew Forrest with the Hon. CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA Julie Bishop , Minister for Foreign 2 December 2015 Affairs and Trade, Australia “ This is the beginning of a remarkable journey. Together we can combat human trafficking and slavery.” – The Hon. Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs Australia In early 2015, Salvation Army On Wednesday, 2 December 2015, the Commissioners James Condon and second signing of the Joint Declaration of Floyd Tidd had a vision, inspired by the Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery Global Freedom Network’s 2 December took place at Parliament House, Canberra, 2014 event hosted in Vatican City. They precisely one year after the inaugural appreciated the unique point of difference signing in Vatican City. On this occasion, that the Global Freedom Network was it was Australian faith leaders who were founded upon, whereby religious faith pledging to do all that they could to take can be a powerful motivating force to spiritual practical action to end slavery. This inspire individual and community action, initiative was led by the Salvation Army with both spiritually and practically, in the fight the support and endorsement of the Global against modern slavery. Based on this, the Freedom Network. Christian Evangelical, Commissioners sought to create a similar Baptist, Salvation Army, Presbyterian, initiative for the faith leaders of Australia. Coptic Orthodox, Anglican, Catholic, Muslim Sunni and Shai, Lutheran, Jewish, Hindu, Quakers, Uniting Church and Buddhist leaders took part in the event. > Faith leaders at the INDIAN FREEDOM NETWORK LAUNCH ceremony in India 3 December 2015 “ While service is the best form of worship, slavery is the worst insult you can ever give to God. So, anyone who believes in the existence of a higher power should wake up and say no to slavery, no to enslaving human beings.