The “Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium: Transforming the Coalition” co-sponsored by Georgetown University and Delotte on January 30, 2013 included keynote speakers, actress Mira Sorvino as the United Nations goodwill ambassador on human trafficking and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director, John Morton. The symposium gathers government, academic, non-profit and business leaders to revamp the fight against the illegal billion dollar industry that traffics human beings for sexual exploitation and forced labor.
Other keynote speakers included Luis CdeBaca from the U.S. Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons’ ambassador at large; Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West; and Alice Hill, senior counselor to the secretary of homeland security as well as two panels covering trends and challenges. Coverage by Georgetown University includes web casts from Sorvino, Morton, and CdeBaca.
Key points discussed in the symposium paved the way ahead:
- Combatting Trafficking
- Trends and Challenges
- New Technology
Delotte captures the highlights of the “Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium: Transforming the Coalition” they co-sponsored with Georgetown University, citing that over 300 people attended the event, several thousand viewed it on Georgetown's website (GULive) and C-SPAN, and some viewed the transcript of Mira Sorvino's speech."
They also provide a more complete listing of keynote speakers and panelists for those that may be interested in hearing more from the presenters at the symposium:
- ICE Director John Morton and the Public Sector Panel discussed law enforcement challenges in working trafficking cases and the need for a victim-centered approach.
- Assistant Attorney General Tony West re-defined human trafficking efforts as the great civil rights movement of our time.
- U.N. Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking Mira Sorvino brought to life the importance of survivors' voices in the fight against human trafficking.
- A panel of government officials discussed trends and challenges with AHT prevention, prosecution and protection of victims
- Palantir demonstrated the use of data patterns to locate and apprehend human trafficking culprits and identify victims.
- DHS Blue Campaign Chair Alice Hill stressed the need for partnerships in the fight against human trafficking, specifically in training government officials.
- The Private Sector Panel discussed the opportunity for government to have open forums, increasingly accessible data, and awareness campaigns for private companies.
- Ambassador Lou CdeBaca compelled us to hold government and each other accountable to make a difference in the fight against human trafficking.
