As the day dawns on love, millions of couples are exchanging gifts which symbolize their love and affection for each other.  While the commercialization of this day of love has left many emptying their pockets, while others  are left entangled in the brutal world of modern slavery.

Much of our chocolaty symbol of love comes from the Ivory Coast, which according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) produces 43% of the worlds cocoa. According to the ILO, over 132 million children, aged 5-14 years old, work in agriculture around the world, they are just a segment of an the estimated 246 million child laborers around the globe. These children are placed in hazardous working conditions in order to ensure that we have our sweet treats, it is truly a bittersweet story.

While it is true that being a conscious consumer sometimes requires more effort, and can often be near impossible in some cases, other cases like purchasing Fair-Trade certified products like coffee and chocolate are much more simple, and a consumers impact is substantial. As mentioned in my Valentines Day post last year on Fair Trade and chocolate for Valentines Day, “The estimated cost to end human trafficking globally is $14 billion. In 2008, Americans alone spent $17 billion on Valentine’s Day - an average of $120 per consumer (Global Fast).” Many of these purchases include chocolate candies for which children have been enslaved for the purpose of picking the cocoa pods to be made into that chocolate that we so love.

While the effort to have a slave free valentines day is one to warm hearts the world over, it is a long battle that can begin with you.  UNICEF estimates that some 200,000 children are victims of trafficking each year in West and Central Africa alone, for the purpose of working in the supply chain for products such as; cocoa and coffee. Global March Against Child Labor estimates that one in every eight children from 5 to 17 years old, some 179 million, work in the worst forms of child labor.

So spend your day with those you love and ensure that your gifts are not tainted

Additional Resources and Information:

This year make a real difference from the heart and “Fall in Love with Fair Trade” and sign the Fair Trade Valentines Day Pledge, were you can also learn not only were to buy your swearheart, or yourself, chocolate, but Fair Trade wines and flowers as well.  Please also take a moment to listen to stories from the children who work in the cocoa fields from the International Cocoa Initiative, here.

Please also see previous posts on Child Trafficking, Child Labor and fair trade such as; Fair Trade Trick-or-Treating and don’t forget to check out the following resource pages:

Teaching gorilla protection in Congo
Schoolchildren in the Republic of Congo capital Brazzaville are learning about gorilla protection as part of a campaign by conservationists, authorities and nongovernmental organizations to protect the threatened primates. Supporters hope the program will begin to change social attitudes toward gorillas and bolster new regulations to protect wildlife and protected areas put in place by authorities in 2008.

Injured children form bond that crosses Israeli-Palestinian divide
The friendship and journey of two severely injured hospital-bound young children — one Israeli, the other Palestinian — and their families is inspiring people around them to re-evaluate how they view individuals from other ethnic groups. Both children were wounded in violence associated with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

1 billionth person born in Africa

Though census data are patchy, the UN estimates that in 2009, Africa’s population reached 1 billion. The UN further estimates the population will nearly double by 2050, a massive boom that could represent an unbearable burden on food, health care and other resources — unless rising urbanization and education grow to meet the demands of a young population.

Kashmiri activists unite against domestic violence
A coalition of Hindu and Muslim activist groups has joined to combat rampant domestic violence in Kashmir, promoting new legal protections, including a draft law expected to be enacted next year.

HRW urges Kenya to protect children during HIV/AIDS testing
Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over a Kenyan plan to test 4 million people for HIV/AIDS in their homes next year over fears the process might infringe upon children’s rights. Home testing and counseling are seen as vital processes in a country where many are unwilling to go to a clinic over fear of social stigma.

WHO hopeful about new polio vaccine
A new vaccine effective against both strains of polio will be instrumental in efforts to eradicate the debilitating disease, the World Health Organization said. The bivalent oral polio vaccine is being used for the first time this week in Afghanistan, where health officials hope to inoculate 2.8 million children younger than 5 years old.

I recently posted the story, Trafficking? Not in my town…Yes, in every town, which featured the story of 5 year-old, Shaniya Davis, from Fayetteville, North Carolina.  Shaniya was reportedly kidnapped and her body was later found on the side of a rural highway in North Carolina.  Her mother was later charged with human trafficking for placing her daughter into ’sexual servitude’.

The small town story has made national headlines and has shocked and stunned an entire community.  The story has become what some are calling an American nightmare.  After Mario McNeill (who was seen carrying the young child into the hotel) was charged with first degree murder and the rape of a child, the story made it to Oprah. Airing on last Friday’s show, on which the young girls father and aunt appeared, Oprah stated:

“another child has been raped and murdered in our country”

The reality is that children are raped and murdered everyday in the US — which is why Oprah’s statement wasn’t shocking.  Although Oprah sought to ask tough questions on whether this tragedy could have been prevented, the show didn’t touch on the realities of human trafficking.  No one questioned or mentioned the demand for sex, sex with a child, that factored into this story, which is sadly haunting for many children across the globe.  The reality is that the demand for children that exists in Fayetteville, NC are not that different from the demand of sexual slavery in India and beyond.  This brings me back to an older article I published, Are we still clueless about modern slavery?.

However were we have continued to remain in the dark is in regards the slavery which is covering our own streets. The real face of modern slavery is not one face; the face of modern slavery could be anyone of any class and race, however we often fail to see the many faces of slavery which are lost in the crowd.

Then how do we permanently turn on the lights and show the full scope and detriment that this plague, this human flesh trade, has become? We must continue to increase awareness that it is a crime that affects us all, seek to address demand, increase funding for rescue and restore programs, including police training and task forces, and most importantly to brake the cycle of the trade we must invest in the empowerment of both at-risk populations and survivors.

Anyone can become a victim; there isn’t one face to human trafficking and modern slavery. How do you know if you have come across a victim? Trafficking can take place in any environment and any location.

Some Red Flags to look for include:

• Restricted freedom of movement
• Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
• Signs of physical or sexual abuse
• Fear or depression
• Not speaking on own behalf
• No passport or other forms of identification.

“See it, Report it!” If you have reason to suspect that someone is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline on 1-888-373-7888. Multilingual call specialists are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential.

Learn more from the following: Fact Sheets - in Multiple Languages for Download Order Free Posters and Materials to distribute and post.

Tune into today’s “A Measure Of Truth”, at 7:30, or listen to the post recorded pod cast,to hear the author, Cassandra Clifford, as she sits down with host, Michael Fordham to discuss some of the harsh realities of human trafficking/modern slavery.

Children around the world are forced into the sex trade, very often by their own families, mislead by promises of economic opportunity or pushed by desperation.  The commercial sex industry is fueled by poverty, but driven by demand and while the issue of poverty must be addressed, so must the those who prey on women and children such as through the sex tourism industry.

One of the many countries ravished by sex trafficking is Cambodia.  Organizations such ,  as UNICEF, ECPAT and Save the Children, estimate that there are anywhere from from 50,000 to 100,000 women and girls in the sex trade in Cambodia.  Of those in the commercial sex industry in the country many are children, some as young as only a few years old.  According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) “the majority (52.2%) of female sex trafficking survivors identified were under the age of 17 at the time of trafficking”.

As the global recession continues, children are increasingly vulnerable to sex trafficking.  In Phnom Penh, which has about a quarter of the countries sex industry, children who are begging and peddling are increasingly at risk.  Many children roam around the city’s Riverside were  pedophiles and human traffickers are also known to prey on their innocence.

Little girls who should be giggling and playing with dolls are offering sex in child like terms with happy smiles, “yum-yum, boom-boom”. The normality of it all what is more shocking as children, some as young as four or six, who know nothing other than a life of sex and exploitation. A child who knows more about sex than toys, who think that grown men everywhere desire little girls as their play things…this is the sad reality that is life for many children in Cambodia and across the globe.

In February 2008 the Cambodian government enacted a “Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation”, which was done mostly after years of pressure from the United States.   One such form of pressure coming from the US was the country’s low ratings on the State Departments notorious TIP Report, the 2009 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, placed Cambodia on the Tier 2 Watch List.  Following  the country’s first step to use legal means to impact and deter trafficking, they imposed ban on foreign marriages, in March 2008.  The ban was enacted largely in response to a sharp increase in marriages between South Korean men and poor Cambodian women, many who were not destined to newly wedded bliss, but a life forced into sexual slavery. Since the law was enacted Cambodian authorities have conducted numerous raids and cracked down on street prostitution, however the crack down according to many non-profits, has done little to help the actual situation, let alone the victims.

For more eye opening incite into the Cambodian sex trade and those whom it takes as its victims in its unrelenting path,  see the following video:

Women and girls are not the only victims of trafficking and slavery in Cambodia,  nor is the sex industry the only exploitative industry the country has to a great deal of work to do in order to combat. One such area is labor, such as seen in the recent SIREN case analysis: Cambodian men and boys exploited on long-haul fishing boats, English PDF

Today, September 21st, marks International Day of Peace, as per a resolution declared by the The United Nations in 1981 to coincide with opening of its General Assembly. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution that declared 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace

“…International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day . . .”

On this day the “Peace Bell”, which is made from coins donated by children from across the globe, at UN Headquarters is rang.  The bell, which was a gift from the government of Japan, and its ring are thought to be a unified symbol of solidarity, is referred to as “a reminder of the human cost of war.  The Peace Bell is inscribed with:

“Long live absolute world peace.”

Look for events in your town, school, or set one up of your own, but regardless use this day to work towards peace in your life and share it with those around you…peace is contagious!

Over the last year I have received a number of e-mails from children and young adults, asking me what they, or their groups, can do to help other children across the world. Therefore I am writing this post just for you, and for all the other young people out there who want to find more ways in which they can help and volunteer.

Firstly let me say how wonderful it has been to receive letters from such ambitious and dedicated young individuals, your quest for justice and knowledge is inspiring . Secondly it amazes me to find so many young people reading a site such as this, you are already on the right track by taking such an interest in the lives and rights of children across the globe.

I have begun a new page, Resources for Children and Young Adults , and I will continually be adding resources so keep checking back.  Please feel free to send me any links or organizations you feel should be added to the list. Additionally please send your stories of how you or a young person in your life has made a difference.

Here are a few ideas of ways you can help other kids:

1. Grow and donate your hair to Locks of Love and help a child in the United States or Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis, get a hairpiece.
2. Visit your local hospital children's ward, or send drawings and letters of encouragement to children who are suffering from illness or trauma.
3. Collect stuffed animals for local police and rescue personal to give to children.
4. Make jewlery, or other arts and craft items, to sell and fundraise for your favorite cause.  You can even use items that are already helping those in need like, Paper to Pearls
5. Hold a concert or play and donate all of your ticket and conssession sales to charity.
6. Orgonize a community yard sale and donate all the money to help those in your local community.
7. Ask your school, church, sports team, or scout group to adopt a cause or charity for the year.
8. Volunteer at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
9. Collect donated school supplies and backpacks for kids in need.
10. Use your talents and interest in a creative way to help others!

Remember to keep an open mind, and that you don't always have to do something big to make a difference, just sharing your thoughts and ideas makes an impact. Most of all keep up the spirit of volunteering and share it with your friends and family, you can make a world of difference just by your example

Here are some links to organizations established by, or for, kids:
JustGive.org Kids Corner - Learn about kids making a difference
Just Give - 50 Ways to Help Children
Starlight's StarPower program -showcase's young people working to help other kids.
Children Helping Children - International Musical Charity, holding In-Hospital Concerts and Gala Benefit Concerts
Kids Helping Kids with Nothing
Kids Helping Kids Heal
Kids Helping Kids
Project Linus New Jersey - Providing handmade blankets and handcrafted toys to children suffering serious illness and trauma.
The Loose Change to Loosen Chains Campaign
Families with Purpose - Community Service Projects
PBS Kids Zoom Team - You can you help the world.

As spring peeked its sleep head though the last days of winter, the sun shown on the steps of the Senate Building as a group converged to demand that America fight to end slavery in its fields.

Today Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin from Illinois, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers of Michigan, Congressman Dennis Kucinich from Ohio, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (RFK Center) Director Monika Kalra Varma, and supporters from various citizen groups and NGO's converged just outside the Russel Senate building to support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers'.

The event was opened by Senator Durbin who boldly stated;

“Burger King argues that a penny a pound is too much. I wanna tell Burger King thats a ‘Whopper’!”

While the morning was full of supporters from all sides and all ages, there where some distinctive members missing. Those represenatives from Florida were invited, however their support was not found at todays signing. According to CIW when asked about their support stated that the reach of the agricultural industry in Florida is strong and far, and they have “not shown real or sustainable support”.

Lucas Benitez, farmworker and co-founder of CIW, took the stand today in honor of all of those who fight for freedom and fairness in the feilds, his voice was strong and loud, but most of all he was determined that these crimes would come to end. He told of not only the struggles of the workers, but of the progress and hope they have thanks to their supporters and their courage. Mr. Benitez also spoke of those who stand in the path of freedom; “…Burger King and it's allies stand in our path and threaten the important progress we have made.”

“Together we are stronger than Burger King and the handful of backward growers and their lobbyists!” -Lucas Benitez

Photo from CIW

What is truly sad is that in a day and age where most in America are more concerned with buy cars, toys, clothes and so many other needless items, men, women and whole families are fighting for freedom. What makes this beyond intolerable and incomprehensible is that freedom and a better wage cost a merer penny a pound. The CIW, the farmworkers of Immokalee and all the slaves with in the midst of the ‘Land of the Free’ are the true Americans fighting for justice, freedom and survival. The next time you buy a burger, a container of tomatoes, a new shirt, remember that in many cases someone literally 'slaved’ for that item in your hand.

Even a child knows right from wrong; Issiah , just 3, was the youngest supporter in the crowed. He boastfully repeated the key points from the speakers, and yes, while he may not have comprehended the matter at hand, when I asked him; “Is not treating the people who work for you a bad idea? “, he quickly answered “Yes!”. Issiah's mother told me that just this week he told his father, that “fair trade coffee is a good idea because they treat their workers good, but Burger King is bad because they don't.” Children learn from their parents examples, and we can all teach our children that slavery is a bad idea. It is with steps like these today, and young minds like Issiah's that will lead us to a slave free America…a slave free world! It's time we stood for what is right so our children and their children no longer have to suffer and fight for freedom.

Add your name to the National Petition to End Sweatshops and Slavery in America's Fields!

Please see yesterdays article for more information on CIW and their fight for slave free fields for America's farm workers.

To hear the todays press conference and petition signing click here or to hear the press conference, click here.

America is many things, as are Americans, and our culture is as diverse as they come and when one thinks of America and our modern culture one of the things that pops into your mind is inevitably fast food. We are all touched by the reach of the fast food industry. While for some of us fast food is a staple of our busy lives, for others it is a rare treat, but, regardless, at some point and time no matter how much we may want to avoid it, we all eat it. When one eats fast food guilt often comes into ones mind, however the guilt that one usually feels is that based more on glutinous pleasure, and not that of one who is contributing to the harm of another persons well being. However it is here at the fast food counter that one unbeknownst is contributing to the enslavement of others.

When one thinks of modern slavery or forced labor, one rarely thinks of America, despite the fact that there are 17,500 persons trafficked into the US each year according to US government figures (, however the true numbers are unknown. These numbers do not reflect the numbers of domestic and international victims, among us in the US.) Nor does the use of tomatoes, which is a staple of most of our diets, more likely than not does not make you think of injustice. Nonetheless both are realities in our ever- expanding ideological world, where democracy is seen as the path to freedom.

In the south Florida county of Collier lies Immokalee, once a bustling pre-civil war farm community of full of slaves and slave owners. However for many modern- day farm workers treatment and conditions in the fields has changed little since the outlawing of slavery in the United States.

Founded in 1993, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), was established to fight against the abuses occurring in the fields , abuses that range from labor exploitation to actual modern-day slavery. The CIW works to protect those who find themselves in those most extreme conditions; being are forced to work in the fields in against their will, in conditions that don't diverge that far from those of "slave like conditions", often appearing no different than their historical slave counterparts. Comprised of more than 4,000 farm labors, mostly Mexican, Guatemalan and Haitian migrant workers, the CIW is ready and poised to fight for the rights of those who fill Immokalee's orange groves and tomato fields. The CIW received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in 2003 in recognition of its work to end modern-day slavery and exploitation of migrant workers in the U.S. agriculture industry. The 2007 Anti-Slavery Award was given to the CIW for their exceptional contribution towards tackling modern-day slavery in the US produce fields.

The CIW's first big battle against the fast food industry came in 2001 as they took on the fast food chain Taco Bell in a large scale boycott, "Boot the Bell". The CIW demanded that Taco Bell, whose tomatoes are often supplied by producers in Immokalee, take responsibility for the working conditions and wages of the farm workers that supply the company's tomatoes. CIW won the battle of the Bell on March 8, 2005, as Yum! Brands, Inc., Taco Bell"s proprietor, agreed to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes in order to increase workers’ wages. In 2002 CIW then took on the king of fast food, McDonald's, demanding they too pay a penny more per pound. The CIW's agreement with both companies stated that they work directly with the CIW to implement an enforceable code of conduct. The code created by McDonald's was considered inadequate and it was not until April 9, 2007 that an agreement was officially made.

The CIW is once again embattled in another fight, this time with fast food giant Burger King, and other industry leaders, who has thus far failed to use their force to ensure that farm workers receive a faira ware wage and treatment. The Burger King has announced that the company had "extensively considered the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ (CIW) "penny per pound’ request and has declined to accept the proposal." Instead, Burger King offered to re-train dissatisfied tomato pickers to work in Burger King restaurants.¹ Just a few short months ago, yet another case of workers, held against their will and forced to work in the agricultural industry came to light. This is the seventh such case in little more than a decade.

The CIW has now launched a national petition drive demanding Burger King work with the CIW to ensure their consumers that their supply chain is free from slavery. The petition aims , and to show the level of support of consumers who will not support modern slavery. The campaign will show the high levels of consumers who are "prepared to stop patronizing Burger King now, and other food industry leaders in the future, should they fail to do so."

Sadly the plight of the Immokalee workers only echoes that of some 27 million slaves around the globe, as modern slavery reaches a scale almost three times larger than that of the the Atlantic Slave Trade, which saw the transport of some 10 million people out of African in four decades. This year on January 1st marked the 200th anniversary of the US ban against the importation of slaves, and yet we still live with slaves in our midst. The slavery of our past is far from forgotten, yet the slavery of present remains hidden in the shadows. Slavery is far from being history, and its grasp has reached every corner of the globe and America is no exception to this brutal crime against humanity.

1 See: Penny-Per-Pound

Also see: BKC Penny Per Pound

Tonight I had the privilege of attending a special screening of the documentary film Traffic, which is part of the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign. MTV EXIT, which is produced by the 2003 established MTV Europe Foundation, was designed to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking among the MTV demographic. The event was aimed to promote USAID's (The US Agency for International Development) partnership with the MTV Europe Foundation and MTV Networks, to promote a new multimedia campaign aimed at preventing human trafficking in Asia. The partnership with USAID follows the previous partnership with Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, which launched a similar campaign throughout Europe in 2004.

A PSA/Billboard form the European Campaign 

The EXIT campaign also produced; Parallel Lives, a series of film shorts, and Inhuman Traffic, which both aired in 2005. In 2007 the EXIT campaign produced Sold and Traffic. The campaign is currently working on two collections of film shorts, which are to premiere in the coming months, as well as several PSA's. The films while focusing on the issue of human trafficking in various regions, have all used the power of pop culture and media to express a message of awareness to many young people who are at risk of falling prey to trafficking. All of the EXIT campaign films and events have are unified with there theme of awareness and dotted by the well known faces of pop and movie stars, which are used to appeal to the MTV generation.

Tom Ehr, Executive Director of the MTV Europe Foundation and Simon Goff Director of MTV Exit-Asia where both on hand to answer questions from the audience. My question seemed to make Mr. Ehr squirm in a way that would have been completely comical had it not been for the obvious disdain at the question. Nonetheless he took the time to address my question;

“How does MTV grapple with running a series of anti-trafficking events like this, in the face of producing shows that glorify the use of the word ‘pimp’ and the ‘pimp lifestyle’?”

In response Mr. Ehr stated that they had tried to be a bit of a 'trojan horse’, but the issues of free speech seemed to win out in the MTV board room, however also stated,

“We feel as long as we keep hammering away at this then we can make a difference!”

In other remarks on the question Mr. Ehr made the following statement which I would like to leave you with as a thinking point; “We are doing our best in a company aimed at youth culture…sadly we have all see where youth entertainment has gone.” With that I ask you this one question? I agree a hundred percent that there has been a demise in the quality of youth programing. Therefore should the glorification of ‘pimp’n’ be one of the social responsible acts of MTV and similar companies?

Officials from the United Nations, the European Union and other institutions, as well as several ministers and other leaders have urged that women should be given a bigger voice in helping the world overcome conflicts and poverty. The call came at a conference in Brussels last week. The conference, which included some 50 international delegates, was set to promote issues of women's empowerment and leadership.

“We must rise to the challenge and push for change, for if we don't who will?” said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU External Relations Commissioner in regards to the role of women (USA TODAY/AP).

The meeting raised concern over the lack of countries to implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1325, which was the first legal document established by the UN Security Council that required respect for women's rights during times of conflict, and that they be included in peace negotiations and in post conflict reconstruction

Some things the Resolution calls for:

• Prosecuting people for crimes against women (often such crimes are committed with impunity);
• Extra protection of girls and women in war zones as they are more often deliberately victimized;
• Appointing more women for peacekeeping operations; and
• Involving more women in negotiations, peace talks and post-war reconstruction planning.

The resolution is historic as it is the first to specifically address the disproportionate and unique impact that war has on women. The resolution which was unanimously adopted on October 31, 2000, and in November that year the European Parliament resolution on participation of women in peaceful conflict passed.

The conference brought to light the issue of undocumented and stateless children, which is a major hindrance for ones access to healthcare and education, as well as other key services, thus limiting ones potential to achieve and lead. “…whoever does not exist legally, cannot be a key actor. The same way that 70% of the poor are women and a large number of these children are women, girls, and we have to address this”, said Ana Palacio, Vice President of the World Bank.

The lack of participation of women in conflict is undeniable, and many proponents of increased inclusion for women have agreed that they are vitally needed. We all look at the world with a different perspective, and as they say two heads are better than one.  Thus the need for equal participation of men and women in conflict resolution and poverty reduction is needed if we are to ever see sustainable and positive long term change. As Virgina Woolf said, “War is not women's history.”, then let us work to set peace as our history.