TEN Student Program
The United States-based The Emancipation Network (TEN) works to fight modern day slavery by empowering trafficking survivors and those at high risk of being trafficked, at the same time raising awareness among Americans about this human rights crisis. TEN has launched a programme designed to engage students of all ages and levels in its advocacy, awareness, and economic empowerment efforts. As part of this initiative, TEN buys handicrafts that are hand-made by trafficking survivors, then engages students in selling these products to their peers at events that are designed to educate attendees about - and mobilise them to take action against - human trafficking.
Communication Strategies
This endeavour draws on the concern and dedication of students in the United States to address and issue mostly affecting girls ages 11 to 14 in South Asia and Southeast Asia. In short, TEN Students provides all the necessary materials to combine education and action to fight human trafficking.
TEN partners with service organisations and shelters in several countries that work with women and children who have been rescued from slavery. These organisations and shelters implement craft programmes for the survivors, which are designed to have therapeutic value and to offer vocational skills meant to be economically empowering. Members of student groups who order the TEN start-up kit receive US$500 worth of hand-made products (e.g., jewelry, handbags, and stationary); as part of the TEN Student Program, TEN offers discounted prices of this product line (organisers understand the financial constraints of most students) as well as a 25% commission for each product sold. Members of these student groups may then use these funds to help fund other human-trafficking events, pay for travel expenses to attend related conferences, or as a donation to be sent directly back to the survivors.
The events which students organise to offer these products for sale are equally meant to be educational and awareness-raising opportunities. Students who order the kit receive documentary films ("The Day My God Died" by Andrew Levine and "MTV EXIT" hosted by Angelina Jolie) to show at their events, at group-meetings, or in their classes. A variety of printed educational materials about human trafficking are also included, such as flyers, brochures, and wallet cards; information about TEN is provided as well. Students receive a list of the names and contact information for human trafficking specialists who are willing to come to their school to serve as guest speakers, thereby raising more awareness about the issue. The regional TEN Ambassador and the TEN Student Coordinator also offer to attend any event and help promote it to the community.
The TEN Students website is meant to supplement these resources by helping students learn about the issue and ready themselves to educate their peers. The section titled "Trafficking 101" responds to questions such as: where does trafficking occur, and how does it happen? Survivors' stories are also offered here to help personalise the issue. Another section of the website, "Research Resources" includes a list of, and links to, various websites, films, and documents.
TEN partners with service organisations and shelters in several countries that work with women and children who have been rescued from slavery. These organisations and shelters implement craft programmes for the survivors, which are designed to have therapeutic value and to offer vocational skills meant to be economically empowering. Members of student groups who order the TEN start-up kit receive US$500 worth of hand-made products (e.g., jewelry, handbags, and stationary); as part of the TEN Student Program, TEN offers discounted prices of this product line (organisers understand the financial constraints of most students) as well as a 25% commission for each product sold. Members of these student groups may then use these funds to help fund other human-trafficking events, pay for travel expenses to attend related conferences, or as a donation to be sent directly back to the survivors.
The events which students organise to offer these products for sale are equally meant to be educational and awareness-raising opportunities. Students who order the kit receive documentary films ("The Day My God Died" by Andrew Levine and "MTV EXIT" hosted by Angelina Jolie) to show at their events, at group-meetings, or in their classes. A variety of printed educational materials about human trafficking are also included, such as flyers, brochures, and wallet cards; information about TEN is provided as well. Students receive a list of the names and contact information for human trafficking specialists who are willing to come to their school to serve as guest speakers, thereby raising more awareness about the issue. The regional TEN Ambassador and the TEN Student Coordinator also offer to attend any event and help promote it to the community.
The TEN Students website is meant to supplement these resources by helping students learn about the issue and ready themselves to educate their peers. The section titled "Trafficking 101" responds to questions such as: where does trafficking occur, and how does it happen? Survivors' stories are also offered here to help personalise the issue. Another section of the website, "Research Resources" includes a list of, and links to, various websites, films, and documents.
Development Issues
Human Trafficking, Rights, Economic Development.
Sources
Email from Becky Bavinger to The Communication Initiative on September 15 2006; and TEN Students website.
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