We had a really exciting three days when, on 15th and 16th October people from many distant lands came together for a meeting organised by the Scottish Churches Anti-Human Trafficking Group. We shared knowledge about human trafficking and began to explore how we can work together to address this evil. The following day, Saturday 17th October, we held a conference for members of churches and civil society from across Scotland.
We heard about important work being carried out in Christ's name in many countries - Malawi, Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, Jamaica, the Czech Republic and of the Salvation Army's network across Europe. Closer to home, we learned how churches in Derby, Wales and Scotland are tackling trafficking and modern slavery.
The key message was that, no matter where in the world it is happening, it is people who live in poverty and are discriminated against who are vulnerable to traffickers. As Christian we have a duty to speak out against this crime against humanity. Jesus challenges us to love our neighbour and, like the Good Samaritan, help the stranger who is in need of compassion and care.
The events went really well. There was a really good buzz with lots of discussion and good informal feedback from people as they left. We distributed luggage labels, symbolic of people journeying, and asked delegates to write their 'take home' actions on one and leave actions for us on the other so we now have lots of suggestions for future action. We formed excellent relationships with people from home and abroad and look forward to working together in the future.

SCOTTISH CHURCHES ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING GROUP CONFERENCE
CROSSING CONTINENTS TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING
17TH OCTOBER 2015
ST GEORGE'S TRON CHURCH, GLASGOW G2 1HW

Human trafficking is one of the world's most lucrative illicit businesses. It operates on a global scale with almost every country in the world being involved.

The Scottish Churches Anti-Human Trafficking Group is hosting a Conference on 17th October 2015 when representatives from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe will be sharing their knowledge of how human trafficking impacts on their parts of the world. We hope to use this time to explore how we can all work together to combat this crime against humanity.
The conference will be held from 9.30 am – 4.45 pm in St George's Tron Church in Buchanan Street in Glasgow's city centre. It is free and is open to all. We would appreciate it if you could advertise the Conference through your church networks and encourage people to come along.
To find out more and reserve your place, contact Miriam Weibye, Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS)

To download a copy of the SCAHT Group Conference flier, click here.

Over 20 million people worldwide live in slavery today. It is not something that only happens in distant lands – it happens here and now in Scotland. People are forced to live in appalling conditions. They are deceived into working long hours in the fishing industry, or in the fields, in hotels and restaurants, in brothels and in private homes.

In Luke, chapter 4, we are told that Jesus said that he was here, among us, 'to set the oppressed free.' The Scottish Churches' Anti-Human Trafficking Group, made up of representatives from all the major denominations in Scotland, has been campaigning for years against the awful crime that is human trafficking.

In 2015, the SCAHT Group is launching its RE:Value project, which invites you to help us raise awareness of human trafficking. At the Edinburgh Festival in August, the Group will be running a series of events in partnership with Stop the Traffik and Just Festival. These will include hosting the UN GIFT boxes, which have previously visited Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, street theatre, film showings and discussions.

If you would like to learn what you can do to help stop trafficking and are interested in becoming involved with RE:Value at the Edinburgh Festival, the SCAHT Group will be running some information sessions to which all are welcome.

The details can be found on the attached files – a leaflet and a poster. We also attach a short powerpoint presentation that can be displayed before or during a service.

The ecumenical Anti-Human Trafficking Group has produced two leaflets entitled:

Human Trafficking: What are the indicators?

Human Trafficking: The Human Stories