The Global Freedom Network aims to ensure faith communities, faith-based civil society organisations and youth have a clear understanding of modern slavery and its impact, It aims to empower them through the knowledge and tools to act on this in the most effective way.

The Global Freedom Network (GFN) is committed to the eradication of modern slavery through engagement with faith leaders around the world and working with them to take spiritual and practical actions to eradicate modern slavery.

We empower them to mobilise their efforts and work in collaboration with the private and public sectors to fight modern slavery.

In 2014, under the auspices of the Global Freedom Network, religious leaders from all religions gathered at the Vatican to sign the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery.

By signing these declarations, faith leaders commit to unite with a shared vision of ending modern slavery, for all times.

Since 2014, signing ceremonies have taken place in Australia, India, Indonesia, Argentina, Colombia and New Zealand.

We empower faith leaders to mobilise their efforts and work in collaboration with the government, business/corporate and civil sector. By building relationships and collaborating with faith leaders and faith-based organisations we believe we can increase awareness, understanding, impact, and action.

Youth engagement is paramount in the fight to end slavery. Young people are the future decision makers, gamechangers and influencers and they can make a huge impact on the footprint of modern slavery.

We are looking to inform the way young people approach their daily lives, by asking questions about the products and services they consume, where do they shop and what they can do to end modern slavery. Creating learning components for different educational levels (i.e. schools, universities, graduate institutes), will allow stakeholders in the educational community to engage with modern slavery in a way that reflects both the latest knowledge but also the realities on the ground, through the feedback from students and others.

Signing events have involved senior faith leaders who generally become aware of modern slavery only after years of working within their community. The GFN believes that there is a need for faith leaders in training to have the tools to address these issues earlier. As part of their career growth, they will be part of a number of host communities, at a grassroots level, providing them with the opportunity to have a more direct impact on people’s lives. We have an opportunity to provide awareness, education and support to emerging faith officials to further prepare them for when they have completed their training and ready to commence their life’s mission.

The GFN App is a dedicated practical and information tool for Faith Leaders, clergy, safeguarding staff and other stakeholders. The purpose of this tool is to provide very clear and concise information about modern slavery and information on how to identify and engage with potential victims and methods to address the problem.

We are piloting this app in Ghana, and then planning to expand to other African countries.

Workshops dedicated to faith leaders and faith-based organisations are critical to provide training, education and tools to empower action against Modern Slavery. It also provides an opportunity to obtain relevant feedback and further information to aid with the refinement of our approach.