SUMMIT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: COMMUNITIES MOBILIZING AGAINST MODERN DAY SLAVERY

SUMMIT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: COMMUNITIES MOBILIZING AGAINST MODERN DAY SLAVERY (OPEN TO PUBLIC)

Saturday, May 10, 2014 (10am - 5pm) 
Registration Opens at 9:30 A.M.
St. James Episcopal Church   

 84-07 Broadway 
Elmhurst, New York 11373 

 (Accessible by Queens Subway, Trains M & R and Bus Q53) Call   New York 11373
Registration begins at 9:30am or you can register online to reserve your ticket at https://summitonhumantrafficking.eventbrite.com. 

WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and is a pertinent issue in New York, in the United States, in Asia and the world. The United States is one of the destination countries for transnational trafficking networks that bring foreign nationals for purposes of both sexual and labor exploitation. Migrants from all over the world are trafficked. A major form is “labor trafficking” in which individuals are made to perform labor or services through use of force, deception, fraud, or coercion.

Jointly organized by Asiamerica Ministries of the Episcopal Church (TEC) and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and open to the public, this Summit will bring together members of the religious and civic communities to gain awareness, strategize and get involved in the fight against human trafficking. 

Survivors of human trafficking, community organizations, church groups, and service-oriented groups who work on cases of human trafficking will gather to share their experiences, struggles, and victories.

A part of the conference will highlight the case of the Philippines, being one of the top countries of human trafficking and a speaker from Gabriela Women's Partylist in the Philippines --- who works directly with families and also legislation on anti-trafficking—has been invited. 

The 76^th General Convention of the TEC approved resolutions calling for the “protection of all victims of human trafficking, particularly women and children…support legislation and actions” against human trafficking.”

GOALS:

The goals of the Summit are three-fold:

1.    To raise awareness on Human Trafficking especially in Asia-America context;

2.    To help heal and empower survivors of human trafficking;

3.    To start conversation towards an “Asiamerica Coalition Against Human Trafficking” drawing from various churches and community organizations.

SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOPS

Keynoting on “What is Human Trafficking?” will be the Rev. Raynald Bonoan, Rector of Holy Spirit Church in Safety Harbor, Florida who, along with celebrated rescuer, Anna Rodriguez of Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, rescued several victims of Human Trafficking.

New York State Senator Jose Peralta will lead government officials in giving remarks while the Rev. Charles Mc Carron of Episcopal Services will speak on behalf of Bishop Lawrence Provenzano of the Diocese of Long island.

DJ Arucan from the Gabriela Women’s Party List of the Philippines will speak on the women’s situation and root causes that lead to trafficking in the Philippines.

Candice Sering, Chair of GABRIELA New York will moderate a Q&A with the panel of trafficking survivors and speakers to highlight the case of the Philippines as one of the top countries of human trafficking and to emphasize the transnational reality of the problem.

GABRIELA is a global activist women’s rights organization working directly to serve the survivors and the families of victims as well as working to effect meaningful legislation in the Philippines.

The Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara and Cris Hilo will coordinate the program and serve as emcees. Other speakers and workshop leaders include:

Ms. Lelanda Lee of the Episcopal Church Executive Commission, who will share about the resolution passed by the TEC General Convention;

Monique Wilson of the “Miss Saigon” Broadway Musical and current Global Director of “One Billion Rising for Justice”, will discuss worldwide efforts for global justice.

Atty. Cristina Godinez and Fr. Julian Jagudilla of St. Francis of Assisi Migrant Center, who will speak on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) Philippines.

The Taiko Drummers from Metropolitan Japanese Ministry (MJM) will conclude the event with “call to mission” drumming. 

WORKSHOPS:

Workshops include: “Breaking the Chain of Internalized Oppression & Empowering Survivors”; “Building an Asiamerica Coalition Against Human Trafficking Using ABCD Approach”; and “TPS Philippines and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.”

Government officials in New York working on the issue of Human Trafficking such as State Senator Jose Peralta, Congresswoman Grace Meng and Councilman Daniel Dromm have been invited to make brief remarks and assist in advocacy.

 

SCHEDULE OF THE PROGRAM

9:30-10:00 A.M. – Registration and Ushering at St. James Hall & Church Door

10:00 A.M. – Welcome & Opening Prayer – Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, TEC-EAM         Introduction of Representatives: Ms. Cris Hilo, NAFCON 
Remarks from the Episcopal Church Executive Council – Ms. Lelanda Lee
Remarks from the Diocese of Long Island –Rev. Charles Mc Carron
Remarks from the UN Commission on the Status of Women –Lynnaia Main
Remarks from the Philippine Ambassador to the UN – Hon. Lebron Cabactulan
Remarks from New York State Senator Jose Peralta and other Officials 

10:30 A.M. – Keynote: What is Human Trafficking – The Rev. Raynald Bonoan 
  

11:15 A.M. – Musical Presentation –Bayanihan Cultural Collective 
 

11:30 A.M. – Panel Presentation: Candice Sering, Moderator                                 Panelists : Djay Arucan, Elma Manliguez and Trafficking Survivors

12: 15 NOON – Open Forum ( Q & A) – Candice Sering

12:30 -1:30 P.M. – LUNCH & WORD FROM OTHER SPONSORS

-       HEALTHFIRST HEALTH & GIDEON SCIENCES, INC.

-       Elmhurst Neighborhood Block Association (ELMNBA)

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS & OTHER LEADERS
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

          1:30-1:45 P.M. – WORKSHOP ORIENTATION – Zarah Vinola

2:00 – 3:00 P.M. – Workshops in Various Rooms

1: Breaking the Chains of Internalized Oppression – Virtual Classroom              (Facilitators: Lelanda Lee with Human Trafficking Survivors)

2. Building Coalition Using ABCD Approach- Choir Room                                 (Facilitators: Fred Vergara, Djay Arucan, Ray Bonoan)

3. TPS Philippines & Immigration Reform – St. James Hall                                  (Facilitators: Atty. Cristina Godinez & Rey Canz)

3:15 P.M. – GROUP REPORTS- St. James Hall – Fr. Fred & Cris Hilo

4:00 P.M. – Concluding Speaker: Monique Wilson

4:30 P.M. – Taiko Drums – Metropolitan Japanese Ministry (MJM)

5:00 P.M. – Closing Prayer – Rev. Noel Bordador

 (Note: After the Closing Prayer, there will be a meeting of Organizing Committee, Trafficking Survivors to organize the “Asiamerica Coalition Against Human Trafficking-East Coast USA” from 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.)

 

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

The Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, Coordinator 
 Ms. Cris Hilo, Assistant Coordinator

Members:  Lynnaia Main, Candice Sering, Zarah Vinola, Rev. Noel Bordador, Cristina Hing, Tetchie Mercado, Bob Wong, Elizabeth Mui, Charles Martellaro

SPONSORS:                                                                                                                                              THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH-Office of Asiamerica Ministries 
 TEC Office of Government Relations 
 TEC Office of Global Relations
  Episcopal Migrations Ministry  (EMM)
 NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR FILIPINO CONCERNS (NAFCON)
STJAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Elmhurst, New York                                            
Episcopal Asian Commission of Diocese of Long Island 
Episcopal Asiamerica Commission of the Diocese of New York
St. Francis of Assisi Migrant (Catholic) Center, New York 
HEALTHFIRST HEALTH 
GIILEAD SCIENCES, INC.          
 Elmhurst Neighborhood Block Association (ELMNBA)  
        

                                                                                                                                                                                           

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS                                                                      GABRIELA, New York
Anakbayan, New York
Anakbayan New Jersey                                                                                  
 NYCHRP 
 Kinding Sindaw
 Kalusugan Coalition
Philippine Forum 
New York Asian WomenCenter                                                                                                                                                                                     Pakistani Noor Alam Memorial Church
 Elmhurst Korean Methodist Church

ORGANIZERS, SPEAKERS, WORKSHOP LEADERS