Our vision is for a world free of slavery, child labour and human trafficking, where everyone has access to decent work.
Modern Slavery remains a pervasive issue that affects millions worldwide despite concerted efforts to eradicate it. An estimated 50 million people are trapped in various forms of modern slavery, including forced labour, debt bondage, and human trafficking.
These practices persist due to factors such as poverty, inequality, lack of enforcement of labour laws, and demand for cheap labour and commercial sex.
Achieving Goal 8 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, requires not only economic progress but also comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of human slavery and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations.
Efforts to combat modern slavery encompass legal reforms, enforcement mechanisms, victim support services, and awareness campaigns to mobilize global action and create a world free from exploitation and forced labour.
The Global Sustainability Network is a leading international not-for- profit organization (founded in 2015 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Raza Jafar, Rt. Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, and S.E. Mons. Marcelo Sánchez) dedicated to abolishing modern slavery in all its forms.
Our Objectives
Raise
Awareness
Find
Solutions
Drive
Change
Through strategic partnerships, advocacy efforts, and collaborative initiatives, GSN works tirelessly to promote awareness, to shape collaborative agendas and drive tangible progress towards the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) Goal 8.
We bring together leaders from diverse backgrounds—business, government, civil society, religion, academia, media and local communities to connect, exchange ideas, and to encourage collaboration that leads to meaningful action.
Driven by our vision for a world free of slavery, child labour, and human trafficking, GSN empowers over 1000+ change-makers and organizations to strengthen efforts towards achieving Goal 8 – eradicating modern slavery and creating sustainable work for all.
Our model ensures that core members drive our focus and efforts, uniting us in our shared mission.
We ignite change by uniting government, media, business, academia, and faith. Leaders and nations must fulfill their duty to end modern slavery. We amplify voices, empower NGOs, and rally global support to eradicate slavery.
Please help us create a world free of slavery, child labour and human trafficking, where everyone can access decent work.
We bring together leaders from diverse backgrounds—business, government, civil society, religion, academia, media and local communities to connect, exchange ideas, and to encourage collaboration that leads to meaningful action.
Governments
Governments and Political leaders play a critical role in achieving Goal 8 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in eradicating modern slavery. They must enact and enforce legislation that combats human trafficking, forced labour, and other forms of exploitation.
By prioritizing international cooperation and strengthening law enforcement efforts, political leaders can effectively combat modern slavery. Additionally, they allocate resources towards victim support and rehabilitation programs, addressing the needs of those affected.
Media
The media plays a crucial role in fighting modern slavery by raising awareness, exposing instances of exploitation, and holding perpetrators and authorities accountable.
Through investigative journalism, documentaries, and news reports, the media sheds light on the hidden realities of modern slavery, amplifying the voices of victims and advocates.
Media coverage not only educates the public but also puts pressure on governments, businesses, and civil society to take action. Furthermore, by highlighting successful interventions and best practices, the media inspires collective action and encourages collaboration among stakeholders.
Overall, the media serves as a powerful tool in the fight against modern slavery, driving social change, promoting accountability, and fostering a culture of transparency and human rights.
Faith
Faith leaders play a pivotal role in combatting human trafficking and modern slavery through their moral guidance, advocacy, and through fostering community engagement.
With their influential platforms, they raise awareness about the injustices of trafficking and slavery, emphasizing the sanctity of human life and dignity. Faith leaders can mobilize their communities to take action and will often collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and other religious groups to develop comprehensive anti-trafficking strategies and support networks.
By leveraging their moral authority and organizational resources, faith leaders contribute significantly to the prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts against human trafficking and modern slavery, promoting a world where all individuals are free from exploitation and oppression.
What makes a crucial difference in the fight against modern slavery is the awareness and resilience of local communities and their willingness to spot signs of exploitation, create good models of care and rehabilitation, and inform political and social systems.
Academia
Universities and empirical research are integral to combating human trafficking and modern slavery by providing robust, data-driven insights. Research is critical in developing targeted, evidence-based strategies for prevention, intervention, and policy reform.
Universities serve as critical forums for disseminating research findings and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. They also play a key role in educating students and the wider community, embedding knowledge about human trafficking into various academic disciplines, such as law, social sciences, and public health.
By generating and sharing comprehensive data, universities contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding human trafficking and slavery, driving more effective global responses and helping to shape legislation that can protect vulnerable populations and dismantle trafficking networks.
Business
Business leaders are key to ending modern slavery due to their influence in shaping corporate policies, driving supply chain practices, and mobilizing resources to combat exploitation and promote ethical business conduct globally.
Businesses have a responsibility to combat modern slavery within their operations and supply chains. To fulfill this obligation effectively, they can take the following key steps:
- Policy Commitment: Establish and publicly declare a robust corporate policy condemning and preventing modern slavery.
- Supply Chain Due Diligence: Conduct thorough assessments to identify and address risks of modern slavery within the supply chain.
- Supplier Engagement: Engage with suppliers to ensure they adhere to ethical labor standards and provide support for compliance.
- Auditing and Monitoring: Implement regular audits and monitoring mechanisms to monitor compliance and identify any instances of modern slavery.
- Transparency and Reporting: Enhance transparency by publicly disclosing efforts to combat modern slavery and reporting mechanisms.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with industry peers, NGOs, and government agencies to share knowledge and resources in combating modern slavery.
- Continuous Improvement: Continuously review and improve policies, procedures, and practices to enhance effectiveness in mitigating modern slavery risks.
These steps collectively enable companies to uphold ethical standards, protect human rights, and contribute to the eradication of modern slavery.
There are numerous organizations worldwide actively engaged in anti-trafficking and anti-slavery efforts, including direct victim support, advocacy, research, and policy development.
The landscape is dynamic, with new NGOs emerging and existing ones evolving to address the multifaceted challenges of modern slavery.