RTV: The Trafficked + Exploited

On April 15 + 16, 2011, Raise Their Voice hosted an event at the Scott Block Theatre in Red Deer, Alberta called Raise Their Voice: The Trafficked + Exploited (#rtvRD) that brought together people from all over Alberta and other Canadians passionate about eradicating human trafficking in Canada.

The purpose of the event was to equip Canadians to identify what trafficking is, to learn who is vulnerable to trafficking and to discover how they can assist those who are victims of trafficking or susceptible to exploitation locally, nationally and internationally.

Footage from the event:

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#rtvRD featured workshops, networking, strategic thinking, creative expressions (including fine art, dance, and music) and keynote addresses by Glendene Grant, the mother of Jessie Foster, MP Joy Smith, Mark Wollenberg of International Justice Mission Canada, and Norma, a survivor of human trafficking.  View a list of all the contributors’ bios here.

The weekend also featured original fine-art by friends of Raise Their Voice who offered their original artwork to be auctioned in order to raise money for organizations addressing trafficking and helping exploited individuals.  The six original works raised over $1400.

Photos from the event:

RTV hand-made journals for all the registrants and contributors as a gift of thanks for their presence

RTV hand-made journals for all the registrants and contributors as a gift of thanks for their presence

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The Mouse and the Elephant, An original work by Emily Neufeld featured in our Art Auction

The Mouse and the Elephant, An original work by Emily Neufeld featured in our Art Auction

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Graffiti artists helped create the space in the basement where RTV hosted a workshop on prayer, networking time, and space to creatively reflect

Graffiti artists helped create the space in the basement where RTV hosted a workshop on prayer, networking time, and space to creatively reflect

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Braden Scharfenberg busked and contributed original music to the event; seen here with "Reclaimed Heart" by Emily Neufeld

Braden Scharfenberg busked and contributed original music to the event; seen here with "Reclaimed Heart" by Emily Neufeld

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Max Robutka busked in the basement

Max Robutka busked in the basement

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During the weekend, Raise Their Voice hosted a round table meeting during which representatives from Red Deer’s city council, Parliament, Chamber of Commerce, along with a student representative from a local high school, MP Joy Smith, key leaders from various anti-trafficking agencies and ministries engaged in strategic conversation to discuss how together they could do work to address human trafficking that they could not do alone.  The meeting was fruitful and a commitment emerged from key leaders to develop a plan to combat trafficking in the city.

In the upcoming days we will publish film and photographs from the event, including addresses from the keynote speakers and interviews and coverage from the event.