Design. Charity. Life.

A Version of this article is Published on the Toronto Star Global Voices at TheStar.com

The word ’slavery’ is most often heard in history classes these days, rather than in common conversation. However, nearly 150 years after slavery was “abolished”, there are over 27 million slaves around the world today!

On September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in rebel states be free as of January 1, 1863.

Back in January, I attended the Alliance Against Modern Slavery’s Inaugural Conference at York University. The event brought together international experts, government officials, law enforcement personnel, survivors of slavery and students to discuss Slavery in the 21st Century. The conference featured presentations by MP Joy Smith; Kevin Bales, Founder of Free the Slaves; 
Jamie McIntosh, Executive Director of International Justice Mission Canada;
 
Marty Van Doren, RCMP Ontario Human Trafficking Coordinator; and
Glendene Grant, the mother of a sex trafficking victim; amongst many others.

There, Adam Churchman of Canada Fights Human Trafficking, clearly expressed, “slavery is not a thing of the past – that is a myth”.

“The idea of taking someone’s rights and treating them as animals is the greatest injustice,” Churchman stated. Slavery is unacceptable for a ton of reasons. But the conference was positive, as Churchman shared, “an event like this is a breeding ground for unity and that we can take some action on issues like this.”

If it is understood that slavery and human trafficking are horrendously wrong (and of course illegal) why is it still an issue around the world and even in Canada? One of the concerns is with enforcement – the authorities are not encouraging slavery, but there are other issues they choose to tend to. Prostitution in North America is heavily controlled by young male gangsters, and experts feel that this should be a priority for law enforcement, even more importantly than drug enforcement.

Human trafficking impacts families in a deep way. Currently there are many thousands of girls missing around the world. How can the problem be stopped – and what propels it? Due to poverty, families in some countries live an entire life of slavery simply because they owe a small debt, for example simply $20 CAN that their grandparents owed decades ago.

It seems poverty can unfortunately lead to harmful acts and propels the global slave and sex trade. There are ways to provide alternate employment – better options than their current unacceptable situations – even through purchases made locally in Canada. “Chocolate is becoming an expression of hope,” said Michael Sacco, PhD of ChocoSol. Fair Trade Certified products are a huge step forward in ending slavery, because workers and farmers who produce the products are paid and treated fairly.

The good news is, with conferences like this people – including youth – are being inspired to take action. Sali El-Sadig, currently studying at University of Toronto, said that raising awareness is a huge factor in eradicating modern day slavery. She is an executive on the Alliance Against Modern Slavery and shares, “Because of globalization and overpopulation, if we don’t act the issue of modern slavery will only get worse. That’s why now is the time to start getting involved – politically, legally and socially.”

Read the Published version of this article on TheStar.com

Helping young people understand the power they have to effect change in their communities was the focus of Local Democracy Week, hosted at Queen’s Park in Toronto in November 2010.

Local activist Louroz Mercader, founder of the Institute for Youth Citizenship (IYC) who created the event, recapped the day as a “meaningful dialogue between future voters and our elected officials”. Not only are students educated on how our local democracy system functions, but through this event they are “breaking down the somewhat intimidating barriers in the political process,” explains Mercader.

Speakers included Ontario’s Minister of Education and Minister of Children and Youth Services, in addition to keynotes by Free the Children’s Marc Kielburger and Michel Chikwanine. Voter Turnout addressed by the Chief Election Officer and petitions were led by the Legislative Assembly Clerk.

Mercader admits that he wishes he “had something like this in high school”.

With their many roles and responsibilities, politicians today should actively seek youth input. Although young people form a significant portion of the population, they are often under-represented. Marc Kielburger, co-founder of Free the Children and CEO of social enterprise Me to We, believes that leaders can be influenced by their youngest constituents. However, he states, “Politicians greatly affect youth, but youth don’t necessarily affect politicians.”

One reason for this is that the issues many politicians choose to focus on do not directly relate to young people. Like the organizers of this event, Kielburger believes that this should, and can, change.

Passionate politicians and active citizens are key to democracy. Politics is not only a career – it is a service opportunity.

As part of the Local Democracy Week program, several Members of Provincial Parliament of Ontario participated in “Political Speed-Dating”, where students had a chance to rotate between elected officials to ask questions directly.

Kuldip Kular, MPP for Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale, shared that he strongly believes youth should be partaking in the democratic process. “From the beginning, people today are getting disengaged,” he states. However Kular explains that this event’s format and open dialogue with youth is a great way to participate in democracy and encourages active involvement from youth, stating, “Democracy is not just in Queen’s Park”.

With many elected officials open to participating in youth-focused events like Local Democracy Week, and citizens getting involved within the democratic process at a young age, today’s youth are developing as the leaders of tomorrow – by taking action today.

View the published version of this article online at TheStar.com Global Voices.

Students learn that democracy, at its heart and soul, is about people’s voices

By Daniel Francavilla
Toronto Star Global Voices

Imagine having no voice. No vote for a political party, no say in where your tax money is spent and no way of stopping daily injustice. Thankfully, Canada is a democratic country and citizens, including youth, have the power to effect positive change in their communities and beyond.

Local Democracy Week, which concluded November 27 in Toronto, addressed such issues as voter apathy and the disconnect between politics and everyday life. Ontario MPPs had the opportunity to invite students from a high school in their riding to take part in events hosted at Queen’s Park and Toronto City Hall, alongside special guests including Toronto Mayor David Miller and Craig Kielburger.

Read the Full Article Published on TheStar.com

Craig Kielburger and Daniel Francavilla at Local Democracy Week 2009 (Photo: Anastasia Tolias)

Be responsible with your t-shirts, ethical options are available

Daniel Francavilla
GLOBAL VOICES

Today, anyone can order custom t-shirts at very affordable prices. But for retailers to offer such low prices, the concern is about who gets cut short.

Although a label stating “Made in China” does not mean that children in sweatshops made the product, it is often difficult to know the truth.

VistaPrint, an online printing company that operates in more than 120 countries, offers custom t-shirt printing at low prices. The brand of t-shirts VistaPrint sells has manufacturing facilities in Honduras and Nicaragua, both developing nations.

Jeff Esposito, VistaPrint public relations manager, says the company chooses ethical suppliers, but said the company isn’t able to provide details on the conditions of the factories.

“We work only with reputable partners who, to the best of our knowledge, operate in an ethical manner. Beyond that, we can’t really comment since we don’t make the actual t-shirts,” said Esposito in a phone interview.

Outsourcing, or shifting responsibility with a “hands-off approach” is a contributing factor in the various unethical manufacturing procedures occurring worldwide.

No Sweat Apparel is an alternative company in the same market. Selling only 100% union-made apparel, this company puts fair-trade and ethics in the forefront, providing the factory location and other details for each product it sells.

One company tagline states, “Fight sweatshops with every thread you buy? No sweat.”

Adam Neiman, the Founder and CEO of No Sweat Apparel, says it’s important to educate people about sweatshops, and show them there is a way to shop responsibly. No Sweat Apparel is based on the ability, as Neiman explained over the phone, “not only to see the ethical choice, but to figure out how to make doing the right thing just as profitable as doing wrong.”

The company’s prices are higher than some other online retailers, but within the current financial crisis, Neiman he says it is especially important to be a conscious shopper.

“If we want to create prosperous economies in North America and Europe, we have to encourage fair trade practices.”

Daniel Francavilla is a university student in Toronto at the Ontario College of Art + Design (OCAD). From Brampton, he founded a non-profit organization, ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education and Speak Up for Change, a youth blog on poverty and education-related issues.

Published version online at TheStar.com

December 24, 2008
Daniel Francavilla
GLOBAL VOICES

Today, innocent children are dying due to poverty around the world – one every two seconds. Yet, on Black Friday, a Wal-Mart worker in the United States was trampled to death by consumers rushing to retail sales.

The impending financial disaster is creating a perfect storm for non-profit organizations trying to aid those in poverty, as donations decline while the need for help rises.

ShareLife, the Archdiocese of Toronto’s charity, is one group stepping forward with programs responding to the increased social services demand.

“The Catholic organizations in the Archdiocese are very involved in helping the most needy,” says Archbishop Thomas Collins. “I’m particularly aware of their great need of resources to help the poor in need. I encourage people in the Archdiocese to support them more than ever.”

Charities face the same stress as many companies, banks and businesses.

The Vancouver Foundation is the largest of Canada’s 165 community foundations and supports about 600 charities per year.

The organization’s president, Faye Wightman, says that “many of these non-profit (organizations) are the last stop for thousands of people … who get hit by larger economic forces and find themselves teetering on the edge.”

Unfortunately, while need increases, economic uncertainty creates a large barrier.

“These charities are hit with reduced donations, corporate sponsorships that dry up, and often reduced funding from government and even foundations,” says Wightman.

Despite today’s economic uncertainty, there are organizations that continue to fund projects both locally and overseas. Long-term planning and new strategies can help organizations survive.

Perhaps the economic crisis will spur people to see that our consumer culture has skewed priorities. At the Conference on Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo this past November, Marc Kielburger offered a simple yet challenging notion: “if we want to change Africa, we have to change North America.”

As affluent people also begin to suffer financially, perhaps their empathy will trigger social change to benefit humanity worldwide.

Daniel Francavilla is currently a university student in Toronto at the Ontario College of Art + Design. From Brampton, Daniel founded a non-profit organization, ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, and Speak Up for Change, a youth blog on poverty and education-related issues.

Published on TheStar.com