Expert speakers on many aspects of contemporary slavery invite the public to join in what promises to be an enlightening and interesting debate on how we can combat all forms of contemporary slavery.

The debate will take place on Friday 15 June at the Arnolfini in Bristol 10:00 to 15:30.

A collaboration between the University of the West of England (UWE) and the University of Bristol, this event is the culmination of a series of talks about slavery to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of Slave Trade Act.  The debate aims to draw parallels and show links between the forms of slavery during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and contemporary forms of slavery, like human trafficking, that currently buoy up the global economy through cheap labour.

Co-organiser Ann Singleton (University of Bristol) said, “We are very keen to point out that we have a very impressive line-up of speakers from relevant organisations as well as academia. We very much want anyone who has an interest in discussing the issues surrounding contemporary slavery to come along and get involved."

Human Rights expert and co-organiser, Christien van den Anker (UWE) said, “The current focus of public debate is on the trafficking for the sex industry but comparatively small numbers are involved in this. By far the majority of people who are exploited are working in a wide range of other industries and agriculture under circumstances that leave them living below subsistence level. Every time we buy the cheapest goods we are implicitly supporting slave labour. We also need to acknowledge that this is not an issue that happens far away; there is ample evidence that it happens here in the South-West as well as elsewhere in the UK and Europe.”

The speakers include Aidan McQuade of Anti-Slavery International, Jacqueline Healy, Migrants Rights Centre in Ireland, Fernne Brennan, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex; Dr Tim Braine, Chief Constable of Gloucestershire; Dr Bridget Anderson, Centre on Migration, University of Oxford and Dr Christien van den Anker from UWE.

The opening introduction will be given by Ann Singleton from the University of Bristol, co-organiser and Chair of the meeting.

The event is free but it will be necessary to reserve a place.  Please contact Rose West on 0117 328 4372 or Rose.West@uwe.ac.uk