Anglicans meet in India to tackle modern slavery: ‘Church cannot remain passive’ – Christian Post

Anglican Communion Addresses Modern Slavery in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

A conference was convened in the Diocese of Durgapur, India, to address the critical global issues of human trafficking and modern slavery. The initiative, a collaboration between the Diocese of Durgapur and the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG), focused on developing actionable strategies that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning decent work, justice, and global partnerships.

2.0 Context: A Challenge to SDG 8 and SDG 16

The conference addressed the severe scale of modern slavery, which directly contravenes the objectives of several SDGs. The issue presents a significant barrier to achieving global development targets, most notably:

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The existence of forced labour fundamentally undermines Target 8.7, which calls for immediate measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Human trafficking is a direct violation of Target 16.2, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

The urgency of this issue is underscored by the following data:

• An estimated 50 million people are living in modern slavery worldwide.
• India is home to an estimated 11 million of these individuals.
• Criminal profits from forced labour are estimated to be $236 billion per year globally.

3.0 A Multi-Stakeholder Response: Fostering SDG 17

In line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the conference brought together approximately 50 participants from diverse nations, professions, and backgrounds across the worldwide Anglican Communion. This collaborative approach is essential for creating robust and effective solutions.

The key objectives of the conference were:

1. To analyze the root causes and impacts of human trafficking, recognizing it as an impediment to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected.
2. To share best practices and gain practical insights from the Diocese of Durgapur’s established anti-trafficking program.
3. To build a global network of faith-based actors committed to advocating for justice and implementing anti-slavery initiatives.
4. To reinforce the moral and ethical imperative to protect human dignity, a foundational principle of the entire SDG framework.

4.0 Conference Outcomes and Strategic Actions

A central component of the conference was a field visit to the Durgapur anti-trafficking program, allowing delegates to engage with operators and understand the mechanics of a successful intervention model. This hands-on experience provided valuable knowledge for developing and scaling similar programs elsewhere.

Leadership from both the Diocese of Durgapur and USPG reiterated the commitment to action. The Rt. Rev. Sameer Isaac Khimla stated that the Church cannot remain silent when millions are stripped of their identity and freedom. Rev. Canon Peniel Rajkumar emphasized the call to “seek justice, rescue the oppressed,” framing the fight against modern slavery as a core mission that directly supports the global pursuit of peace and justice for all.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • The article’s central theme is the fight against “human trafficking and slavery” and “modern slavery.” These are direct violations of decent work principles and are explicitly targeted for eradication under this goal.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • Human trafficking is a severe crime and a form of violence and exploitation. The article’s call to “seek justice, rescue the oppressed” and the efforts to “tackle human trafficking” align with SDG 16’s aim to end violence, exploitation, and related crimes and promote justice.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • The article highlights collaboration as a key strategy. The conference was “run by the diocese in conjunction with the missionary organisation United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG),” and the Diocese of Durgapur’s anti-trafficking program is “operated in partnership with USPG.” This demonstrates the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.7: End modern slavery and human trafficking
   • This target calls for immediate measures to “eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking.” The article is entirely focused on this issue, discussing a conference aimed at “tackling human trafficking and slavery” and gaining insights into “how to defeat modern slavery.”
2. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • While not exclusively focused on children, the article’s subject of “human trafficking” is a core component of this target. The actions described, such as the “anti-trafficking program,” directly contribute to ending the exploitation and violence inherent in trafficking.
3. Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships
   • This target aims to “encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.” The article provides a clear example of a civil society partnership between the Diocese of Durgapur and the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG) to run a “long-running anti-trafficking program.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Prevalence of modern slavery
   • The article provides specific statistics that serve as baseline indicators for Target 8.7. These include the global estimate that “nearly 50 million people around the world are living in a form of modern slavery” and the national figure that “11 million are estimated to live in India.” Reducing these numbers would be a direct measure of progress. These figures align with official indicators like 8.7.1 (Prevalence of forced labour).
2. Number of victims of human trafficking
   • The same statistics (“50 million people” globally, “11 million” in India) can be used as indicators for Target 16.2, which measures the number of victims of human trafficking (Indicator 16.2.2). The goal is to reduce the number of individuals affected by this crime.
3. Existence of multi-stakeholder partnerships
   • The article implies a qualitative indicator for Target 17.17. The existence and operation of the partnership between the Diocese of Durgapur and USPG, as well as the international conference that “drew around 50 participants from different countries, professions and backgrounds,” serve as evidence of functional partnerships working towards a common goal.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: christianpost.com