LONDON (November 7, 2017) – The Thomson Reuters Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the world’s biggest news and information provider, will welcome global human rights and anti-trafficking leaders at its annual Trust Conference, held this year at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London on November 15 and 16.
Some 600 delegates including government and business leaders, top legal and financial firms, philanthropists, NGOs and activists will attend the event which will include the conferring of the second Stop Slavery Award, and a special performance of ‘Looking for Mummy: Nazanin’s Story’, a play depicting the ordeal of Thomson Reuters Foundation employee Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, currently imprisoned in Iran.
Trust Conference provides an unparalleled platform for the exchange of ideas, experience and expertise. Each day ends with a commitment to taking specific and concrete action towards fighting modern slavery, and to advancing human rights worldwide.
Confirmed speakers this year include: Chinese Civil Rights Activist Chen Guangcheng; North Korean Slavery Survivor Jihyun Park; UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland; Head of Supplier Responsibility, Apple (USA) Paula Pyers; Eco Fashion Director Livia Firth; Sculptor Anish Kapoor; Italy’s Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Emma Bonino; Lawyer and Human Rights Activist Vrinda Grover; Independent Reproductive Rights Consultant Mónica Roa; Nigerian Gay Rights Activist Bisi Alimi; and Sudanese-American Poet and Activist Emi Mahmoud.
“Action and impact are at the heart of Trust Conference,” says Monique Villa, CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation and founder of the global event. “What started as a forum to shed light on slavery and advance women’s rights, has evolved into a fast-growing international human rights movement, committed to eradicate some of the worst human rights abuses in the world today.
“This year, we will hear powerful stories from survivors, from courageous activists who have challenged taboos in their own countries, from global companies who have taken steps to clean their supply chains, and we will address the issue of whether women’s rights are regressing.”
TRUST CONFERENCE AGENDA
The conference will address five main themes over two days in plenary sessions. These are:
- Learning from survivors
- The role of business in eradicating forced labour
- Re-assessing women’s rights
- Breaking taboos
- The challenges facing megacities
In addition, the Trust Conference Actions, a key feature of the conference, will present a number of concrete initiatives to effect change, encouraging participants to actively contribute.
STOP SLAVERY AWARD & ‘LOOKING FOR MUMMY: NAZANIN’S STORY’
On the evening of November 15, The Thomson Reuters Foundation will present the second Stop Slavery Award to businesses who proved they took exceptional action in cleaning their supply chains of forced labour. Representatives from the winning companies, who will be unveiled on the day, will then participate in a panel discussion about their involvement in the initiative.
Shortlisted companies for the Stop Slavery Award are: Adidas; Aldi UK; Barclays Bank Plc; C&A; CH2M; The Co-operative Group; Fortescue
Metals Group (FMG); Intel Corporation; Marks & Spencer; Marshalls Plc; MGM China Holdings Ltd; Nestlé S.A.; Shiva Hotels; Waitrose; Walmart Stores, Inc.
Following the Stop Slavery Award ceremony, the Foundation will host a special performance of Looking for Mummy: Nazanin’s Story, an Emi Howell production based on the ordeal of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a Foundation employee who is currently imprisoned in Iran. This performance is open to the public.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
Headline sponsor: White & Case
Headline media partner: The New York Times
Presenting sponsors: Baker McKenzie, UBS Optimus Foundation, Humanity United, Walmart, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Executive sponsors: Swarovski, Western Union, Dun & Bradstreet, Women’s Worldwide Web (W4), Bayer
Supporting sponsors: European Investment Bank, Carlson Family Foundation, MGM International, Eileen Fisher, Reed Smith, Bosch
With thanks to: Trixie and Stephen Brenninkmeijer, Susan Gibson, and Thomson Reuters Foundation Ambassadors