Education and Training

Stand Up! against Modern Day Slavery in New Jersey
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Eagleton Institute of Politics

About a dozen Rutgers students and NEW Leadership™ alumnae attended this day long workshop to learn about the issue of human trafficking, which involves the coercion and exploitation of some 800,000 people annually. Approximately 80 percent of the victims are women and girls.

Alexandra L. Espinosa (front), a Rutgers senior, organized the day’s activities as part of the Institute for Women’s Leadership Scholars Certificate Program.

Participants heard from leaders and activists in this field and gained not only a comprehensive insight into human trafficking, but also learned about anti-trafficking initiatives and organizations dedicated to helping victims and raising awareness. 

	During the workshop participants focused on strategies for activism, building upon skills developed at NEW Leadership™.  They worked in groups to create social action projects designed to educate their communities about human trafficking in New Jersey. Project ideas included an anti-trafficking website, an educational video on human trafficking to be posted on You Tube, a campus wide concert, educational forum, and an anti-trafficking coalition made up of campus and community organizations.
Sister Joann Marie Aumand, SCC, Administrator for Refugee Resettlement, Immigration and Human Trafficking Programs at Catholic Charities of Newark and Amari Verástegui, New Jersey State Director, Not for Sale Campaign were among the speakers addressing the problem of human trafficking in New Jersey.

NEW Leadership™ alumnae work on
their anti-trafficking action projects.

More information about human trafficking available here.

STAND UP! agenda is available here.