On Tuesday 24 September the webinar “Global Justice & Human Trafficking: towards a New Paradigm” took place.

The webinar opened with remarks from H.E. Ambassador Michel Veuthey, Ambassador to monitor and combat trafficking in persons, who emphasized the critical importance of coordinated global efforts to monitor and combat human trafficking. He highlighted the need for a fresh paradigm in addressing the crisis of human trafficking and the suffering of vulnerable populations.

The central discussion focused on global justice, poverty, and human trafficking, with Professor Thomas Pogge and Reverend Jose Nandhikkara offering insightful contributions. Both speakers explored the root causes of human trafficking and its deep connection with global poverty and socio-economic inequalities.

Professor Pogge, renowned for his work on global poverty and human rights, argued that despite a rise in global income, billions of people remain trapped in severe poverty. He emphasized that poverty is not merely a condition but a form of effective enslavement, linked to social exclusion, poor health, illiteracy, and low life expectancy. Pogge suggested that if more individuals understood the extent of their involvement in global poverty through systemic inequalities, there might be stronger international movements to eradicate poverty and, consequently, reduce human trafficking.

Pogge also drew attention to the Health Impact Fund, a project he co-founded, aimed at improving access to advanced medicines for impoverished populations, showing the necessity of economic solutions in addressing systemic issues like trafficking.

Moreover, Reverend Jose Nandhikkara, an expert in philosophy and world religions, discussed human trafficking from a religious and philosophical perspective. He linked the lack of social and economic development in vulnerable regions to the rise of human trafficking, underscoring the moral and ethical obligations societies have in combating these systemic problems. Nandhikkara’s approach highlighted the spiritual dimensions of poverty and trafficking, drawing on his deep academic and theological expertise.

To conclude, the webinar provided a comprehensive look at human trafficking within the broader context of global poverty. Both speakers called for new frameworks of thought and action, suggesting that addressing the economic and social roots of poverty is key to combating human trafficking. The discussions underscored that the problem is not just about law enforcement, but also about justice, economic fairness, and global cooperation.

The full recorded event is available HERE (in English with subtitles in seven languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish).