S02E15: The Invisible Citizens

The Oblique Life Global Goals

Our 21st century city must shed its prejudices. Exploited migrants - whether in forced labour or sex trafficking - have equal rights and opportunity to everyone else, as long as governments and private citizens provide the support they uniquely need.
In today’s episode, we discuss why education is essential on two fronts.
Of course, it is important for the displaced to learn the language, laws and skills to navigate and make the most of their new homes.
But secondly, their hosts must understand the scale and reality of what they - their neighbours - have been through. Sadiki John’s story is a testament to how this can make a difference.
Next, jobs, jobs, jobs. As Monique Villa points out, employers must provide meaningful, appropriate work that does not just pay the bills, but, at the very least gives new members of society dignity, and may well leverage the skills they bring. This is in line with SDG 8.
Finally, collective support. Victims of human trafficking and forced labour, and refugees will likely have experienced extraordinary trauma. We must work with local authorities and use our agency to support these individuals and families, and make them feel safe and welcome.
Speakers:

• Monique Villa, Journalist, Author, Philanthropist, Former CEO Thomson Reuters Foundation & Founder of TrustLaw
• Sadiki John, Founder, Lazima Nipate Academy

Links:

• Migrateful - cookery classes led by refugee and migrant chefs
• ‘I carried his name on my body for nine years’: the tattooed trafficking survivors reclaiming their past, The Guardian, 16 November 2014
• https://therapistsbeyondborders.org/
• Slaves among Us: The Hidden World of Human Trafficking, Monique Villa (2019)