Global faith leaders to fight slavery

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 23 March 2014

An unlikely coalition joined forces this week to fight global slavery and human trafficking.  Catholic journal The Tablet reports that

Members of the Global Freedom Network, launched by Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Grand Imam of Cairo’s Al Azhar University, Dr Mahmoud Azab, will use their combined influence to lobby governments, businesses and charities and to “marshal the spiritual power” necessary to eradicate slavery “for all time.”

In its first year, founders hope to persuade fifty major multi-national companies to commit to eradicating slavery from their own supply chains.  They have also called for the G20 nations to adopt measures to combat trafficking and eradicate slavery.

Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest, well known for his commitment to social responsibility, played a pivotal role in bringing the three high profile religious leaders together to fight modern slavery.  May God bless their endeavours.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.