21st Annual International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference to be Held Sept. 18-20

21st Annual International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference to be Held Sept. 18-20

The University of Toledo's 21st annual International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference will be held virtually Sept. 18 through Sept. 20.

The final day to register to attend the event is Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Since its founding in 2004, the International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference has grown to become the largest academic conference of its type in the world, bringing together survivors, activists, academic researchers, educators and other professionals working to combat human trafficking.

"The mission of The University of Toledo is to improve the human condition. We take that quite literally," said Dr. Celia Williamson, a Distinguished University Professor of social work and executive director of the UToledo Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. "Over the last 20 years, our conference has helped shape public policy, launched new programming and expanded the public's understanding of injustices throughout the world."

This year's conference will feature more than 110 live webinar presentations and networking sessions, ranging from the personal stories of trafficking survivors to discussions about the challenges and opportunities brought on by artificial intelligence.

Williamson, who is widely recognized as a global leader in anti-trafficking efforts, will present an overview of how the narrative surrounding human trafficking has changed in the past two decades.

Other planned sessions include conversations about a recently formed statewide human trafficking hotline in Arizona, a discussion of the biases and stigmas surrounding male trafficking victims and a review of the relationship between climate change and forced labor.

Individuals can view a full schedule of events and register to attend on the International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference website.

Though the conference is primarily geared toward researchers, service providers, healthcare and legal professionals, advocates, college students and survivors, Williamson said people from all backgrounds and of all knowledge levels are welcome to attend.

All first-time attendees are encouraged to attend the "Human Trafficking 101" session, which provides an overview of sex and labor trafficking, including warning signs and commonly repeated myths.

One particularly persistent misunderstanding, Williamson said, is centered on the risks of becoming a trafficking victim.

"The literature is very clear that marginalized people are at a much higher risk," she said. "If you believe the myth that everybody is at the same risk, people with money, power and influence run to protect their community first and less resources to go to those who need them the most.

"Most people are well-intentioned, but we want to be sure we're dismantling myths and misinformation so that together we can make a real, positive difference."