Amazing Grace:
Wilberforce Film Brings Modern Day Slavery to Light
Source: World Vision - USA
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
World Vision and the Amazing Change Campaign increase awareness of historical and contemporary forms of slavery, and demand action.
February 7, 2007
"Amazing Grace" (in theatres February 23) at long last brings the story of one of the world's most revered abolitionists to the big screen. But, more than this, the film serves as a rallying call to combat slavery that still exists today.
While Wilberforce's work set in motion a movement that ended the African slave trade, slavery continues to exist in other forms today. Having an especially destructive impact on children, modern day slavery is found around the world: Approximately two million children are enslaved in the commercial sex trade. Exploiting poverty, this form of slavery is woven into the local economy of many countries. Nearly 300,000 children are forced to serve in bloody armed conflicts around the world. "Kill or be killed" is what these children face on a daily basis. An estimated 250 million children work in exploitative labor conditions around the world. From manufacturing sweatshops to domestic service, without choice, these children serve as slaves to industry and the wealthy.
As a child-focused Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision is committed to combating these forms of slavery. Since most forms of exploitation have their roots in poverty, the core of World Vision's work to tackle the causes of poverty can actually reduce a child's vulnerability to exploitation and slavery. In addition, we work to provide care for those who already have been victimized, such as in our center for girls who have escaped the sex trade in Cambodia and our center for rehabilitating former child soldiers in northern Uganda.Our advocacy work in the United States and around the world is focused on changing hearts, minds, attitudes, and government policies, such as we saw with Wilberforce. For example:World Vision's Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project is working both in the United States and in five developing countries to combat the sexual abuse of children by American men traveling abroad. Also, our Pawns of Politics campaign is working to bring peace to northern Uganda and recovery for the children who have served in that country's civil war. "Having seen modern day slavery with my own eyes in Africa and Asia, I hope that this film inspires Americans and others around the world to fight slavery with the same passion and energy that the world experienced with Wilberforce," World Vision President Rich Stearns commented after after seeing "Amazing Grace" at a premier event. "I especially hope that the Church will, once again, play a major role in this modern movement."
In addition to World Vision's ongoing advocacy around these issues, the organization is part of The Amazing Change, a campaign to mobilize greater awareness of historical and contemporary forms of slavery and promote public action. The Amazing Change Web site provides learning opportunities and hosts a petition for online signatures from people around the country who will publicly speak out against modern day slavery.
On Sunday, February 18, thousands of churches will participate in Amazing Grace Sunday in order to educate and mobilize their congregations about modern day slavery. Churches that participate have committed to do the following on the 18th:Sing the hymn "Amazing Grace" Pray for victims of modern day slavery Watch a clip from the film "Amazing Grace" Look for ways to help combat slavery through organizations like World Vision
Get Involved
>> Speak outagainst modern day slavery. Sign the petition on The Amazing Change Campaign site.
>> Involve your church in Amazing Grace Sunday, on February 18.
February 7, 2007
"Amazing Grace" (in theatres February 23) at long last brings the story of one of the world's most revered abolitionists to the big screen. But, more than this, the film serves as a rallying call to combat slavery that still exists today.
Slavery Still Exists
While Wilberforce's work set in motion a movement that ended the African slave trade, slavery continues to exist in other forms today. Having an especially destructive impact on children, modern day slavery is found around the world: Approximately two million children are enslaved in the commercial sex trade. Exploiting poverty, this form of slavery is woven into the local economy of many countries. Nearly 300,000 children are forced to serve in bloody armed conflicts around the world. "Kill or be killed" is what these children face on a daily basis. An estimated 250 million children work in exploitative labor conditions around the world. From manufacturing sweatshops to domestic service, without choice, these children serve as slaves to industry and the wealthy.
As a child-focused Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision is committed to combating these forms of slavery. Since most forms of exploitation have their roots in poverty, the core of World Vision's work to tackle the causes of poverty can actually reduce a child's vulnerability to exploitation and slavery. In addition, we work to provide care for those who already have been victimized, such as in our center for girls who have escaped the sex trade in Cambodia and our center for rehabilitating former child soldiers in northern Uganda.Our advocacy work in the United States and around the world is focused on changing hearts, minds, attitudes, and government policies, such as we saw with Wilberforce. For example:World Vision's Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project is working both in the United States and in five developing countries to combat the sexual abuse of children by American men traveling abroad. Also, our Pawns of Politics campaign is working to bring peace to northern Uganda and recovery for the children who have served in that country's civil war. "Having seen modern day slavery with my own eyes in Africa and Asia, I hope that this film inspires Americans and others around the world to fight slavery with the same passion and energy that the world experienced with Wilberforce," World Vision President Rich Stearns commented after after seeing "Amazing Grace" at a premier event. "I especially hope that the Church will, once again, play a major role in this modern movement."
The Amazing Change Campaign
In addition to World Vision's ongoing advocacy around these issues, the organization is part of The Amazing Change, a campaign to mobilize greater awareness of historical and contemporary forms of slavery and promote public action. The Amazing Change Web site provides learning opportunities and hosts a petition for online signatures from people around the country who will publicly speak out against modern day slavery.
Getting Churches Involved: Amazing Grace Sunday
On Sunday, February 18, thousands of churches will participate in Amazing Grace Sunday in order to educate and mobilize their congregations about modern day slavery. Churches that participate have committed to do the following on the 18th:Sing the hymn "Amazing Grace" Pray for victims of modern day slavery Watch a clip from the film "Amazing Grace" Look for ways to help combat slavery through organizations like World Vision
Get Involved
>> Speak outagainst modern day slavery. Sign the petition on The Amazing Change Campaign site.
>> Involve your church in Amazing Grace Sunday, on February 18.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]