Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie A. Bassett at the Opening Ceremony of National Youth Summit of the Movement of Anti-trafficking Advocates, Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, October 24, 2011

(As prepared for delivery)

Secretary of Justice, Honorable Leila De Lima; Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy, Mr. William Robinson; MTV EXIT Campaign Director, Matt Love; Visayan Forum Foundation Deputy Executive Director, Roland Pacis; Colleagues and partners; Good morning to you all.

I would like to congratulate the many organizers and partners of this event – the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT), Visayan Forum Foundation, MTV EXIT and our partners at AusAid.  I would also like to congratulate and applaud the youth leaders who are participating in this summit for taking a stand against human trafficking.

I am honored to speak before you today about an issue that is close to my heart.  In his presidential proclamation marking January as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, President Obama enjoined everyone to end the darkness and inhumanity of trafficking.  I am so pleased to see this gathering of youth leaders from all over the Philippines.  You represent a growing, national Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates.  The convening of the members of the Movement Against Trafficking Advocates this week is a testament to the commitment of the Filipino youth to fight trafficking across the entire country.  We all must join hands to fight this form of modern day slavery. 

We all know the horrors of human trafficking.  Traffickers exploit people’s quest to find a better life for themselves and their families.  Victims of trafficking are subject to sexual exploitation and forced labor.  Victims are deceived because they lack the knowledge to distinguish between true prospects and the false opportunities offered by traffickers who prey upon the hopes and dreams of others.

You all have the power to stop these horrors.  As leaders in your communities, you have the power and the responsibility to take action.  Your participation in this National Youth Summit indicates that you refuse to be silent.  You are here because you are committed to put an end to human trafficking. 

As participants in this week’s Youth Summit, you are all going to work hard over the next few days to share experiences on how you combat trafficking, and to learn about creative multimedia tools and tactics for campaign planning. With your campaign skills and products in one hand and your enthusiasm in the other, you will be able to promote awareness on human trafficking and exploitation in your local communities. 

The United States Government believes that the power to turn the tide against human trafficking is in your hands – that’s why we are proud sponsors of this summit and this week’s MTV EXIT. 

The US Government is also actively supporting anti-trafficking activities in the Philippines. This support has included bolstering the efforts of Filipino institutions to prevent trafficking by raising awareness and strengthening the efforts of those who rescue and protect victims. Efforts have also included support to Philippine law enforcement authorities to improve the prosecution of human trafficking cases.

The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, has been partnering for 50 years with the Government of the Philippines to provide economic opportunities, education and health services to improve the lives of millions. I invite you to commemorate our historical partnership this November 4th at the Mall of Asia where many young people like yourselves will be joining us to learn more about how we are improving lives in the Philippines.

I embolden you to take the skills you gain this week, and your passion, back to your communities to spread the message and end exploitation and trafficking.

I commend all of you for working to save your peers from modern day slavery, and urge you to not give up.  You are needed to keep up this fight to make the Philippines a nation free of human trafficking. 

Thank you!