May 22, 2009

 

U.S. Government Supports MTV Concert Highlighting the Fight Against
Human Trafficking in the Philippines

 

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney, along with Visayan Forum Foundation President Cecil Oebanda and MTV EXIT Campaign Director Simon Goff, will kick off the MTV 2009 Philippines Concert Tour at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Manila at 6:00 PM.

“The U.S. Government is honored to be a partner of MTV EXIT and MTV Philippines in this creative campaign against modern-day slavery.  I urge everyone to join hands in making sure that our family members, our neighbors, friends, and local organizations are informed about the scourge of human trafficking so that we, as a caring community, can do our share to help eradicate this crime that strips individuals, especially women and children, of their dignity and worth,” said U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney.

The U.S. Government, through the Department of State and USAID, has provided $4.8 million to support anti-trafficking initiatives in the Philippines since 2003.  The U.S. Government supports the Philippine Government, nongovernmental organizations, and civil society groups in their efforts to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking, to provide essential services and protection to victims, and to assist in the enforcement of the Philippine anti-trafficking law.    

The MTV EXIT 2009 Philippines concert tour launches its first concert in Manila on May 22, followed by Angeles City on July 4, Davao City on September 12, and Cebu City on November 14.  The goal of the concert series is to encourage citizens and communities to get involved in stopping human trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation and helping the victims. 

The MTV End Exploitation and Trafficking (EXIT) campaign raises awareness to help prevent human trafficking in Asia and the Pacific through television programs, the internet, live concerts, and partnerships with anti-trafficking organizations.  The MTV EXIT 2009 Philippines Concert Tour is produced by the MTV Europe Foundation in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

###