Atlanta International Schools stands with youthSpark August 26, 2020

The student-led group, Atlanta International School Against HumanTrafficking (AISAHT) has enjoyed a close collaboration with youthSpark since2010. It’s a relationship that comes into focus on a global scale each March,when the students, in conjunction with CNN, host an international day of actionthat highlights the horrors of human trafficking. Known as #MyFreedomDay theevent has grown to include schools from over 100 countries, generating upwardsof 1.4 billion Twitter impressions. 

An important part of the day of action has included a communityawareness evening and panel discussion featuring representatives fromyouthSpark. At last year’s event Dorsey Jones, a Survivor and Case Manager /Voices coordinator for youthSpark was joined by representatives fromorganizations including Street Grace, the FBI squad responsible forinvestigating human trafficking and the Tahirih Justice Center. 

The collaboration was in evidence again in 2019 at the NationalCenter for Civil and Human Rights, when youthSpark Executive Director JenniferSwain was invited to give context to the theme of modern slavery at atheatrical performance entitled ‘The Price of Freedom’ exploring the rise ofhuman trafficking in the 21st century, and how we can take action to stopit. 

This summit event was the culmination of a 3 day theatricalfestival in which Atlanta International School, The National Center for Civiland Human Rights and the International Schools Association (ISTA) partneredwith youthSpark. It included over 100 students from 8 international schools aswell as local Atlanta schools. 

Presented in the main lobby of the center, the audience followedwhere the action took them within the space, with invited guest speakersintegrated into the performance. Other guests included Mike McCarthy,Senior VP and General Manager for CNN International, Mary Frances Bowley,President and Founder of Wellspring Living and Jonothan Neelands, Lead educatoron Theatre and Social Change, from Bristol University in the UK. 

This year, youthSpark andAIS Against Human Trafficking will be working together once more at#MyFreedomDay, please look out for further information!