HUMAN trafficking will be a key topic at the 10th Social Justice Youth Forum at Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Banyo Campus on Friday (May 30).
Award-winning lawyer, teacher, practitioner and scholar Anne Gallagher is the keynote speaker the topic of “Not for Sale: Working Together to End Human Trafficking”.
Dr Gallagher is one of the leading global authorities on human trafficking. She spent 12 years working with the United Nations on the issue and supports governments around the world to develop more effective criminal justice responses to trafficking.
ACU lecturer and former school teacher Miriam Tanti will deliver the final address, “Tweeting for Justice” and will conduct a workshop on the role of social media in promoting social justice issues.
An ACU spokesperson said the Social Justice Youth Forum was an opportunity for the university to share its mission and its commitment to social justice with senior school students of south-east Queensland.
Students will participate in lectures and workshops aimed at raising their awareness of a wide range of social justice issues and concerns, such as human trafficking, care of the earth, educating refugees and homelessness in Australia.
ACU lecturers and volunteers from organisations such as St Vincent de Paul Society, Australian Catholic Religions Against Trafficking in Humans, and Catholic Mission will conduct the workshops.
Associate Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Nyland said events such as the forum were fundamental in including young people in the debate about social justice.
“Social awareness and active engagement is critical to the development of our future leaders,” he said. “The level of compassion and quality of debate that the school students demonstrate when grappling with some of the big issues at the Social Justice Youth Forum is deeply inspiring.”
More than 200 secondary school students were expected to attend this week’s forum.
Among the schools represented will be Seton College, Villanova College, Clayfield College, Springfield Anglican College, Stuartholme School, Carmel College, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Mary MacKillop College, Mt Alernia College, Iona College and All Hallows’ School.
