By Karen Sizeland, ECPAT UK Training Manager

ECPAT UK was invited to lead a workshop for young people at Anti-Slavery’s Young People’s Conference on 18 October 2011, the 2nd annual Anti-Slavery Day in the UK. The aim of the conference was to raise awareness about contemporary slavery issues and galvanise young people into campaigning action.

The auditorium was buzzing with the chatter of young people when I arrived at the Museum of London in Canary Wharf.  The young people were welcomed with a keynote speech by Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey and then Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, talked to the audience, taking excellent questions from the young people.

The workshop I did with the young people was on child trafficking in the UK, using a quiz format to share knowledge and raise awareness of the issue. The group were year 11 pupils, aged 13-14, accompanied by their teachers. They were very chatty and excited, getting in to groups quickly and debating the answers to the questions.

When we went through these together I was really impressed with the reasoning behind their answers. They worked hard, and were thoughtful and responsive to additional questions posed during the workshop. The group left with armfuls of ECPAT UK materials and sweets as a reward for their commitment, enthusiasm and hard work.

The Museum of London is featuring the excellent ‘London Sugar and Slavery’ gallery that explores the origins of the transatlantic slave trade and London’s role within this. The ECPAT UK Youth Group recently contributed to the exhibition, in partnership with Anti-Slavery UK, the Poppy Project and the Museum of London.

Adult and child survivors of trafficking in the UK  worked together over several weeks to produce decorative panels. Some of these depict their stories, memories and feelings about their experiences. The panels form an exquisite collection and are situated within the gallery exhibition, which runs until February 2012. It's definitely an opportunity not to be missed.

ECPAT UK is very proud of the young people’s commitment to this project and the fantastic display achieved by all those involved.