Business Leader’s Award to Fight Human Trafficking Announced

(Davos, 25 January 2013) —The Business Leader’s Award to Fight Human Trafficking was announced by the End Human Trafficking Now (EHTN) Award Jury in a unanimous decision today in Davos. It is the first-ever global award of its kind to recognize and honor business leaders engaged in combating human trafficking.

The Award represents the leadership, vision and innovation, as well as commitment and action in preventing and eliminating what is often referred to as the modern slavery of our times. While the Jury had to agree upon one winner only, it appreciated all business leaders’ initiatives nominated for this Award.

“The main purpose of the award is not only to select the winner but to keep the business anti-trafficking movement going by strengthening the business case for this cause and sharing examples of good business practice,” said Dr. Nafis Sadik, representing the Award Jury.

The Award Jury selected Tristan Forster, CEO of FSI Worldwide, as a driving force in establishing and leading a recruitment and manpower company promoting ethical labour supply in a region and sectors of high-risk of human trafficking and bonded labour.

“Forster has consistently shown leadership, demonstrated innovation in measures, implemented the best available practices, and motivated partners in his sector and beyond to join him in this cause,” said Dr. Nafis Sadik, on behalf of the Jury.

Tristan Forster, CEO of FSI Worldwide, accepts the Business Leader's Award to Fight Human Trafficking from Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s Artistic Director and Co-President.

The Jury gave special commendation to four nominees for their originality and creative approach in addressing human trafficking:

• Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan, Co-directors of Beulah London, for creating a business enterprise providing a sustainable alternative livelihood to victims of trafficking by involving them in production of the garments;
• Anelia Wirtz, Director of Heaven’s Attic, for launching an innovative business contributing both to grassroots anti-trafficking projects and awareness-raising;
• Jeffrey Williams, Senior Vice President of Apple, for introducing systemic changes in the recruitment policy and practice of foreign contract workers in Apple’s supply chain to prevent trafficking and exploitation, and for advocating for this approach across the electronic industry; and
• Doug Cahn, for inventing an online learning course on human trafficking for businesses to address transparency requirements of the new law of the State of California.

The Jury also expressed special recognition to Carlos de Jesus Vega for his “outstanding and original work to prevent human trafficking, undertaken in a difficult environment.”

The Trophy, created by Chopard, was bestowed to Forster by Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s Artistic Director and Co-President.

End Human Trafficking Now and the UN Global Compact have developed a strong partnership in several key EHTN projects. The Global Compact played a significant role in designing and managing the Business Leader’s Award to Fight Human Trafficking. Its team provided technical expertise to the Advisory Committee and Global Compact Executive Director Georg Kell is a member of the Award Jury in his personal capacity.

UN Global Compact Executive Director Georg Kell gives closing remarks at the Business Leader's Award Ceremony.

• For more information about the Business Leader’s Award to Fight Human Trafficking, click here.
• View the Business Leader's Award Program

Contact

Rasha Hammad
End Human Trafficking Now
r.hammad@ehtn.org
+41 (0) 78 640 1566 (mobile)
+41 (0) 22 716 5334

About End Human Trafficking Now
End Human Trafficking Now (EHTN) is the first global association aimed at eliminating human trafficking by engaging the private sector. It is a Swiss-based independent international non-profit association, formed in accordance with articles 60 ff of the Swiss Civil Code. EHTN’s headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.

About the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking
Launched in March 2007, the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) is a multi-stakeholder initiative providing global access to expertise, knowledge and innovative partnerships to combat human trafficking. The Global Initiative is based on a simple principle: human trafficking is a crime of such magnitude and atrocity that it cannot be dealt with successfully by any government alone. This global problem requires a global, multi-stakeholder strategy that builds on national efforts throughout the world.