Understanding “Modern Slavery”

The term “modern slavery” is creation of Walking Free Foundation

The Global Slavery Index is annual report providing ranking, by country wise, of the number of people in "modern slavery", as well as an analysis of the actions governments are taking to respond, and the factors that make people vulnerable. The report is published by Walk Free Foundation.  The Walk Free Foundation is an Australian NGO aimed towards ending what it refers to as 'Modern Slavery'. 

The Minderoo Foundation is behind Walking Free Foundation

Walk Free Foundation (twitter account @WalkFreeFdn) is one of the programs of the Minderoo Group encompassing both commercial and philanthropic activities. The group pursues opportunities in investments, benefits from a number of pastoral leases, property investments and mineral exploration projects. The Minderoo Foundation was established by Andrew and Nicola Forrest in 2001 and was originally known as the Australian Children’s Trust. Other activities under philanthropic branch of Minderoo are Generation One (aimed at ending disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through providing employments), Forrest Research Foundation (aimed at assisting Western Australia in becoming a research and innovation Centre through through doctoral studies or a postdoctoral fellowships), Thrive by Five (aimed at encouraging a long term and evidence-based approach to Australia policy on children) and Arts, Culture & Community (aimed at supporting community projects nationally and internationally through a network of more than 250 partnerships that range from Channel 7 Telethon, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul,  Inspired Living,  and Gurama Yani U’.

Walking Free Foundation leverages International Organizations

Walk Free Foundation works together with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to generate joint estimates of "Modern Slavery". Walk Free Foundation is leveraging Bali Process by providing the Secretariat for the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, and championing business sector engagement in this regional program.

Bali Process is an informal non-binding International official forum working towards issues relating to people smuggling, human trafficking, and related transnational crime and proper responses to these issues.  Bali Process is since its inception in 2002, is engaged in effectively raising regional awareness of the consequences of people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime. It is a forum for policy dialogue, information sharing and practical cooperation to help the region address these challenges. The Bali process is steered by Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Thailand and is co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia. The Bali Process has 45-member states and IOM (International Organization for Migration), UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), UNODC (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime), APC, Interpol, ICMPD, IGC, UNDP, IFRC, ICRC, ILO, ADB, World Bank are also associated with the Bali Process.

Walk Free Foundation is behind Global Freedom Network (GFN)

Walk Free Foundation has strategized and created Global Freedom Network (GFN). The GFN is aimed at leveraging engagement with faith leaders around the world and work with them to take spiritual and practical actions to eradicate modern slavery. GFN is also claims to empower faith leaders to mobilize their efforts to collaborate with the private, public and civil sectors to fight the cause of Walk Free Foundation. GFN also works with governments of the ten leading economies of the world to support them to enact laws, and ensure budget and capability for enforcement, to hold organizations accountable for "modern slavery" in their supply chains. GFN seeks participation of country leaders to join faith leaders in signing the Joint Declaration Against Slavery. The Walk Free Foundation is also scaling effective anti-slavery responses in partnership with the Freedom Fund and seed funded the global activist movement, Freedom United, whose community of 8 million supporters are campaigning for change. The Walk Free Foundation continues to work with faiths, governments and NGOs throughout the world to agitate for change and support initiatives dedicated to the eradication of modern slavery in all its forms.

The Minderoo Foundation is inherently Christian

While the Walk Free Foundation has created faith-based organization GFN which is led by Christian organizations, the Arts, Culture & Community wing of Minderoo has many Christian and Church organizations missionary in nature.  The activities of Minderoo is thus influenced by Church organizations.  Minderoo is able to sew a network of commercial, philanthropic activities in the background of Christian framework and is attempting to leverage non-Christian celebrities, institutions and resources to set global agenda for Internal organizations and governments of nation states. 

Among the prominent organizations of this sort includes the Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.  One other organization, the St Vincent de Paul Society was founded by a 20 year old student named Frederic Ozanam in 1833. It was established by like minded individuals who wished to put their faith into action. This society talks the language of compassionate outlook, enthusiasm and vision and social justice and are referred to as Vincentians. Vincentians engage in activities to feed, clothe, house and assist people who are identified by the society as forced onto the margins of society. Vincentians follow the teachings of scriptures in their enquiry about the suffering of the people.  The Channel 7 Telethon Trust is a registered charity, governed by a Board of Trustees.  Telethon is a network of media channels providing the Trust with tangible and intangible support through infrastructure, facilities, service and professional advice. The Trust also engages numerous other companies who donate time, resources and equipment to help us keep our costs to an absolute minimum across each year.  The Inspired Living Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, which has been providing leadership and wellbeing programs to schools and community groups throughout Western Australia since 2011.