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| How to work together to end modern-day slavery | How to work together to end modern-day slavery |
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| The anti-slavery sector is fractured. With a whole host of issues grouped under one umbrella and a variety of NGO activities (from grassroots awareness raising to lobbying policymakers on the international stage) happening across the world simultaneously, it has traditionally been very difficult for organisations to collaborate, share information or resources. | The anti-slavery sector is fractured. With a whole host of issues grouped under one umbrella and a variety of NGO activities (from grassroots awareness raising to lobbying policymakers on the international stage) happening across the world simultaneously, it has traditionally been very difficult for organisations to collaborate, share information or resources. |
| These are the views of the heads of several agencies, all working to combat modern-day slavery. Dave Batstone, president of Not For Sale, summed up the challenges and their costs, saying: "Collaboration is hard work because it runs counter to an agency's instinct to think first of its own need for money and other resources. But cocooning your work in a social cause will prove even more costly because you will miss out on dynamic opportunities to grow your network and your influence." | These are the views of the heads of several agencies, all working to combat modern-day slavery. Dave Batstone, president of Not For Sale, summed up the challenges and their costs, saying: "Collaboration is hard work because it runs counter to an agency's instinct to think first of its own need for money and other resources. But cocooning your work in a social cause will prove even more costly because you will miss out on dynamic opportunities to grow your network and your influence." |
| But, by their own admission, it seems that attitudes are finally changing – and there are successes to prove it. The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (Atest) is just one example of successful collaboration. The coalition is made of 12 US-based human rights organisations with anti-slavery programmes. These organisations differ significantly in size, geographical reach – and it can be assumed funding and supporter base – yet Atest has six jointly-defined policy objectives and has been praised for its work surrounding the Trafficking victims protection act. Results that might have been difficult for any one organisation to see on its own. | But, by their own admission, it seems that attitudes are finally changing – and there are successes to prove it. The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (Atest) is just one example of successful collaboration. The coalition is made of 12 US-based human rights organisations with anti-slavery programmes. These organisations differ significantly in size, geographical reach – and it can be assumed funding and supporter base – yet Atest has six jointly-defined policy objectives and has been praised for its work surrounding the Trafficking victims protection act. Results that might have been difficult for any one organisation to see on its own. |
| Some within the sector are suggesting that social media can be credited, at least in part, for the rise in collaborative working. Tim Waldron, chief executive of Love146, a UK-based anti-trafficking charity says: "Social media and increasing recognition of anti-slavery and trafficking efforts by the private sector and public at large is certainly helping push this along. We're beginning to see a more strategic approach to partnership working, with strategic thinking that is putting collaboration at the core of more long-term planning, which are all very positive signs." | Some within the sector are suggesting that social media can be credited, at least in part, for the rise in collaborative working. Tim Waldron, chief executive of Love146, a UK-based anti-trafficking charity says: "Social media and increasing recognition of anti-slavery and trafficking efforts by the private sector and public at large is certainly helping push this along. We're beginning to see a more strategic approach to partnership working, with strategic thinking that is putting collaboration at the core of more long-term planning, which are all very positive signs." |
| So what are the lessons from successful alliances such as Atest? How can organisations that work in this sector make better use of information communication technology and social media to foster deeper and effective networks? What is the key to working not just with other NGOs but also with the private sector? | So what are the lessons from successful alliances such as Atest? How can organisations that work in this sector make better use of information communication technology and social media to foster deeper and effective networks? What is the key to working not just with other NGOs but also with the private sector? |
| Join our panel online this Thursday, 27 June, at 1pm to share your views on what's been preventing collaboration and your ideas on how best to overcome these challenges and work together to end modern-day slavery. | Join our panel online this Thursday, 27 June, at 1pm to share your views on what's been preventing collaboration and your ideas on how best to overcome these challenges and work together to end modern-day slavery. |
| The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). To give your views ahead of the chat, or recommend a panelist, email globaldevpros@guardian.co.uk. Follow our tweets on Thursday using the hashtag #globaldevlive |