Our Story
Our Story
The Asia Region Anti-Trafficking conference is a project of the Global Learning Community (GLC). The GLC is a cooperative of over 250 people from 49 countries that are learning together to grow and serve the anti-trafficking and modern slavery response around the world. As such, a team of GLC members design and implement the ARAT conference every year based on input from the wider GLC community.
“A regional network to counter a regional network”
Dark Bali, The Freedom Story, Dark Bali, Ashray, Eleison Foundatio, The Whispering Willow, and The Global Learning Community believe that businesses, unions, government, academia and NGOs really need to work together, because only together can we end this crime and change the lives of so many powerless people. It’s a shared responsibility and it takes multi-sector collaboration.
The Asia Region Anti-Trafficking Conference is the natural progression of the work done by everyone involved. Collaboration is a key part of how we work and we aim to support and facilitate partnerships during this time. Starting in 2017, this conference has become an important event in the region. It is our aim to develop multi-sector learning and partnerships to improve our responses to the issues of human trafficking and slavery in Asia. We aim to be updated on the trends and changes in the last 3-5 years in the region and its impact for the future to establish the realities of our context. We aim to learn from each other about the best practices in what and how we best work in our contexts. Finally, we aim to identify key industries and contexts for collaborative action
Thank you for your interest in our conference,
Dark Bali, Eleison Foundation, The Freedom Story, Ashray, The Whispering Willow, and The Global Learning Community
Conference Mission
Conference Mission
AT THE ASIA REGION ANTI-TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE WE AIM:
To develop multi-sector learning and partnerships to improve our responses to the issues of human trafficking and slavery in Asia.
To be updated on the trends and changes in the last 3-5 years in the region and its impact for the future to establish the realities of our context
To learn from each other the leading practices in what we do in our contexts
To identify key industries and contexts for collaborative action
Who should attend:
We believe learning happens through peer interaction. This conference is designed to incorporate all sectors involved in anti-human trafficking, such as; private sector, non-government organizations, academia, and government. In an effort to support those who want to attend and are new to anti-human trafficking we will be offering an opening session before the conference starts.
The Asia Region Anti-Trafficking Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand first on Nov. 13-16 2017, then again on Feb. 25-28 2019. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was shifted online during July 20-23 2020 and July 2021 & 2022. The conference returned to an in person format with the option for an online hybrid option in 2023 and 2024 in Bali, Indonesia. ARAT 2025 and 2026 will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
ARAT is a collaborative conference that was founded in partnership between Chab Dai Coalition in Cambodia, Be Slavery Free in Australia, and The Freedom Story in Thailand and exists as a project under the Global Learning Community with a various members making up each year’s planning committee. The conference is structured to create a learning community where participants can actively engage with and learn from one another. We aim to create a virtual and physical space for connections and partnership to occur organically and intentionally.
The main topics for the conference will be developed through attendee feedback and input from Global Learning Community members.
2025 Asia Region Anti-Trafficking Conference Themes
1) Organizational Development & Capacity Building - Contributing to the ongoing development of individuals and organizations in attendance and providing them with practical tools, resources, and knowledge for professional growth
2) Current Trends & Research in the Region - Equipping conference attendees with up-to-date research from our sector and information about the developing trafficking trends within the region
3) Survivor Inclusion - Prioritizing the role of survivors of trafficking in the movement and ensuring that they retain a prominent place as contributors both on stage and behind the scenes
4) Collaboration & Networking - Cultivating a space where relationships can be forged and strengthened for the benefit of the movement and the people in it