World leaders, royals, and human rights advocates gather in London to build bridges against trafficking and exploitation
LONDON — A powerful call to dismantle the systems sustaining modern slavery and human trafficking rang out in Croydon as AIDO Network International concluded its 7th Annual International Convention. The four-day event, themed “Breaking Bridges to Combat Modern-Day Slavery and Stop Human Trafficking Worldwide”, working with the Stop Trafficking movement drew participants from across the globe — including royals, cultural leaders, policy experts, and survivors — uniting under one cause: restoring humanity’s freedom and dignity.
A Journey Through History and Hope
On 5th September, the conference began with a keynote presentation from Chief Dr. Ben Israel Yoesghaft, representing HE Amb. Irenoe Namboka, followed by an unforgettable address from HRH Queen Achom II (Dr. Hilary Brown) of CARICOM. Her emotional retelling of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its links to modern trafficking stirred up a lot of emotion in the audience.
Panels That Sparked Change
The first panel’s notable contributors included Chief Eric Phillips Siphosezulu, Dr. Myrna Belgrave Achom V, and Queen Mother Violet Smith. It explored reparations, historical justice, and contemporary exploitation.
The second human rights panel was chaired by Mr. Martin Weightman, Director of Human Rights at AIDO and Stop Trafficking and hit at the heart of the issue with members of Stop Trafficking as well as representatives of the UK Home Office involved with this issue and community relations.
The Stop Trafficking representatives were led by Dr. Sheik Ramzy (Oxford), Keith Best (former MP) along with Dr. Nicola Garrington. They explored the issue in the UK today and the hidden extent to which modern day slavery exists, not only in the UK but around the world going into some of the solutions that exist and put further into practice. The representatives of the Home Office outlined the government’s strategy and underlined the need for cooperation and engagement with different groups involved and how they were very open to suggestions to improve conditions.
The third panel was a focus on the solutions that AIDO is developing and supporting. This included:
- Drug abuse awareness: presented by Princess Ulrike Pohlman, recounting AIDO’s sensitisation work in Ugandan schools.
- Community impact: highlighted by Chief Dione Hayness Paade (ACDA) and Dr. Nicola’s survivor rescue experiences.
- Human rights education: presented by Tracey Coleman of the Church of Scientology and Youth for Human Rights International
- Stop Trafficking: Captain Ali Javid summarised the positive approach being taken through materials, engagement and raising awareness of the problem.
The conference concluded with the signing of a Declaration which was a commitment to take action against reprehensible crime of modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
The Bigger Picture
50 million people worldwide live in modern slavery today.
In the UK alone, over 19,000 potential victims were referred to the National Referral Mechanism in 2024 — the highest on record.
Children account for nearly one-third of these cases.
The AIDO convention was not just a conference — it was a global rallying point. By bridging the past with the present, and uniting leaders with communities, AIDO Network International continues its mission to “restore sanity, justice, and freedom worldwide”.
