Bryan event spotlights human trafficking

DAYTON, Tenn. -- "International Human Rights: Freedom from Persecution" is the theme of the second international conference on human trafficking, set this week at Bryan College.

"Thirty million persons are in bondage today, victims of the worldwide scourge of human trafficking," according to Ron Petitte, director of the Bryan Institute's Center for Leadership Initiatives and host for the conference. "The vast majority of these victims are women and children, sold on the black market without regard to their welfare or fate."

Petitte said the practice can be fought only with "moral leadership and determination."

Speakers, including representatives of law enforcement, diplomatic and ministry organizations, will address aspects of the problem in sessions at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday's schedule includes workshops, lectures and prayer vigils.

J. Daryl Charles, director and senior fellow of the Bryan Institute for Critical Thought & Practice, said he hopes this year's conference will "address and inform" people about the injustices in the world and what can be done.

Paul Marshall, senior fellow in the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., will open the conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday with an address on "The Worldwide Church in the New Millennium" in Rudd Auditorium.

Other speakers include Wayne Barnard, director of student ministries for the International Justice Mission, a human rights agency working for justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and violent oppression; Ann Karl, special assistant to the ambassador in the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; Detective Sgt. Roddy Llewellyn and Detective Inspector Steve Wilkinson of New Scotland Yard; and Kenneth Turner, associate professor of Bible at Bryan College.

In addition, there will be an art gallery featuring student art related to conference themes.