Pembrokeshire children stand up against slaveryPembrokeshire children will share their views on slavery in the National Assembly for Wales this Wednesday 9th December.
Local Assembly Member Joyce Watson has invited pupils, staff and all involved in the project to Cardiff Bay to launch Slavery Today Through the Eyes of Children, an illustrated booklet.
This book is published by Soroptimist International Tenby and District, and contains the work of children from the Tenby area who took part in a competition to raise awareness of the continuing problems of slavery and trafficking in today’s society, and to raise funds for Anti-slavery International and BAWSO.
In her foreword to the book Joyce Watson AM says:
“In 1807, Parliament voted to ban the transport of slaves by British people, bringing to an end a transatlantic trade that for more than 200 years had enslaved millions of Africans. In 1833, we finally abolished slavery altogether.
“Very sadly, 200 years on, people are still being enslaved. Modern-day slavery exists in many forms throughout the world. The United Nations estimates that there are around 27 million slaves in the world right now – today.
“No country and no community is immune – it is happening right here in Wales. A recent report commissioned by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales called Bordering on Concern highlighted 32 children who over a very short period of time had been trafficked in Wales. We have to do something about that. Together we can.
“That is why I am delighted to endorse this book and am very honoured to have been asked to write the foreword to it. Slavery Today Through the Eyes of Children brings together the personal reflections and artworks of children from, The Greenhill Comprehensive School, Manorbier Church in Wales School; St. Florence Church in Wales School, St. Oswald’s Church in Wales School; Tenby Junior Community School, Templeton CP School and Netherwood School, Saundersfoot. It is the culmination of their efforts, the dedication of their teachers and the vision and support of Soroptimist International Tenby. It has been put together by children, for children, with the proceeds from sales going to Anti-slavery International and BAWSO, organisations which work tirelessly to eliminate all forms of slavery around the world and support victims of human trafficking.
“In 2007 I set up the first Cross-Party Working Group on Trafficking in Women and Children in the National Assembly for Wales to raise awareness of the modern-day slavery that is happening in the world – and in Wales – today. Because by raising awareness, by telling everyone that slavery really does exist, we can begin to do something about it. The more people who stand up and make themselves heard, the louder the message, the stronger we are. Through fantastic projects like this publication we empower the next generation to make their voices heard and together we can make a change.”
Joyce Watson’s report into trafficking in Wales will shortly be published.
Dr. Anne Kelly, Programme Action Officer said: “All of the work was of a very high standard and the children and their teachers are to be congratulated on the considerable amount of thought, time and effort that has been put into this project. The experienced judges of the competition had a difficult time choosing the winning entries. As many entries as possible have been included in this book.
“The work depicted shows amazing insight and empathy with victims of this heinous crime. It also shows the acute awareness and concerns of young people for their fellow man. To foster and nurture such concern is a privilege and honour.”
The entrants fell into two age categories, 7-11 years and 12-15 years. There were 165 entries including stories, pictures, letters, articles, poems, pictures and models. Sponsors include Chevron Limited, with support from the Tenby Observer, and the judges were:- Rosie Swales Pope, Tracey Thomas, John Beynon and Dr. Michael Brew
The winners of the competition were:-
In the 12- 15 years category Greenhill school :-
1st prize Jemima Childs
2nd prize Sarah Louise Davies
3rd prize Bethan Harding – Jones.
In the 7-11 years category the winners were:-
1st prize Manorbier School - winner Bethany Andrews
2nd prize Tenby Junior School - winner Caitlin Sian Kelly
3rd prize St Oswald’s School - winner Connor Hunter
There were also Highly Commended awards for:-
Manorbier school - winner Will Grover
St. Florence school - winner Phoebe Thomas
Netherwood school - winner Hector Martin- Davies
A commended award was received by Templeton School.
To find out more about this and Joyce Watson’s other campaigns click here.
Pictured [l to r]: Jenny Deverson, President of Soroptimist International Tenby & District; Joyce Watson AM; Dr Ann Kelly, Soroptimist; and Pembrokeshire school children.
