Twenty Years of a Global Human Trafficking Conference: What Have We Learned and Where Should We Go from Here?
Busisiwe Nkosi & Celia Williamson, PhD, LISW | September 18 | 11:15 am-12:15 pm
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Since the early 2000s, there has been a growing focus on human trafficking, with scholars, advocates, policy makers, and survivors increasingly contributing to the narrative. The International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference has encapsulated two decades of national and global discussions on human trafficking and social justice issues. For this presentation, conference abstracts from 2004 to 2023 were analyzed using thematic analysis. The researchers reviewed and coded each abstract. Using inter-coder reliability, differences were resolved through discussion to establish consensus. Themes were developed inductively as they emerged from the abstracts. The two presenters would like to thank Anna Schramm for her contribution to the analysis of conference data and findings. This presentation sheds light on those enduring narratives, the evolving discourse on intersectionality, and the changing landscape of national and international dialogues surrounding human trafficking. It prompts reflection on our collective learnings and encourages deliberation on the future trajectory of the international conversation in this crucial area.
Presentation Objectives:
• Describe the trends and shifts in the narrative on human trafficking
• Synthesize the lessons learned and identify gaps for the future years