New Deloitte University Press Report Shows How the Power of Partnership Can Help Stop Modern Slavery

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 /3BL Media/ — Today, Deloitte University Press issued “The Freedom Ecosystem – How the Power of Partnership Can Help Stop Modern Day Slavery.” The report, a collaborative effort between Deloitte and Free the Slaves, describes how the Freedom Ecosystem can use collective action to remove conditions that allow slavery to exist. The ecosystem is a cross-section of organizations from the private sector, civil society, government, funding community, and the broader public.

The report, which was previewed at the recent Freedom from Slavery Forum, will be discussed at an upcoming event “Deloitte’s Expert Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Panel” featuring Justine Currell, deputy head of the modern slavery unit, UK Home Office; and Andrew Wallis, founder and CEO of nonprofit Unseen. Both Currell and Wallace helped drive landmark anti-slavery legislation forward in the United Kingdom.

“In 2011, we began work on an analytics project that demonstrated how the power of data can help eradicate human trafficking and slavery,” said Sean Morris, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and federal human capital leader who coauthored the report. “The project results inspired us to get more involved and work with organizations such as Free the Slaves in order to figure out what is really driving slavery and ways to eradicate those drivers.”

“Since its inception in 2000, Free the Slaves has recognized that ending modern day slavery will require a comprehensive approach involving all sectors of society,” said Maurice Middleberg, executive director, Free the Slaves. “This report provides compelling evidence for the Free the Slaves ethos, which is to embrace partnership and collective action as essential strategies for eradicating slavery.”

Through a series of interviews with experts from across the Freedom Ecosystem, extensive secondary research, and analysis of successful collective-action examples, the report authors have identified three elements that allies should apply in collaborating for increased progress:

• Align on common goals
• Build mutual ownership
• Create scalable solutions

Incorporating these elements of collective action can allow allies from across sectors to establish an infrastructure to help reinforce future change as well as address some current challenges such as a standard definition for human trafficking, gaps in and sharing of data, limited resources and policy. They will include:

• Create a professional association for joint learning
• Mobilize resources through strategic alliances
• Unite around a common policy agenda

Throughout the report, examples of recent actions to help end slavery are highlighted and demonstrate how organizations can work together to bring about greater impact in working to eradicate slavery. Find out more about Deloitte’s work on anti-human trafficking.

About Deloitte’s Federal Government practice
Deloitte provides consulting, financial advisory, risk management, audit and tax services to selected clients. More than 7,350 professionals are dedicated to serving U.S. federal clients with wide-ranging missions. Deloitte is helping federal organizations explore how to be more efficient or seize the opportunity to do things differently, with a deep understanding of the government’s requirements, processes and systems along with insights into workforce and technology issues. Deloitte applies a mix of private-sector insights and public-sector experience to help federal agencies rethink, reduce and restructure – from day-to-day operations to large-scale transformations. To learn more, visit www.deloitte.com/federal.

About Free the Slaves
Free the Slaves, a pioneer and leader in the modern day anti-slavery movement, is dedicated to liberating those in slavery and changing the conditions that allow slavery to persist. Free the Slaves, a nonprofit organization, works in countries severely affected by slavery to help the most vulnerable communities achieve long term protection against human trafficking. Free the Slaves, in collaboration with local partners, educates and mobilizes at-risk communities, strengthens legal protections against human trafficking and enhances access to services that reduce vulnerability to slavery. Our work is guided by careful research and stringent evaluation. We have worked in thousands of communities across many countries, leading to the liberation of well over 10,000 people from the shackles of slavery.

For more information about Free the Slaves, please go to www.freetheslaves.net.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.