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Art meets Activism in the News

4/21/2013

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Today, the Salt Lake Tribune featured a story entitled Art meets Activism on the cover of "The Mix" section of the Sunday paper. The story recounted the efforts of Ronny Edry, an Israeli graphic designer who has his students at the Salt Lake Community College how to create a poster to communicate a message to further cross-cultural understanding.  An excellent illustration of how modern technology makes it possible for students to create a high quality poster that can be used to educate people via a variety of social media platforms.  This is very similar to the infographic assignment in my International Tourism course.  I require the students to create a poster to communicate a "Call to Action" to save an endangered species, endangered places and/or effect a difference in any number of environmental awareness topics.  


Check out the excellent infographic created by one of my students this past week.  This infographic was designed by Krystal Schultz. If you are interested in making a difference in saving the tigers from extinction, why not check out the suggestions on Krystal's blog. 




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Stop the Trafficking of Humans

4/10/2013

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I love this photo . . . we need to ensure that people know that human slavery continues to exist. We need to stop the trafficking of human beings, particularly children.
Trafficking in Human Beings and Human Slavery not only exists today, it has increased 18% between 2008 and 2010.  Due to the illegal nature of the activity it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics, but it is estimated nearly 21 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking (2012 statistics from the International Labor Organization). 


Please check out this video entitled "One woman's story of the horrors of human trafficking" features Somaly Mam. When Somaly was sold into slavery when she was just 12 years old.  Unfortunately, her grandfather sold her into a series of "owners" who forced her to work in brothels in Southeast Asia.  When tourists visit many of the areas in Southeast Asia they engage in prostitution falsely believing that the people working in these brothels do so willingly.  You can be part of the solution by NOT participating in these types of activities.  
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Is your State a Safe Harbor State?

4/4/2013

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Safe Harbor Laws protect the victims of the commercial sexual exploitation.
Learn more at the Polaris Project website - Just click the image above.
Thank you Utah legislators for passing UT HB 163 Human Trafficking Amendments.  The Governor signed the legislation into law on March 27, 2013.  These amendments modified the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Judicial Code, and the Utah Office for Victims of Crime to incorporate provisions regarding human trafficking and human smuggling, including exploiting prostitution. This is a great step forward for our state . . . we must ensure that we continue pressing our legislators to further protection for minors that have been exploited illegally.  Where is your state in protecting the rights of exploited youth?

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls and texts from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).  The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a non-profit, non-government organization.  Please note they are NOT law enforcement or an immigration authority. Please call:
  • to report a tip;
  • to find someone near you to assist with anti-trafficking resources in your area;
  • to obtain training or general information, or specific anti-trafficking resources.

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Sex Trafficking is a Problem Globally including the United States

4/3/2013

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Sex Trafficking is a global problem. This is often overlooked by most people as existing only in the less developed areas of the world, but it happens even in America. You may have thought that slavery was limited to early history, but slavery is more widespread and involves more people today than at any other time in history. Today there are an estimated 27 million slaves worldwide.  Human trafficking and slavery remain lucrative criminal enterprises that must be eliminated. 
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor Holds a Press Conference outside Ocean Spa Massage
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor holds a press conference outside Ocean Spa Massage about the latest developments.
The news can be unsettling but the reality is sex trafficking is happening even in the United States.  A recent news report cited a Tampa city business, the Ocean Spa Massage was "shut down for possible human trafficking"
Stop Human Trafficking
Humans are NOT for Sale!
We need everyone to help stop the trafficking of human beings, particularly children 

What can you do?
Check out the " Real Man" videos like this one featuring Justin Timberlake. There are other video clips on YouTube, such as,
Real Men Do their own Laundry with Ashton Kutcher.  

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    Author: Linda Ralston

    This blog is authored by Dr. Linda Ralston with the intent of educating tourists on how to be responsible and sustainable in their travel experiences. Check out the latest news with the Resort Manager's News . . . a free paper updated daily.

    Check out my other blogs:
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    Sabbatical Blog (2009)


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    Linda Ralston

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