This presentation will explore the relationship between climate change and forms of forced and child labor. The role of extractive economic practices, war and conflict, and ongoing genocides will also be explored. This presentation utilizes community-based participatory research methods, including findings from grassroots and survivor-led organizations, to identify best and promising practices for the prevention and mitigation of forced labor and environmental plunder. Grounded in the theories of Fanon and Rodney, the presenter will draw upon the work of survivor-led organizations to explore solutions, including models for sustainability and community-based prevention models. Organizations discussed will include Friends of the Congo, the Free Alabama Movement, and Liyang Network. Case studies from U.S. national and international news sources will be used to contextualize the impact of forced labor and climate change on migrant workers, incarcerated peoples, youth, and frontline environmental defenders. Suggestions for research, policy, and practice will be explored at the end of the presentation. There will be opportunity at the end for discussion, including sharing out of commitments towards addressing the issue of forced labor, as well as partnering strategically with individuals and organizations working to combat labor trafficking and/or climate change. Resources will be included at the end, before opening up for a 15-minute Q&A with the panelist.
Anastasia Lynge is a program coordinator and consulting researcher in the anti-human trafficking and labor rights sectors. Their current areas of professional focus include mitigation of forced labor and child labor in supply chains, development of worker-centric trainings, and the public health approach to trafficking prevention.