Recognising the wide range of actors dedicated to ending the scourge of modern slavery and human trafficking, the Thomson Reuters Foundation today unveiled the 28 candidates shortlisted for its annual Stop Slavery Award – after receiving a record number of applications.
Launched in 2015, the Award celebrates the businesses who have set a gold standard in efforts to eradicate forced labour from their supply chains. Last year marked the launch of six additional categories, acknowledging journalists, cutting-edge innovators, impactful collaborations between sectors, public awareness campaigns and the vital contribution of NGOs and grassroots organisations in the fight against modern slavery - a multi-billion dollar industry affecting an estimated 40 million people worldwide.
The judging panel for the Enterprise Award brings together some of the world’s most influential leaders in the global fight against slavery and human trafficking: Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth, Former UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland, International Criminal Lawyer Patricia Viseur Sellers, New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Advisor to the B Team and Visiting Executive at Oxford’s Saïd Business School Rajiv Joshi, Forum for the Future Executive Sally Uren, and Thomson Reuters Foundation COO Nick Glicher.
All Enterprise Award applicants completed an extensive questionnaire developed in partnership with global law firm Baker McKenzie, Headline Sponsor for this year’s virtual award ceremony, and experts in the field. It highlights best practice in corporate commitment and reporting, performance management, business partner engagement, risk assessment and investigation and remediation.
Submissions to the Award were assessed by an independent third party, Uplift Worldwide, using specific criteria based on existing standards and best practices to score the applicants.
The Stop Slavery Enterprise Award (Goods & Service Companies) recognises companies that have taken concrete steps to eradicate forced labour from their supply chains. The shortlist is:
The Stop Slavery Enterprise Award (Small & Medium-Sized Companies) recognises businesses going above and beyond in their efforts to eradicate forced labour, the worst forms of child labour, and other forms of slavery. The shortlist is:
- ARMEDANGELS
- Blue Bear Coffee Co.
- Denim Expert Ltd.
- Diginex Solutions
- HACE: Data Changing Child Labour
The judging panel for the additional six categories (Media, Hero, Impact, Innovation, Collaboration and Campaign) comprises leading figures in their respective fields: Thomson Reuters Foundation CEO Antonio Zappulla, Professor of Modern Slavery Law at King’s College London & Human Rights Barrister Parosha Chandran, Former US Ambassador to Monitor Trafficking in Persons & Robina Fellow at Yale University Luis C.deBaca, Senior Partner at FleishmanHillard Paul Haugen, International Humanitarian Photographer Lisa Kristine, and The Guardian’s Commissioning Editor of its Modern-Day Slavery series, Annie Kelly.
The Stop Slavery Hero Award recognises grass roots organisations that have had a significant impact in the fight to eradicate modern slavery – whether on the front lines, or on a global scale. The shortlist is:
The Stop Slavery Impact Award celebrates organisations who have had success achieving policy or legislation change, resulting in a positive impact for the lives of vulnerable communities. The shortlist is:
The Stop Slavery Innovation Award recognises innovative initiatives in the global fight to end modern slavery. The shortlist is:
The Stop Slavery Collaboration Award honours collaborative programmes that have had a tangible impact in the space. The shortlist is:
The Stop Slavery Campaigns Award commends impactful campaigns that have raised public awareness of modern slavery. The shortlist is:
The Stop Slavery Media Award recognises journalists who have produced a highly impactful story, raising awareness and informing society about the often-overlooked issue of modern slavery and human trafficking. The shortlist is:
- Betiina Martha, Uganda
- Karla María Gutiérrez Lopez, Mexico
- Bhavya Dore, Ankush Kumar, Sadaf Aman, Petra Sorge, India
Join us on Thursday, 25th February for the fifth annual Stop Slavery Award, held virtually for the first time, as we celebrate those dedicated to the fight against all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking, and announce the winners of each category. Each winner will receive a print – conceived especially for the initiative – by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor.
The Stop Slavery Award forms part of the Foundation’s commitment to combatting forced labour and human trafficking, as it seeks to foster more inclusive economies around the world.
