Abolishing Slavery...
Commemorating the Bicentenary
It is 200 years since Parliament passed the Act to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire – the start of a long road to abolition.
The slave trade was a profoundly inhuman enterprise and the bicentenary provides us with an opportunity to express our sorrow that it happened.
It also enables us to remember those who suffered and who campaigned for abolition, and to re-double our efforts to address the legacy of the slave trade and to tackle injustice in the world today.
We have a strong programme to address modern slavery, with legislation, international co-operation, enforcement and support for victims. Last year we opened the first human trafficking centre. But we have a lot more to do this year and we will apply pressure wherever we can to end this abhorrent practice.
This anniversary is a chance for all of us to deepen understanding of our heritage, celebrate the richness of our diversity and increase our determination to shape the world with the values we share.
Tony Blair
- Full Calendar of Events (PDF, 468K)
please download this calendar so that you can see what events are happening where...
- Reed Welcomes Events to Commemorate the Abolition of Slavery
Breaking the Chains - Eliminating slavery, ending poverty
This publication from the Department For International Development (DFID) explicitly links the modern slave trade to the continued existence of poverty. Poverty produces the conditions of desperation and ignorance that allow the slave trade to flourish. We must tackle modern-day slavery in all its forms and make this bicentenary count.
- Reed Welcomes Publicaiton on Eliminating Slavery
article from Daily News (21st Feb 07)
Amazing Grace - The William Wilberforce Story
Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget...
The release of the film Amazing Grace is just one of the key events marking the bicentenary this year. The film follows the story of William Wilberforce in his journey to abolish the slave trade.
The movie was released in cinemas across the country on Friday 23rd March and has been a hit with audiences around the country. I would encourage everyone to go and see this film, which is incredibly inspirational especially for someone working in politics.
Wilberforce was an amazingly talented individual, who, after a dramatic conversion, was determined to follow God's plan for his life. Everything he did was motivated by his Christian faith and, springing from that, his desire to make the world a better place. Wilberforce is an inspiration for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world. In addition to leading the parliamentary battle to abolish the slave trade, he founded such diverse organisations as the Bible Society and the RSPCA. His example is one that I believe all Christians should follow.
Stop the Traffik - ending modern-day slavery
The Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807 was a remarkable achievement for Wilberforce and the abolitionists, however, it did not immediately end the cruel and inhumane act of buying and selling human-beings. In fact it is estimated that there are several million slaves in the world today.
It is vital that more is done to tackle this problem... see the Stop the Traffik website (below) for more information on the campaign.
