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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEWS

#MyFreedomDay: Raising Awareness and Driving Change

By Veronica McDaniel
29-Jan-25
#MyFreedomDay: Raising Awareness and Driving Change
(Photo source: CNN Freedom Project)

On March 11, 2025, join the global movement against human trafficking by participating in CNN Freedom Project's #MyFreedomDay, a student-led day of action dedicated to raising awareness and driving change. This powerful day has already reached billions of people in over 140 countries, with thousands of students coming together to stand up for freedom. Whether you're organizing an event at school, engaging your community, or spreading awareness on social media, your involvement can help make a real impact. With the support of organizations like Freedom United, Apne Aap, and the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, we’re ready to amplify our efforts and make this year's #MyFreedomDay the most impactful yet. Get inspired, get involved, and let’s unite for a future free from human trafficking!

To help you get started, check out examples from last year’s event and read through this list of ideas to show your commitment:

  • Host an all school walkout in honor of those trapped in modern slavery.

  • Host a Fair Trade/ethically sourced products fashion show or food sale. See the guide here.

  • Host a panel discussion with local experts.

  • Host a color run.

  • Organize a stand for freedom.

  • Create a school-wide art installation with messages of freedom.

  • Host a student concert.

  • Host a movie night that raises awareness of the issue.

  • Organize petition signing and letter writing to companies and local lawmakers.

  • Bring in curriculum to train faculty, staff, students, and parents on the dangers of human trafficking.

  • Host a film festival dispelling myths about trafficking.

  • At the very least post to social media, what makes you feel free and include #myfreedomday in your post.

Good luck with your planning! Please fill out the Google Form with your plans, and contact me at [email protected] with questions.

Freedom United Youth Campaign 

Thank you to our partners at Freedom United for honoring our students by highlighting International Youth Day, 12 August 2024, and promoting #MyFreedomDay. 

Global Youth Dialogues on Human Trafficking: Register Now!

FREEST and Generation Global are organizing online global youth dialogues for #MyFreedomDay for your students, ages 13-17, on human trafficking, during the week of March 10, 2025. This is an opportunity for your students to share with one another different perspectives on the value of human life, explore challenging questions around human trafficking, and learn from each other on steps they can take so that it can become a thing of the past.

If your school would like to participate in these dialogues, please register as an educator on the portal here. (https://adventure.generation.global/register). Enter the event code MYFREEDOMDAY at the time of registering. This is only a one-time activity for safeguarding reasons. For more details, please visit the event page.

Email Shruti Sharma with any questions at [email protected]

Apne Ap

Here is a pledge that Ruchira Gupta from Apne Aap is collecting signatures.

Apne Aap Cool Men Don’t Buy Sex Campaign: Apne Aap is an NGO that has been working to create a world in which no girl is bought or sold for over two decades. They’ve helped thousands of women escape forced prostitution, breaking the cycle of intergenerational prostitution, getting major anti-trafficking laws passed by the United States of America (US), India, and the United Nations. Join them now as they seek to create an idea of masculinity that doesn’t support the sex trade and pass legislation that uses a survivor-centric model for regulating prostitution across the US. 

Alliance to End Human Trafficking

Video Contest: See here for information on how to take part in a high school video contest. Submissions are due March 30, 2025.

Working Together

As we approach #MyFreedomDay on March 11th, 2025, the power of collective action is stronger than ever. This global day of action against human trafficking is not just an event—it's a movement fueled by students, educators, organizations, and communities determined to make a tangible impact. Whether you choose to host a school-wide event, create awareness on social media, or participate in a global youth dialogue, your involvement can help raise awareness and inspire real change. We encourage you to share your plans with us, reach out for guidance, and get inspired by the incredible work already underway. Together, we can create a world where freedom is not just an ideal but a reality for everyone. Let’s make March 11, 2025, a turning point in the fight against human trafficking. Thank you for your commitment to this cause!



Veronica McDaniel is a secondary school physical and health education teacher at Atlanta International School and founder of FREEST, a non-profit that works to prevent human trafficking through education by empowering students to take action.

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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