For nearly a decade, MPI has specifically and vocally been committed to fighting the scourge of human trafficking. To that end, the association’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee has been dedicated to spreading awareness and education to meeting and event professionals worldwide.
In June, Rafa Hernández (MPI Mexico Chapter), a member of MPI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and chairman at Latinamerica Meetings, and Jennifer Berkemeier (MPI Michigan Chapter), chair of MPI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and sales manager for Huntington Place, will lead a panel discussion on this important subject during the Mexico Events Council (El Consejo Mexicano de la Industria de Reuniones, COMIR) annual conference taking place June 11-14 at Expo Tampico in Tamaulipas. Karen Farias, sustainability and ESG director, Aeromexico, will join Hernández and Berkemeier on the panel.
To learn more about that exciting panel and conference—as well as to get an update from MPI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee—we spoke with Hernández and Berkemeier.
What can you share about the planned Mexico Events Council session focusing on anti-human trafficking?
Hernández: “The main idea of this panel is to share all of the information that is circulating regarding anti-human trafficking (AHT) movement. It looks like in Mexico and LATAM the response has been a little bit slower than in other parts of the world, so the main idea is to highlight two great examples (MPI’s AHT Committee and Aeromexico) that have been established to work. We will also share hard data regarding this issue and recommendations on how to act and be more proactive.”
“Our hope is that attendees will take home the importance of this issue and the many things they and the industry can do to help prevent human trafficking. The AHT Committee has a lot of material and there have been a lot of conversations taking place—a lot of people are willing to help prevent trafficking, but sometimes we don’t pay enough attention. Many of the presentations that we’ve had include trafficking survivors to help people understand the situation. The simplest thing we can do is share the information we have available.”
“I think this will be a huge first step at the COMIR annual meeting to open the conversation for more than 600 professionals and understand all about this activity and how, from the MICE industry, we can be more proactive. This is the first time these themes are to be included in the COMIR event agenda, so I think this is a very important step for the movement.”
Why is this topic so important to you and to the event industry?
Berkemeier: “The MPI AHT Committee exists because of the intersection of human trafficking and the meeting and event industry. We in the industry are on the frontlines of an events and hospitality setting where this crime often thrives in plain sight. Forming the committee was a necessary imperative for MPI. Our members are uniquely positioned to witness the crime, and it’s crucial that our members (and beyond) are equipped with the awareness and tools to do anything possible to help combat the crime.”
Hernández: “We think there’s a very important need to share all the great information that the AHT Committee has produced and worked on with the Mexican and LATAM community of MICE professionals.”
Are you seeing interest growing in Mexico regarding the desire to combat human trafficking? If so, what do you think it driving this?
Hernández: “Yes, every day, there’s more interest in fighting trafficking from the private sector. Governments are slower to act but we are still looking for them to be more proactive and part of the prevention campaigns. Many of my conversations with peers revolve around their lack of information on the subject, so we help them understand the huge problem and the negative effects trafficking produces in our society. But now many companies are taking action and are open to seeing how they can be part of the solution. Our flag airline, Aeromexico, launching a camping and have information in their planes is a big step and a very important one, that sends a powerful message and helps expand the conversation.”
How can other event professionals learn more about and get involved with the fight against human trafficking?
Berkemeier: “There are a multitude of ways event professionals can learn more about the fight of this horrific crime.
- "MPI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee webpage has curated content available for anyone to use as a resource. Our committee created all of the content during its first year and it’s reviewed every other year for accuracy and relevancy.
- "There are a number of outstanding organizations and websites that provide crucial resources about this crime. It’s important to ensure that websites have been vetted; some of the websites we consider trusted sources include Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT); the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign; Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking (MPAHT); and Polaris Project. Anyone interested can take courses, sign up for newsletters and access a large number of resources on these sites.
- "Most larger cities around the world have nonprofit organizations that provide vital services that support trafficking survivors. If your schedule allows, do some research on a local organization, volunteer, do a fundraiser and attend their events. Get involved in your local community as a survivor ally. Every effort that is made in this space is greatly valued and felt."
