Wilberforce Institute Our story Business services Our work Our people PhD community Our publications News and events Contact us More Back On-going projects The Antislavery Knowledge Network Get in touch Got a question or want to collaborate? Contact us The Challenge Preventing slavery through the arts in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A significant number of Sub-Saharan African countries are on the Global Slavery Index. Modern-day slavery is an urgent and complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution. With this innovative project, we are tackling slavery at its source, aiming to prevent it happening in the first place. We will promote awareness of the triggers that can lead people to become enslaved within countries that have a high slavery risk. Specifically, we’ll investigate the power of culture to communicate the potential pitfalls of slavery – and establish original arts projects in-country. Antislavery Knowledge Network is working with filmmakers in Sierra Leone to shed light on vulnerable seaside communities. The Approach Lead researchers Project funded by We’re collaborating with the Universities of Liverpool and Nottingham to establish preventative slavery measures in three countries that are on the UN’s poverty risk register: Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. Our focus is Sierra Leone, and specifically Hull’s twin city Freetown, where we’ll be working with well-established links cultivated from our previous work. Initially we will scope what might be possible – discussing what is needed and what might work with those who live and work on the ground. New and unique arts initiatives will then be created and established in-country. Each of these will in some way demonstrate the ways that somebody could unwittingly fall into slavery. They will vary from smaller to larger scale projects and will target different age ranges. These may include anything from performances to storytelling to exhibitions. We will work with pupils and schools to develop their own projects on a number of heritage sites and create an education programme centring on child trafficking for schools and cultural partners. Projects will be piloted and evaluated to create a working model before commissioning further arts-based community projects through a formal tendering process with NGOs. The Impact This will educate citizens about the potential dangers that can lead them to becoming enslaved and help them avoid becoming trapped in slavery in the first place. Our hope is that younger audiences will be empowered to go on to shape a better future for their communities. Get in touch Got a question or want to collaborate? Contact us Other on-going research projects View all projects On-going project European Colonial Heritage Modalities in Entangled Cities Influencing European policy. Helping to create inclusive culture and heritage for Europe. Top Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script.