impact a pu blic at ion of regen t un iversit y
Vol. 3 Issue 5 M ay 2012
SEEKING JUSTICE Confronting the Scourge of Human Trafficking
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s many as 300,000 American children are trapped in the U.S. sex trade, with the average age of entry 12 to 14 years old. The greatest risk factor? Vulnerability. Traffickers prey on runaways, at-risk youth and marginalized groups— people who have an unstable home life and are lured into empty promises of something better. These conditions are very real today in all spheres of society. “We tend to endure under the comforting illusion that slavery is a thing of the past,” says Dr. Aidan McQuade, the director of Anti-Slavery International. “The truth is, we are all implicated in this in a profound way.” c h r i s t i a n
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McQuade’s message was part of “Media and the Law: Seeking Justice for the Least of These,” a symposium sponsored by Regent University’s Center for Global Justice. Regent has made a commitment to take a leading role in fighting human trafficking both in America and around the world.
inside: protecting the children of mexico page 4 regent’s Impact starts at home page 5
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In 2012, 23 Regent interns will work in Uganda, Greece, India, Rwanda,
Seeking justice — Continued from Page 1
“The goal of the conference was to foster collaborative networks and partnerships,” explains Ashleigh Chapman ’12 (Law), administrative director of the Center for Global Justice. “To bring these people under one roof to share what they’re doing—that’s wonderful in the world of human rights.” Media and the Law drew approximately 100 human rights experts from a variety of fields, including law, government and the arts. The event launched with participants interacting with global justice filmmakers, including Ken Wales who produced the motion picture Amazing Grace. This inspiring story presents the heroic transformation of William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament who gave his life to the cause of ending the British transatlantic slave trade. “We have to be as bold as Wilberforce was; he wasn’t afraid,” Wales shared. “The first thing to do is to say, ‘Slavery is wrong.’” Another highlighted film, ALONE, was written and directed by Daniel McCullum ’11 (Undergraduate Studies) during his senior year at Regent. Available for viewing at alone2011.com, ALONE tells the story of a young girl’s one chance at being rescued from sexual slavery.
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“Visual storytelling through film is one of the most powerful tools to raise awareness,” explains Dr. Mitch Land, dean of the School of Communication & the Arts. “Our students are passionate about bringing a Biblical approach to calling out the wrongs of social injustice while presenting God-centered solutions.” Symposium discussions included human trafficking, protection of children, religious freedom, the rule of law and corrupt governments, among other issues—all for the purpose of encouraging collaboration. Noted presenters and panelists included representatives from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, Anti-Slavery International, Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, International Justice Mission, Focus on the Family, Truckers Against Trafficking, the Polaris Project, and the A21 Campaign. “The event was inspirational to students and veteran human rights advocates alike,” says School of Law Dean Jeffrey Brauch. “We prayed the event would facilitate meaningful partnerships and generate creative solutions to overcome obstacles and protect the oppressed around the world.” That it did.
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Ukraine, Korea, U.K., France, Japan, the Middle East and across the U.S. .
Chapman received more than 300 emails within 24 hours of the symposium from leaders and participants detailing collaborative partnerships that were formed during the event.
work in Uganda, Greece, India, Rwanda, Ukraine, Korea, U.K., France, Japan, the Middle East and across the U.S.
Plans are in place to launch a model city project to fight “It was a privilege human trafficking in to be surrounded the Hampton Roads by so many community, and to dedicated scholars, support the efforts practitioners and of other model cities activists who are throughout the country. - Danielle Sisk fully committed Initiatives are also Dalit Freedom Network to holistically underway to provide combating slavery and legal aid and counseling violence around the world,” says David to those rescued from the sex slave Velloney, executive director of the Center industry. Future goals include a human for Global Justice and assistant professor trafficking clinic at Regent where students in the School of Law. would work to draft laws for state, federal and international governments that Regent’s Center for Global Justice prosecute traffickers and protect victims. provides strategic resources for law school students and those around the world who “None of us should ever be comfortable seek to combat human rights abuses. One with the fact that slavery exists,” says of the ways they are making an immediate Danielle Sisk, national director of student impact is through an internship program advocacy for the Dalit Freedom Network. designed to support organizations in need “Once you know, you are responsible.” of legal assistance as they work on behalf of the oppressed. Students are trained as Learn how you can partner with Regent human rights advocates, or as Chapman University and the Center for Global refers to them, “missionaries with a law Justice: Call 757.352.4315 or visit regent. degree.” In 2012, 23 Regent interns will edu/globaljustice.
“None of us should ever be comfortable with the fact that slavery exists.”
christian leadership to change the world
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Protecting the Children of Mexico Last summer, Keila Molina ’12 (Law) put her classroom education to work through an internship at Casa Alianza, a child advocacy organization in Mexico City. “Children are vulnerable,” Molina observes. “They need protection. My passion is to be an advocate for those who don’t have anyone.”
Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon to sign a law altering the Mexican Constitution to better protect victims of human trafficking. “Afterward, the president personally greeted each of the girls and me as well! It was truly a oncein-a-lifetime experience.”
At Casa Alianza, Molina helped the legal department by processing documentation for children living in the shelters. In Mexico, children are considered to have the “right” to live where they want to, even if this means living on the streets. This organization is working to change the laws to take the children off the streets and place them in shelters and homes. During her time in Mexico, Molina developed a friendship with Rosi Orozco, a Christian congresswoman and a vocal advocate for anti-human trafficking legislation. Orozco helped to establish Fundacion Camino a Casa (The Way Home Foundation), which provides housing and counseling for victims of sex trafficking.
Through this contact, the door opened for Molina to live among the girls at Camino a Casa and teach computer classes. “It was simply astounding to watch girls who have been rescued from horrific, traumatizing circumstances be filled with God-given life and energy … with joyful smiles and cheers,” Molina reflects. Along with the girls from the home, Molina attended a ceremony with
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Molina’s family is originally from Mexico, but now the country holds an even bigger place in her heart. “I have been praying that God will allow me to learn everything I can about Mexico’s legal system so that someday I might be able to help improve the laws in order to better protect children,” she says. Molina’s story is not uncommon among Regent interns. Through this tremendous program, students are making an impact in the lives of the oppressed around the world. This summer the Center for Global Justice will send out 23 interns to locations across the globe to serve alongside organizations committed to defending human rights. And this is only the beginning. For more information on the Center for Global Justice or how you can support the internship program visit regent.edu/ globaljustice. Be sure to check out the interns’ blogs at http://globaljusticeblog. blogspot.com as they document their experience throughout the summer.
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Regent’s Impact Starts at Home “There are two kinds of education,” says Regent University’s president, Dr. Carlos Campo. “One kind teaches students how to make a living; the other teaches how to live. We believe Regent provides the best of both.” With this profound proclamation, Campo unveiled the university’s first Community Impact Study, a report showcasing Regent’s contribution to the local Hampton Roads region economically, academically and through the servant leadership of its local students and graduates. Regent University celebrated 34 years as a “premier regional asset” on Tuesday, April 10, with a reception to present the new study. Regent’s founder and chancellor, Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, was on hand to share his gratefulness for the university’s distinguished alumni and the accomplishments of Regent’s schools and current students. Several important members of the Hampton Roads community supported the event, including U.S. Representative Scott Rigell ’90 (Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship), who offered remarks about the value of his Regent education: “The motto of Regent, Christian Leadership to Change the World, lies at that intersection where faith and work collide,” he said. “At Regent, I learned that growing your organization and loving your people and treating them with respect are not mutually exclusive.” Following the congressman’s comments, President Campo presented the Community
Impact Study, citing the $312 million that Regent annually contributes to the Hampton Roads region through employment, expenditures, and student and alumni spending. He also highlighted some of Regent’s most outstanding alumni, outreach programs and military accolades. Regent’s alumni, numbering more than 16,000, include more than 30 elected officials, such as Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell ’89 (Law and Government). Likewise, the university boasts 450 Teachers of the Year, military chaplains, 24 judges and many other civil servants. And more than 3,700 graduates live and work in Hampton Roads. Regent’s arsenal of achievements also includes nearly 300 national and international film awards, an 86 percent bar passage rate for first-time takers among its law students, national American Bar Association championships for legal competitions previously won by Yale and Harvard, and several Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) regional championships. And Regent students donate $3 million annually in volunteer services to make a measurable difference in the lives of others throughout Hampton Roads. Through this unified network of purposedriven people, Regent alumni, faculty, staff and friends will continue to leave a lasting and positive impression on the world. View Regent’s Community Impact video at regent.edu/rediscover.
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A Message From the President Dear Friends, On Saturday, May 5, Regent University launched an extraordinary body of graduates into new ventures and yet-tobe-revealed stories of impact. We believe our alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are responsible to leave the world a better place than we found it, and we are working hard toward that end. Last month we hosted a number of Hampton Roads leaders, sharing with them our Community Impact Study that shows the measurable difference Regent is making as a premier regional asset. In March, Regent’s Center for Global Justice hosted an unprecedented Media and the Law Symposium that gathered 100 organizations for the cause of global justice and human rights. This summer, Regent Law will send 23 interns around the world to serve as global missionaries. We know they will return with stories of great impact and lives rescued. On the horizon we see the completion of our Chapel and School of Divinity building, the launch of a new Master of Public Policy Program, and the continued growth of our vibrant undergraduate student body. Your prayers and financial support allow us to press forward with excellence. As you support those who come to Regent with the goal of becoming Christian leaders to change the world, ultimately, you are investing in a palpable impact across the earth. Thank you for being a part of this great cause. Grace and peace,
Carlos Campo, Ph.D. President
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 (nIV)
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regent.edu/impact Regent University’s Impact is published monthly by the university’s Office of Advancement, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. Regent University admits students without discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, gender, religion or national or ethnic origin. Regent University is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate campuses within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Regent University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Regent University. Opinions expressed in Impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of Regent University’s board, faculty, administration or staff. Regent University accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. The university may decline to print material at its discretion. ADV120472