#MyFreedomDay 2019: Students teach the world about modern slavery
Awareness is the first step to action
A21, an anti-trafficking organisation, joined students at the Los Angeles School of Global Studies, to launch their Human Trafficking Awareness Program.
The program, which will be rolled out across the world in eight different languages, aims to educate individuals on human trafficking: teaching them to spot the signs of slavery and equipping them with tools to take action -- such as the hotlines to call.
Katy, from A21, tells CNN that she hopes the program will "empower us to be a part of the solution to see human trafficking eradicated in this generation."
High school student Oswald says that from today he's learned how modern slavery isn't just an issue happening overseas. "It's happening right here in LA...at every corner of the planet," he says.
"It's so important to get educated about that, and inform our community about that," he adds, calling for tangible action against trafficking.
Musical activism
Today we've not only learned about modern slavery, but also how powerful music can be to raise awareness of it.
Afro Roots musician Rocky Dawuni visited a school in Accra, Ghana, earlier today and with a chorus of children sang his new single -- all about freedom of expression.
Earlier this month, the CNN Freedom Project revealed how 20,000 child slaves risk their lives on Ghana’s Lake Volta.
"Think about freedom"
"Our goal is just to make people think about freedom," says a sixth former from the Atlanta International School (AIS), where they held a round table to discuss the lessons learned from #MyFreedomDay.
Another student says she was shocked to discover the many different forms of slavery, from sex trafficking to forced labor.
Students from AIS prepared presentations to educate their peers on different types of slavery. These two shared what they know about child marriage.
All in all, it was a very impressive effort from AIS for #MyFreedomDay. Here are some individual messages from students on what makes them feel free.
Products of slavery
Students at the American Institute of Monterrey, Mexico learned how slavery plays a role in everyday products, such as chocolate or coffee.
They also made a collage of post-its with messages on them of what makes them feel free. "Freedom is to think whatever you like, and say whatever you feel," reads one.
From the CNN Freedom Project: How Project Runway is helping trafficking victims
Project Runway and Southwest Airlines are teaming up with non-profit Rethreaded to empower human trafficking survivors, and give their lives new purpose.
Modern slavery: learning how to spot it and stop it
Today CNN's Isa Soares visited students at Yeading School, London.
Together they discussed modern day slavery: how to spot it, and most importantly how to stop it.
Have a listen in to CNN's coverage from earlier today, when the school pupils sing and dance a special song for #MyFreedomDay.
The Force is with #MyFreedomDay
Snakes and slavery: two things Indiana Jones hates.
Legendary actor Harrison Ford dropped in to tell CNN what makes him feel free. There's 40 million slaves in the world today, and there's a long road ahead to turning that number to zero. But as Han Solo might say: "Never tell me the odds!"