DNA In Action
Demi and Ashton traveled to Luxor, Egypt for the End Human Trafficking Now International Forum. In partnership with the United Nations and the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), Demi and Ashton participated in a series of events that focused on key issues related to human trafficking.
CNN Heroes is CNN’s annual televised special highlighting the work of everyday people dedicated to community service. The CNN Heroes are profiled in the awards ceremony and receive $25,000 for their work. The Hero of the Year receives $100,000.
Demi and Ashton presented an award at the 2010 Freedom Awards in Redondo Beach, California. Free the Slaves, a nonprofit organization that works to end modern day slavery, created the Freedom Awards to celebrate today’s anti-slavery heroes and to catalyze additional innovation and resources to end slavery once and for all.
Demi and Ashton joined the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on a panel at the launch of the United Nations Global Plan Against Trafficking in Persons and Victim’s Trust Fund.
Ashton returned to the GQ Gentleman's Ball this year, an event that raises money for charities dedicated to its four focus areas: Conservation, Hunger, Education, and Leadership .
Demi and Ashton had already filmed the DHS training video introduction with the goal of making the issue of human trafficking more accessible to law enforcement. California law enforcement officials approached DNA to do a similar training video introduction for their human trafficking training module, which will be seen by 97,000 first responders all over California.
Demi and her daughters Rumer and Tallulah visited the CAST residential home in Los Angeles to meet with survivors, hear their stories, and discuss how the DNA Foundation can help them and their cause. Many of the survivors have worked for years on the issue of human trafficking and have made great progress in obtaining green cards, winning cases against their traffickers, and getting important legislation passed.
The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting is a meeting of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This year Ashton was a member of a panel discussion called “Democracy and Voice: Technology For Citizen Empowerment and Human Rights.” The discussion focused on how digital information can impact social causes, government reforms, and civil society.
Ashton held a sign that read "Real Men Don't Buy Girls" on the red carpet at the Killers premiere in an effort to raise awareness about child sex slavery and human trafficking. This is a preview of DNA’s “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls” social media campaign, which will launch later in 2010.
Demi participated in a Congressional Briefing about Domestic Sex Trafficking on Capitol Hill to urge for a White House and Congressional strategy to rescue American girls from being trafficked. In partnership with the Rebecca Project for Human Rights, Demi spoke on a panel with an FBI representative, a prostitution demand expert, and two survivors of domestic sex trafficking. After the briefing, Demi met with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President at the White House to discuss child sex slavery in the United States.