Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Human Trafficking and Women's Safety (APIWFSC)

Leaders need to know the issues surrounding their communities and two issues that are oftentimes ignored or shunned is human trafficking and women's safety.  Human trafficking is the smuggling of persons in and out of a country while women's safety is related to domestic violence or the sex trade. One Seattle organization raising awareness is the Asian Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center (APIWFSC). According to Lan Pham, APIWFSC's Executive Director, when asked about identifying a victim, "many of the victims do not speak English and are unfamiliar with US customs; are confined to a room to work, eat and sleep; and are unaware that what is being done to them is a crime".  And according to Ye-Ting Woo, Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, convicted persons involved in sex trafficking of a minor could face 15 years or a life sentence. Yes. This is a tough problem space and one that in recent years there has been more awareness created, but it's an ongoing problem that's being managed through educational efforts and our judicial system.

Let's take a step back for a moment and let me create some context for you because I am not an authority or expert on these issues, but because of my experience with the Executive Development Institute (EDI) I learned about the issues and took action. As many of you know, NAAAP Seattle and EDI are partners in developing leaders within the Asian community ---NAAAP Seattle with our professional development events, webinars, and conferences and EDI with their Leadership Discovery and Navigating Leadership Programs. You've probably by now have seen our efforts to share with our members opportunities to participate in EDI's 8-month Leadership Discovery program. Many of EDI's graduates become leaders at work and in their communities showing the value of program. We recognize this and are delighted with our partnership.

So that's the context of this post, as part of my own participation in EDI's Leadership Discovery Program, I worked with the APIWFSC with my team members: Michele Lee (Microsoft), My Huynh (Wells Fargo), Rajit Jain (Boeing), and Greg Nomura (Liberty Mutual). We set out to bring our business expertise and professionals skills to the organization. Our assignment was to create a marketing plan and assist with raising funds to sustain and grow APIWFSC efforts in addressing human trafficking and women's safety. As part of the experience we led a visioning session, launched our marketing at the Asian community picnic, and executed on our fundraising efforts at the Microsoft 2008 Giving campaign and at the APIWFSC's 15th Anniversary Fundraiser.

We captured our experience in pictures and they're here for you to share in our experience.

 MAY 2008: Learning the issues. Pictured (L to R) Michele Lee (Microsoft), Judith Panlasigui (APIWFSC)

 JUNE 2008: Visioning Session. Pictured (L to R) Greg Nomura (Liberty Mutual), Michele Lee (Microsoft)

 Pictured (L to R) Michele Lee (Microsoft), Rajit Jain (Boeing)

 AUGUST 2008: Asian Community Picnic.

 
 Pictured (L to R) Lan Pham (APIWFSC), me, Marlina Hales (Microsoft), and Ye-Ting Woo (Attorney)


 Pictured (L to R) Greg Nomura (Liberty Mutual), Greg's kids, Mike and Lan Pham (APIWFSC), My Huynh (Wells Fargo) and me. 



This weekend EDI kicks off their 2010 Programs and I want to wish everyone in the program good luck and many future successes. It's an experience they'll always remember. Now, if you're thinking about enrolling in the 2011 programs, start talking to your management now and have this as part of you career development plan.  If you want to get involved with human trafficking and women's safety, visit the APIWFSC's website.

Regards,
Gil Gido
NAAAP Seattle
President

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