Sparking a National Conversation on Human Trafficking
In November 2019, facilitators from Arc Aspicio’s Strategy Innovation Lab (SILab) led a dynamic conversation with a distinguished group of human trafficking professionals with experience in federal law enforcement, victim services, non-profit organizations, academia, the private sector, and included a survivor. I was part of a team of facilitators who provided ground rules and led a small group’s conversation with prepared questions. My background of twenty-eight years of Federal law enforcement has given me a breadth of experience attending and participating in human trafficking events across the United States and abroad, usually aimed at training personnel or presenting information about this crime. Seldom do they engage human trafficking experts across profession areas to share experiences and perspectives and strategize actionable solutions.
Our SILab Salon used a few interesting techniques to spark bold ideas and innovative solutions. This is how we did it:
Emphasis on Collaboration – A salon event is a powerful tool to facilitate discussion. Instead of speeches and presentations, we prepared thoughtful questions to enable strategic conversations to unfold and accelerate bold ideas inspired by the plethora of background experience from the participants. Table facilitators led discussions of about five people to capture ideas and feedback from all. Each table and participant represented different perspectives purposely to facilitate collaboration. Attendees sat, discussed, asked questions, and engaged. The open and intimate setting encouraged a willingness to share
Diversity of Attendees – Participants ranged from law enforcement officers, victim service providers, academic professionals, federal agency officers, to a survivor. The range of participants was unique and purposeful. We wanted to curate solutions across professional experience, while not wasting time teaching baseline information on what human trafficking is, what certain terms mean, or who the different stakeholders involved are
Event Structure – A salon-style event is not a conference, symposium, training, or presentation. There are no speeches or lectures. The event began with a reception, where participants were able to mingle with their peers and become comfortable with their surroundings. Discussion followed, with the night rounding out with a final reception, allowing participants who were familiar with each other to engage. This time also provided more time and opportunity for participants who just met to continue their conversation from the table and further form relationships
Solutions-Driven Conversation – Most importantly, the event was able to get past baseline or surface-level conversation by requiring participants to give attention and provide detailed insight to more thoughtful questions. Some powerful questions that sparked unique outcomes were:
What is increasing the problem of trafficking?
What prevention efforts are working?
To reduce human trafficking nationally, what is one bold idea?
By asking these strategic questions, participants engaged in thoughtful solution-based discussion unlike ever before.
Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with 80% of participants strongly agreeing that the event exceeded their expectations. The techniques we used influenced the success and momentum of the event, resulting in 50 actionable solutions to combat human trafficking. The impact did not stay within the event, either. Participants continued to meet, network, and further form solutions afterwards.
Our company can’t wait for the next event. We are currently developing the ideas into strategic recommendations and making plans to continue the national conversation.
