EPISODE 53: Phil Hyldgaard — How Do We Give It All Away?

Welcome back to Justice Matters! We are thrilled to have Phil Hyldgaard, the Global COO of A21, back on the podcast. This has been in the works for some time now, and I finally got the chance to jump on a video call with my long-time friend and social impact leader!

In this episode, we delve deep into A21's mission to eradicate slavery globally and their innovative approaches, covering the following topics:

• A21's transition to the next phase involves giving away resources and knowledge to empower communities and organizations.

• Mutually beneficial partnerships are key to A21's success in amplifying their anti-trafficking efforts.

• Challenges exist in legislation and law enforcement regarding human trafficking, emphasizing the need for effective mechanisms.

• The film "Sound of Freedom" has successfully and controversially raised awareness and sparked dialogue about human trafficking.

• Survivors of human trafficking play a pivotal role as heroes and leaders in the fight against slavery.

• A21's annual "Walk for Freedom" campaign, held in 70 countries, amplifies the anti-slavery message.

• Real change occurs through organic cultural shifts and grassroots movements.

• Phil Hyldgaard's dedicated leadership has contributed to A21's growth and impact.

• Collaboration and partnerships are crucial in addressing the urgent mission of eradicating slavery.

• A21 is a trustworthy organization worthy of support in the fight against human trafficking.

The Crucial Next Phase: Giving It All Away Phil shares how A21 is entering a pivotal phase after 15 years of dedicated work. Their mission now involves giving away resources and knowledge to empower communities, organizations, and individuals in the fight against slavery. Embedding sustainable models of anti-trafficking work is central to their strategy.

Mutually Beneficial and Mutually Sacrificial Partnerships Phil discusses the key to A21's success: Partnerships that are both mutually beneficial and mutually sacrificial, and also action-focused.

Legislation and Law Enforcement Challenges: Phil emphasizes that laws and enforcement mechanisms are often lagging behind, and addressing this gap is crucial. A21 works collaboratively with governments and businesses to tackle this issue.

"Sound of Freedom": Success and Controversy We reflect on the success and controversy surrounding the film "Sound of Freedom," which addresses the horrors of human trafficking.

Survivors as Heroes and Leaders: Phil acknowledges the essential role of survivors of human trafficking as the real heroes and leaders in the fight against slavery. Their resilience and courage inspire and drive the work of A21.

"Walk for Freedom" Campaign: We talk about A21's annual awareness campaign, "Walk for Freedom," which amplifies the message against slavery on a global scale. The campaign was held on October 14 in over 70 countries around the world.

Organic Cultural Shifts and Movements: Phil shares insights on how real change and transformation occur organically through cultural shifts from the ground up. Movements are observed, not declared, and lasting impact emerges from grassroots efforts.

Phil's Leadership and Dedication: The episode touches on Phil's dedicated leadership and his commitment to the long, slow growth of A21. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organisations impact.

A21 — Making a Difference: A21 is one of the most effective and trustworthy organizations in the anti-human trafficking space. They are worthy of your support in the critical mission to eradicate slavery everywhere.

To Learn more about A21 and how you can get involved with their work, visit www.A21.org. You can also follow Phil on Instagram @philiphyldgaard & X @philhyld.

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This podcast was produced by the master, himself, Jose Biotto… with a little help from me. The featured music is from the song “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance.

The Juste Podcast acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation, now known as Australia, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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