Freedom From Slavery Forum Series Presents

Freedom from Slavery Global Forum 2026



May 11–12, 2026



Istanbul, Türkiye

Register Now

Freedom in a Changing World: Strengthening Protection, Accountability and Transforming the Systems Behind Modern Slavery

Day 0

Monday, May 4 – Virtual Pre-Forum Engagement

13:00-13:20

Welcome and Orientation

Virtual plenary

Introduce objectives and structure

13:20-14:30

Regional Freedom and Risk Caucuses

Parallel sessions

Identify regional risks and trends

14:30-14:45

Break

14:45-15:45

Survivor Leadership Pre-Meeting

Closed session

Define freedom, protection, and accountability from survivor perspective

14:45-15:45

Facilitator Briefing

Coordination meeting

Align facilitators on structure and expectations

15:45-16:00

Break

16:00-17:00

Accountability in a Shifting World

Virtual roundtable

Frame key global accountability challenges

Day 1

Monday, May 11 – In-person Forum

8:00am - 8:30am

Arrival - Registration & Coffee

Informal networking

8:30am - 9:00am

Opening Ceremony

Speech

9:00am - 9:20am

Keynote

Speech

9:20am - 11:00am

Freedom in a Changing World: Key Perspectives

Panel

11:00am - 12:00pm

Actionable Agenda for Resetting Freedom

Workshop

12:10pm - 1:00pm

Lunch Break

1:00pm - 1:20pm

Keynote

Speech

1:20pm - 2:40pm

Survivor Engagement in Strengthening Protections

Panel

2:45pm - 3:45pm

3 Concurrent Side Events

Panels, Workshops, Roundtables

3:50pm - 4:10pm

Coffee Break

4:15pm - 5:00pm

Reporting Back on Action and Outcomes

Panel

5:30pm - 9:00pm

Forum Reception: Survivor Awards, Forum Ambassadors Introduction

Formal Networking

Day 2

Tuesday, May 12 – In-person Forum

8:00am - 8:30am

Arrival - Registration & Coffee

Informal networking

8:30am - 9:00am

Opening of Day 2 and Briefing of Day 1

Speech

9:00am - 9:20am

Keynote

Speech

9:20am - 11:00am

Responsible Businesses and Supply Chain Regulations

Panel

11:00am - 12:00pm

Actionable Agenda for Engaging Businesses in Fair Labor Practices

Workshop

12:10pm - 1:00pm

Lunch Break

1:00pm - 1:20pm

Keynote

Speech

1:20pm - 2:40pm

Tackling the Systems of Modern Slavery and Trafficking Through Accountability

Panel

2:45pm - 3:45pm

3 Concurrent Side Events

Panels, Workshops, Roundtables, Talk & Share

3:50pm - 4:10pm

Coffee Break

4:15pm - 5:00pm

Reporting Back on Action and Outcomes from Concurrent Side Events

Panel

5:15pm - 5:45pm

Adoption of Modern Slavery Narrative

Presentation

5:50pm - 6:50pm

Closing Ceremony and Next Steps

Speeches and Presentation

Reserve Your Spot Today

Register Now

Join survivor leaders, civil society organizations, governments, UN agencies, businesses, unions, and global changemakers for the 2026 Freedom from Slavery Global Forum, an international gathering to shape the future of anti-slavery efforts.

Held in Istanbul, Türkiye the Forum will bring together participants from across continents and sectors to collaborate, learn, and drive action toward a world free from modern slavery.

A Collective Step Forward

The 2026 Forum builds on the momentum of the 2024-2025 Regional Forums, which convened over 1,400 participants from 250+ organizations worldwide.

From survivor empowerment in Asia to legal reform in Africa, supply chain accountability in Latin America, culturally grounded approaches in the Caribbean, technology-driven innovation in North America, and Strategies for addressing trafficking in conflict zones and the complex migration schemes in the MENA region.

The Global Forum will unify these regional priorities into a shared global framework. Consultations with Forum stakeholders will begin soon to shape the priorities of the 2026 Global Forum.

Organized by Free the Slaves with guidance from a global planning committee, the Forum is grounded in equity, participation, and survivor leadership.

participants

Organizations

On the Agenda

Elkes Awards Presentations

The Global Forum will honor survivor-led change through the Elkes Impact Awards, celebrating:



A survivor advocate creating local impact



A survivor-led grassroots organization leading the fight against slavery

Grace Kalekye Mwangangi

Past winner of the Most Impactful Survivor Advocate Award

Survivor Network of Cameroon

Past winner of the Most Impactful Community-based Organization Award

Past Ambassadors

Ambassador John Richmond (ret.)

Grace Kalekye Mwangangi

Survivor Network Cameroon

Inauguration of the Forum Ambassadors

For 2026, we will welcome a cohort of Freedom from Slavery Forum ambassadors. The Forum Ambassadors will consist of Elkes Award winners alongside a non-survivor leader recognized for their contributions to the anti-modern slavery movement.

Reserve Your Spot Today

Register Now

Call for Exhibition Booths

Organizations interested in showcasing informational tools, resources, or materials related to preventing and addressing modern slavery are invited to request space in the Forum’s Exhibition Booth Area, subject to availability. Space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, provided requests meet the requirements. To request a booth, email forums@freetheslaves.net by Tuesday, 31 March 2026, using the subject line “Freedom from Slavery Global Forum: Booth”, and include a short description of the topic and materials you wish to display.

Selection criteria & requirements (PDF)

Call for Proposals to Present at the Forum

Organizations interested in designing and leading sessions for the Global Forum 2026 are invited to submit proposals contributing to practical, system-level solutions to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Proposals should align with the Forum’s thematic focus areas, including strengthening protection systems, responsible business and supply chains, survivor engagement, accountability, criminal justice, migration and labor governance, digital and financial systems, and resource mobilisation. Sessions must be interactive and outcome-driven, with clear and actionable outputs.

All proposals must be submitted through the official application form by Tuesday, 15 April 2026, and include the required information.

Selection criteria & requirements (PDF)