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The Thai version of this press release is available here. The Laotian, Indonesian, Khmer, Myanmar and Vietnamese versions can be downloaded in the ‘Documents’ section below.
MTV EXIT, in collaboration with MTV Thailand, will host a massive live concert in Udon Thani on 15 March to educate young people about the dangers of human trafficking. Thailand’s Slot Machine and MILD, and Lao rockers Cells and Kai Overdance, will be joined by top acts from around ASEAN. The full line-up, including the hugely popular headlining act, will be announced in Bangkok on 19 February.
“Once again, we are breaking ground in our approach to educating young people about human trafficking. We are going straight to the source – to a region where young people are targeted by human traffickers every day. By combining music with information, ‘MTV EXIT Live in Udon Thani’ will equip concertgoers with concrete actions they can take to stay safe from traffickers,” said Matt Love, Director, MTV EXIT.
“We are excited to be partnering with MTV EXIT for the fourth time, as we continue our fight against human trafficking. Music is a powerful tool, and when we hit the stage in Udon Thani on 15 March, people are going to learn the hard facts they need to protect themselves and their families from being trafficked,” said Karinyawat Durongjirakan, lead singer of Slot Machine.
The MTV EXIT campaign is produced in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It is supported by ASEAN, the Udon Thani Municipality and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of the Royal Thai Government.
“Human Trafficking is one of the most prevalent transnational crimes, not only in ASEAN but in the world. Law enforcement alone cannot combat this inhumane trade of human beings. ASEAN Member States are committed to combating human trafficking and protecting our people. I encourage the people of ASEAN to be vigilant against the signs of trafficking in their neighbourhood and their community, and to join hands with law enforcement in preventing vulnerable people from trafficking,” said Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
“MTV EXIT Live in Udon Thani” takes place at the Udon Thani Football Stadium on 15 March 2014. Gates open at 17:00. To pre-register for free tickets, go to www.mtvexit.org. Free tickets will also be available to pick up from 16:00-20:00 on 7, 8 and 9 March at Central Plaza Udon Thani. Supplies are limited!
“MTV EXIT Live in Udon Thani” is the thirty-ninth free human trafficking awareness-raising concert MTV EXIT has held globally.
MTV EXIT is pleased to have Central Plaza Udon Thani and TQPR as official partners for this event.
To report suspected cases of human trafficking and exploitation in Thailand, call 1300, a toll free Thai and English language hotline operated by the Ministry of Social Development and Human security.
For Myanmar migrants in Thailand, call 080 456 5560, a 24-hour Myanmar language helpline operated by Anti-Slavery International . This number is not toll free.
MTV EXIT
MTV EXIT is the world’s largest behaviour change campaign in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation. Harnessing the power of the MTV brand, MTV EXIT’s mission is to contribute to a reduction in human trafficking through the design and implementation of innovative on-air, on-the-ground and online activities that equip young people to make informed, empowered decisions. Launched in 2004, MTV EXIT has held 38 awareness-raising concerts in 18 countries, reaching over 1.7 million people on the ground with critical information about human trafficking. More than 47 million people have watched MTV EXIT programs on television, and thousands more have attended over 560 community outreach events. For more information, please visit www.mtvexit.org
USAID
USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, is an independent U.S. Government agency that operates under the foreign-policy direction of the U.S. Secretary of State. Since 1961, USAID has been the principal U.S. Government agency extending assistance to countries worldwide recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia, based in Bangkok, oversees a broad portfolio of regional and transnational programs, and also provides support to several USAID bilateral missions in Asia as well as manages programs in countries in which it does not have a permanent presence. Its regional approach addresses problems that cross national boundaries, such as human and wildlife trafficking, HIV/AIDS, natural resources conservation, and trade. For more information, visit www.usaid.gov/asia-regional
DFAT – Australian aid program
The Australian Government’s aid program is improving the lives of millions of people in developing countries. Australia is working with the governments and people of developing countries to deliver aid where it is most needed and most effective. In East Asia, the Australian aid program helps to address regional and transboundary development challenges such as human trafficking and migration, and pandemics and emerging infectious diseases. For more information, visit http://aid.dfat.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx
ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aims to enhance regional peace, stability and security, facilitate economic integration, and improve wellbeing and livelihoods for the peoples of ASEAN. ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org
