Foreign Policy Blogs

My Cause or Your Cause?

My Cause or Your Cause?People ask me all the time about why ‘my cause’ is modern slavery when there are so many other causes to choose from. Funny enough last night a group of fellow abolitionists' and I had the same discussion about how to promote the cause in a city full of worthy causes, many whose numbers cry out louder than ours. The reality is they are all worthy, but I cannot possibly be part of them all…I have a friend in poverty reduction and she thinks her cause is the key (she is right it is the root cause of much of the worlds other causes/issues), another is in Fair Trade and its her life's mission to see you can be fair in all aspects as a consumer and she too is right, I know people involved in the fight against various cancers, AIDS, etc….the list is daunting and endless and no one is less worthy. I do my bit where I can, but if I want to make an impact I must personally focus and thus I chose modern slavery as my main focus because I felt that I could truly make an impact there.

My Cause or Your Cause?When looking at how you can help children in need across the globe, you will quickly find your self overwhelmed with causes, so look at the few that jump out at you and see which one is truly calling your name. Use your skills and resources in the best way possible, and remember that often the ways where you can make the biggest impact, are not the most obvious.

The question we all have to ask ourselves is where can I make a difference, where can I fill the gap and make the largest impact? But most importantly regardless of your cause we must all act.  The reward in the end is not just for that of the children, but also our own.

 

Author

Cassandra Clifford

Cassandra Clifford is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge to Freedom Foundation, which works to enhance and improve the services and opportunities available to survivors of modern slavery. She holds an M.A., International Relations from Dublin City University in Ireland, as well as a B.A., Marketing and A.S., Fashion Merchandise/Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cassandra has previously worked in both the corporate and charity sector for various industries and causes, including; Child Trafficking, Learning Disabilities, Publishing, Marketing, Public Relations and Fashion. Currently Cassandra is conducting independent research on the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as America’s Pimp Culture and its Impact on Modern Slavery. In addition to her many purists Cassandra is also working to develop a series of children’s books.

Cassandra currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area, where she also writes for the Examiner, as the DC Human Rights Examiner, and serves as an active leadership member of DC Stop Modern Slavery.


Areas of Focus:
Children's Rights; Human Rights; Conflict