Shamere McKenzie Speaks at the United Nations’ First-Ever Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors: Voices of Resilience
On June 24th, our CEO, Shamere McKenzie, took the global stage in Vienna, Austria, as a featured panelist at the first-ever Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors: Voices of Resilience, hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The historic event brought together survivor leaders, policymakers, and human rights advocates from around the world to center one message: that survivors are not just the voices of experience, they are essential partners in shaping solutions to end trafficking.
Representing both Sun Gate Foundation and her role as Anti-Trafficking Ambassador to Jamaica, Shamere shared her insights on survivor leadership, government collaboration, and the importance of elevating lived experience in policymaking and prevention efforts.
“Survivors are not just participants in this movement, we are change architects,” Shamere said during the discussion. “Our voices must not be symbolic; they must be strategic. When survivors lead, systems transform.”
Joining Shamere on the panel were:
- Andrew Gardner, Acting Head of Human Rights Department, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
- Jane Lasonder, Vice Chair, International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC)
- Jane Piazer, Specialist, Section of Crime and Violence Prevention of the Department of Public Security, Organization of American States (OAS)
Together, the panelists explored the intersection of survivor empowerment, human rights, and policy innovation, emphasizing collaboration between governments, civil society, and survivor networks to advance sustainable solutions.
For Shamere, the opportunity to speak at the United Nations was more than a personal milestone, it was a testament to the power of resilience, representation, and education, values that lie at the heart of Sun Gate Foundation’s mission.
As an organization rooted in the belief that education is liberation, we are proud to see our CEO continue to amplify survivor voices on international platforms, demonstrating that freedom is not just the absence of exploitation, it is the presence of opportunity, dignity, and leadership.
At Sun Gate, we remain committed to creating pathways for survivors to rebuild their lives through education, empowerment, and global advocacy.
We celebrate this moment as a victory for every survivor who dares to rise, lead, and redefine what freedom truly means.
