The myths and miseries of Modern Slavery: Insights 30 years at the UN

Talks on Tuesdays is a live event series bringing big ideas, real experts, and curious minds together – at your favourite local venues. Think thought-provoking lectures, audience questions, and post-talk mingling over drinks and dinner.

This isn’t a uni lecture. It’s a social, intelligent night out.Come alone or with friends, leave with something to talk about.

Event Schedule:

6.30pm Arrival & Doors Open

7pm Lecuture Starts

7.45pm Q&A

8pm Talk Concludes

8.30pm Event Closes.

*Please arrive close to 6.30pm

A La Carte menu and full bar available throughout the night – pay as you go.

Your Topic:

The myths and miseries of Modern Slavery: Insights from my 30 years at the UN

CONTENT WARNING: This talk explores modern slavery, human trafficking and labour exploitation. While the presentation is educational in nature, some topics may be distressing for some audience members.
What does ‘modern slavery’ actually mean, and what does it look like today?

The exploitation of vulnerable people is not simply a problem of the past. It persists in the form of human trafficking, forced and abusive labour, domestic and sexual coercion, and the servitude of children, migrants and other vulnerable workers.

In this thought-provoking talk, internationally respected human-rights expert June Kane AM looks beyond the headlines and the terminology to examine the realities of exploitation: how it happens, the myths that disguise it, and the human misery from which others profit.

Drawing on more than three decades advising the United Nations, governments, employers and trade unions worldwide, June brings a rare insider’s perspective. Her work has spanned child labour, child trafficking, forced labour, labour exploitation, and violence against women and children – issues often grouped under the label “modern slavery”.

June will challenge common assumptions about who is affected, where exploitation occurs and what it takes to prevent it. Her preferred description is direct and confronting: making money out of misery.

Your Speaker:

June Kane AM is a globally recognised human-rights specialist and Adjunct Professor at RMIT University. She has worked with UNICEF, the International Labour Organization and governments around the world for more than 30 years.

Her expertise includes child labour, trafficking, forced labour and violence against women and children. A Member of the Order of Australia, June brings exceptional global experience, practical insight and a deeply informed perspective to this timely discussion.