Sample Speech 11.2

Speech at the Vienna Forum

RICKY MARTIN

As a musician, activist, and universal citizen, I thank the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking for allowing the Ricky Martin Foundation to share our commitment to end this horrible crime. Since this modern-day form of slavery has no geographical boundaries, the truly international reach of this unprecedented forum is an essential platform to combat this global nightmare.

My commitment toward this cause was born from a humbling experience. In my 2002 trip to India I witnessed the horrors of human trafficking as we rescued three trembling girls [who were] living on the streets in plastic bags. Saving these girls from falling prey to exploitation was a personal awakening.

Effectively uses a real-life, personal experience to awaken audience to horror of the situation

I immediately knew the Foundation had to fiercely battle this scourge.

That was six years ago. . . . Since then the Foundation expanded and launched People for Children, an international initiative that condemns child exploitation. The project’s goal is to provide awareness, education, and support for worldwide efforts seeking the elimination of human trafficking—with special emphasis on children.

This unscrupulous market generates anywhere from $12 to $32 billion annually, an amount only surpassed by the trafficking of arms and drugs. . . . My hope is to secure every child the right to be a child through a not-for-profit organization conceived as a vehicle to enforce their basic human rights in partnership with other organizations, socially responsible corporations, and individuals. . . .

Lays out facts and clearly describes persuasive goal for speech

I am certain that our voices, together with the power of other organizations that work against this horrible crime, will continue to galvanize efforts to prevent, suppress, and punish human trafficking.

Changing attitudes and human behavior is difficult, but never forget that multiple small triumphs over a long period of time are tantamount to social change.

As a foundation that supports the objectives of this historic forum, which aims to put this crime on the global agenda, be certain that:

We will continue to tell the world that human trafficking exists; we will keep educating the masses; and we will keep working on prevention, protection and prosecution measures in our campaigns to alleviate the factors that make children, women, and men vulnerable to the most vicious violation of human rights.

Call to action: hopes to persuade audience to get involved

Human trafficking has no place in our world today. I urge you to join our fight. React. It’s time.

Source: From “Speech at the Vienna Forum” by Ricky Martin, United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, February 13, 2008. Retrieved from www.ungift.org/ungift/en/vf/speeches/martin.html.