From Slavery to Citizenship (PDF)

Citizenship is not a spectator sport; it is all about engagement.
From Slavery to Citizenship is part of a bigger picture - a
development process which will enable us to gain more control
over our own lives and to participate in decisions about the
future direction of society and the organisations we are
involved in.

This book is unusual in suggesting that slavery is not a remote
historical phenomenon, but a fundamental component of our
present. People have been slaves in the past and some people
are enslaved today.

The subject of slavery is highly charged with emotion. From
Slavery to Citizenship seeks to facilitate dialogue and to bridge
gaps. This is not easy as people have been speaking different
languages and working from diverse sets of assumptions. A
first step is to listen and to learn from differences.

In this book, a single author's voice brings together
contributions from major public figures and respected thinkers.
Within a rich tapestry of perspectives, there is no single line of
argument, or one overall conclusion. There are contributions from
Africa, North and South America, Western and Eastern Europe and
Asia, and from discourses in work organisation, occupational
health, psychiatry and human rights, as well as education.

After reading the book, you are unlikely to conclude that all of
the contributors have agreed, but you will find that they give you
a starting point from which to reflect and begin discussion, as
well as the tools to engage in active citizenship.