Just a few miles inland from the tourist-filled beaches of the Dominican Republic, hidden from view, thousands of dispossessed Haitians have toiled under armed-guard harvesting sugarcane, much of which ends up in U.S. kitchens. They work grueling hours and frequently lack decent housing, clean water, electricity, education or healthcare. "The Price of Sugar" follows Father Christopher Hartley, a charismatic Spanish priest, as he organizes some of this hemisphere's poorest people, challenging powerful interests profiting from their work. The Vicini family which owns some of the sugar plantations on which the film was shot has filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers in an attempt to block the film's release. This film raises key questions about where the products we consume originate and at what human cost they are produced.

After the film, three panelists will comment and take questions on the global problem of trafficking:

Rita Simon - Dr. Simon, the author of around 70 books and over 200 articles, is a recognized expert on migration and sex trafficking.

Christina Arnold - Ms. Arnold founded Prevent Human Trafficking (previously known as Project Hope International) in 1999. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to promote awareness of human trafficking and improve anti-trafficking policies  

Sharon Melzer - Ms. Melzer has over 10 years of experience in examining transnational crime issues, including the trafficking of commodities and humans.

Type:

Film/Movie

Host:

School of Public Affairs

Contact:

Sharon Melzer