The Design for Freedom podcast focuses on the elimination of forced and child labour in global building materials supply chains.

By 2030, global spending in construction is set to reach $17.5 trillion. But current estimates have over 28 million people around the world held in forced labour conditions - many of whom extract the materials and make the products that go into our homes, schools, office buildings, and landscapes.

The podcast digs into the uncomfortable truths about the global supply of critical products and materials relied upon by the construction sector, and the challenges that persist – and it provides the insights, perspective, information and tools that you need in order to take action and be part of the solution.

Design for Freedom is a movement created by Grace Farms Foundation in 2020. Three principles underpin its mission to eliminate forced and child labour from the building materials supply chain; to find and address forced and child labour, to pursue ethical decarbonisation and to prioritise circularity and the use of regenerative materials.

The fourth episode of the series focuses on the crucial role of global data in the elimination of modern slavery. We look at the barriers to data sharing and collaboration and the immense potential of AI technology to accelerate progress. The discussion delves into how reliable data and AI tools, such as those in Acelab's materials hub, can help the construction sector make more conscious material choices and make the invisible in supply chains visible. We also explore how initiatives like the Global Data Partnership Against Forced Labor ensure that data is responsibly governed and provides conditions for systemic change, driven by worker and survivor voice. The aim is to move from a focus on individual compliance to a culture of accountability, transparency, and collective responsibility.

Elaine is joined by Mahendra Pandey, Director of Humanity United's forced labor and human trafficking portfolio and founder of the Global Migrant Workers Network. Mahendra is a key partner of the Global Data Partnership Against Forced Labor. She also welcomes Vardhan Mehta, Co-founder and CEO at Acelab, which focuses on using AI to drive improved social outcomes and is a member of the Design for Freedom US Working Group.

You can read a full transcript of the episode here.

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