In his latest book, Not For Sale, University of San Francisco ethics professor David Batstone helps bring light to the criminal activity that is happening right under our noses.
Human trafficking is not just a concern for the global activist community - it is a commercial crisis for the garment and agricultural industries, and contributes to increased prostitution. Go behind the facade of any major town or city in America and you are likely to find a thriving commerce in human beings. Nearly 200,000 people live enslaved at this moment in the United States, and an additional 17,500 new victims are trafficked into our borders each year. The International Labor Office estimates human trafficking generates $32 billion annually, and rivals drug trafficking and illegal arms trade for the top criminal activity on the planet.
Bio
David Batstone
David Batstone, Ph.D., is Professor of Ethics in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at the University of San Francisco. He received his B.A. with a major in Psychology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara. After studying for a year at the International Baptist Seminary in Ruschlikon Switzerland, he finished his M.Div. at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. He remained in Berkeley to complete the doctorate program at the Graduate Theological Union. Following graduation, he taught at the GTU for three years. He then took up a faculty post at USF in 1994. In 1998-1999 he was named National Endowment for the Humanities Chair at USF for his work in technology and ethics.
In 1997, Batstone was a member of the founding team that launched Business 2.0 magazine. The magazine burst on the national scene with the National Magazine Awards "Best New Magazine" in the USA. Time-Warner acquired the magazine in 2001.
Today, Batstone serves as Executive Editor of Sojourners magazine, which Folio awarded in both 2003 and 2004 as the "Best Religious/Spiritual Magazine" in the United States. In addition to his part in the leadership team, Batstone initiated and directs SojoMail, an online news and perspective that is delivered weekly to over 200,000 subscribers.
Rev. Alan Jones
Alan Jones, Ph.D., has been dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco since 1985.
Jones was formerly the director of the Center for Christian Spirituality and Stephen F. Bayne Professor of Ascetical Theology at General Theological Seminary in New York City. Born and educated in England, Jones was also on the staff of Trinity Institute of Wall Street's Trinity Church. He became a citizen of the United States in 1975.
Jones is the author of several books, most notably, Soul Making, The Desert Way of Spirituality, Passion for Pilgrimage and most recently, The Soul's Journey: Exploring the Three Passages of the Spiritual Life with Dante as a Guide. He is widely known as a gifted preacher and travels throughout the world preaching, lecturing, and leading retreats.