Pearl River Alum Selected as Clinton Global Initiative Mentor

Pearl River High School graduate Mark Svensson learned of the need to combat human trafficking at Rockland Community College.

"RCC opened my eyes to the realities of human trafficking and modern-day slavery practices and I was motivated to work with others to make a difference," Svensson said.

That led him to help establish the SUNY Rockland Anti-Slavery Committee during his freshman year while he was a student in the M/TS Honors Program.

Svensson, now a senior at Georgetown, will continue that work as one of 30 Commitment Mentors at the Clinton Global Initiaive March 30-April 1 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Human trafficing is his assigned focus area, a role he will continue in for the rest of the year.

"Building on the successful model of the Clitnon Global Initiative (CGI), CGIU brings together approximately 1,000 students from all over the world, along with nonprofit leaders, entrepeneurs, and celebrities engaged inefforts to create positive change," Svensson said.

Svensson was a student attendee at the 2010 CGIU meeting in Miami, where he was recognized by Olympic Gold Medalist Joey Cheek for his work against human trafficking. He had worked with other students to lobby government officials in Albany and Rockland County to pass resolutions that would help stop people from being brought into the United States as slaves. According to Svensson, U.S. government estimates place the number of people brought into the U.S. as slaves annually as somehwere between 14,000 and 18,000.

"I look forward to engaging and working with other young leaders from around the world who care as passionately as I do about ending this atrocious practice," Svensson said of his new role. "Together, we can be the key to freedom."