Speeches & Articles

Remarks of Consul General Beth A. Payne
on “Dance Therapy”

American Center, Kolkata
January 2, 2009

January 2, 2009

Ladies and Gentleman
Namashkar!
 
First of all, let me wish you all a “Shubh Nabo Borsho” (Happy New Year).  May the coming year bring peace and prosperity across the globe.  I hope for a New Year that is violence-free and where we all have renewed hope.  I also wish for an economic resurgence and that the strong friendship that has developed between India and the U.S. continues to grow.         
 
I am happy to be here today to witness a sample of what was learned at the two-week “Dance Therapy” workshop that the NGO Sanved organized in Kolkata.  As you know, U.S. dance therapy expert Bonnie Bernstein came all the way from California to conduct this workshop.  Ms. Bernstein trained trainers on ways to use dance as a therapeutic tool to help release traumas felt by victims of trafficking.  This method can also be used for victims of violence and of other problems as well.  I would like to thank Ms. Bernstein for making this tremendous effort and for Sanved for having the foresight to organize the workshop.
 
Human trafficking is a serious problem that challenges all countries around the global, including the U.S. and India.  The U.S. State Department estimates that each year, hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked across international borders and within their own countries.  Most of the victims are women and girls and almost half are children.  Many trafficked victims are forced into prostitution, while others work in sweatshops or are subjected to other forms of involuntary servitude and exploitation.
 
The U.S. Government is committed to ending all forms of human trafficking and to help galvanize international support to end trafficking we release an annual report that details the efforts countries are taking throughout the world to end this crime.    Our Consulate here in Kolkata has also conducted programs that help educate people about trafficking and encourages discussions on the best solutions to this problem.  We have provided grants, held film shows, workshops and led discussions not just in Kolkata, but throughout the Northeast.
 
Reducing trafficking is necessary, but providing coping mechanisms for those who are victims is equally important.  Victims have been abused, subjected to a modern form of slavery, and their human dignity has been attacked.  How can we help these people regain their lost faith in humanity, their dignity, their feeling of pride in themselves?
  
Ms. Bernstein demonstrates one way – the use of dance to help recover from the trauma victims have experienced.  Many victims who have received dance therapy report that “dance is empowering” and that dance therapy has helped them regain their dignity and faith in themselves.  I would like invite you to join me in witnessing how dance has helped to empower one group of girls and boys who are here today and are going to present a short performance.  Thank you.