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The Committee to Protect Vietnamese Workers (CPVW) held an international seminar and fundraising gala dinner last June 24. Venue was the Harvest Moon restaurant in Virginia.

Gala emcee Monique Huynh said the Committee “is a world-wide organization whose first founder was from Poland.” She added this year’s participants came from all over, including Belgium, France, Australia, and from the local area.

Over 200 guests from the Vietnamese American community attended the gala, including those who took part in the seminar. The gala featured remarks by Committee officers, an awards presentation, a parade of guests in colorful national costumes, and a cultural show.

The CPVW Executive members organized the Conference and Gala Fund-Raising dinner, particularly CPVW Treasurer Jackie Bong-Wright. Conference participants included representatives from Amnesty International, the State Department and from Human Rights Watch and from Solidarity (AFL-CIO). They were invited by Ms. Bong-Wright, human rights advocate and author. At the seminar, five members of the Vietnam and Malaysia reported on their work in their countries.

Other CPVW Executive members are Tran Ngoc Thanh from Poland, President from 2006-2012; Nguyen Ngoc Bich from Virginia, Vice President; Secretary Nguyen Dinh Hung from Australia, a member of the Subcomittee in Malaysia, and Ms. Ca Dao from Paris, France, also a member of the Subcomittee in Malaysia, as well as Nguyen Van Tanh from Belgium, newly-elected President from 2012-2015.

At the gala dinner, plaques of recognition were presented to the Vietnamese American leaders; US Rep. Gerald Connolly, as well as to US Rep. Chris Smith, whose award was received on his behalf by a top aide.

Doan Viet Trung, Secretary-General of the Committee to Protect Vietnamese Workers from Australia, spoke about the mission and the work of the Committee since it started in 2006.

Dr. Trung said much work needs to be done. He urged those present to open their wallets to help human trafficking victims. “It costs hundreds of dollars to free the women victims of human trafficking, and also for their plane fare home,” he pointed out.

Another speaker made a strong appeal, saying, “Let us try to do whatever is in our power to share our love to help people who need our help.” For more information on the work of the Committee, visit www.projectvietnameseworkers.com.