It carries a simple but powerful message that slavery has an awful cost and the world should unite to end a trade in people that today still affects millions of people.

And now its message will be used to promote this year's Run for Freedom which will take place in London and Bermuda later this month.

The poster was designed by Bermuda's Karthika Chelvam the second Bermuda resident to win a competition to design a poster to promote the run. Last year it was won by Bermudian Akil Simmons.

Twenty-two-year-old Ms Chelvam said: "This is a very serious issue, and I think that it probably impacts many of us more than we realise.

"I had many different ideas sparking in my mind, but of everything, the image of a baby's arm definitely had the most impact, as they are completely innocent, but are still subjected to such horrible events.

"People trafficking is in essence, putting a price on people's lives, so I created the image of a barcode, with the event's date at the bottom and placed it on the wrist.

"Then the eraser, erasing away the barcode. It's a simple concept, but it's the way to do it erase it away little by little.

"Overall, I feel good about helping this cause, it's definitely worthwhile, and I hope many more people learn about it, as I did."

Run for Freedom is now in its third year starting in London in 2007 thanks to the efforts of Charlotte Wilberforce, the great-great-great granddaughter of British slave emancipator William Wilberforce who helped lead a campaign to abolish the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Wilberforce was a trailblazing English politician who went against the opinion of many of his peers to tirelessly campaign for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, successfully calling for the abolition of the Slave Trade Act two centuries ago.

His efforts were helped by Bermudian slave Mary Prince, whose book, the first account of the life of a black woman published in England, galvanised the anti-slavery movement.

Ms Wilberforce established a Run for Freedom in Bermuda last year while she was working on the Island.

Ms Chelvam heard about the campaign through her sister. "She read about it and the poster competition in The Royal Gazette and forwarded the link to me," explained Ms Chelvam, who also runs PDG Entertainment.

"I thought it was a great movement, but I wasn't sure about entering. Later on, a friend of mine pushed me to enter claiming that he knew I would win. However when I sent in my image, I honestly had no thoughts of winning on my mind."

"When I received the congratulatory e-mail from Charlotte Wilberforce, I thought it was just a casual e-mail to thank people for their entries," she said.

"It didn't really hit me that I'd won until I saw my image on their website though, and it felt good. I'm glad I had that push, because now my image is being used to promote a very worthy cause."

Ms Chelvam, who is at Suffolk University in Boston, studying information systems and accounting, is originally from India and has lived in Bermuda since the age of four. She attended Bermuda High School and is due to graduate in May when she plans to pursue a Masters in Accounting.

She has been designing for a few years as a hobby, and started to become more serious about it last summer. She helps to run PDG Entertainment, a new entertainment company in Bermuda that focuses on music production, DJ services and graphic design.

Ms Chelvam will not be running the race herself as she will be travelling, but said: "I believe Run for Freedom is a great movement because I'm sure there is a large group of people who aren't aware that people trafficking still exists, let alone that it is the second largest crime after drugs.

"Especially now that society is taking large steps forward, apparent in events such as the election of President Barack Obama, we need to remember there are still serious issues such as this that are holding us back, and do something about it.

"For this reason, I would encourage people to take part. If they can't run the 5k, then at least to go out and support those who do."

Ms. Wilberforce got involved in helping to organise Run for Freedom after meeting representatives from international anti-slavery coalition Stop The Traffik at a preview of Amazing Grace, a film which told of William Wilberforce's story.

"Ms Chelvam, from Bermuda, sent in an incredible entry. Her image will be used globally to raise awareness of the plight of millions of men, women and children who are trafficked into slavery," said Ms Wilberforce.

"No country is immune to people trafficking, which is the second largest criminal activity after drugs.

"Congratulations to Karthika for her inspiring and fantastic poster. This is the second time a Bermuda resident has been chosen to represent the global Run For Freedom event, and Bermuda should be proud of the talent that continues to come from there.

"I really love the powerful image she has created and am thrilled that she entered the competition."

The 5k run, which takes place in both London and Bermuda, will take place on March 22 at 12 pm, Old Street, London, and at 1 p.m. Kindley Field Park, to raise awareness of people trafficking.

Registration is free at http://www.antipeopletrafficking.org/register.aspx

For those who wish to donate, go to www.justgiving.com/runforfreedom2009

For further information please go to www.antipeopletrafficking.org