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2022 Assembly

 

Month: March 2019

Posted on March 15th, 2019 By

RENATE members In Italy, take opportunity to share information about their work and bring influence to bear at the Council of Europe Conference of INGOs.

 

 

In response to an invitation issued in early February, to engage with Council of Europe Conference of INGOs’ delegates on a Country Visit to Italy, we are delighted to share that five RENATE members of NGOs in Italy, have indicated their willingness to participate.

If selected from amongst all other NGOs in Italy, our colleagues will have a valuable opportunity to bring the issue of human trafficking and exploitation, to the heart of the Council of Europe Conference of INGOs and to share about the work undertaken at grassroots level by RENATE.

The Country Visits are a good occasion to meet NGOs and to share common European concerns on the future of human rights, democracy and rule of law from the NGOs’ perspective, as well as other matters that concern NGOs in the specific countries.

During each visit, the Conference of INGOs focus on the different national and local mechanisms that allow NGOs to take part in the decision-making process in different areas of the public policies.

 The report of each visit is published, sent to the government for comments and discussed during the plenary meeting of the Conference of INGOs in presence of Ambassadors and invited national NGO members. The list of Civil Society representatives participating in the meetings is not transmitted to the public authorities.

During each visit, the delegation meets the representatives of different ministries at governmental level. The Permanent Representation of the respective Member State to the Council of Europe also supports the organization of the agenda.

The participation of civil society in decision-making is one of the priorities of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers has recently adopted guidelines on civil society’s effective and meaningful participation in the political decision-making process.

RENATE extends gratitude to our colleagues in Italy who have so generously volunteered to participate and eagerly await the outcome of the selection process in the hopes that our RENATE member’s NGOs are selected

Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on March 15th, 2019 By

Lessons learned from The Lighthouse, a transitional living programme for young women who are survivors of sex trafficking. PODCAST.

 

At The Lighthouse, a victim-centred approach is giving the power back to the trafficked victims and empowering them to say what their needs are, what their concerns are, and for them to lead survivor-driven services.

Activate the link below to hear Polly Williams, Programme Supervisor at the Lighthouse, introduce a thoughtful report and review of 11 learned lessons from this program, all of which are applicable and can be adapted to the European context.

The podcast refers to the following 11 areas: Labels; Curriculum; Trust; Mobile Phones; Staff; Life-skill development; Resident guidelines; Case management; Interviews; Applicants U18 and Reducing Length of Time Back in ‘The Life.”

Podcast available at: https://media.blubrry.com/ending_human_trafficking_e/s/content.blubrry.com/ending_human_trafficking_e/EHT189.mp3

There is a helpful resource via EBook, ‘’Ending Human Trafficking; 5 Things You Must Know,’’ available at:

https://endinghumantrafficking.org/category/resources-online-videos-webinars/#

Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on March 15th, 2019 By

Joint statement from The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in France and from The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Sweden.

 

On International Women’s Day , 8 March 2019, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced their joint decision to develop a common strategy to combat Human Trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe and globally.

Both countries are already committed to fostering comprehensive inter-agency strategies and action plans in their own countries to tackle the challenge of human trafficking as well as to develop international cooperation in this area.

The two Governments encourage all States to join the ‘’Blue Heart’’ international awareness-raising campaign and confirm their intention to support the “Blue Heart” initiative to fight human trafficking and its impact on society.

The main focus of their common strategy will be to reduce the demand for girls and women in prostitution, in Europe and globally. Trafficking for sexual exploitation will continue as long as there is a demand for girls and women in prostitution. Therefore, focusing on reducing demand will be an important measure for combating trafficking for sexual exploitation, for combating violence against women and children and for enhanced gender equality.

Full statement here.

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on March 15th, 2019 By

Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery- Publication by Mike Emberson, former CEO of the Medaille Trust.

 

In an exciting new venture The Medaille Trust has partnered with Redemptorist Publishing to produce a book entitled Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery: Introducing the issue and Recognising the Signs, written by Mike Emberson. (ISBN:9780852314852).

The book describes the horror of modern day slavery and human trafficking in the UK. Each year, thousands of victims are brought into the country to be exploited in brothels, on farms and in private homes. This worldwide trade is estimated to enslave millions of people and earn, the perpetrators of the crime, billions of pounds. This book details the part the UK plays in this vile trade. Illustrated by real-life case studies and informed by the authors’ many years of work in this field, the shocking details of this human rights abuse are laid bare.

It is hoped that the reader will gain many benefits from a study of the book, but especially the following:

  • Develop a greater understanding of the problem and issues surrounding Human Trafficking.
  • Know what is being done to counter Human Trafficking.
  • Know what they can do to assist in the work to combat Human Trafficking..

About the authors:

Mike Emberson has been involved in anti-trafficking work since 2003 and is the previous CEO of the Medaille Trust.

*The book is dedicated to all those victims of human trafficking and modern slavery who remain to be rescued, to Sister Ann Teresa of the Order of St Joseph of Annecy (our founder) and to the staff of the Medaille Trust.

Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on March 8th, 2019 By

International Women’s Day – Women of Courage Award – Congratulations!

 

 

US first lady Melania Trump and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo present the 2019 International Women of Courage award to Sr Orla Treacy during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC.

‘An Irish nun who works in South Sudan was presented with an award for her work by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and US first lady Melania Trump on Thursday.

Sr Orla Treacy (46) from Bray, Co Wicklow, was one of 10 women given the International Women of Courage Award at the US Department of State in Washington, DC.

Sr Orla was nominated for the prize by the US embassy to the Holy See. The award, in its 13th year, recognises women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership “often at great personal risk and sacrifice”.

In 2006, she travelled to Sudan with four other Loreto nuns to set up a new mission in the country. Today, she serves as the head administrator of the Loreto Rumbek Mission in Maker Kuei, overseeing a boarding secondary school for girls, a co-educational primary school, and a women and child-centric primary healthcare facility.

In an interview with The Irish Times last year, she described the challenges she and her students face in a country riven by civil war.

“We have been threatened at gunpoint, we have been insulted, all number of problems because she is a woman and should be sacrificed for the sake of the greater good. Technically it’s a boarding school but I call it a women’s refuge because you’re constantly trying to protect these girls from forced marriage. I work with people who live very much on the margins: life and death, hunger and despair. Every day they live on the edge. And yet in that you can still glimpse love and hope every day.”

 

Posted on March 8th, 2019 By

International Women’s Day 2019: ‘’Better the Balance, Better the World.’’

 

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women – whilst also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.

At the heart of Human Trafficking is a disregard for the dignity of the human person, both the perpetrator and the victim.

Collectively and collaboratively, we all can play a part in ensuring the respect for the dignity of the human person, in particular, the dignity of women.

In an age when trafficking of women and girls continues to be a lucrative trade, it is time to activate the collective efforts of all who care about human rights and specifically, the prevention of human trafficking and exploitation.

Let’s be dynamic at RENATE Europe and post your #IWD2019 message on social media with your “hands out” balance pose for a strong call-to-action for others to also help forge a #BalanceforBetter.

Check out the IWD 2019 Image Collection and IWD 2019 Photo Competition.

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

 

Posted on March 8th, 2019 By

We all are partners in the fight against Human Trafficking.

 

On 5th March, Mary ward Loreto Men  (MWL Men) and Mary Ward Loreto Youth (MWL Youth), gathered at Lushnj, attending a forum on a Project on Safe Emigration and Human Trafficking, led by the MWL Men.

A panel led the gathered group of men and youth in a discussion about trafficking, emigration, coaching for employment, and tourism in Albania. The forum included perspectives and voices from women, youth, and men.

After the forum there was a meeting with the youth focus group to sign their contracts with MWL President, Sr. Imelda Poole. Each of the young people signed their contract, showing their commitment to the coaching program. Imelda Poole signed the contract on behalf of MWL, as a sign of MWL’s commitment to these youth and their futures.

We are all partners in the fight against human trafficking, and days like this show how that fight can only be accomplished through community and commitment.

Adapted from MWL FaceBook postings.

Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on March 8th, 2019 By
Posted on March 8th, 2019 By

Talitha Kum interview via Webinar with Gabriella Bottani, to celebrate 10th anniversary.

 

On 6 March last, via Webinar, Sr. Gabriella Bottani, international coordinator Talitha Kum, presented a comprehensive overview of the work and progress of Talitha Kum since inception in 2009.

Sr. Gabriella bore witness to the work of Religious sisters working to combat Human Trafficking and Exploitation across six of the seven continents- Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America and South America.

It was an opportunity not only to learn about the work thus far but also to explore what each of us can do in the areas of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnerships.
For those of us who missed the webinar, you can hear the full recording at :

www.talithakum.info

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

 

Posted on March 8th, 2019 By

63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, 11-23 March 2019.

 

‘’Social Protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.’’

A sad fact of life that Human Trafficking remains in the spotlight at the annual CSW gathering at the UN, New York. Of interest from amongst the many side events taking place at this year’s CSW, is one focused on Human Trafficking entitled ‘’Addressing Vulnerability: Collaborative approaches to Trafficking Prevention through a Human Rights Lens,’’ co-sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy with the Mission of Belarus on Human Trafficking.

Taking place on 18 March and moderated by Jean Quinn, OLCGS, Executive Director of UNANIMA International, speakers include H.E. Valentin Rybakov, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN; Simone Monasebien, Director UNODC New York Office; Mely Lenario, Survivor advocate, social worker and Marietta Latonio, Advocate, researcher, professor of social work, USPF CEBU M&E officer at Good Shepherd Welcome House, CEBU.

Words of welcome, from H.E. Ms. Geraldine Byrne Nason (Ireland), Chairperson:

https://youtu.be/nY3opPMdjuA

Keep up to date with CSW events at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw63-2019

 

 

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