UNICEF/UDDIN A Family Left Homeless by Cyclone Aila in Bangladesh

As RENATE prepares for its 3^rd Assembly (2021) with the theme ‘’Towards 2030,’’ the following article by the United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed  is a timely reminder that ‘’the clock is ticking down’’ in the face of climate change, inequalities and other serious challenges.

Already engaged as a collaborative network working to combat human trafficking and exploitation, the RENATE network is ideally positioned to play its part in adopting a fully integrated approach towards the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development that engage all in prevention and development work.

While all of the 17 SDGs and 169 targets directly and indirectly concern Human Rights, Human Trafficking is specifically referred to in three targets under three goals: 5 (Gender Equality); 8 (Decent work and Economic Growth) and 16 (Peace Justice and Strong Institutions).

As we prepare for the RENATE Assembly, it will be useful to keep in mind Deputy Secretary General Mohammed’s call to ‘’reflect honestly about where we are falling short because these shortcomings are also where the opportunities lie to make a difference.’’

Full article at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036531

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

The blog encompassing the following areas, with a brief synopsis relating to each.

1. Commodification of people.
2. Necessary changes to society.
3. Victims of human trafficking as being invisible.
4. Responsibilities of Catholic to respond to their Baptismal calling.
5. Limit forced migration.

Access the full Blog at: https://renatefrance.wordpress.com/2019/04/16/la-feuille-de-route-du-saint-siege-contre-la-traite-humaine/

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Pope Francis declared that: “Human trafficking a crime of the “commercialization of the other”

RENATE President Imelda Poole (IBVM), Sr Maria Luisa Puglisi AASC, (RENATE Member and elected Core group Member), director of the Fundación Amaranta, and RENATE Communications Person, Anne Kelleher and Caritas Albania, among 200 participants, attended the private audience with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis condemned trafficking in human beings as one of the most dramatic manifestations of the “commercialization of the other”, a crime against humanity that disfigures both the victims as well as those who carry it out.

Please read the full article written by Vatican News:

In English Language https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-04/pope-francis-trafficking-persons-crime-commercialization.html

In Albanian language: https://www.vaticannews.va/sq/papa/news/2019-04/papa-trafiku-eshte-krim-kunder-njerezimit-dhe-e-kthen-njeriun.html?fbclid=IwAR1Ckaj16sf-n3yKISRe2eG3X6oe2TiZaKrKJG6BE8MrUdZYScsFRzQxDzY

Click here to read the Pope’s Address to Participants in International Conference on Human Trafficking.

RENATE President Imelda Poole, Sr Maria Luisa Puglisi AASC, director of the Fundación Amaranta, and RENATE Communications Person, Anne Kelleher, were amongst approximately 200 delegates gathered at Fraterna Domus, in Sacrofino, near Rome to look concretely, pastorally and practically at the Church’s implementation of the POHT, favouring a deep appropriation and our working better in concert.   It was a time of open and deep sharing and reflecting on how best to implement the Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking document, produced by the Vatican 17 January 2019.

Present were:

• Representatives of Bishop Conferences 
• Catholic pastoral agents   
• Representatives of major organizations expressing the Church’s social commitment 
• Experts, partners, representatives of foundations and NGOs.

(POHT)  The POHT is the fruit of consultation with international Catholic organizations, religious congregations and Bishops’ Conference from all regions of the world. The document was approved by the Holy Father and has been signed by the two Under-Secretaries of the Migrants & Refugees Section.

The Conference planners and sponsors, chaired by the Migrant and Refugees Section, included Caritas Internationalis, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the International Catholic Migration Commission, Talitha Kum, the Santa Marta Group, and the Apostolate of the Sea. Each of these organisations played significant roles throughout the three days of the conference.

In terms of process, seven thematic sessions corresponding with the major topics treated in the POHT, were considered over the three days. Each of the seven sessions was introduced by two speakers, 15-minuteseach, providing background to the topic and questions for the discussion of 60 minutes. The themes were as follows:

1. Human Trafficking in the Context of Sexual exploitation.
2. Human Trafficking in the Context of Slave Labour.
3. Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling.
4. Other forms of Human Trafficking.
5. Identification, Prevention and Prosecution of Human Trafficking.
6. Protection of Survivors.
7. Partnership in Responding to Human Trafficking.

Everyone agreed that at the end of the three days, we gained a greater appreciation of the Church’s teaching and ministry in terms of strengths, weaknesses, policy options as well as enhanced coordination worldwide.

We also had a deeper appreciation for our understanding of ‘Church’ not as an institution but more so as a communion of souls together, working together to ensure the dignity of the human person and in honour of the Gospel.

It was a hugely valuable time of reflection and hard work, underpinned by mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s contributions. We had great possibilities to build and forge links and understandings, which will support us in our future work together towards the implementation of the POHT over time.

By 11 April, we had collectively devised 500+ recommendations, which will be further refined and condensed before taking them further in terms of implementation at local parish and community levels.

The highlight of the work was the Papal audience on 11 April, where Pope Francis not only affirmed us in our work but encouraged us to ‘’…persevere in the mission – often risky and anonymous, but precisely because of this , irrefutable proof of your selfless generosity.’’ view more.

Full report and recommendations will be available in the coming weeks.

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.   

In Northern Ireland, since January 2018,  we have not had statutory events or discussion meetings concerning the overall work undertaken  in relation to trafficking of women for sexual exploitation or, as has been prevalent here migrant workers trafficked for economic  exploitation.   Both these problems are still part of our reality and the dearth of focus or sharing of supports in place is probably due to the absence of our Executive functioning.

Two slender signs of positive energy being focussed and expended  are –

1. The continued functioning of Solace – small accommodation refuge  for victims. This is the project of a most Christian couple who have set up and welcome  residents to their six-bedded unit in the countryside, where genuine healing space is offered.
2. I am aware of a strong support group that supports this vibrant unit.  This group has a functioning Charity Shop that provides much-needed finance and is a great support to Solace.
3. Our main event in this year was  the coming together of three groups to reflect and pray, sharing their prayer contribution on the Feast of Saint Bakita and their inclusion of prayer for the eradication of the trafficking scourge from our local  environment. where horrific cases have emerged and been exposed.

Clare O’Mahony.

Pastoral Outreach.