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Author: Annie

Posted on May 20th, 2019 By

RENATE Training on Human Trafficking & the Law, Sweden, 6-10 May 2019.

 

 

From 6-10 May 2019, twenty five RENATE members met in Sweden, to reflect upon the Nordic model and learn from the experiences encountered in Sweden. The adoption of the Nordic model by Sweden twenty years ago, lead the way for other countries worldwide to consider how to address helping women in prostitution from a Human Rights approach.

Please click the link below to read the full report:

RENATE Training on Human Trafficking & the Law, Sweden, 6-10 May 2019.

RENATE Policy Statement on Human Trafficking and the Law.
‘RENATE endeavours to abolish all forms of human trafficking and exploitation that violates the human dignity and rights of persons. Throughout its European Network, RENATE adopts a Victim-Centred, Human Rights, Trauma-informed approach in relation to the Law.’ 12 May 2019.

 

Posted on May 3rd, 2019 By

Side event at the Council of Europe, considers the theme of ‘’Duty or offence of solidarity: the action of NGOs in the system of assistance and support to migrants and refugees.’’

 

Having secure the privilege of representation at the Conference of INGOs at the Council of Europe where Marie Hélène Halligon represents RENATE Europe, Marie Helene sends us news of the discussions on the above topic which took place on 11 April 2019 at the Palais de l’Europe.

Amongst the aspects under discussion were concerns for the detention of migrant children in Europe; concerns for civil society organisations and their members who are threatened or sanctioned for assisting people on the migration route by providing legal, humanitarian or social assistance and concerns for the extent to which governments seem to be more concerned with protecting their country borders and not people.

Full report available at: “The Criminalisation of Humanitarian Acts is a Crime”

 

Posted on May 3rd, 2019 By

Mary Ward Loreto Foundation launched the Research on Migration of Albanians and findings of this study report on Friday, 26 of April 2019.

 

Mary Ward Loreto Foundation launched the Research on Migration of Albanians and findings of this study report on Friday, 26 of April 2019. More than 100 participants attended the conference at Tirana International Hotel in Tirana, Albania.

The panelists of this conference were: Imelda Poole (IBVM), MWL President; Mr. Alfred Matoshi;  Ms. Sulltana Aliaj; Mr. Denis Mema; Dr. Arlind Qori; Prof. Dr. Zyhdi; and Dr. Ana Majko. Ms. Sulltana Aliaj presented the Literature of the research and Mr. Denis Mema presented the Methodology and findings of the research. Mr. Alfred Matoshi presented the Analyzed findings of the research, Dr. Arlind Qori, spoke about the links between Politics and Migration, Prof. Dr. Zyhdi Dervishi gave a asocial context of  Migration, and Dr. Ana Majko spoke about the current situation of Migration and trafficking in Albania.

This study was led by the Mary Ward Loreto Foundation, under Mr. Alfred Matoshi coordination and co-author with Ms.  Sulltana Aliaj and Mr. Denis Mema.

An irreplaceable contribution to this study was given by academic staff from the Social Sciences Department at the University of Tirana specifically: Prof.Dr. Zyhdi Dervishi, Dr. Arlind Qori and Dr. Livia Nano. A special thanks to Dr. Edita Fiono and Ada Braho PhD Researcher.

We would like to thank all of the volunteers, individuals, and associates who worked with passion and dedication in the collection of data, interviewing, and organizing focus groups across Albania.

Migration is a phenomenon that has affected nearly all Albanians. Statistics show that most Albanians want to leave in order to have a better life outside of Albania. Given this fact, a study has been done to identify the factors that push Albanians to migrate. The study has as a sample 1,105 individuals with an equal gender distribution and a range of ages. The instruments used are the self-appointed questionnaire for migration and the World Health Organization questionnaire based on quality of life, the degree of hope, and life satisfaction. Focus groups and interviews were also used to analyze the phenomenon.

Mr. Denis Mema shared the analyzed findings of the research. The results show a large tendency of Albanians to leave the country as a result of socio-economic factors.

Currently, in Albania, frequency analysis shows that 83.86% of participants asked want to leave their county and 16.14% do not want to leave. Statistical analyses show that both women and men are equal in their desire to leave.

There are many factors that affect the great desire to emigrate. Around 84.9% (N=786) want to leave for social economic reasons, including unemployment, lack of basic services and poor standards of living. It results that 5% (N=47) wanted a higher level of education that is not available in Albania. In additional, 4.8% (N=45) wanted to leave for political reasons and 2.7% (N=25) want more specialized health service. Only 1.9% (n=18) have selected “other” and it results that the most prevalent reason for leaving was lack of security for their life.

Specifically, 78.5% do not feel secure in Albania. Asked about the reason, they reported that this is related to the high number of criminals that are not punished.

 An interviewee in Pogradec said: “I am agitated by the powerlessness to change this situation, it is absurd how some individuals are holding this country hostage”

This study aims to promote the recommendations for creating and modifying policies to prevent illegal migration, and to aid in the reintegration of returning migrants into society.

We would like to thank the President of Mary Ward Loreto Foundation, Sr. Imelda Poole MBE, (IBVM) for her trust, support and encouragement at all stages of this MWL led project.

During her speech at conference she said:

“Speaking about movement and mobility, change will come even in Albania, if we all work together against factors that affect Albanians to emigrate. 

 From my perspective of living in this country for 14 years, I am very conscious of the extreme poverty and the feelings of hopelessness prevalent amongst the people. There seems to be no connection between the need of the people and the services offered by the state.

 I hope that all those who have any power to make change will respond to this revealed truth and listen to the voice of the people who are voting now with their feet and moving away from their homeland. ”

 The conference is followed by national media that have also made chronicles on the study:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aL8oqiKzC8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0LI5zBDfwal1p36rpHMJdJ-gKLZORebp9ZDIpchzc9pHHfmjAoBaMjZJ0

http://www.oranews.tv/article/studimi-i-2019-s-84-e-shqiptareve-duan-te-ikin?fbclid=IwAR1RmZQl0o2el4kfkPKPzxJCM0nE32hbzRAZkLWT4mWXjz_NGYRdGbkw090

Please click here to download the study report Albanians and Migration.

The study report “Albanians and Migration” in Albanian Languag.

The study report “Albanians and Migration” in English Language.

Posted on April 18th, 2019 By

Meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals- RENATE General Assembly 2021. ‘’Everyone is a development actor.’’

 

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

As RENATE prepares for its 3rd 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.

 

Posted on April 18th, 2019 By

RENATE member Begona Inarra who runs the RENATE France Blog, has written a valuable resumé of the call to respond to the Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking.

 

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.

Posted on April 18th, 2019 By

Useful resource – an Interactive Map for Business Anti- Human Trafficking organisations.

 

This interactive map offers information on initiatives and organisations engaging with the private sector to combat human trafficking, child labour, forced labour and modern slavery.

Sponsored and supported by the ILO, the UN Global Compact, the IOM UN Migration, GBCAT and the Global Initiative against Transnational organised Crime, the app invites the user to choose from a number of relevant categories where one can search for organisations according to the type of institution, their geographical focus, the issue(s) they work on (Child Labour, Forced Labour, Organ Removal etc.) and their industry of focus.

For full access: https://clicktime.symantec.com/344f5LKJWvwMRYoxuHrx4AG7Vc?u=http%3A%2F

 

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

 

Posted on April 18th, 2019 By

RENATE member Sr. Eugenia Bonetti composes meditation for Pope Francis’ celebration of The Way of the Cross Good Friday 19 April 2019.

 

Pope Francis has asked Bonetti, a long-time activist in the fight against human trafficking, to write the meditations for his celebration of the Good Friday Way of the Cross prayer service at Rome’s Colosseum 19 April, 2019 (Credit: CNS.).

Responding to an invitation from Pope Francis which she could not refuse, RENATE member Sr. Eugenia Bonetti is honoured to reflect upon her lifetime’s work dedicated to rescuing women from human trafficking and sex slavery in order to write the meditations for his celebration of the Good Friday Way of the Cross Prayer Service at Rome’s Colosseum on 19 April 2019.

Sr. Eugenia has said it is an opportunity to give expression to what she has been “doing, listening, and suffering” for more than twenty years in the area of anti-human trafficking work and to raise awareness to the fact that the slave trade needs our urgent attention as it continues to thrive in contemporary times.

Sr. Eugenia will draw parallels between Christ’s suffering along the Way of the Cross and on Calvary and that of trafficked girls, who similarly endure suffering on their own ‘’Way of the Cross.’’

Pope Francis Good Friday Prayer Service will be available at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

 

Posted on April 18th, 2019 By

Resolution CONF/PLE(2019)RES1 adopted by the Conference of INGOs on Friday 12 April 2019. ‘’The future of the Council of Europe: Civil Society’s commitment.’’

 

RENATE is privileged to have a seat at the Conference of INGOs (Council of Europe) where we are represented by RENATE member Marie Hélène Halligon, olcgs.

Following many months of consultations and reflections, the Conference of INGOs have arrived at the following seven resolutions, all of which directly and indirectly reflect a commitment to ensuring the safeguarding of democratic institutions in order to protect citizen’s human rights. Inherent in these resolutions will be the opportunity to promote and support the combatting of human trafficking and the protection of the dignity of the human person.

‘’The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe:

  1. Supports the Secretary General´s position that the member States must guarantee an adequate and sustainable financial basis for the Council of Europe to undertake its tasks and live up to its responsibilities;
  2. Recalls that Civil Society already contributes in a very significant way to various monitoring mechanisms, its input should be further explored to guarantee a greater efficiency and effectiveness of these mechanisms;
  3. Stresses that Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law are interdependent, and one cannot exist without the other. The Conference of INGOs fears that undermining one of these pillars will have a negative impact on all of them;
  4. Emphasises the continued need to safeguard and achieve genuine democracy and strengthen public trust in democratic institutions. Inclusive societies require well established tools for meaningful participation in the democratic decision-making process, which can empower citizens and NGOs and help young people to be confident in a common European future;
  5. Considers pro-active education for democratic culture and human rights as essential to sustaining adherence to democratic values, principles and practices;
  6. Underlines that reinforced interaction with civil society through a space for substantial, formal, honest and open debates on the strategic orientations of the Organization represents a real opportunity and strength for the Council of Europe;
  7. Commits itself to create an open environment for constructive dialogue within organised civil society as well as between civil society and public authorities to help establishing a new sense of cohesion in democratic society and to bring this Resolution to the attention of its members. 12/04/2019.

For more on the CoE: https://www.coe.int/en/web/ingo/home?desktop=true

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on April 18th, 2019 By

RENATE member Sonia Krsytoń shares news of upcoming Big Heart Bike cycling events planned for 2020- via their FaceBook page @BigHeartBike

 

Dedicated to raising awareness and fundraising for PoMOC Association, Poland which runs a shelter for women and children (victims of trafficking, exploitation and violence), Sonia and her five fellow-cyclists are currently gearing up for their roadshow, showcasing their bike trip to Iran at various venues in Poland. The roadshow is a novel opportunity to raise awareness about human trafficking and the necessity to contribute funding to the support systems run by the Religious in Poland working against Human Trafficking.

More at: https://www.facebook.com/BigHeartBike/about/

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Posted on April 12th, 2019 By

First Country Group Meeting of RENATE in Albania and RENATE Staff Meeting on April 4th, 2019.

 

Members of the RENATE Network in Albania gathered for the first ever country group meeting for RENATE. Those present represented all the main organisations involved in direct action against Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Albania.

At the annual meeting of the RENATE Working Board last November (2018), board members suggested having greater engagement amongst the members within each country that makes up the RENATE network.

In response, Albanian country representatives met together to reflect on their work and how Albania can influence the field of anti-trafficking. RENATE President, Sr. Imelda Poole, IBVM, MBE, together with RENATE Board members Ana Stakaj and Gazmir Memaj, were present, as well Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person and Claudia Conroy, the new secretary of RENATE.

This was an opportunity to gather and share information about our in the field of anti-trafficking in Albania and collaborate on what the next steps are for developing our work. During this meeting all members compiled a draft action plan and were encouraged to have meetings every two months. We are capable of making greater impact when we work collaboratively and accountably.

An in-person RENATE staff meeting took place for the first time on the 4th and 5th of April in Albania. These two days were full with staff presenting their work, their challenges, followed by discussion for deeper understanding of how we can better help and work with one another.

The RENATE Staff visited the MWL Women Advice Centre in Tirana where they met MWL staff psychologist and social worker, Irena Kraja and Arveda Baholli who work at the centre. This was an opportunity to share with RENATE staff the work of MWL in this advice centre, where they work every day with crisis cases and emergency needs in collaboration with MWL’s partners and Governmental institutions.

 

 

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