Thanks to endowments from benefactors across Europe and the United States of America which include women’s Religious congregations, major Foundations and business executives, Durham University will be able to facilitate research which will contribute to and enhance Catholic Social Teaching.
Dr. Rowlands is a political theologian and an expert on Catholic Social Teaching and has worked on theology and migration for more than a decade. Anna is committed to working in partnership with Catholic faith-based organisations that are influencing the next generation of social practice.
In this respect, Dr. Rowlands led the daily Theological Reflections at the RENATE Bi-Annual Assembly, held in Rome in November 2016.
For more: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/32910
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.

Each year, the US Department of State honours individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. These individuals are NGO workers, lawmakers, police officers and concerned citizens who are committed to ending modern slavery. They are recognized for their tireless efforts—despite resistance, opposition, and threats to their lives—to protect victims, punish offenders and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their countries and abroad.
For more information about current and past Trafficking in Persons Report Heroes, including how to connect with them, please visit the Trafficking in Persons Report Heroes Global Network at www.tipheroes.org
 
Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.
 

 
 
“A 22-year-old woman from El Salvador was trying to reach her family in the USA, seeking help from a “cojote” for the travel. In El Salvador, she left her parents and a 5-year-old daughter. On the way, in Mexico, the young women was abducted and trafficked for sexual exploitation. She was able to escape the traffickers and to find refuge in a protected shelter in Tapachula (Chapas, Mexico). The girl cannot return to her home country because the traffickers know where she is coming from and the trafficker threatened her with death. The solution is a humanitarian visa to protect her life”. 
Thousands of people around the globe are daily committed to identify, rescue and protect human trafficking victims among people on the move. It is not enough!   
Migrants and refugees are among the most vulnerable people for trafficking and exploitation, both during the journey and when they arrive in the country of destination.
Their vulnerability is growing because of the absence of sufficient legal and safe migration pathways. Many migrants and refugee-seekers are trafficked and subjected to abuse and exploited in transit and in the countries of their destination.
 

 
Several faith-based organizations work closely with vulnerable populations, especially the migrants and refugees, and they have identified several victims of trafficking among these populations.
Women and girl refugees and migrants are most vulnerable to trafficking and are subject to sexual exploitation. Trafficking of women and girls for forced labor and sexual exploitation is one of the fastest growing areas of international criminal activity, taking in an estimated $32 million per year.[1]
The UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons provides an opportunity to invite all governmental, non-governmental and UN organizations to:

• Strengthen the initiatives of all the stakeholders working with migrants and refugees in order to more easily identify victims of trafficking, mainly in the border regions and refugee’s camps;
• Improve the protection of survivors of trafficking among people on the move, increasing the number of places in shelters and
• Intensify collaboration and networking, involving more faith-based organizations committed against trafficking in persons.

‘’Together we fight for dignity, work for change and celebrate hope.

Together we can end human trafficking.

Join us.’’

 
[1] http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons.html
 

The Annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) released on Tuesday, 27^th June, highlights the successes achieved in the fight against human trafficking and also highlights the continuing challenges facing the world, as the crime against humanity continues to flourish. Sobering statistics are cited, for example, with more than 20 million estimated trafficking victims worldwide, there have been less than 15,000 prosecutions in 2016 and 10,000 convictions reported by governments.
This year’s report places special emphasis on the importance of criminal prosecutions, not only as a deterrent to criminals but also as a testimony to survivors, that they matter. Countries are encouraged not only to increase the number of prosecutions but also to prescribe and impose sentences of such severity that they will deter others from engaging in human trafficking and exploitation.
Working closely with survivors was identified as being of significant importance, especially in trials to bring criminals to justice.
Governments worldwide are called to strengthen protections for victims, especially so that they are not penalised for crimes they had to commit as a direct result of human trafficking. There is also the recommendation that any criminal records attached to a victim for crimes committed during trafficking, be erased. The emphasis is on helping survivors secure the justice they deserve and return to a life of dignity and free will.
Full report available at https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2017/
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.

 
At the invitation of and as part of the delegation of Andante, which has participatory status at the Council of Europe that RENATE are hoping to achieve, Marie Hélène Halligon, OLCGS RENATE Core group member, represented RENATE at the June meetings of the Council.  Both days were very full and interesting. On the 27^th of June, Marie Helene attended two working groups, the first one considered Poverty and Social Rights, while the second working group focused on Migration to Europe and the Mediterranean crisis. 
On the second day, the following topics were considered: Gender and Political Processes, Women mobilization in Europe and its impact in politics; Culture and Education Commission. The two-day meeting concluded with a welcome extended to the new NGOs.
Marie Hélène’s attended both days together with Dr. Mary McHugh, President of Andante and Sybille Bader, Andante’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe.
‘’ Marie-Helene has worked well with us and we have enjoyed her contribution to our delegation. This partnership can work well for the benefit of both RENATE and Andante,’’ said Mary.
RENATE is excited at this first step towards gaining full Council registration in the future.
More from Marie Hélène soon.
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.