Posts by developer | Stop Human Trafficking | Pray for Trafficked Persons

Posted on March 10th, 2016 By developer

Report from the World Conference of Women’s Shelters in the Netherlands

At the request of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS), the Foundation of Women’s Shelters in the Netherlands and its partners organised from 3-6 November 2015 in Conference Center World Forum in The Hague, the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters.
I was privileged to attend such an event where women and men, all around the world came to share their experiences and ideas with the ultimate objective of achieving an international approach to the prevention of violence against women and children. In total around a thousand people from over a hundred countries took part in the conference in The Hague.
The event was even more interesting and attractive by the presence of Her Majesty Queen Máxima. On the morning of November 4, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands held a keynote speech under the theme, Economic Independence of Women Survivors focused on the economic independence for women who face domestic violence which is the basis for building a new and independent life.
After the plenary session, Queen Máxima attended part of the ‘Effective social and economic reintegration of women survivors’ workshop.
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark also attended the conference on Thursday, the 5^th of November. The crown princess gave a keynote speech during the plenary session entitled, Continents: What is Going On? Strengthening Global and Regional Networks. Through The Mary Foundation she works to help women and children who are victims of violence.

3rd World Conference of Women's Shelters, Hague, November 2015 — 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters, Hague, November 2015

Read more here: Connect & Act_report from the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters, November 2015

Sr. Adina Balan, CJ

Posted on March 8th, 2016 By developer

International Women’s Day Marked by the Committee on Women’s Rights & …

International Women’s Day marked by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) of the European Parliament
The EU Parliament in Brussels heard of the added traumas suffered by women refugees in recent months, in particular the practice of ‘survival sex’, where women are forced to have sex with the smugglers and mafia members transporting them to Europe from Turkey and Syria.

Survival sex among women and children is well-known, according to UN Women Regional Director for Turkey, Ingibjorg Gisladottir, but the incidence is hard to quantify as women rarely wish to record this for fear of recrimination and ‘dishonour’ among their families and communities.
Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002) speaking at the European Parliament in early March has condemned as “unconscionable” and “inhumane” the failure of many EU states to solve the growing refugee crisis and is urging all EU member states to “share the burden” of the hundreds of thousands of refugees crossing into Europe every month.
Mrs. Robinson pointed out that women face far greater risks of “violence, exploitation and trafficking” and are more vulnerable on route to Europe. Please see http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/femm/home.html for full information.
On the 3rd of March last, the Progressio Empower Team in London, held a photographic exhibition and a panel discussion, where they discussed their work in the context of the new Sustainable Development Goal for Gender Equality. They highlighted those who inspire them, their achievements in their fields and the challenges that remain around the implementation of this vital new Goal. Empower volunteers created this short film of the evening, to give us a flavour of the motivational discussion that took place.

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Posted on March 4th, 2016 By developer

International Women's Day 2016

The 8th of March, 2016, marks International Women’s Day, when we honour the immeasurable contributions women make to humankind. This year’s theme “Pledge for Parity” reflects the need for the continued pursuit of gender parity.

Log on to www.internationalwomensday.com for a global perspective on this international day.

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Posted on February 29th, 2016 By developer

Report from a Conference: The Religious & Migration in the 21st Century

The phenomenon of the 21st Century is the movement of peoples, whether by choice or otherwise. It is an extraordinary humanitarian emergency, where we are confronted with extraordinary challenges in trying to look for an adequate response. If we accept that migration is the ‘new normal’, then as Religious, we must ask ourselves: what is the Spirit asking us to do?
Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person attended the Conference entitled The Religious and Migration in the 21^st Century: Perspectives, Response and Challenges, held in Casa Generalizia dei Passionisti, Rome from the 22^nd – 24^th February, 2016 and shares some insights from the Conference.
Report from The Conference_The Religious and Migration in the 21st Century_February 2016

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Posted on February 29th, 2016 By developer

RENATE Board Meeting & Training on Advocacy & Campaigning in Hungary

A Training on Advocacy & Campaigning for the members of RENATE has now been organised and will take place in Máriabesnyő, Hungary, from 7th till 12th March 2016. The training will be led by Mrs. Ivonne van de Kar from the Netherlands. There will be 33 participants from sixteen European countries.

Mater Salvatoris House of Retreat and Centre of Conference

It is planned that during this time there will be an opportunity to experience the work of the Hungarian organisations working in the field of anti-trafficking and to learn from them of the challenges which they face and the actions being taken.
The members of RENATE are privileged to have the opportunity to become exposed to a new cultural reality.

Posted on February 29th, 2016 By developer

Posted on February 23rd, 2016 By developer

World Day of Social Justice, 2016

“A Just Transition-Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies”
‘Time to share the wealth’; ‘New Economics’; ’Promoting environmentally sustainable economies and societies’; ’Bring people in from the margins’. These are just some of the statements that have been shared across the globe in recent days in honour of the World Day for Social Justice, 20^th of February, 2016. International bodies such as the UN and the ILO (International Labour Office), Trade Unions and campaign groups took the opportunity to renew their calls for Social Justice to be prioritised by all governments and for a more equitable distribution of the world’s wealth, power and resources.
Increased armed conflicts around the globe and ensuing displacement of peoples, rising unemployment and growing levels of poverty continue to drive vulnerable women, men and children into the path of people smugglers and human traffickers as they try to pursue a better life for themselves and their families, usually in countries where they think the benefits of economic growth are available to all.
A new film The Divide (www.thedividedocumentary.com), which will premier in the UK in April, explores why and how the gap between the richest 1% in the world, continues to widen and what might possibly be done in order to end this trend. The film tells the story of seven individuals searching for a better life in modern day US and UK.
“The Divide creates a lyrical, psychological and tragi-comic picture of how economic division creates social division. It serves as both a call to arms, and a powerful waning. The film is inspired by the critically acclaimed, bestselling book, The Spirit Level, by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.” (The Spirit Level documentary)
Social Justice is an issue at the heart of RENATE’s ministry, in reaching out to the victims of human trafficking and exploitation, across Europe.
For more information, please see the “Social Justice in the EU Index Report 2015” at Bertelsmann.

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Posted on February 23rd, 2016 By developer

On the Journey of Hope, HT from a Global to the Local Perspective

The Croatian Catholic Radio Station, in the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) greatly assisted in raising awareness about Human Trafficking through its recently recorded programme entitled “On the Journey of Hope”, which featured a number of guests, including RENATE member Sr. Stanka Oršolić, Croatian Red Cross worker, Ms. Nives Vudrić and Mrs. Djurdjica Kolarec, President of the Centre for Women in the War (ROSA), Co-Ordinator of the PETRA Network and member of the European Union Civil Society Platform against Trafficking in Human Beings.
Ms. Vudrić spoke of the challenges being faced in the Croatian temporary reception centres for refugees where staff are trying to identify victims of human trafficking. She also spoke of the sufferings endured by the migrants at the hands of migrant smuggling rings on the migrant routes.
Mrs. Kolarec spoke about her experiences over the last twenty years, providing assistance and legal aid to the victims of human trafficking. Of particular note was the increased use of the SOS Hotline in Croatia, for which Mrs. Kolarec is responsible.
The work of RENATE in awareness-raising and support of the victims of human trafficking was interspersed throughout the programme by Sr. Stanka, who spoke at length about RENATE.
It is hoped that more people will be encouraged to take action against human trafficking and that more victims will access the Hotline as a result of this public broadcast.
Tune in to www.hkr.hr where you can hear the full broadcast (archive: Na putu nade, 17^th February 2016).

Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Posted on February 12th, 2016 By developer

Resource Pack for Parishes: Liturgies, Prayers, Quotations, Information on HT

APT Ireland (Act to Prevent Trafficking) shared the following Resource Pack for Parishes, which has been designed and offered by the Sisters of the Divine Saviour (Salvatorian Sisters) in the USA. It suggests Liturgies, Prayers, sample quotations, information for Pastoral staff, recommends educational DVD’s and actions to address Human Trafficking. We hope that you will find it helpful.
Catholic Parish Resources for Stop the Traffic Campaign

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Posted on February 12th, 2016 By developer

Why Pope Francis Is a Powerful Advocate for Those who Have Become Enslaved

Fr. Donal Dorr, Missionary Priest, Theologian & APT Ireland (Act to Prevent Trafficking) member, gives us an insight into why Pope Francis is a powerful advocate for those who have become enslaved through Human Trafficking, as suggested in the publication ”The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope”, by Austen Ivereigh (2nd edition, London: Allen & Unwin).
Full article at: http://www.aptireland.org/pope-francis-anti-trafficking-movement/

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person

Author: developer