Ending Trafficking Begins with us. Das Ende des Menschenhandels beginnt mit uns. Terminarea traficului incepe cu noi.Dhënia fund e Trafikimit Fillon me NE. Az emberkereskedelem vége velünk kezdődik! It-tmiem tat-traffikar uman jibda minna stess. Ukončenie obchodovania začína od nás. Крајот на Трговијата започнува со нас. Terminar com o tráfico começa por nós. Fine tratta comincia da Noi. Oprirea traficului de persoane începe cu noi. Położenie kresu handlowi ludźmi zaczyna się od nas. Het einde van mensenhandel begint bij ons. Mettre fin à la Traite : à nous d’abord de nous y mettre. Konec trgovanja z nami. Припинення торгівлі людьми починається з нас. Kova prieš prekybą žmonėmis prasideda nuo mūsų. Acabar con el tráfico humano empieza con NOSOTROS. At gøre ende på menneskehandel begynder hos os. Cilēku tirdzniecības beigas sākas ar mums. KONEC OBCHODOVÁNÍ S LIDMI ZAČÍNÁ NÁMI! KRAJ TRGOVANJA POČINJE S NAMA! PRESTANAK TRGOVANJA LJUDIMA ZAPOČINJE S NAMA! Краят на трафика на хора, започва с нас
Imelda Poole, IBVM, President of RENATE is featured in this week’s edition of The Global Sister’s Report, a Project of National Catholic Report in the United States of America. Interviewed by Sarah Mac Donald, a freelance journalist based in Dublin, Ireland, Imelda talks about her work in Albania and the work of the wider network RENATE, during this week which started with the 8th of February, the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. Full text available here: Imelda Poole IBVM_Interview with GSR for St. Bakhita Day 2016
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
As Justice & Peace co-ordinator for my congregation, I sent a letter to all our communities , inviting the sisters to dedicate the next two weeks to Human Trafficking, under the title “Shine a light on Modern Slavery”. Sisters from all over the world, were invited to reflect and get to know this reality better, to come closer to it, to pray for the victims and the traffickers, to open their eyes to discover the “slaves” that are near us and to get in touch with organisations that work with them, and if possible, to bring a ray of hope to those who are the victims of modern slavery. Begoña Iñarra, currently in Rome, participated at the vigil organised by USMI – Conference of Major Superiors of Italy – on Saturday evening, 6th February. This vigil was followed by Mass on Sunday, the 7th of February, where prayers were said for the victims of human trafficking. Afterwards, we all went to St. Peter’s Square, to hear the Pope pray the Angelus. Two young Africans carried a large photo of St. Bakhita, to St. Peter’s Square. It was a very special occasion for everyone present, as we prayed together in solidarity with all those who are victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation. Sr. Begoña Iñarra, Fundacion Amaranta, Spain
Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
In honour of the World Day for Consecrated Life, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Croatia, held a Press Conference where the continuing refugee crisis and the importance of pastoral care of the Roma people was discussed. Inspired by the evangelical values of Community Spirit; Acceptance and Solidarity, the JRS has been involved in providing help to asylum seekers, displaced people, migrants and refugees on the transit routes through Europe. To date, more than 700,000 refugees have journeyed through Croatia since 2015. Ms Jelena Firić, responsible for the JRS Legal affairs, delivered a presentation on the significant role and contributions of the JRS, which range from advocacy in public debates, the provision of legal assistance through to all forms of direct support in the camps and reception and detention centres for refugees and asylum seekers. The provision of several square metres of space specifically for the JRS within the camps has been especially helpful in providing a tranquil space in the midst of the chaos of the camps. Mrs Martina Prokl Predragović, JRS Communications Person, read two powerful testimonies from male and female refugees, who spoke about their exile, concerns and hope for better life in the future. Mrs. Predragović stressed the importance of social media giving adequate space to these issues. This would greatly assist in awareness-raising and the finding of humane solutions to the crisis, in direct contrast to the repression of the situation which is occurring in the Near East. Sr. Stanka Oršolić, volunteer with the JRS, spoke about her experiences volunteering in the refugee camps. She explained the connection between the refugee crisis and human trafficking, citing the shocking fact of the disappearance of 10,000 children along the migrant routes. As has been evident at bus and train stations in Italy, Budapest and elsewhere, many minors have been left alone, having lost family or friends along the routes. These minors are particularly vulnerable to human traffickers and smugglers. Sr. Stanka highlighted the problem of the vulnerability of migrants and refugees to human smugglers, who have vast networks amongst themselves and exact enormous amounts of money from the migrants and refugees. Furthermore, Sr. Stanka explained the challenges faced by the relevant institutions in trying to identify the victims. It becomes more difficult because of the transitory nature of the migrants and refugees, who are retained only briefly in any camp. Sr. Karolina Miljak also spoke of her 40 years’ experience working with the Roma population in Croatia, who too are marginalised. She provides pastoral care and assists in their integration into Croatian society. Sr. Miroslava Bradica, Vice President of the Croatian Conference of the Major Male and Female Religious Superiors, spoke about the activities of the female and male religious in Croatia during the Year of Consecrated Life. Sr. Bradica concluded the conference by expressing her gratitude and support to the speakers for all their work. She thanked the journalists and all those who attended the conference. Sr. Stanka Oršolić
Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
Over the Christmas period of 2015, RENATE member, Bohdana Bezáková, CJ, worked as a volunteer, helping refugees on the Croatian-Slovenian border at the railway station in Dobova town. Because most people preferred to spend Christmas with their families, there was a shortage of people willing to help refugees. Bohdana shares her thoughts and experiences in the following article, where she writes about the challenge as a religious sister, to live a ‘real’ Christmas and assist the ‘fleeing Holy Family’. Reflection from a Refugee Camp in Dobova, Slovenia by Sr. Andrea Bezáková
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
Today, on this International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Trafficking, RENATE is launching The RENATE film with a trailer to the film (please see video section on the home page). The full film will be shown soon. We hope you find this trailer enlightening and another enrichment to this special day.
A brief profile of the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, Witness of Hope St. Josephine Bakhita In 1869, Josephine Bakhita was born in Darfur, in the Sudan. In 1878, at the tender age of nine, she was kidnapped by slave traders and was so traumatised at being kidnapped from her family that she could not even recall her name, so the slave traders named her “Bakhita”, meaning the “fortunate one”. Over the next seven years at the slave markets in Sudan, young Bakhita was sold and re-sold into slavery, enduring severe beatings and hardship until she was bought by an Italian merchant for the Italian Consul in Sudan in 1885. Two years later, Bakhita travelled with the Consul to Italy where she was formally introduced to the faith by the Canossian Religious Sisters, where she experienced healing from the deep traumas of abduction, slavery and war. With the sisters, Bakhita came to understand a totally different meaning to the word “master”. She learned that another kind of master or Lord existed, a master who is kind, understanding and loves unconditionally. This master is the Lord of all lords and is the living witness to God’s infinite love for each of us. For Bakhita, the most powerful message of all was the fact that she was known and loved and just like her, this master had himself been flogged and now He awaited her “at the Father’s right hand”. With such love and hope, Bakhita knew she was no longer a slave, she was a free child of God, stating “I am definitely loved and whatever happens to me-I am awaited by this love. And so my life is good”. In 1896, Bakhita was professed and congregational records show that she was gentle in spirit and most loving towards her fellow sisters and students, whom she served faithfully for the remainder of her life until she died in 1947. Despite being a slave who worked for different masters, her spirit was always free and through her growing faith, she found the grace to accept God as the ultimate Master. Her constant mantra was “Be good, love the Lord and pray for those who do not know Him”. Her humility, simplicity and constant smile won the hearts of all citizens as she travelled around Italy in order to share the liberation she had received through her encounter with the God of Jesus Christ. She made God known and loved through sharing about her life experiences, the challenges encountered, her dreams, hopes and fears. Through her example and witness of hope, Bakhita became a source of uplift and is a shining light for all who are oppressed and victimised by human slavery. We can try and follow her example, to have a powerful faith, to serve God and to do His will in order that those who are suffering, may find solace and hope for the future. Bakhita was beatified in 1992 and canonised in 2000. Her feast day is the 8th of February, which is now designated by the Church as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. To download full text click here: St. Bakhita_a brief profile of her life_ENG Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
Samples of events from amongst the RENATE Network for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, can be found here: RENATE_Saint Bakhita’s Day 2016_compilation_ENG
In an interview with Izidora Franić for the Croatian Family Magazine KANAandpublished in December 2015, Sr. Stanka Oršolić responds to a number of questions about modern day slavery, the work being done by religious throughout Europe to eradicate human trafficking and exploitation and the importance of bearing witness to Gospel values as we minister to others more needy than ourselves. Full text in Croatian available here: Sr. Stanka Oršolić_Interview for Kana Journal, December 2015_HR For English translation click here: Sr. Stanka Oršolić_Interview for Kana Journal, December 2015_ENG
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
Details of an Early Legal Intervention Project (ELI) informed a Conference entitled “Upholding Rights! Early Legal Intervention for Victims of Human Trafficking”, held in Dublin, Ireland on the 14th of January last. Numerous European Directives and international human rights instruments have sought to hold member states accountable for the introduction of national legislative and policy frameworks. The concept of ELI incorporates the provision of confidential legal counsel and advocacy at first encounter between victims and authorities to ensure immediate protection and legal representation with a view to achieving the best outcome for the victims of trafficking. For more, please see: Report on attendance at ICI Conference_Upholding Rights_14.01.2016
Report prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
Dear Readers, please find the attached Interfaith Toolkit on Human Trafficking 2016, which has been compiled by the American organisation “The Washington Inter-Religious Staff Community Working Group on Human Trafficking”. Comprising prayers, reflections, personal stories and an index of references to films, short videos and government publications, the Toolkit is intended to be an instrument for communities of all faiths and none, as they inform themselves and others about human trafficking and how to take action. There is a specific emphasis on the impact of human trafficking on children, in recognition of their vulnerability. In light of the forthcoming International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking on the 8th of February next, we believe you will find this Toolkit as a very valuable resource: Interfaith Toolkit on Human Trafficking 2016 Final
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
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