The Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse organized the conference “Modern Slavery: Research, Creative Practices and Innovative Interventions .

This event brought together emerging insights from academic research, examples of creative practices, innovative interventions in the area of slavery, exploitation, and abuse. Race, EDI, and other topics like stalking, domestic abuse, and online harms were discussed to recognise the intersections of social issues that can be addressed using trauma-informed and creative approaches. There was launched also the book ‘Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking: The Victim Journey” produced with the contribution of academics and practitioners. More information on conference program can be found at:

https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2023/05/modern-slavery-research-practices-interventions

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Trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation is a rising concern in Europe and globally. Although it accounts for more than a third of the total of human trafficking cases detected globally, it is often an invisible and complex crime that causes serious violations of human rights and long-term suffering to the victims.

On 4 November, a webinar to introduce the new HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) online training module on Trafficking in Human Beings for the Purpose of Labour Exploitation, was organised by the anti-trafficking actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia, implemented in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”.

The webinar brought together more than 130 participants – labour inspectors, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, representatives of international organisations, national ministries dealing with human rights and human trafficking issues as well as civil society organisations working with victims.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/belgrade/-/trafficking-for-the-purpose-of-labour-exploitation-new-online-training-module

Watch the full webinar here

This webinar is the first of a collection which will soon receive a dedicated page on renate-europe.net, which will arm activists with insight and practical recommendations to combat human trafficking.

The webinar was first held on 17th March 2021, at the 65th UN Commission on the Status of Women and reports on the impact of COVID-19 on anti-human trafficking efforts.

The series of webinars will pool the formidable combined experience of RENATE Network’s dedicated contributors, who are engaged in the fight for the rescue and rehabilitation of  trafficking survivors.

Watch back over the seminar Empowering a New Generation to fight Modern Slavery, jointly hosted by the US Embassy to the Holy See and the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See and hear Imelda Poole, President of the RENATE network & 2021 TIP.

Hero Award recipient;Gabriella Bottani, International Coordinator, Talitha Kum & 2019 TIP
Hero Award recipient;Blessing Okoedion, President of Weavers of Hope, APS & 2018 TIP Hero Award recipient and Sr. Monica Chickwe, Vice-President Slaves No More,  speak to the theme ‘’Empowering a new Generation to Fight Modern Slavery’’on 4 October at an event led by the US Embassy at the Holy See.

Welcoming remarks were made by both Mr. Patrick Connell, Charge’
d’Affaires US Embassy to the Holy See & Sr. Patricia Murray, IBVM,
Executive Secretary, International Union of Superiors General.
Mr. Derek Hannon, Irish Ambassador to the Holy See made the Closing
remarks.
The event was moderated by Ms. Barbie Latza Nadeau, journalist &
author.
To view:
EMPOWERING A NEW GENERATION TO FIGHT MODERN SLAVERY 14 Oct 2021 – YouTube

Watch the Tedx talk here

On 15 July 2021, RENATE launched its latest research, entitled ‘Legal Assistance for Victims of Trafficking across Europe with Special reference to six European Countries.’ 

The launch took place via Zoom, with 130 people attending from Europe and beyond. 

The evidence-based research examines the provision of legal assistance to victims of trafficking in Albania, Bulgaria, England and Wales, Germany, Romania and Spain. Covering the three thematic areas of Awareness, Access and Quality, the research provides an understanding of how legal aid works in each of the six countries  and explores the challenges to inform and promote advocacy.  

The research acknowledges there are varying degrees of continuous efforts to eliminate the issue of Human Trafficking and exploitation amongst the six European countries in the research, concerns are expressed for the little positive results.  

Critical findings are that there is an EU dimension to the problem and this in turn, demands an EU collaborative response to make an impact on the issue of Human Trafficking. 

Free Legal aid is a precondition for the safety and protection of all victims of trafficking. Linked to this reality is that identification is key to the entitlement of legal aid. In this regard, a key area is the detection of potential victims and associated concerns for how the identification process takes place; what are the criteria and who decides. The vital role played by NGOs in the provision of legal assistance has been confirmed by the positive feedback received in this regard, in contrast to obstacles to accessing free governmental legal assistance such as government policies and formal processes which oftentimes make for protracted waiting times, and ensuing despair and lack of trust.  In light of the aforementioned, the research finds it is necessary that NGOs should also be recognised as having in role to play in the identification of victims.

Throughout the six participating countries, it was found that there are inordinately long waiting times for legal aid and possible lengthy travel distances in order to access a provider of legal aid specific to the crims of human trafficking, which pose considerable obstacles to access for already vulnerable people who may not trust the authorities, may not have the language capacities and certainly do not have associated regular supports of friends and family as might be enjoyed by others accessing legal assistance.

Read the full report

Theme: Promoting Comprehensive Security, Stability and Sustainable Development in the OSCE area through Women’s Economic empowerment. 

RENATE member Ana Stakaj, Executive Leader at Mary Ward Loreto Albania, presented at the annual June gathering, where she shared about the most important factors in the empowerment of women. 

Drawing upon her years of service commitment at MWL and RENATE, Ana was able to inform the delegates about the realities of life for women on the margin, in both urban and rural settings. Ana shared about the power of cultural morés, whereby long held traditions continue to influence society and women and girls are not encouraged or supported to stay in school and attain gainful employment. 

Ana shared that one of the most important factors in the empowerment of women is to Increase women’s and girls’ educational attainment. Programs for education, upskilling and re-skilling– especially to keep pace with rapid technological and digital transformations affecting jobs—are critical for women’s and girl’s health and wellbeing, as well as their income-generation opportunities and participation in the formal labour market. 

The women Ana interviewed were well able to identify the importance to them of being able to earn an income, which not only helped sustain family life but helped personally sustain the self-esteem of the women themselves. 

When it comes to recommendations based on informed experience, Ana recommends community development approaches for tackling social and cultural norms that prohibit women from the celebration of human rights. Additionally, Ana recommends Free legal aid as it is crucial for women who don’t have steady or adequate income. 

From the experiences at MWL,  the collaboration of CSO’s with the public and private sector supports opening access to opportunities not only at the basic levels of living standards, but to also achieve higher levels of security and well-being through education, training and employment opportunities.

Tune in to the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZiC_xeEu88

Read the full address

Tuesday, May 11th 10:00 EST (USA), 15.00, BST & 16.00 CST.

Our Speakers:

A series of four webinars considering perspectives on Human Trafficking in the light of the encyclicals Laudato ‘Si and Fratelli Tutti, have been taking place over a number of dates in October and November, 2020, with the next webinar to be screened 8 December. 

The webinars are a collaborative process, organised by the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (OLCGS), in collaboration with Collège Universitaire Henry Dunant, the Sovereign Order of Malta to monitor, combat human trafficking and Christus Liberat. 

The webinars cover aspects of the overall theme, with a specific focus selected for each individual webinar and are informed by speakers from a cross-section of international, experienced practitioners. 

To view the webinars already recorded, please find the dates and links below.

20 October 2020: ‘’Religious Helping Trafficking Victims along the Road to Recovery.’’

https://www.bigmarker.com/cuhd-coll-ge-universitaire/HT-Religous-Orders?bmid=3955f2dbdbed 

27 October 2020:  ‘’Religious Working in International Advocacy against Human Trafficking.’’

https://www.bigmarker.com/cuhd-coll-ge-universitaire/RELIGIOUS-WORKING-IN-INTERNATIONAL-ADVOCACY-AGAINST-HUMAN-TRAFFICKING?bmid=3955f2dbdbeEu

1 December 2020: ‘’The impact of Human Trafficking on Health:- Trauma.’’   https://www.bigmarker.com/cuhd-coll-ge-universitaire/Impact-Of-Human-Trafficking-On-Health-Trauma?bmid=c3d6b214643f

8 December will see the fourth in the series of webinars, focusing on the theme ‘’ The impact of Human Trafficking on Health:- Healing.’’ 

To register:   https://adlaudatosi.org/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reminder_tuesday_december_8_human_trafficking_webinars_on_trauma_and_healing&utm_term=2020-12-02 

** Subtitled translations (Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Russian) of the webinars are available at:  https://adlaudatosi.org