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The UN first launched the Day against Trafficking in Persons on the 30th July, 2014, with the aim of raising awareness worldwide and bring an end to human trafficking.
Around the globe, the UN works with governments and communities to promote this day by means of various events and activities. The most famous of which is the social media campaign #igivehope inviting people to post a photo of a heart formed with your hands, to express your support to end human trafficking.
RENATE at the World Youth day gathering in Poland, is taking the opportunity to educate students and raise awareness amongst youth who are attending ♯the event. Through personal engagement and distribution of information posters and leaflets, RENATE members Adina Balan, CJ, from Romania and Klára- Marie Stráníková, SCSC, from the Czech Republic, are empowering young people through sharing knowledge and information.
The Spanish Conference of Religious, comprising Cáritas Española, Confer, Amaranta- Fundación de Solidaridad, Justicia y Paz and the Fundación Cruz Blanca, have issued a statement denouncing political situations that increase the risk of the vulnerable to falling into the hands of traffickers, as they search for a better life. We are reminded to ask ‘’Where are your brothers? Where are your enslaved sisters?’’ (GN 4, 9).
Full statement is available under ‘’Noticias,’’ at www.confer.es
The Sisters of the Incarnate Word Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office in the United States of America, have prepared a prayer service to help focus our intentions and strengthen our resolve to end human trafficking. To read or print the prayer, please click on the following address http://saccvi.blogspot.pe/2016/07/prayer-service-for-july-30th-world-day.html
In Albania, the UN Gift Box Campaign, will be formally launched and opened by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Elona Gjebrea, at 10.00a.m.on July 30th in union with the Global Campaign during this year’s World Day Against Trafficking. This campaign has been led by a network called ‘’United Response Against Trafficking’’ (URAT), comprised of NGOs: Peace Corps, Different and Equal, IRCA, SHKEJ and Mary Ward Loreto and Religious Congregations: Good Shepherd, The Company of Mary, Little Sisters of Jesus and IBVM(Loreto).
For an overview of how women religious have united to address human trafficking, an article by Anne Victory, HM and Ann Oestreich, IHM, members of US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT), makes for informative reading here
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.
United Nations World day against Trafficking in Persons, July 30th, 2016.