The First Asia Policy Conference on Human Trafficking

International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons

An evangelical response of hope to the phenomenon of trafficking

TALITHA KUM: The First Asia Policy Conference on Human Trafficking was held at the Salesian Retreat House, Thailand from November 10-14, 2013. The networks which represented the conference were:  Talitha Kum -Thailand - APWRATH, Australia – ACRATH, and India- AMRAT. The meeting initiated with the Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Theppharat Pitisan, SDB  and concelebrated by Fr. Emmanuel Chan Rhan Huh. The members of the AMRAT had the joy of animating the liturgy.  The lighted candles carried at the entrance procession represented the place of work in their respective countries. At the end of the Eucharist Sr. Rita Mascarenhas requested the participants to come forward and take the lighted candles along with them to be light for the fragile humanity trapped in the flesh trade. Later Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana FMA, the program coordinator instructed the group about the Gallery walk and  of its presentation  the next day and  gave a rationale and the objectives of the 3-day conference. The Thailand group  – APWRATH.(Asia Pacific women Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) saw to the opening ceremony in a creative and meaningful way.

Sr. Estrella Castalone, FMA, coordinator of TalithaKum  in her opening message said; Jesus by His very example reminds each one of us of our delicate mission: He did not work the miracle alone but was always accompanied by His disciples. He did not command  but lovingly  took the girl by the hand and said;  “TalithaKum, little girl arise!”  And this is exactly what we are committed to undertake at TalithaKum, to repeat the same words of Jesus to everyone affected by human trafficking,

She quoted the first Urbiet Orbi message given on Easter Sunday by Pope Francis.  He said: “Human trafficking is the most extensive form of slavery in the 21^st century”.  Commenting on the words of the Pope, Sr, Estrella said; that we all know what the Pope was talking about,  this modern slavery called human trafficking and how extensive it is because we touch the lives of people who have been affected by it and that is why we have committed ourselves to put a stop to it.  And that’s the reason  why TalithaKum exists!  

The Gallery Walk: was one more a creative initiative, each one was encouraged to go around and look at the posters prepared by each group. It was a glimpse of works and accomplishments of TalithaKum in Asia and TIP Country profiles.

The Resource persons for all these 3 days were Atty. Cristina Sevilla, LL.M. who spoke about International Instruments and model laws on Anti-Trafficking in Persons.

Ms Jean Enriquez, Executive Director, CATW-AP spoke on Legislative and Policy Advocacy on Anti-Trafficking. Ms Amihan Abueva, from the Philippines a representative  of ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection on the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC). Her  discussion was taken from ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection on the Rights of Women and Children. The Resource persons helped in drafting the country Policy on Anti- trafficking in Persons,  each group got together  to put the ideas and   identify objectives and effective key strategies and approaches: i.e., policy and legislation, protection, prevention, recovery and reintegration. The questions raised by the assembly were:  Is there a need to improve, to revise the policies, Legislations  concerning  Trafficking?  After much discussion the assembly came to a common platform, saying that; Media does a good propaganda/publicity, so how could we work in collaboration with the media persons?

 

Sr. Estrella Castalone FMA. presented the works accomplished by TalithaKum Asia through  a powerpoint presentation. She also appreciated and thanked all the participants and collaborators who reached out generously in supporting this event. As a token of love and gratitude, each participant and the resource  persons were given a Rosary blessed by Holy Father Pope Francis. Everyone indeed felt blessed and happy to receive this gift from Sr. Estrella. The Certificate of Participation was given  by Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA to all the participants. The closing ceremonies was seen by AMRAT- INDIA. This was followed with the Power Point presentation on the Samaritan Woman depicting, it is Jesus who is the source of our life and we as consecrated women are called to bring life to its fullness in the lives of people. It was nice to see 10 FMA involved in this mission of Human Trafficking in different networks.