Joaquim Magalhães de Castro
In a joint initiative with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), Talitha Kum – a global network committed to the fight against human trafficking – held the 5th Talitha Kum Asia Conference in Jakarta from August 26 to 30. Under the theme “Compassion in Action: Ending Human Trafficking,” the event was attended by delegates from religious congregations and civil society organizations, international partners, and several young leaders. Sixty representatives from 16 Asian countries attended the event, aiming to “strengthen solidarity, share the most effective practices on the ground, and deepen regional
Asia continues to be one of the regions most affected by this scourge, with millions of people being vilely exploited each year through forced labor, sexual exploitation, and various vulnerabilities related to migration. This conference served as a platform for synodal dialogue, collaborative formation, and concrete actions in response to these complex and urgent challenges.
The overall program included numerous survivor testimonies and several panel discussions on prevention, protection, and advocacy strategies in the Asian context, as well as a commitment to strengthening interfaith and cross-border collaboration, especially among young people. Also noteworthy were the opening Eucharistic celebration by Father Agustinus Heri Wibowo, Head of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Jakarta, and the addresses by Sister Abby Avelino, International Coordinator Talitha Kum (Rome), Sister Paula, Regional Coordinator for Asia (Thailand), and Sister Priska, President of the Indonesian Religious Women’s Conference. The closing Mass was presided over by Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta. “By coming together, we affirm our shared responsibility to protect life, restore dignity, and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against human trafficking,” said Sister Catharina, National Coordinator of Talitha Kum Indonesia, at the end, emphasizing that the conference was “a significant moment of hope.”
Following the conference, it was agreed to strengthen the regional center’s staff, focusing primarily on training, communication, prevention, and networking. The plan is to monitor and support Talitha Kum networks in Asia, especially newly established networks. Furthermore, each network will strengthen the Talitha Kum Young Asian Ambassadors program. A series of webinars inspired by Talitha Kum’s “call to action” are scheduled for next year. The strength of the Talitha Kum network lies in its core engagement and people- and community-centered approach, ensuring closeness to trafficking victims and their families. In recent months, Talitha Kum networks have held several training sessions and meetings at the local, regional, and continental levels, aiming to strengthen the organization’s identity and actions. In Kenya, the first in-person continental meeting of Talitha Kum Africa took place. The event, attended by 35 participants, was “an opportunity for mutual enrichment” and experience-sharing for the organization’s members. One of the conference’s objectives was to deepen Talitha Kum Africa’s identity. In Europe, during the 3rd RENATE Assembly, “realizing the dream: a world free from slavery” was the motto of the meeting, which was attended by Sister Gabriella Bottani. RENATE members gathered with the intention of being “restored, renewed, and transformed by the experience of being together for a week at the shrine of Fátima.”
Across the Atlantic, the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking gathered to mark their second annual conference with the theme “Weaving Communities, Building Capacity, Effecting Change.” The conference was a unique opportunity to bring “our members together to learn, celebrate our growth, and recommit ourselves to this important work.” We are already looking forward to next year, when we will celebrate our 10th anniversary,” said Sister Ann Oestreich, Regional Representative for North America.
To the south, in Cochabamba, Bolivia, the Commission Against Human Trafficking, composed of several Talitha Kum members, met during the CLAR (Latin American Confederation of Religious) event. Following this meeting, Talitha Kum International visited the new Red Kawsay Bolivia, created in February 2022 to strengthen Talitha Kum’s legacy in Bolivia. “We feel committed and co-responsible for creating networks that enable a society without human trafficking in our country and throughout the Andean region”, highlighted Sister Ana Claros, CM, Coordinator of Red Kawsay Bolivia.”
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