“Protecting and Fulfilling the Rights of the Child in the Light of Faith”

TALITHA KUM'S 1ST ASIA-PACIFIC POLICY AGENDA

The Conference also approved the change of name of APWRATH Philippines and APWRATH to Talitha Kum Philippines and Talitha Kum Southeast Asia. And extended the term of Talitha Kum Philippines as regional secretariat until 2015. On the last day, the group formulated a Policy Statement to guide the Talitha Kum Asia to sustain its mission against TIP. Here in full is the policy statement arising from the conference:

His Holiness Pope Francis most profoundly emphasized that "the trade in people" is a vile activity, "a disgrace to our societies." (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/) He challenges our consciences and leads us to reflection and a concrete change of heart. He gently but strongly reminds us that we have "forgotten the experience of weeping, of suffering. In this globalized world, we have fallen into globalized indifference. We have become used to the suffering of others." (Ibid).

We, Talitha Kum Southeast, Asia, AMRAT and ACRATH, a network of consecrated persons against human trafficking, commit ourselves to become messengers of hope and protagonists of change, and dedicate ourselves to stop the dehumanizing slavery of our sisters, brothers and children.

Inspired and encouraged by His Holiness, we continue the path of service to the poorest and most marginalized of our brothers and sisters, in solidarity and assistance, with Christian compassion, acceptance, understanding and kindness. We reaffirm and uphold the social teachings of the Church that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, and the dignity and centrality of every individual must always be safeguarded and protected, with respect for fundamental human rights, and promotion of gender equality, to improve their quality of life. (cfr. Gaudium et Spes, n. 12 - 28). Through this policy agenda, we shall be guided in our pastoral mission and care to serve our sisters, brothers and children who are vulnerable to trafficking, starting today until December 2015. Henceforth, we resolve and commit ourselves to:

I. Strengthen our network by intensifying coordination, communication, sharing of information and resources;

II. Create awareness, stir compassion and motivate action among consecrated persons, specifically, our major superiors, bishops conferences, church leaders, dioceses and parish communities, as well as other members of civil society, against trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual and labour exploitation,removal of organs and all other forms of modern-day slavery.

III. Build partnerships to strengthen prevention, protection and prosecution efforts and address the supply and demand side of all forms of trafficking.

IV. Ensure victim and survivor protection by giving hope, love and acceptance, compassionate care, haven and safe sanctuary, and working in close collaboration with different professionals, like-minded organizations, families, communities and state agencies for the effective healing, recovery and reintegration of survivors. Gathered in Hua Hin, Thailand for the Talitha Kum First Asia Policy Conference on Human Trafficking , we affirm our dedication to stop trafficking in persons in all its forms and hereby adopt this policy agenda on this day, the 14th of November, 2013, in Hua Hin, Thailand.

 

Signed:

Talitha Kum Southeast Asia (formerly theAsia-Pacific Women Religious Against Trafficking in Humans)

Asian Movement of Religious Against Trafficking in Persons

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Human