Rome: International Assembly on Human Trafficking

'Ending Trafficking begins with us' - that's the message from the network of religious against trafficking, who are holding their assembly in Rome from 6-12th November, 2016

Since the first Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation (RENATE) Assembly in 2011 the network has been consolidating its mission and vision in the work against human trafficking and the membership has spread from 15 to 27 European countries.

Sister Imelda Poole, President of RENATE writes: "The members,working with the victims and survivors of this crime, also confront the governments of Europe and at the UN, to work closely together in the work of prevention to stop this crime.

"t is essential that laws made across Europe confront the growing demand in the sex industry, which will criminalise the perpetrators and protect the victim. It is essential that money is invested into researching cyber crime where labour trafficking is on the ever-increase and plying its trade.

"Finally it is essential that the assets seized compensate the victims and are used to decrease this ever-growing crime which feeds the greedy and is now a multi billion dollar trade in human beings. Humanity needs to wake up to the fact that society in the 21st Century can only combat this crime if it owns its corporate responsibility in a consumer driven, pressurised society which focuses on becoming rich instead of caring for one another.

"Do we want to wake up and join this force for systemic change and join the march for justice? The RENATE Assembly hopes to highlight these issues."

RENATE Members from 27 countries in Europe assemble in Rome to discuss, discern, reflect and share best practice on efforts to eliminate human trafficking and exploitation.

International guest speakers include: Dr Myria Vassiliadou, EU Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator, Sr Gabriella Bottani, Director of Talitha Kum, Ms Helena Maleno Garzón, Specialist in Migration Phenomenon, Sr Eugenia Bonetti, mc, recipient of numerous international awards for her work to combat Human Trafficking, Domestic servitude and Child labour, in addition to providing for victim aftercare and survivor empowerment, Iana Matei, President of 'Reaching out Romania' shelter assisting victims of human trafficking, Sr Valeria Gandini, cm, Immigration and Trafficking of Human Beings Sicily, Theo Hendrickx, Police Officer and Pastor working in the Netherlands with survivors and their families, Shirley, a survivor of Human Trafficking, from the Netherlands, Dr Anna Rowlands, Catholic Theological Chair, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, United Kingdom, Spirituality and Theology focus on human trafficking. Sister Denise Boyle, fmdm, International facilitator and experienced in Global Justice programmes and Sister Imelda Poole, ibvm, President of RENATE Network.

Also in attendance: Mgr Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Chancellor, Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Vatican City, Mgr Giancarlo Perego, Head of the Centre for Studies and Archives, Caritas Italy and Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

During the Assembly, a documentary film, Called to give voice to the Voiceless, will be launched, showing the work of RENATE Network in Europe.


Live Streaming of Opening Liturgy at 18.00, Sunday, 6th November and Closing Liturgy, 18.00, Friday 11th November.

For more information see the RENATE website: www.renate-europe.net and FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/renateurope