JPIC NEWS MAY 2010

Anne Kelly arrives in New York mid-May to take up the role of IBVM representative at the United Nations. An educationalist, Anne brings with her a wealth of ministry experience in Australia,Uganda and most recently in East Timor. She begins this role with enthusiasm and energy and looks forward to connecting with you over the next months.

Trafficking in Persons and the World Cup

IBVM members and friends worldwide are among those calling attention to the issue of human trafficking in the context of the World Cup, taking place in South Africa from June 11.

Action: IBVM signed a letter (see attachment:   Starwood-S.A_World_Cup_Letter-100420.pdf ) calling on hotels and resorts to help prevent human trafficking.

Action: IBVM members, and students of Loreto High School Pretoria, were among more than a thousand people from catholic schools, parishes and other organisations participating in a gathering in Pretoria on May 8 to pray for an end to human trafficking. The gathering was a great opportunity to draw the attention of all South Africans "about the plight of children and women who are victims of human trafficking" said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale (Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference). To read more about this issue and the Archbishop’s comments, click on the link : http://www.sacbc.org.za/Site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=428:human-trafficking-archbishop-buti-challenges-the-government&catid=1:latest&Itemid=100

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, Lusaka, Zambia suggests a variety of ways we can respond to this issue:

1. Raising awareness: Victims tend to be those who have never heard of human trafficking. We have a duty to educate our families and people in our communities.

2. Praying for victims: We can dedicate a day of prayer for victims, especially on a Sunday close to the World Cup, and as we do this, we also raise awareness.

3. Promoting Government pro-poor policies: One important fact that fuels this crime is poverty. A search for a better life has landed many victims into the traffickers’ hands. It is important that we advocate for pro-poor policies and promote economic and social rights in our new Constitution.

4. Encouraging police action: We cooperate with the police in reporting cases that we suspect to be human trafficking. The police then can take an immediate role in seeing to it that these cases are acted upon.

Might you commit to one of these actions in the coming weeks?

Anne Kelly, IBVM representative at the United Nations