Going Global with Youth: Human Trafficking
Volume 6, Issue 6
February 2006
In 2002, Pope John Paul II wrote in a letter, "The trade in human persons constitutes a shocking offence against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights. Already the Second Vatican Council had pointed to 'slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children, and disgraceful working conditions where people are treated as instruments of gain rather than free and responsible persons' as 'infamies' which 'poison human society, debase their perpetrators' and constitute a 'supreme dishonor to the Creator' (Gaudium et Spes, 27). Such situations are an affront to fundamental values which are shared by all cultures and peoples, values rooted in the very nature of the human person. The alarming increase in the trade in human beings is one of the pressing political, social and economic problems associated with the process of globalization; it presents a serious threat to the security of individual nations and a question of international justice which cannot be deferred. " (Letter of John Paul II to Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran on the Occasion of the International Conference "Twenty-First Century Slavery - The Human Rights Dimension to trafficking in Human Beings. " The Vatican, 15 May 2002. )
The grave injustice of human trafficking demands the attention of people, particularly people of faith whose insights from experience, social analysis and theological reflection can lead to action so desperately needed: providing a voice for the victims, empowering some of the most vulnerable in our midst and liberating children, women and men who are held captive in a modern-day industry of bonded labor, forced marriages or sexual slavery. Recognizing the need for such a response, a coalition of more than twenty Catholic organizations are working to engage US citizens in a multi-dimensional strategy to eliminate human trafficking. Take the time to learn about this issue, challenge our youth to get involved, and embrace the efforts to change to the systems and situations that foster exploitation of people.
To learn more about the efforts of the U.S. Catholic Church addressing the issue of trafficking, click here.
↑ TopAnnouncements
Celebrating the African Family Tree Rising from the cradle of civilization, the African family tree is one in which all peoples are rooted and can celebrate. In honor of Black History Month, CRS and several partners have created a variety of resources for your family, parish or faith community. View these resources by clicking here.
Lent is upon us! Engage your youth in Operation Rice Bowl Ash Wednesday is March 1st, and Catholic Relief Services offers Operation Rice Bowl as an opportunity for faith communities in the U.S. to pray, fast, learn, and give throughout the 40 days of Lent. More than 15,000 parishes, schools, and other faith communities are participating this year. In addition to the Rice Bowl itself, Operation Rice Bowl materials include lesson plans for all grade levels and Home Calendars that guide participants on a journey of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the developing world. To learn more about how to engage your youth in the program, or to order free materials, call 1-800-222-0025. Click here to find new interactive activities and resources for your youth.
New Food Fast DVD Now Available! Journey Against Hunger: Securing Food in Niger Today and Tomorrow, the first Food Fast DVD is finally out! The 13-minute video profiles Nigerien communities who are involved in long term action to ensure food security in their community through education, food for work and women empowerment programs. The DVD also includes a printable discussion guide, photo essays and prayer meditation. Order the first Food Fast DVD by clicking here.
Catholic to the Core The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry has published its latest Youth Ministry Resource Manual, Catholic to the Core. This year's manual promises to help young people embrace the fullness of our Catholic identity, important at time when many young people are wondering what it means to be Catholic. The sessions help them to explore various beliefs, traditions, and practices that externally mark one as Catholic that they may discover the richness and deeper meaning of their own Catholic identity in today's world. Resources for the annual National Celebration of World Youth Day in October are also incorporated. Visit the NFCYM website to purchase the manuals, posters, and prayer cards for your school or parish by clicking here.
↑ TopLife in the Field
Benin, West Africa The work of CRS/Benin seeks to improve the lives of those affected by poverty and hunger throughout this tiny nation. Working within a comprehensive strategy that includes health care, microfinance, education, peacebuilding and non-emergency social assistance, the efforts in Benin aim to establish greater awareness of social justice and civil society principles among the most vulnerable and increase food security. Additionally, with funding from its first ever US Department of Labor grant for $2,000,000, CRS/Benin, in consortium with World Education and Terre des Hommes, includes an education project to reduce child trafficking in Benin. To learn about the CRS program in Benin, click here.
Prajwala There are numerous grassroots organizations throughout the world that are recognizing the urgency needed in responding to human trafficking. One such organization in India, Prajwala, maintains a comprehensive website that provides valuable information on the issue, conveys the multi-layered response needed in helping the victims and eliminating trafficking in India, and supplies valuable educational resources. To learn about the work of Prajwala, click here.
To learn about initiatives from NGOs throughout the world, click here.
↑ TopActive Solidarity
Fair Trade: Commitment to Human Rights There are certain industries where human trafficking and bondage flourish, and the cultivation of cocoa for the multibillion dollar chocolate industry has been one of them. In the region of West Africa, particularly in the Ivory Coast, exploitative child labor has been uncovered, and more than 10,000 children working in hazardous conditions on cocoa farms were identified as having been the victims of trafficking. Young people have a special role to play in working to confront injustice in an industry that creates candy bars and tasty snacks.
Through Fair Trade, we can translate commitment to human rights into acts of solidarity that address root causes of the poverty that fuels trafficking and slavery. The CRS Fair Trade program, working in partnership with A Greater Gift, promotes Divine Chocolate, made using only 100% Fair Trade Certified cocoa grown by the 47,000 members of Kuapa Kokoo, a cocoa farmers' association in southern Ghana. This means that the farmers are guaranteed a fair price for their crop and no exploitative child labor is used. Plus the members of Kuapa Kokoo own one-third of Day Chocolate, the company that makes Divine.
There are four ways to participate in the Fair Trade chocolate program: Read more. . .
↑ TopCalled To Action
Human Trafficking Resources Numerous resources exist to help you understand the practical issues surrounding human trafficking both in the United States and throughout the world.
To learn more about the joint efforts of religious communities here in the United States against trafficking and to stay on top of the issue by signing up for their monthly e-newsletter in English or spanish, click here.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame in particular have provided valuable leadership in responding to this issue. Click here to learn about their work.
To obtain general information regarding US policy, rescue and support of victims and educational resources, visit the US Department of Health and Human Services by clicking here.
↑ TopGlobal Thoughts
Why look at Human Trafficking in Black History Month "Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity, which is outraged, in the name of liberty, which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America. . . " --Frederick Douglas, Fourth of July speech (1852)
Carter G. Woodson established "Negro History Week" on February 19, 1926 to study the important things that Black people had accomplished because at the time no schools taught the history of Black Americans. He chose the week of February 19th to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglas (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).
In 1976, the observance was extended to a month. Each year a new theme is chosen and this year's theme is "Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Organizations. " This year's theme of celebrating community emulates Dr. Woodson's vision of celebrating the achievement and contributions of Black people in the United States. Black Fraternal, Social and Civic organizations have supported the tenets of basic civil and human rights movements since their formation. Before their formation, abolitionists groups fought against the institution of slavery in the United States.
To read this article in its entirety, click here.
↑ TopCRS Regions
Catholic Relief Services upholds a vision that "Solidarity will transform the world," placing priority on relationships between the United States Catholic community and people overseas. In the effort to help US Catholics live in solidarity with others and to more fully express their faith with a global perspective, CRS has established four of five regional offices across the United States. The regional offices will bring a broader range of opportunities for engagement to dioceses, institutions and faith-based groups on a regional basis. The links below provide contact information for each regional office and highlight youth-related events and information within each region.
Click here for CRS Regional Office Contacts in the Midwest, Northeast, Southwest and West.
Northeast Region
- With Operation Rice Bowl in the not too distant future, Anne Ayella, Diocesan Director in Philadelphia has arranged to have March 21, 2006 as "Operation Rice Bowl Day" in the Archdiocesan high schools. The food contractor, Aramark, has agreed to donate 25 cents to ORB for every slice of pizza sold on that day. Maybe other diocesan high schools in the Northeast region or other regions can arrange the same opportunity for ORB.
- The Drama Project, "A Line in the Sand" which supports the American Bishops "Justice for Immigrants" campaign was presented at Padua Academy in Wilmington, DE on Monday, January 30, 2006.
- The staff of the Northeast Regional office participated in a workshop with Joseph Kelly of the CRS Brazil staff on the issue of Trafficking to be better informed on the issue in Brazil and how CRS is working with the people affected.
- On Saturday, April 8, 2006, Dr. Paul Farmer, world renowned expert on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS will speak on his life of service to the poor in Haiti, Peru, Russia, Rwanda and Kenya. To learn more about Dr. Farmer's work on HIV/AIDS, TB, and obtain educational lessons for use before and after his visit, click here.