Ending Human Trafficking by 2030
On April 7, more than 500 attendees and 20 speakers gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York for a conference the Holy See Mission hosted entitled “Ending Human Trafficking by 2030: The Role of Global Partnerships in Eradicating Modern Slavery."
In the special letter Pope Francis wrote for this occasion, he urged speakers and attendees to focus on the most vulnerable victims of the scourge of modern slavery and human trafficking.
"As you reflect on the multifaceted issues which contribute to modern slavery and human trafficking, I encourage you to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and communication which are essential to ending the suffering of the many men, women and children who today are enslaved and sold as if they were a mere commodity," he wrote. "In your discussions, I hope also that you will keep before you the dignity of every person, and recognize in all your endeavors a true service to the poorest and most marginalized of society, who too often are forgotten and have no voice."
The keynote speakers included the President of the UN General Assembly of the United Nations of the General Assembly, Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Independent UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland and Academy-Award Winning Actress Mira Sorvino.
The event was co-sponsored by the Santa Marta Group, a collaboration of senior law enforcement chiefs from over 30 countries with senior representative of the Roman Catholic Church and civil society organizations, founded in 2014 by Pope Francis in order to strengthen and coordinate the global response to human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery. The Group is named after the residence in the Vatican where Pope Francis resides.
See more photos from the event on our Facebook Page.
Archbishop Auza Addressed sustainable development at Notre Dame
Archbishop Auza, addressed conference on sustainable development at the University of Notre Dame on April 3. In his address, Archbishop Auza spoke of the series of recent international meetings at which world leaders had committed themselves to sustainable and environmentally responsible development.
Read more here.
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