International course equips religious sisters with the skills and knowledge to prevent human trafficking and support survivors.
The fourth international edition of the Talitha Kum leaders course recently took place in Nairobi, Kenya, with the aim of equipping religious sisters with the necessary skills to combat human trafficking. The weeklong in-person session, attended by 22 participants from 17 nations, focused on promoting collaboration and creating awareness to prevent the vice of human trafficking in Africa and around the world. The course, a collaboration between Talitha Kum, Tangaza University College, and the Pontifical University Antonianum, seeks to empower leaders to support survivors and their families and expand networks in Africa, a region experiencing a rise in human trafficking cases.
Talitha Kum: A Global Network Against Human Trafficking
Talitha Kum is an international network of Catholic sisters established in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). The organization operates in nearly 90 countries and is funded by donors such as the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Inspired by the words of Jesus to Jairus’ daughter, Talitha Kum aims to mobilize the church, religious, and the world to rise against human trafficking and support its victims. According to the Migration Data Portal, an estimated 50 million people were victims of modern slavery in 2021, with forced labor and forced marriage being prevalent forms of exploitation.
Empowering Sisters as Frontline Workers
Religious sisters play a crucial role in combating human trafficking globally. They work tirelessly in frontline roles to alleviate suffering and prevent the exploitation of victims. The Talitha Kum leadership training course, initiated in 2018, provides sisters with the necessary tools to recognize indicators of human trafficking and respond appropriately. The training, delivered both in-person and virtually, encourages sisters to share ideas at national, regional, and continental levels. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a major funder of Talitha Kum, supports these initiatives to strengthen sisters’ capabilities, networks, and skills in partnership, prevention, protection, and survivor support.
Enhancing Leadership Skills to Combat Human Trafficking
The Talitha Kum leadership training course focuses on enhancing leadership skills to effectively collaborate and manage anti-trafficking activities. The course content covers various aspects, including leadership models, emerging realities on human trafficking, spirituality, networking, communication, project planning and development, advocacy, and fundraising. Stefano Volpicelli, a sociologist and one of the trainers, emphasizes the importance of overcoming congregational and institutional limitations to implement human trafficking preventive systems. Participants are required to present a final thesis at the end of the course, demonstrating their ability to find solutions to specific trafficking situations. After completing the course, participants are expected to work for at least three years within one of Talitha Kum’s networks.
Conclusion: The Talitha Kum leadership training course equips religious sisters with the necessary skills and knowledge to combat human trafficking and support survivors. By fostering collaboration and providing essential training, the course empowers leaders to prevent human trafficking and expand networks in Africa and beyond. As religious sisters continue to play a vital role in frontline efforts against human trafficking, initiatives like Talitha Kum are essential in mobilizing the church and society to address this global issue and uphold the dignity of every individual.
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