As in previous years, the Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII)(Committee Against National and International Human Trafficking) contributed to the online pilgrimage of prayer and reflection against human trafficking. Sr. IsaBelle Couillard, President of CATHII, coordinated the North American component, which included the United States and Canada, represented by CATHII.

This portion was at the end of the pilgrimage that began at 3:30 a.m. (our time) by the representatives of the Talitha Kum networks from Asia – Oceania, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

In the Canadian section, Sr. Couillard highlighted the visit of the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery to the country, which enabled him to take the pulse of the situation and meet with organizations. The presentation of a video highlighted his findings and the issues surrounding trafficking and its many facets in this country, particularly that of migrant workers. This video and the prayer that closed the North American segment were produced by Renaude Grégoire, CATHII development officer.

Organized as part of the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, this pilgrimage provides an overview of the many commitments being made around the world to counter the phenomenon of human trafficking and to help its victims. Moments of prayer and reflection in the colors of the participants are grafted onto the year’s theme: “Journey in Dignity: Listen, Dream, Act”.

The complete pilgrimage can be accessed here. Further information can be found on the World Day’s website.

Below, you will find the North America-only video clip from this pilgrimage. Please note that there is a slight discrepancy between the visual and the audio at certain points in the presentations.

Now in its 10th year, this World Day pays tribute to Saint Josephine Bakhita, a victim of human trafficking from childhood. She joined a Religious Congregation after emigrating to Italy. The virtual pilgrimage is coordinated by Talitha Kum (a network of religious organizations campaigning against human trafficking). Promotion is handled by Unions internationales des Supérieures (UISG) and des Supérieurs généraux (USG).

Recently, a delegation of children from Maison des enfants Marie-Rose (MDEMR) went to the Beauharnois Town Hall to present Mayor Alain Dubuc with a specially decorated chair. 

Several months ago, Mayor Dubuc extended an invitation to the MDEMR team to ensure the symbolic presence of children at City Council meetings. With this presence, Mayor Dubuc wishes to remind everyone that decisions must be taken with an awareness of the present and future of the children of Beauharnois.

The request turned into an educational project. With the help of Janine Lefebvre, founder of the non-profit organization, and volunteers, the youngsters saw their efforts crowned with success. They were proud of their achievement, but hoped that the presence of this chair would be more than symbolic.

Hungry young people

Most of the young people supported by MDEMR are hungry! Many suffer from hunger as well as emotional and financial distress.

Reality strikes the imagination of MDEMR adults in these difficult times. What can we say to a child who has nothing to eat in the morning, or another who has managed to find an onion for breakfast? It’s easy to understand why the thirty or so children who come to Maison des enfants Marie-Rose for lunch literally devour their meal, in addition to eating the dozens of eggs – a food item considered too expensive for many parents, according to some of the children.

The situation is made all the more difficult by the fact that, for several years now, the school environment has no longer offered the “breakfast” service. This, coupled with the current economic situation, adds further pressure on parents who can no longer feed their families.  After school, some fifteen young people gather at the MDEMR for artistic and educational activities and a snack that often serves as their meal. A certain discipline is imposed on participants in the arts and music workshops, limiting the number of participants to a maximum of 20.

An essential role

In such a context, Maison des enfants Marie-Rose succeeds in meeting the needs of some youngsters with its comprehensive range of services. In addition to after-school lunches and snacks, the organization offers a wide range of cultural and artistic activities that foster young people’s development. The children benefit from the unwavering support of the entire team, made up of volunteers, immigrants from Africa  who have skills as teachers.

They are in the process of integrating into Quebec society. Some of them benefit from a partnership with Service Québec, which subsidizes their salaries. There are also two social workers who help out on an ad hoc basis.

When children spontaneously say “Here, we always feel respected”, we understand the vital role played by this resource for the people of  Beauharnois.

“We’d like to welcome more children, but we don’t have the funds to hire qualified staff and offer quality services,” says Janine Lefebvre, SNJM associate, who continues to work on a voluntary basis after handing over management to Fanny de Roussan.

Developing sources of financing

Beyond the resounding success of the million-dollar, deficit-free renovation of Ellice Manor, there are many challenges to be met in maintaining this new venue for the creation and dissemination of the arts, which now benefits the entire Beauharnois community. In addition to maintenance costs and the salaries of a few staff members, there are those directly related to food requirements. These costs have risen considerably in recent years.

Regular activities include Dinner Speakers from 5pm to 7pm, Christmas and spring markets open to local and regional artisans, and jazz evenings to finance ongoing activities. Personal initiatives on the part of individuals and businesses in Beauharnois are to be commended. For example, a citizen took charge of organizing a spaghetti day, which was a great success. Automobiles Bégin decided to raise funds during its annual Christmas lights campaign last December. The company donated $4,000 to the MDEMR.

At the same time, director Fanny de Roussan has stepped up her efforts to promote the rental of the manor house, one of Beauharnois’ most beautiful sites. This is a significant source of income, which she hopes to double in the next few years. In the meantime, she has to take up the pilgrim’s staff again to solicit donations and subsidies in the hope of obtaining recurrent support to consolidate the organization’s foundations.

In search of recurrent support

MDEMR’s unique educational, social and cultural mission seems to disqualify it from many current subsidy programs. Undeterred, the director hopes to influence decision-makers to review their restrictive criteria, which exclude a resource that is just as valuable as some other widely subsidized social pediatrics.

At a time when everyone agrees on the importance of children’s well-being, the MDEMR team hopes that the Beauharnois community, under the leadership of the town council, already convinced by the cause, will mobilize to support the organization financially. Today, the MDEMR is a precious oasis of peace for children, and an example for many other regions.

Photo credit: Maison des enfants Marie-Rose

The latest newsletter (in French only) from the Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII – Action Committee to Combat Internal and International Human Trafficking) reveals a growing concerted effort to combat modern forms of slavery.

In this issue, we report on a number of stimulating meetings. One of these was with Michel Pilon, co-founder and former Executive Director of the Réseau d’aide aux travailleurs et travailleurs migrants agricoles du Québec (RATTMAQ). (Network in aid of migrant farm workers). Sharing his experience, he provided a wealth of pertinent information on current issues, including the recruitment of migrant workers, methods of interaction at the airport, and the challenges faced daily by those confronted with these human dramas.

In late fall, CATHII Board Chair IsaBelle Couillard, s.g.m., took part in three important meetings. Held in Edmonton and Calgary, they focused on human trafficking issues, and in particular on the inhumane conditions in which many migrant workers, migrants and refugees live.

Visit from the official UN Rapporteur

We also report on the highlights of the symposium organized by RATTMAQ on International Migrants Day. In addition to the forty or so organizations and unions from Canada, Mexico and Guatemala, we note the presence of the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. Mr. Tomoya Obokata took advantage of his opening address to denounce the closed work permit systems used in Canada, and called on the Canadian government to offer these people better access to permanent residency.

From left to right, we recognize Sofia Farro Ranke, master’s student in criminology, Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery for the United Nations, Sr Lise Gagnon, snjm, Talitha Kum representative from the 3 Americas, Sr IsaBelle Couillard, sgm, Kavitha Culum, CATHII project manager and Renaude Grégoire, development and advocacy officer for TK.

In the same issue, we also learn about the existence and role of Talitha Kum’s Young Ambassadors, highlight the arrival of a new member and recall the activities linked to the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking on February 8.

On the CATHII home page, you’ll find links to some interesting articles, including a more detailed one on the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Montreal. It mentions the presence of Sr. Lise Gagnon, snjm, and the role of Ms. Renaude Grégoire in the Special Rapporteur’s visit.

Inset photo caption

At the RATTMAQ symposium, CATHII was represented by Catherine Laure Juste, a member of the Talitha Kum Young Ambassadors, and Sr IsaBelle Couillard, sgm.

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) of Quebec have sent over a hundred signatures in support of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada’s “United for the Earth” campaign.

Following the presentation of the campaign’s objectives  at Maison Jésus-Marie last November, several Sisters signed the letter addressed to the Honduran ambassador to Canada. Others circulated the document to gather further support. The objective of Development and Peace is to send 32,000 signatures by the end of February, i.e. 1,000 signatures for each of the 32 people charged at Camp Guapinol.

Among other things, the letter to the ambassador calls on the Honduran government to take legal action against those involved in the deaths of three Guapinol defenders. It also calls for fair compensation for the victims, an end to mining activities in Carlos Escaleras National Park and its restoration, the cancellation of all irregularly issued mining permits, and better protection for human rights and environmental defenders.

Honduras is the fifth most dangerous country in the world for environmental, water and land protection activists. This campaign was initiated at the request of ERIC-Radio Progreso, Honduran partner of  Development and Peace – Caritas.

In its Declaration following the 13th International Meeting of the World March of Women, held in Turkey from October 6 to 12, 2023, participants celebrated the Movement’s memory. It began with the March of Bread and Roses and the rallying cry: “Bread to eradicate women’s hunger, and roses so that, in their lives, they can rest and be happy.”

While welcoming young people and new territories to the Movement, the participants reaffirmed the need to use the streets to express themselves and prepare for the 25th anniversary celebration and for the next 25 years. They intend to continue the “process of permanent political training and feminist and popular communication”.

World tour of feminist resistance

To this end, a series of five webinars are being organized to simultaneously raise awareness of the distinct realities of each territory. At the 2nd meeting, scheduled for February 21 at noon, two feminist activists from different regions of Africa will address the subject of food sovereignty from a number of angles: production, consumption, access to seeds, and so on. The meeting will also serve to present solutions and make links with feminist economics.

Full details of the event can be found on the Facebook page of the Coordination du Québec de la Marche mondiale des femmes (CQMMF).

To find out more about what feminist economics represents, proposed by the WMW as a political tool, the collective L’autre Parole invites you to read Tica Moreno’s text, entitled “Feminist economics as a political tool for the World March of Women”, Capire, October 6, 2023, available in English, Spanish and French.

The Declaration of the 13th meeting of the World March of Women reaffirms its position as a popular, anti-capitalist feminist movement… Available in English and Spanish.

“We will continue to march against war and capitalism and for popular sovereignty and good living.”

A summary video of the 13th international meeting can be viewed here.

Sr Jean Quinn, dw

Executive Director Jean Quinn, fdls’s introductory remarks in the NGO’s recent newsletter addresses the theme of travel, on the eve of the numerous travels to COP28 (Climate Conference). She also points out something that hasn’t made the headlines: the presence of the first Faith Pavilion. A pavilion where over 65 sessions were held, bringing together religious and civil society representatives from a wide range of backgrounds.

UNANIMA International (UI) intends to make the most of this space to establish conversations with an approach that touches the whole of society. This Faith Pavilion is intended to be a place where faith-based NGOs can get daily updates concerning the negotiations and also “spiritually defend climate justice.” Find out more about the six objectives of the Faith Pavilion at COP 28.

Still on the subject of COP 28, UI has produced a Position Paper and a Political Declaration which examine the main priorities and issues to be addressed at the event. Links to the documents are provided. The newsletter also announces that the NGO is co-sponsoring a side event entitled “A Global Catholic Letter to the COP28 Presidency”. This is part of a series of Catholic actions to urge governments to take courageous action in favour of climate change mitigation and integral human development.

Some of the participants at the UISG Advocacy Forum

As part of the NGO Committee on Migration, UI was actively involved in planning a subcommittee event to counterbalance the measures imposed by New York City Hall on migrants, who were attempting to repeal housing rights and cut childcare subsidies for undocumented families.

The publication also mentions actions in connection with World Homeless Day and Poverty Eradication Day. It highlights our participation in the 2023 Advocacy Forum of the International Union of General Superiors (UISG).

Sister Brigid Arthur, recipient of the 2024 Woman of Courage Award

It also announced the recipient of the 2024 Woman of Courage Award, Sister Brigid Arthur, originally from Melbourne, Australia, member of the Brigidine community. There is a brief presentation of her career that has led to this public recognition.

The newsletter once again features two community testimonials. The first reports on the initiative of the Sisters of the Divine Savior in Poland, who house Ukrainian refugees in their convent. The other highlights the daily challenges of supplying water to a small community in a district in northern Uganda. The partnership between the Marist Brothers working with refugees from Sudan and Microfinancing Partners in Africa (MPA) is praised as much for the results achieved as for the collaboration.

Find out more in the newsletter, available in English, Spanish and French.