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.

The SNJM’s French-speaking and English-speaking Associates held their commitment ceremony together this year. The idea of bringing both groups together came to fruition in a beautiful way with this bilingual celebration on December 2, prepared by the Anglophone Associates Trio. In the past, the two groups have usually renewed their commitment on different dates and in different locations.

“We had some beautiful and precious moments,” says Sr. Claudette Bastien, liaison with the French-speaking Associates. “Our disappointment of the day was not being able to meet in person at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM),” she added, alluding to the health regulations in force following the outbreak of respiratory viruses at MJM.

The virtual format did not prevent the commitment ceremony from being experienced with great intensity and emotion. The opening hymn set the tone, while the thirty or so participants easily followed the carefully-crafted bilingual program.  Emotions could be felt as the commitments were renewed.

“The solemnity of the occasion was very much in evidence,” says Yasmine Matar, SNJM Associate. She was pleasantly surprised to also witness the renewal of vows by the SNJM Sisters present. According to her, this part was seen as a “moment of close communion between the Sisters and the Associates”.

The ceremony, which included readings and invocations to the Holy Spirit, also included a moment of raised awareness of conflicts around the world. We paused to offer prayerful support to the victims, particularly women and children, of the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and elsewhere. “This was in keeping with the SNJM’s focus on social justice,” said Yasmine Matar, who, like the other members of the group, is sensitive to the ideals and values upheld by the Congregation.

The success of the event confirmed the relevance of bringing the two groups together for the commitment renewal ceremony, which will now take place every two years.

Each group will follow its meeting schedule for the current year of activities. While the English-speaking group explores more of the “Thresholds of Transformation” material, the French-speaking group also meets monthly, addressing distinct themes. We hope to be able to hold the next such gathering in person.