“Journeying in dignity” is the theme of the 9th Edition of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, celebrated around Feb. 8, 2023.
In 2022, we have experienced major changes as well as the aggravation of crises. In this context, the number of both at-risk groups and people suffering from trafficking violence
has increased. This can be explained by the exploitation of vulnerabilities caused by instability due to armed conflicts, generalized violence, and climate-environmental and economic crises.
Those attempting to flee in hope of safety or employment find themselves at the mercy of inadequate laws to protect migrants and find themselves more easily entangled in the webs woven by traffickers. In addition, traffickers have increased their use of information technology for recruitment and exploitation, luring victims on social media and posting false job ads on the Internet.
In this context, we are called to keep hope and the values that guide our being and acting alive. This is the meaning of the theme of the 9th International Day of Prayer, chosen by an international group of 10 young representatives of partner organizationsi and 4 young communication experts:
Journeying in dignity against human trafficking. Our commitment has as a horizon: the dignity of every person, leaving no one behind. This is our journey.
• Walking with open eyes to recognize the processes that lead millions of people, especially young people, to exploitation and human trafficking;
• Walking with an attentive heart to discover the daily paths of thousands of people in search of freedom and dignity, paths of care, inclusion, and empowerment;
• Walking with hope guiding our feet to promote anti-trafficking actions that make us rediscover dignity, reawaken the joy of living and release hope, letting ourselves be inspired by young people’s creativity and spiritual strength;
• Walking together hand in hand to build a culture of encounter that leads to the conversion of hearts and inclusive societies, capable of unmasking stereotypes and protecting the rights of every person.
2021, la 107 ème édition
Le Pape inaugure une statue en hommage aux migrants place Saint-Pierre
C’est là que la parabole de l’homme riche et du pauvre Lazare nous rejoint aujourd’hui. (Lc.16:1-13)
Tolérance et compréhension mutuelle
Dans de nombreuses régions du globe, les humanitaires travaillent, parfois au péril de leur vie, souvent dans l’anonymat le plus total. Même s’ils accomplissent un travail de fourmi, leurs interventions sont indispensables et permettent souvent à des populations de retrouver un minimum de dignité.
À l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de l’aide humanitaire, nous continuons d’attirer l’attention sur les millions de civils touchés par les conflits armés chaque jour. Ceux qui habitent dans les villes luttent pour trouver de la nourriture, de l’eau et un abri sûr, tandis que les combats chassent des millions d’autres de leurs foyers. Les enfants sont recrutés et utilisés pour se battre, et leurs écoles sont détruites. Les femmes sont maltraitées et humiliées.
Dear brothers and sisters!