Join Global Pilgrimage
“We’ll do anything we can to get things as cheaply as we can. For that to happen someone has to be exploited.” (Colleen Jackson rsc, Talitha Kum – Oceania representative)
Join ACRATH and thousands around the world on February 8 for an online pilgrimage celebrating the 2023 International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. The online pilgrimage will begin at 7.30pm (Sydney, Melbourne time) with a welcome and then kicks off with the Oceania/Asian regional contribution. ACRATH member and Talitha Kum Oceania representative Sr Colleen Jackson rsc and secondary school students from the area will lead this part of the pilgrimage.
Click here to join the pilgrimage at 7.30pm AEDT on February 8.
The online pilgrimage goes for seven hours and people can come in and out as they please. The event begins at 7.30pm and the Oceania contribution will be soon after. A recording of the pilgrimage will also be available here after the event.
“This online event is a terrific opportunity to take stock and join with the global community to think about human trafficking and think about what we may be able to do to make a difference,” Colleen said.
“We know that slavery and human trafficking is consumer driven, so we all need to change to make a difference. People are enslaved because people like you and I want goods cheaply. We want services cheaply and we’ll do anything we can to get things as cheaply as we can. For that to happen someone has to be exploited,” Colleen said.
Pope Francis designated 8th February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, as a day of prayer, reflection and action. Josephine Bakhita was born in Southern Sudan in 1869. She was kidnapped and enslaved in both Sudan and Italy. After gaining her freedom Josephine became a Canossian Sister and was canonised in 2000.
Journeying in dignity is the theme of this year’s International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. It will shine a spotlight on the plight of the 50 million people enslaved worldwide. Young people of the world will make a significant contribution to this event as they engage in the fight to defeat human trafficking and all forms of human exploitation. Colleen hopes the tragic 50 million figure and the stories from young people will encourage participants to learn more and to take action by changing our consumer habits including purchases of tea, coffee, clothing and electrical goods.
The seven-hour online event features contributions from young people around the world, including from several schools in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Their call to action is compelling – click here.
Hear Colleen and ACRATH’s Cindy Bohan discuss the pilgrimage and Colleen’s call to action at here.
