Youth Must Not “Abandon” Injustices

Young justice advocates are looking at ways to influence their peers and join the global efforts to end modern slavery. The women, all part of ACRATH and Young Mercy Links South Australia, are running a webinar to mark the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Person on Tuesday 30 July 2024.

The 45-minute webinar starts at 5pm in Western Australia, 6.30pm in South Australia and the Northern Territory and 7pm in Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT.
Click here to register for the webinar.

The webinar, Journeying together to end trafficking, will feature two young women who attended the recent Talitha Kum General Assembly in Italy. Isabel Salter and Catherine Edwards were Oceania youth delegates at the assembly and were inspired by many anti-trafficking initiatives around the world that have garnered widespread support from young people.

Isabel and Catherine will discuss a range of issues including the challenges for young people wanting to respond to forced labour in garment factories and other industries and the growing displacement of migrating workers.

After the General Assembly Isabel, who is currently in New York undertaking a 10-month internship with Mercy Global Action (MGA), the justice arm and United Nations office of Mercy International Association (MIA), said the importance of youth in the work against human trafficking cannot be overstated.

“Throughout the Assembly I heard from youth advocates from around the world who are doing incredible work to raise awareness of modern slavery and protect vulnerable people in their communities. This was a great reminder to me that young people are powerful and creative advocates, and as we grow into leadership positions, we will have real opportunities to disrupt the patterns of inequality that enable modern slavery to prevail,” Isabel said.

“To young people getting involved, I would say: in this time of overlapping crises, you can’t do it all. Ending modern slavery is going to require structural transformation, so we need advocates who are going to be in it for the long haul. That means finding a way of using your unique gifts to contribute to the cause, while looking after yourself. There’s a quote in the Talmud that encapsulates this nicely. It reads, ‘Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it’.”

Catherine, a previous intern at Mercy Global Action, has been a part of Young Mercy Links since its creation and has been involved with ACRATH for the past few years. She is currently completing a legal graduate program in Canberra. Catherine encouraged people to attend the webinar because it offers a crucial opportunity to engage with global efforts against modern slavery.

“The webinar provides a platform for us to reflect on the inspiring initiatives discussed at the Talitha Kum General Assembly and to explore how young people can actively contribute to ending trafficking,” she said. “It’s a chance for us to learn, share best practices, and discuss actionable strategies that can make a real difference in our communities.”

Click here to register for the webinar.

Caption: Catherine and Isabel after attending a mass for assembly participants at St Peter’s Basilica.