Nuns Healing Hearts
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Talitha Kum Network a Photo Exhibit entitled “Nuns healing hearts” by Lisa Kristine, was displayed in the United Nations Building. Sr Alice Marie Giordano viewed this exhibit and was impressed by the deep compassion it portrayed.
On July 29th, a special Reception promoted by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN and the Galileo Foundation was held to welcome Sr Gabriela Bottani SMC, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum.
On July 30th an event took place at the UN Church Center. It was entitled, “Strengthening Connections to End Human Trafficking”. Representative from Taliha Kum, USCAHT and UN NGO’s were present.
Sr Gabriela Bottani explained that Talitha Kun has 2,000 members, 7 Regional Networks in 77 countries. She spoke of the fact that this organization strengthens advocacy at the grassroots level and at all other advocacy levels. It have given priority during these last five years to Women’s Leadership including education and formation. Sr Gabriela expressed interest in learning about how those present build strong networks and what outreach has been accomplished.
Sr Michelle Loisel, DC, who is Coordinator of Provincial Response to Migrants and Issues of Human Slavery spoke about the networks are sharing best practices, skill building efforts and information about who is working and where they are working and what they are doing. She reminded us that next year will be the 20th Anniversary of the Palermo Protocol and there will be many events at the UN. Several trafficking victims will be speakers at these events.
Sr Winifred Doherty RSG, NGO Representative for the Good Shepherd Sisters and leader in many of the coalitions at the UN presented a power point the contained great insight into how the Good Shepherd Sisters are structured to work against Human Trafficking. It also explained the many intersecting coalitions at the UN dealing with this topic as well as the power of the main UN Documents. Sr Winifred spoke passionately about the work the Religious Sister, Brothers and Priests are doing in the various NGO’s at the UN.
There was time for those who were present to share informally the work of the networks they represent and the issues that they find most compelling at this time in this work.