Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking
Multiple Perspectives to Addressing this Complex Issue
Sponsored by National
Council of Churches – Justice for Women Working Group & United Methodist
Women’s Division United Methodist Seminar Program on National and
International Affairs
Open Space Report Title:
Root Causes of Trafficking: How Do We Help Congregations
Go Deeper to Engage These?
Convener:
Martha Bettis Gee (Martha.gee@pcusa.org)
Glory Dhamaraj (UMC Women’s Division)
List of participants: Margaret Larom, Episcopal Church; Meg Gallagher, Catholic; Lamarco Cable, CC(Disciples of Christ); Mary Clark, Reformed Church in America; Dawn Ravella, Reformed Church of Bronxville; Rosangela Oliveria , United Methodist; Glory Dhamaraj, United Methodist; Martha Bettis Gee, PC(USA)
Discussion and recommendations:
- Intersection and interrelated nature of root causes (race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, poverty, globalization, lack of jobs, dire circumstances) over against the incredible profits being made by the traffickers (second most lucrative “business” in the world with huge profits) .
- Poverty is a root cause with high visibility now .Sojourners is focusing on election and asking candidates questions about these issues. Issue of finding common vocabulary to communicate with progressives and evangelicals.
- Other resources: Christian Churches Together, Catholic Alliance, Center for Concern
- Need to get beyond our polities- more than an issue for women’s ministries. Need voice of men.
- Also need conversation with the Global South partners.
- Recommendation: May need a separate summit on poverty, globalization as the fertile ground out of which trafficking arises and that sustains and nurtures it.
- This group only was able to briefly sketch some of the issues ; not enough time to really address how to engage congregations.