On January 16, 2026, the 6th edition of the Talitha Kum Leadership Course officially began, opening a new season of shared learning and commitment in the global fight against human trafficking. This collaborative program, organized by Talitha Kum International with Tangaza University (Kenya) and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome), offers a space of formation that nurtures compassionate and courageous leadership rooted in action.

This edition brings together 28 participants from 23 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific, and the Americas. Their diversity reflects the spirit of the course itself: a global community united beyond borders by a shared dedication to protecting human dignity and strengthening collective responses to human trafficking.

The Opening Session, held online via Zoom, set a warm and hopeful tone for the nearly year-long journey ahead. Participants and formators gathered to connect, share expectations, and ground the program in a common purpose. The session began with a prayer led by Sr. Angela Nemilaki, MSOLA, inviting openness, trust, and shared commitment.

Sr. Abby Avelino, MM, offered words of welcome, reminding participants that the course is more than a technical training. “This Leadership Course is not only about acquiring skills; it is about strengthening our collective capacity to respond to human trafficking with courage, collaboration, and compassion,” she said, emphasizing the importance of building networks that lead to action and growing as leaders capable of influencing systemic change.

Sr. Roxanne Schares, SSND, Executive Secretary of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), on her welcome remarks, reflected on leadership as a call to service rooted in human dignity and compassion. “You are called as leaders to engage in God’s mission by defending human dignity, especially for those affected by trafficking and slavery,” she shared. “Through your leadership, you are invited to create oneness and communion, drawing people into the transformative experience of God’s love.”

Participants were then introduced to the team of formators. Prof. Ivan Collage outlined the program journey, including the online learning phase and the intensive onsite session in Thailand, emphasizing practical leadership development, contextual understanding, and transformative action.

One of the most meaningful moments came as participants introduced themselves and shared their hopes for the year. Voices from many cultures and contexts revealed a shared desire to grow together, deepen collaboration, and address the root causes of trafficking with renewed clarity and commitment. This exchange laid the foundation for a supportive learning community rooted in mutual respect and shared wisdom.

The 6th Talitha Kum Leadership Course is more than an educational program; it is a living expression of a global movement. As this new edition begins, the journey ahead promises to transform awareness into action, and solidarity into lasting change.

We warmly welcome and congratulate all participants and look forward to walking together throughout the year, strengthened by hope, collaboration, and a shared commitment to end human trafficking.