Jakarta, Indonesia – On August 26, 2025, Talitha Kum Asia opened its Regional Conference at Erian Hotel, Central Jakarta, welcoming 60 delegates - Religious, partners and Youth Ambassadors from 16 Asian countries under the theme: “Compassion in Action: End Human Trafficking.” This five-day gathering, concluding on August 30, highlights the strength of Catholic Sisters, young people, and faith-based collaboration in addressing one of Asia’s most urgent human rights crises.

Each day begins with prayer and Eucharistic celebration, anchoring the mission in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching. Sr. Prisca, ADM, President the Association of Women Religious in Indonesia, warmly welcomed participants and highlighted the unwavering commitment of Catholic religious sisters in the frontline fight against trafficking, as well as the growing collaboration with interfaith partners working for justice and human dignity.

Human Trafficking in Asia: A Growing Crisis

Asia remains a major hub for human trafficking. According to the International Labour Organization, over 25 million people globally are trapped in forced labor, with a significant number in the Asia-Pacific due to unsafe migration, poverty, digital exploitation, and weak institutional protections. In Southeast Asia alone, thousands are trafficked each year for sexual exploitation, forced labor, and cyber scams—often by well-organized cross-border criminal networks.

Sr. Abby Avelino, MM, Talitha Kum International Coordinator, reported that in 2024, the network reached nearly one million people through prevention, training, survivor care, and advocacy. “Our mission is not just to rescue,” she said, “but to challenge systems, uphold human dignity, and place survivors at the center.”

Listening to the Survivors: Voices That Lead

A survivor’s moving testimony reminded delegates of the reality: “Traffickers work across borders like a strong network. Talitha Kum network must be even stronger—through God’s grace.”

Delegates emphasized the need for trauma-informed care, long-term accompaniment, stigma reduction, youth leadership, and stronger collaboration—not only among Catholic networks but across faiths and borders—to match the scale and coordination of trafficking operations.

Action Plan: A Faithful Response

The conference presented a six-point action plan grounded in Catholic values: offer holistic support to survivors, ensure long-term accompaniment, strengthen cross-border and interfaith collaboration, combat stigma through education, empower youth leaders, and build stronger regional networks led by sisters and survivor advocates.

Guided by the Gospel

Inspired by Fratelli Tutti and Laudato Si’, Sr. Paula Phonprasertruksa, SPC, Talitha Kum Regional Coordinator for Asia, called all participants to embrace servant leadership: “Let us become leaders who listen, serve, and act with courage.”

As Talitha Kum Asia looks ahead, its mission remains clear: to weave networks of hope—led by Catholic sisters, strengthened through interfaith solidarity, and rooted in compassion. The conference will conclude on August 30 with a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Archdiocese of Jakarta, reaffirming the Church’s unwavering call to uphold dignity, walk alongside survivors, and build a world where every person is free, valued, and safe.

Through faith, resilience, and united hearts, the Church continues to echo Christ’s call: “Talitha Kum – Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mk 5:41)