From 31 August to 3 September 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia hosted a regional workshop on Migrants in Asia and Church Response, bringing together more than 60 participants, including bishops, priests, religious, lay leaders, and representatives of migrant organizations. The gathering was jointly organized by FABC-OHD/CCD (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences – Office of Human Development/Climate Change Desk) in collaboration with major Catholic organizations across Asia foster migration, including Caritas Asia.

Faith at the Heart of Dialogue

The workshop included daily prayer, Eucharist, and shared reflection. Faith was treated as a source of guidance, framing migration as a journey echoing biblical stories of displacement and hope. Catholic Social Teaching was emphasized as a moral compass, underlining that welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating migrants is a core expression of discipleship. This spiritual grounding shaped discussions, encouraging participants to see migrants and refugees as neighbors in need of both compassionate care and justice-oriented action.

Talitha Kum Global Network

The Talitha Kum global network participated in the workshop through its International Coordinator, Sr. Abby Avelino, MM, the Regional Coordinator of Talitha Kum Asia, Sr. Paula, SPC, and Sr. Dhayalini, A.C, Talitha Kum Sri Lanka Coordinator. Talitha Kum network highlighted the connection between migration and human trafficking, shared regional perspectives, and showcased how sisters across Asia provide accompaniment, protection, training, and advocacy for migrants. Their participation emphasized building partnerships and translating collaboration into practical support at local, national, and regional levels.

Encounters with Migrants and Grassroots Initiatives

Participants visited organizations supporting migrants and refugees, gaining firsthand insights into challenges such as unsafe work conditions, lack of legal recognition, and family separation. Testimonies from migrants and NGO representatives highlighted their struggles and resilience, emphasizing the importance of practical support, protection, and inclusive community responses. These encounters reinforced the need for dialogue to be informed by real-life experiences.

Strengthening Collaboration

A central theme of the workshop was strengthening collaboration across all levels. The Talitha Kum network shared examples of prevention, protection, and advocacy initiatives led by Sisters, demonstrating how parishes and communities provide safe spaces, accompaniment, and training for migrants. Participants also explored ways to strengthen referral mechanisms, share services and resources, and foster networks of solidarity across parishes, dioceses, faith communities, and civil society, translating collaboration into tangible support for migrants and refugees. This approach reinforced how grassroots realities inform advocacy and action, ensuring coordinated and compassionate responses to migration challenges across Asia.

Key Issues and Way Forward

Migrants in South and Southeast Asia face high recruitment costs, unsafe work conditions, forced labor, and family separation. Urgent needs include skills and vocational training, legal recognition, access to justice, education, and pastoral and psychological support. Concrete actions focus on creating inclusive support systems, strengthening referral mechanisms, and fostering collaboration across local, regional, and international networks.

A Shared Mission of Solidarity

The Kuala Lumpur workshop was a space of prayer, dialogue, and concrete action planning. It highlighted the importance of linking local experiences to regional and global initiatives, strengthening networks, and building partnerships for more effective responses to migration and human trafficking.

Participants departed with renewed determination and commitment to walk with migrants and refugees, advocate for just policies, and foster welcoming communities. For Talitha Kum, the gathering workshop reinforced its mission of promoting human dignity through accompaniment, advocacy, and collaboration, nurturing hope and liberation grounded in faith, compassion, and solidarity.

By Sr. Dhayalini, A.C.