The third edition of the Young Leaders Training Course organized by Talitha Kum in Latin America has come to an end, establishing itself as a strong and impactful program. The initiative brought together about 50 young people from 14 different countries across the continent in a journey that combines spirituality, theoretical training and concrete action against human trafficking.

The graduation ceremony, held on Saturday, December 6, marked the end of the training program that began last May. The online event highlighted the anti-trafficking advocacy projects developed and implemented by the participants within their local communities.

Opening the event, Sr. Isabel do Rocio Kuss, coordinator of the Um Grito pela Vida network (Brazil) and member of the training coordination team, greeted participants by emphasizing that young people are a generation of courage and the guardians of human dignity.

“Today we have learned that nobody is a commodity and no life is disposable. Young people have a decisive role to play in building a society free from human trafficking. Let us continue to join forces, break the silence, and make the voices of young people heard — the young guardians of life,” she said.

Sr. Carmen Ugarte García, Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted that young people are called to be agents of compassion that liberates and transforms:

“Today this training course comes to an end, and I am sure that, in developing your creative projects, you have understood—as we have—the complexity of the crime of human trafficking, a reality that violates all the rights of victims and offends their dignity. You have learned to prevent, protect, and heal, and along the way, you have made the cry of so many sisters and brothers your own. You have also experienced the joy of transforming lives, of building hope where before there was silence and pain."

On this special occasion, Sr. Abby Avelino, International Coordinator of the Talitha Kum network, sent a message to the young participants:

“As young leaders, you have come here with different stories, different realities, and different challenges from your communities. Yet, a single thread unites you: the desire to rise up and to respond to the cry of those who suffer because of human trafficking. You have chosen to learn, to question, and to commit yourselves. This choice makes you leaders—leaders endowed with sensitivity, vision, and solidarity.”

She added: "Join us in weaving a stronger and more connected movement that reaches schools, villages, neighborhoods, parishes, and digital platforms, wherever there are people at risk. You are the generation capable of transforming awareness into action and action into change. The world needs your leadership. Latin America needs your leadership. And Talitha Kum welcomes you wholeheartedly on this day of compassion, resilience, and courage."

PROJECTS

This third edition of Talitha Kum Young Leaders Course has yielded important results. A total of 22 concrete projects were developed in the areas of training and prevention of human trafficking. Two of these projects were presented during the event.

In Brazil, the podcast “A voz que faltava” (“The missing voice”) was created to raise awareness through a medium that is increasingly used by young people in the country. With five-minute episodes and interviews, it addresses technical concepts and real cases, providing accurate information to both young people and the general population. In the words of Gabriela Mendonça, one of the young participants, the initiative highlighted the role of the young generation, emphasizing the importance of empowerment and awareness-raising through digital media.

In El Salvador, a project focused on prevention through education, awareness-raising, and community action involved more than 500 people, among them young people and adults. The activities, initially designed only for young people, have been expanded. Prevention and training on digital risks has been carried out in schools, universities, and parishes with broad participation by adults.

GRADUATION

In a festive atmosphere, the closing ceremony featured the presentation of virtual diplomas to the participants. Sr. Ana Maria Vilca, from Peru, coordinator of the Formation Program in Latin America, expressed her hope that the entire formation process would be a deeply meaningful experience for each young person. She also reiterated that young people themselves are the core of the program, the inspiration and driving force behind Talitha Kum's ongoing commitment to leadership, care, and prevention.

“We are motivated by the commitment and hope to train young leaders in communities to build a society free from human trafficking,” she said.

A new edition of the course is planned for 2026.