19-23 June 2017

The meeting took place at the UISG Headquarters in Rome, Piazza di Ponte Sant’Angelo, 28.

Participants: Committee Members: Sr. Gabriella Bottani (coordinator), Sr. Claudette Bastien (Canada), Sr. Ann Osterreich (USA), Sr. Carmela Gibaja (Latin America), Sr. Imelda Poole (Europe), Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem (Africa), Sr. Maria Adeline Abamo (Asia), Sr. Noelene Simmons (Oceania). UISG: Sr. Florence de la Villeon (Migrants Network) Facilitator: Sr. Patricia Murray (UISG) Intern: Maria Kunath

June 19th. Spirituality of the day - the Gospel according to Mark: “He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha Kum - Arise” (Mk 5:41)

The first day began with a recollection on the trajectory of Talitha Kum within the wider framework of the UISG. Sr. Patricia Murray, after a short introduction about the common journey of Talitha Kum and the UISG, introduced the UISG Strategic Plan. She emphasized that Talitha Kum is one of the most important projects of the UISG. Then she described the upcoming activities of the UISG, specifically the Delegates Assembly that will take place in Manila in November 2017. Sr. Maria Adeline Abamo, will represent Talitha Kum. 

 At the end of the day, Sr. Gabriella shared the strategic action plan for 2016-2019. The current plan concludes on the 10th anniversary of Talitha Kum. It is a very important date to celebrate! The Committee evaluated the strategic action plan of Talitha Kum at the end of the presentation. They identified positive aspects: In a short time, Talitha Kum was transformed from a training program to a strong global network.

The Communication/Sharing and Networking within the TK Networks and with other organizations, such as the continental connections, the global strategic action plan, the support of the UISG, the person of the coordinator, have been greatly improved. TK is recognized as a representative of religious life, with its training and creation of new networks and leadership formation, the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, the use of new technologies to promote communication (i.e. videoconferences), the TK Newsletter and the Newsletter of the Networks, and the conversations about funding.

They also discussed aspects that needed improvement, such as fund raising, the clarification of the identity of TK, continental connectedness and networking, defining the role of the continental representatives, growing the network, improving communications, highlighting the role of multiple languages, and the need to clarify the partnership with CARITAS / COATNET.

Continuing the theme of the day, Sr. Patricia began a working group session to collect ideas for the followings activities: the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Trafficking in Persons and the 2019 celebration of Talitha Kum’s ten year anniversary.

Full Document

Continental  reports