Announcement: ACRP launched new Working Group for the Human Trafficking Issue

It is a great honor to announce that ACRP newly launched the Working Group for the Human Trafficking Issue, one of the ACRP’s 5 Flagship Projects.

 Inauguration of the small working group was proposed at the first online symposium on the Human Trafficking Issues in January. (see also this article) To prevent the global spread of human trafficking, we learned the immediate need to launch a working group that takes the initiative in taking action.

 The group consists of 10 members from Asia-Pacific Women of Faith Network (APWoFN), Asia and the Pacific Interfaith Youth (APIYN), RfP India, RfP Indonesia, RfP Japan, RfP Philippines and Tokyo Secretariat, with diversified religious backgrounds.

 On April 12th, the newly selected ten working group members met for the first time online. We had enthusiastic discussions on the second online seminar coming up in June, action for the “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” on July 30th, and on implementing an online shelter visit.

 This online shelter visit is one of the anti-trafficking projects that RfP Japan is promoting with the cooperation of RfP Philippines. It is an outstanding idea that takes advantage of the current social situation under the COVID-19 pandemic where digital communication such as online is the mainstream.

 Although it seems very ironic, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically shortened our communication distance more than ever to challenge solving together our common issues and for peace.

 We hope that the new working group will bring the breath of fresh air into ACRP’s flagship projects and entire Religions for Peace Movements.