Caritas Asia once again participated in the 3rd National Interfaith Forum Against Human Trafficking in Cambodia. This forum, which was organized jointly by Caritas Cambodia, and the national government of Cambodia, is probably one of the successful examples of multi stakeholders collaboration in the region where the national government, non-government organizations, and faith leaders work tirelessly together promoting awareness on combatting human trafficking.
The 3rd Interfaith Forum was held in Phnom Penh on 14 August 2019 which attracted approximately 1,700 participants from the royal government of Cambodia, NGOs, Caritas family and the four main religious groups in Cambodia. Besides exhibition, official ceremony and key note speeches, the forum this year added a solidarity walk from Botum Vordtey Pagoda towards the main venue at Koh Pich building.
In his speech, Caritas Asia President, Dr. Benedict D’Rozario, emphasized on the fact that poverty is one of the main causes of human trafficking, which we can overcome by well-planned development interventions including education, health and livelihood supports and employment creation through skills and vocational training. This message was reiterated by Samdech Krola Hom Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and the Chair of National Committee to Counter Trafficking in Persons (NCCT), who added the need to strengthen law enforcement, government commitment and involvement, and co-operation from all relevant sectors.
Approximately 37 participants of Caritas family of 13 Caritas Members Organizations in Asia and 9 church organizations in Asia and Australia joined the forum and was combined with exposure and learning visits in the next day. Participants of Caritas family visited and learned from NCCT, Ministry of Social Affairs, Cambodian Women Crisis Center and Agape International Mission on the national initiatives to combat human trafficking from the perspectives of government and non-government organizations.
Combatting human trafficking, restoring human dignity
