ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING 2024

Minutes of the 14th Annual General Meeting of AMRAT Talitha Kum India

Opening Session:

• 6:30 AM: The 14th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) commenced at the DVK Annex Auditorium with an opening prayer led by the Sisters of the Karnataka Region in commemoration of the World Day of the Poor. The prayer, rooted in Psalms, sought divine guidance, peace, and success for the meeting and prayed for unity and harmony worldwide.

  
  

• Welcome Address:

  Sr. Sahaya FMM, the moderator of the day, warmly welcomed the gathering. Sr. Prema SCC then led the assembly in prayer, and invited the executive members to introduce themselves and identify the regions they represented.

  
  

  Sr. Sherly FMM outlined the dynamics of the meeting, providing a context for the proceedings.

  
  

  Sr. Princy FMM offered a comprehensive briefing about the day’s schedule.

Official Inaugural Program:

• 10:30 AM: The 14th AGM officially began with a solemn inaugural ceremony. The Sisters of the Karnataka Region marked the World Day of the Poor by reflecting on Jesus’ presence in the marginalized and imploring God’s grace to reach out to victims of human trafficking.

  
  

• Special Guests:

  The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries:

  • Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Machado

  • Ms. Monica Moses, Program Manager of Arise Foundation

  • Mr. Joby, Representative of IJM

  • Sr. Meera RGS, President of AmratTalitha Kum

  • Sr. Jyothi BS, Founder-President of AmratTalitha Kum

They were welcomed by Sr. Leena BS, Sr. Regina SCSC, Sr. PrincyMariadasan FDCC, Sr. Sherly SJL, and Sr. Vimla AC.

Opening Remarks:

Sr. Meera RGS emphasized the theme “Compassion in Action: Its Significance in Anti-Human Trafficking”. She highlighted the responsibility of the network to venture beyond comfort zones to respond to the call to serve, reflecting on the history and milestones of AmratTalitha Kum.She spoke about the importance of connecting and interconnecting in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery.She emphasized that the reflection calls for women’s religious congregations to embrace new governance models focused on networking, collaboration, and partnership. It urges openness, transparency, and inclusivity within networks like AMRAT Talitha Kum, highlighting the need for flexibility, creativity, and accountability to effectively address issues like human trafficking. The focus is on collective action to strengthen the mission and make a lasting impact on communities.

• Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Machado shared his welcome address, emphasizing four strategies to combat human trafficking:

  1. Awareness

  2. Training

  3. Prevention

  4. Rehabilitation

Following his address, a symbolic lighting of the lamp ceremony took place to ignite compassion and action against human trafficking. Archbishop Dr. Peter Machado then joined the dignitaries and participants for a group photo before bidding farewell.

• Sr. Jyothi Pinto BS, Founder-President, offered a profound message, quoting Psalm 36:9: “In Your light, we see light.” She called on all religious to awaken to the grave realities of human trafficking and unsafe migration, emphasizing the inherent dignity of every human person. She shared Pope Francis’ quote, “Human trafficking is an open wound in the body of Christ, a deep wound that affects each one of us.” She thanked all those involved in advancing the mission of AmratTalitha Kum.

Sessions:

• Mr. Joby (IJM Representative):

  A thought-provoking session on the current state of human trafficking. Key takeaways:

  • Identifying vulnerable areas for trafficking

  • Collaborating with government agencies

  • Highlighting that human trafficking generates $150 billion in profit

  • 96% of victims belong to SC/ST communities

Best practices shared included:

• Vaccine against trafficking

• Bonded Labour Abolition Act

• Community policing

Call to Action:

• Strengthen community-government partnerships

• Support grassroots initiatives

• Enhance awareness and reporting mechanisms

Interactive Session with Mr. Joby:

• Following his presentation, questions from the sisters were addressed by Mr. Joby, with Sr. Philo Manimala offering thanks on behalf of the group.

Break and Energizing Activities:

• A delicious meal and break followed.

• 2:30 PM: Sr. Sherly SJL led the group in an action song to refresh the participants before the next session.

Ms. Monica Moses - Arise Foundation:

• Presentation:

  Ms. Monica Moses, Program Coordinator of Arise, shared insights into the foundation’s mission, vision, and approach to anti-trafficking work. She emphasized Arise’s funding support for sisters to carry out activities aimed at building capacity, raising awareness, and creating village community networks.

  
  

• Sisters' Experiences:

  Sisters Swapna SJL (Assam), Leena BS (Karnataka), and Sherona FCC (Kerala) shared their experiences of working with Arise.

  
  

  Ms. Monica read a message from Mr. Martine, CEO of Arise Foundation, who was unable to attend due to health reasons. The message appreciated the collaborative efforts of Amrat and Arise in combating human trafficking.

  
  

• Q&A Session:

  The session concluded with questions and answers. Sr. Arpan BS thanked Ms. Monica for her excellent presentation.

Panel Discussion - Networking for a Greater Impact:

• Moderated by Sr. Theresa Joseph MSMHC, the panel featured:

  1. Fr. Martin SJ (MAIN)

  2. Sr. PremaChowallur SCSC (Bridge and Embrace)

  3. Sr. Annie Jesus FMM (Jeevan JharanaVikasSanstha)

     
     

  Fr. Martin SJ discussed the mission and vision of MAIN, and ways Amrat and MAIN can collaborate on information sharing, resource mapping, and joint interventions.Sr. Annie Jesus FMM shared her experiences in raising awareness, rescuing victims, and training groups in Jashpur Diocese.Sr. PremaChowallur SCSC highlighted the importance of leveraging synergies through networking and called for collaboration, as outlined in the Synodal documents. She urged the participants to “listen together” to the voices of the voiceless.

• Audience Questions:

  Several questions were addressed by the panelists, enriching the discussion. Sr. Aarti FMA thanked the panelists for their valuable contributions.

• Closing of the Day:

  • 6:45 PM: Fr. Martin SJ offered the Holy Eucharist, with the North-East Region in charge of the liturgy.

  • 7:30 PM: The day concluded with a prayer to the Trinitarian God, followed by dinner.

Minutes of the 14th Annual General Body Meeting of AmratTalitha Kum India - Day 2

18th November 2024

Opening Session:

• Morning Prayer: The day began with a prayer led by the Andhra Pradesh & Telangana region, followed by the Holy Eucharist officiated by Fr. Martin SJ, with the liturgy led by the Gujarat region.

  
  

  Session Instructions: At 8:40 AM, Sr. Princy, Secretary of AMRAT, provided instructions for the day's schedule. Sr. Ancy CJ moderated the day's events, with Srs. SunithaMascarenhas BS and Bensy FMM acting as secretaries.

  
  

  Sr. Vimala Paul AC led a prayer session, and Sr. Beena CM, the AMRAT accountant, made announcements related to the event's financial aspects.

  
  

• Recap of Day 1: Sr. Shobha RGS and Sr. Crina Cardoza FDCC provided a recap of the previous day's proceedings.

Panel Discussion 1

Legal Framework to Combat Human Trafficking:

• 9:15 AM: The first panel session, titled “Legal Framework to Combat Human Trafficking: Upcoming Laws and Legal Perspectives,” was moderated by Sr. Juliet Coutinho SCB, with panelists Sr. Asha Paul CHF and Sr. Gracy Rodrigues FDCC.

  • Sr. Asha Paul CHF discussed various legal provisions in India aimed at combating human trafficking, including constitutional protections (e.g., Article 23(1) prohibiting trafficking) and key legislations like:

    • Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956

    • Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013

    • Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976

    • Child Labour (Prohibition) Act 2016

    • POSCO Act 2012

She also addressed the importance of cross-border trafficking laws, mandatory reporting, and the careful use of online platforms in trafficking cases, emphasizing that digital surveillance should respect privacy and not invade personal spaces like bedrooms and washrooms.

• Sr. Gracy Rodrigues FDCC shared her grassroots-level work in Goa, focusing on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership. She emphasized safety measures at workplaces to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly in sectors such as massage parlors and cuisine businesses.

  
  

• Q&A Session: Participants expressed appreciation for the presentations and suggested the need for more training on cybercrime prevention and awareness of the POSCO Act.

  
  

• Honor Ceremony: The session concluded with Sr. Vimala Paul AC presenting shawls to Sr. Asha Paul, Sr. Gracy Rodrigues, and Sr. Juliet Coutinho, and Sr. Theresiamma Philip delivered a vote of thanks.

Session 2 - Learning from Life Experiences:

• 11:00 AM: The next session, “Learning from Life Experiences,” was moderated by Sr. Dorothy PBVM, with Sr. Sherly FMM interviewing two speakers:

  
  

  1. Mr. Rohith (30 years old, para-counseling student):

     Rohith shared his personal journey of overcoming trauma from childhood. He attributed his healing and resilience to the support provided by Sr. Sherly FMM. His experiences have motivated him to become a resource person, helping others heal and empowering vulnerable individuals.

     
     

  2. Ms. Parvati (Nepali, originally from Guwahati):

     Parvati shared her harrowing experience of being trafficked by her uncle and others. With the support of Sr. Sherly, she was able to heal and transform her life. She now dedicates herself to helping other women and girls reintegrate into society.

     
     

• Both speakers expressed deep gratitude for Sr. Sherly’s transformative support. The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Sr. Celine SJC, followed by a celebratory birthday song for Rohith, whose 30th birthday was on November 20th.

Regional Reports:

• 12:00 PM - 5:20 PM: Regional coordinators or representatives presented reports outlining their respective regions' activities, initiatives, and challenges in combating human trafficking. The regions and their presenters included:

  • Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Sr. Vincy FDCC

  • Bihar: Sr. Ancy CJ

  • Delhi-NCR: Sr. Bensy FMM

  • Goa: Sr. Myra, Handmaids of Christ

  • Gujarat: Sr. Sumanti CM

  • Jharkhand: Sr. Lalitha St. Anns of Ranchi

  • Karnataka: Sr. Leena D’Costa BS & Milagrin UFS

  • Kerala: Sr. Gracy Thomas JBL

  • Maharashtra: Sr. Moksha FMA

  • North East India (7 States): Sr. SunithaMascarenhas BS

  • Rajasthan: Sr. Lalita PSA

  • UP: Sr. Joselet CJ

  • Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry: Sr. Isabella FMA & Sr. Celine SJC

  • Chhattisgarh: Sr. Monica RGS & Regina Rosario SCSC

  • West Bengal & Sikkim: Sr. Theresiamma Philip - Adorers

After the reports, Sr. Meera presided over an interactive discussion, inviting clarifications and feedback. Some key points of discussion included:

• The need for consistent data collection and financial support.

• Suggestions for greater collaboration in northern regions, particularly Haryana, Punjab, and Kashmir.

• The importance of involving educational institutions in combating human trafficking.

• A proposal for a uniform reporting format across all regions while encouraging innovation.

• Sr. Philo urged the national team to build rapport with the Conference of Religious India (CRI) and Bishops to strengthen local and national support.

• Sr. Regina emphasized the importance of documentation and reporting for tracking progress and evaluating the impact of regional initiatives.

• Sr. Olivia proposed that coordinators submit regional reports twice a year to help facilitate the release of the AMRAT Newsletter.

• A special mention was made of Sr. Gracy Rodrigues FDCC, who recently received the prestigious SATA (Sisters Against Human Trafficking) award from USIG. Sr. Gracy expressed her gratitude, particularly to Sr. Jyothi BS, for her ongoing support.

Closing Discussions:

• Sr. Vimala Paul AC congratulated everyone for their dedication, emphasizing the importance of both national and local fundraising efforts to sustain anti-trafficking initiatives.

• Sr. Arpan BS highlighted the need for increased collaboration in northern regions.

• Sr. Meera shared her visit to Punjab, where she met Bishop Agnalo and visited schools, underscoring the importance of involving educational institutions in the fight against human trafficking.

Evening Session:

• 7:00 PM: The Evening Prayer, led by the Jharkhand region, provided a moment of reflection and gratitude for the day's work.

• Dinner: After the prayer, the group gathered for dinner.

• Executive Meeting: Following dinner, the Executive Members' Meeting took place with the Regional Coordinators to discuss next steps and further collaborations.

Day 3

19th November 2024

The third day of the 14th Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) began with a spiritual tone set by the Kerala Region, which led the morning prayer, followed by the Holy Mass, concelebrated by Fr. Isaac SJ and Fr. Martin SJ. The liturgy was supported by the Chhattisgarh Region, and Sr. Isabella Alponse FMA, the day’s moderator, expressed gratitude to both groups and the priests for starting the day on a positive note.

Session 1 - Reports and Financial Overview

Following breakfast, the first session of the day started at 8:45 AM with a prayer from the West Bengal Region. The Chhattisgarh Region then presented the pending report from Day 2.

Sr. Bensy FMM presented the minutes from the previous day, which were passed after a few clarifications and corrections:

• Sr. Regina Menezes clarified that the Gujarat Region had been revitalized, not started a year ago.

• Sr. Gracy Rodrigues mentioned that case studies needed to be documented, not just the Orissa report.

• Sr. Lincy Cherian SCSC suggested that full names should be used in reports.

• Monica Moses from Arise Foundation raised the concern about sharing photos with agencies abroad due to strict data policies.

• Sr. Olivia Fernandes SCB requested that contributions for the AMRAT magazine be mentioned clearly.

Next, Sr. Regina Rosario presented the National Project Activity Report, supported by the Hilton Foundation, which outlined the mission objectives and the activities of the past six months, including awareness programs and the distribution of work across the 19 regions.

Sr. Beena CM, the AMRAT treasurer, then presented the financial report. She explained the challenges faced in managing project funds, specifically around delays in receiving original bills, which affected the audit process. Fr. Isaac SJ empathized with Sr. Beena’s struggles and advised that provinces open personal accounts to ensure transparency. He emphasized the importance of timely document submission and supporting photographs for accurate financial reporting.

After the tea break, Sr. Aliene BS entertained the group with an action song, which was followed by a detailed report of the AMRAT AGM by Sr. Princy. Her report was appreciated for its clarity, though some participants suggested further elaboration on Sr. Celine’s award. Sr. Sherly Joseph FMA proposed, and Sr. Mary Kumari JMJ seconded, the approval of the report.

Sr. PremaChowlur presented the Executive Report of AMRAT National, explaining the objectives of AMRAT, its registration process, and the association with Talitha Kum International. Sr. Crina shared her visit to the Vatican, where she met with the Pope, and Sr. Jancy Jai SCB talked about her experiences with Talitha Kum International.

Session 2 - Papal Orientation and Regional Action Plans

At 11:55 AM, Fr. Isaac SJ gave a pastoral orientation on human trafficking, drawing from Pope Francis’ Exhortation on Human Trafficking. He highlighted that combating human trafficking requires more than commitment; it needs tangible efforts from all individuals. He explained the strategies and proposals for addressing trafficking, and the booklet on the pastoral orientation was distributed to all participants. Sr. Isabella thanked Fr. Isaac for his guidance and for producing the helpful booklet.

After this, the participants returned to their regional groups to work on their Regional Action Plans, which were then presented during the Plenary Session at 2:30 PM.

Below is a summary of the regions and their reporters:

• Andhra Pradesh – Sr. Jecintha SJ

• Bihar – Sr. Ancy CJ

• Chhattisgarh – Sr. Philomena JMJ

• Delhi NCR (Rajasthan, Himachal, Delhi) – Sr.

• Goa – Sr. Gracy Rodrigues FDCC

• Gujarat – Sr. Sabitha FMM

• Jharkhand – Sr. FreedaToppo DSA

• Karnataka – Sr. Leena D’Costa BS

• Kerala – Sr. Sherly Joseph SCCG

• Maharashtra – Sr. Regina Menezes DHM

• Orissa – Not presented

• Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry – Sr. Celine SJC

• West Bengal & Sikkim – Sr. Thresiamma AC

Fr. Isaac SJ reminded the group about the importance of creating SMART action plans (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Sr. Olivia Fernandes SCB reminded the participants about the Project Activity Report, which is due to the agency by December 2024. Sr. Mary Kumari JMJ inquired whether the regions would receive financial support for their local programs, to which Sr. Meera RGS clarified that the fund is available only for the religious women, not for general ministry activities. She also emphasized the importance of networking between regions.

Session 3 - Legal Status of AMRAT and Future Plans

Later, Sr. Jyothi BS discussed how AMRAT has crossed significant milestones and achieved legal status by registering as the AMRAT India Trust. She explained that the registration was prompted by a need for transparency in managing funds, particularly after the 2015 AGM in Gujarat. AMRAT Talitha Kum India will continue to be a network, while the AMRAT India Trust will provide legal and financial support. Sr. Jyothi introduced the 15 trustees and 21 regional committee members who will oversee the management of AMRAT. There will be no elections for the next three years, as the board is set for this term.

Sr. Theresa Mascarenhas SCB asked whether AMRAT India Trust or AMRAT Talitha Kum India would be used as the official banner, to which Sr. Jyothi clarified that the latter would be used by all members, as it reflects the network's nature.

Session 4 - Evaluation and Closing Remarks

At 4:30 PM, the group took a tea break and then reconvened for the evaluation and closing session at 4:50 PM. Sr. Vimala Paul AC explained the evaluation procedure, where participants were asked to reflect on the key messages, their feelings, learnings, and suggestions for improvement.

Once the evaluations were collected, Sr. Princy FDCC thanked all those who contributed to the successful 3-day AGM of AMRAT Talitha Kum India, specifically recognizing Sr. Jyothi BS for her mentorship, Sr. Meera RGS for leading the event, and Fr. Isaac SJ for his invaluable guidance. She also thanked Fr. Anthony Passionist for capturing the event's special moments and Fr. Sebastine Jose for the accommodation and meals.

The meeting concluded with a Thanksgiving Prayer led by the Maharashtra Region, bringing the AGBM to a close on a spiritual and reflective note.

This meet was pivotal in reinforcing the structure, goals, and action plans of AMRAT Talitha Kum India, ensuring that the network is well-positioned for the next phase of its mission against human trafficking.