Following an event in Geneva in the summer of 2019, Bishop Alastair Redfern, chair of The Clewer Initiative (TCI) was approached by the World Council of Churches with a request to work with them on a project to address the global trafficking of children. Following a period of investigation, it was decided to begin pilot work in Italy, a country that receives many victims of human trafficking.
With the support of the Federation of Evangelical Churches and the Diocese of Europe, the process has begun to discern what action might be possible by the churches within Italy. In many ways, the work so far has mirrored the work that TCI has developed in the UK – an initial consultation with churches and statutory partners, a preliminary mapping of activity and the formation of a steering group to direct further activity.
The online consultation drew churches from all over Italy, many already involved with migrants and refugees. Together we explored the most pressing needs which the church could address around the agenda of human trafficking, what action was currently being done by the churches and what was really working well. We also heard about the project Mediterranean Hope, which features in this newsletter.
Expect to hear more from Italy over the coming months.
Caroline Virgo, Director of The Clewer Initiative
