History

The first edition was celebrated in 2015 at the desire of Pope Francis, who the previous year had commissioned the International Unions of Superiors and Superiors General to be its promoters.

From the beginning, Talitha Kum, the international network founded by the UISG and committed against trafficking in persons, assumed the coordination of the group of partner organizations of the day at the international level.

In 2015, throughout the world, 2312 lights were turned on against trafficking, in 154 countries. In Rome took place: a prayer vigil, a Eucharistic celebration and participation with banners in the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, during which Pope Francis spoke of the event in the following words:

"Dear brothers and sisters, today, 8 February, the liturgical memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese Sister, who as a child had the traumatic experience of being a victim of trafficking, the International Unions of Superiors General of religious institutes have promoted the Day Prayer and Reflection against trafficking in persons. I encourage all those who are committed to helping men, women and children enslaved, exploited, abused as tools or pleasure and often tortured and mutilated. I hope that those who have responsibilities of government will seriously strive to eliminate the causes of this shameful scourge, a scourge unworthy of a civilized society. Let each of us be committed to being a voice for our brothers and sisters, humiliated and deprived of their dignity. Let us all pray together.”
(Pope Francis, Angelus Domini February 8, 2015)

In 2016, followed a similar pattern, favoring the local action.

The 2017 edition introduces an element of novelty, trying to balance the proposal of "prayer" and "reflection" by focusing on a specific aspect of the vast and complex world of trafficking in persons: the trafficking of children, girls and adolescents. With the specific slogan: They are just children! Not Slaves!

2018: MIGRATION WITHOUT TRAFFICKING: say yes to Freedom and no to slavery

2019 and 2020: Together against trafficking in persons

2021 brings into the spotlight one of the main causes of human trafficking: the dominant economic model of our time, whose limits and contradictions are exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The inspiring image is by Timothy Schmalz, the artist who created the sculpture of St. Bakhita "Let the Oppressed go free".

In 2022, “The Power of care – women, economy and human trafficking” is the theme for the 8th world Day of Prayer and Reflection against human trafficking. The theme’s choice continues the previous year’s, where we began to reflect on the connection between the economy and human trafficking. The 2022 edition proposes to focus on women. They are, in fact, the most affected by the violence of trafficking. At the same time, they have a fundamental and important role in the process of transforming the economy of exploitation into one of care.

In 2023, for the first time since its establishment, 15 young representatives of partner organizations from all continents gather in Rome for a week of meetings and training on trafficking in human beings. Throughout the week, their reflection and actions are guided by the theme - chosen by an international group of young people- Walking in Dignity, which inspires the common journey towards the tenth anniversary of the Day. At the end of the week, the group launches a statement of commitment, starting the process of preparation for the tenth anniversary of the Day. The week of gathering begins on Monday, 6 February, with an ecumenical prayer vigil at the Parish of Santa Lucia, in the Prati district of Rome, an area of the capital where three women in prostitution are brutally killed last November. On this occasion, the Catholic community joins the interfaith community. The central moment of the week is the online Pilgrimage of prayer and awareness on Wednesday, 8 February, the feast of Saint Bakhita. In the spirit of Walking in Dignity, the pilgrimage involves all continents, starting in Oceania, then Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and closing in North America. The event is live-streamed in five languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian). The central block of the pilgrimage is entrusted to young people committed against trafficking, during which a message from Pope Francis is aired. The participants in the online pilgrimage represent over 50 countries on all continents. On Friday, 10 February, in Via della Conciliazione, the dance group “Evolution Company of the Holy Dance”, together with the group of young international representatives, gives life to a flash mob against trafficking, embodying through movement the call to Walking in Dignity. The week ends on Sunday, 12 February, with participation in the Angelus Prayer in St. Peter’s Square.