Santa Marta Group press conference

Thursday 19 May 12:30

Sala Marconi, Palazzo Pio, Rome

Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Santa Marta Group, will chair a press conference at the Sala Marconi in Palazzo Pio on Thursday, 19 May at 12:30. Alongside police chiefs and other Santa Marta leaders, speakers at the press conference will go over the action plan to combat human trafficking the Santa Marta Group will have presented to Pope Francis at a Papal Audience earlier that morning. The Cardinal and other speakers will then be available for one-one interviews.

The Santa Marta Group Conference takes place from 17-19 May at the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences in the Vatican. It is the first time in three years the alliance of Police Chiefs, civil society leaders, Bishops and Religious Sisters have been able to meet in person following the pandemic.

When the Santa Marta Group launched in 2014, Pope Francis said that human trafficking was "a crime against humanity, a wound on the body of Christ." When asked by British TV what we should be doing to stop this evil crime, he replied simply "We must learn to cry again"... and then we will know how to respond. Sensitising ourselves to the tragedy of over 40 million victims of trafficking and modern slavery remains a challenge as this evil crime continues to grow and greater numbers of vulnerable people are falling prey to organised criminal gangs. As the number of victims increases, there is a clear need to increase activity in the struggle against trafficking: learning from others' good practice, improving legislation and pushing for greater accountability and action within existing legislative frameworks, always putting the victim at the centre.

This week's meeting aims to explore what works, what doesn't work and how the Santa Marta Group can make good on its initial promise to bring decision-makers together from around the world to share their experiences and initiatives, learn from each other and find solutions to human trafficking. With activity in over 30 countries, the Santa Marta Group does not try to impose a single solution to a complex, transnational issue but rather seeks to identify, inspire and initiate action.  Each member is independent, united by mutual respect and a desire to work together to tackle modern slavery. The Santa Marta Group acts as a medium in which trusted relationships are made, which then enables co-operation and practical solutions to be generated and applied locally and regionally.

The aim of this conference is to bring together leading decision makers to re-focus and re-energise activities in light of a worsening situation across the world caused by the pandemic and continuing conflict and instability in many regions. Through open and honest presentations and discussions, acknowledging failures as well as successful collaborative initiatives, the aim is to produce an action plan that will help to guide local and regional activity. This action plan will be presented to Pope Francis at the close of the conference and will inform the way forward for Santa Marta Group over the coming year.

Methods of Accreditation and Participation

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply within 24 hours of the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.

Please note that, in compliance with current healthcare regulations, a limited number of journalists and media operators may be admitted to the Sala Marconi. Places are guaranteed subject to availability.

Please note that entry is subject to possession of a "Reinforced" Green Pass, the use of an FFP2 face mask, measurement of body temperature and the use of hand sanitizer.

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Media Contact: Alexander DesForges, Santa Marta Group Communications Director on 00447983704097, desforgesa@santamartagroup.org

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