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Asha Sanchu and (right) Rev. Dr. Marnungsang[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 16 (EMN): A three-day “national seminar” focusing on human trafficking organised by the Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action (CCPRA) of Clark Theological College in Mokokchung district was inaugurated on Thursday in the college.
A press release from the organisers on Nov. 16 informed that the principal of the College Rev. Dr. Marnungsang addressed the event observing that “in such a disturbing scenario aggravated by the violent act of human trafficking,” there was need for “critical consciousness and intense efforts” on the part of the government, legal groups, nongovernmental organisations and the church, and media practitioners and theological community. The need is to spread awareness and devise action plans to “eradicate the dehumanizing threat of human trafficking,” the gathering was told.
“With that sincere commitment and consciousness, this national seminar is organized,” the principal said. He said that human trafficking was threatening the security of vulnerable populations in the Northeast region of India, and therefore ‘becomes crucial to take up every possible measure to encounter the menace of the dehumanizing activities.’
The keynote address to the event was delivered by Asha Sanchu, director of Miqlat Ministry, of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s women department. She spoke on the theme “Human Trafficking: A Biblical Reflection on Joseph’s Story,” the updates stated. The speaker observed that “the story of Joseph could be the story of first trafficked man in the Bible and world’s first known account of the human trafficking.”
Further, Sanchu identified in the story of Joseph the modern understanding of human trafficking and the elements employed in the apparatus used in human trafficking. She identified modern days elements such as networking, criminal conspiracy, threat, force, abduction, coercion or intimidation, abuse of power, fraud, deception, transportation, buying and selling, receiving payments, ‘human-as-commodity’, sexual abuse etc., all in the story of Joseph.
Sanchu concluded her address by saying, “Human Trafficking, the dehumanizing reality we are experiencing today is not only a justice issue but a sacred issue.” The participants were encouraged to ‘live out our theology’ by siding with the oppressed, deceived, helpless and hopeless people of the society.
Following the inaugural programme, three papers were presented during the technical session. The first paper was “Trafficking in Persons: a Global Issue,” presented by Rossana Lyngdoh, board director of Impulse NGO Network, Shillong. The organization is at the forefront for the past 20 years in the ministry of addressing the threat of human trafficking in India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, the updates informed.
The second paper was on the topic, “Women as Victims of Trafficking” presented by Asha Sanchu, who was involved with Nightingale International, a global organisation based in Bangkok that works toward reaching out to prostitutes in red light areas and victims of human trafficking.
The third paper was “De-coding Human Trafficking in a Post-de-Globalizing World: Through the Prism of Christian Social Ethics.” It was presented by Dr. IJ Mohan Razhu, professor of Social Ethics at Acts Academy of Higher Education in Bangalore, the updates informed.
The seminar will conclude on Nov. 18, it was informed. According to information available here, 12 papers will be presented by scholars, social activist and legal experts from all over the country.
The seminar will be followed by another regional seminar about the ‘creative use’ of the media, the press release stated. The event will be organized jointly by the Clark Communication and Cultural Research Center and Clark Centre for Peace Research Centre and Action from Nov. 23 to the 25th, the press release stated.
“All together 14 resourceful papers will be presented during this 3 days Regional Seminar by academicians along with media professionals and peace activists from North East India,” the press release added.