A final group of priests in Moldova have been trained by IOM on
countering human trafficking as part of an effort to raise
awareness of the crime among faith-based groups.

The programme, launched in February this year, and carried out
in partnership with the Social Mission ‘Diaconia’ of
the Bessarabia Metropolitan Church, also aims to cultivate a
tolerant attitude towards victims in secular and religious
communities by using the clergy.

More than 60 priests were trained throughout the country since
February.

"In the past I failed to provide the proper guidance and help to
several people which now I know were victims of trafficking. I did
not know then what to do and how to sooth their pain. I now feel I
am more prepared to counsel them," said Ioan Cosoi, priest of
Bessarabia Metropolitan Church at the end of the training.

The priests will now carry counter-trafficking messages in their
sermons, individual counsels and blessings, pastoral visits and
during religious education classes. Through their involvement and
assistance in the battle against human trafficking, it is hoped
that the vicious circle of trafficking, rescue and re-trafficking
will be broken for many victims who will be better able to
reintegrate into society. Stigma and discrimination against
trafficking victims is often a major factor in their failure to
integrate back into families and society once
rescued.  

The success of involving the clergy in counter-trafficking
activities in Romania and Ukraine has also led to the creation of a
training guide containing theological reference points aimed at
supporting priests in their trafficking prevention work. It will,
in addition, serve as a didactic instrument in developing
extra-curricular activities in schools and colleges.

As part of its efforts to engage faith-based organizations on a
greater scale and funded by the European Commission and the US
government, IOM is now beginning a new counter-trafficking effort
to be implemented with the Moldova Partnership Programme of the
World Council of Churches, representing the Orthodox Church,
Romano-Catholic Church, the Union of Christian Evangelical Baptist
Churches and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Moldova. 
Together, these churches will create a multi-denominational
coalition to prevent human trafficking.

More than 1,000 priests and personnel from religious
institutions will be involved in activities linked to the programme
which will include a grant mechanism to support such activities at
community level and the publication of a book of sermons on the
theme of human trafficking.

"The Church is a natural partner in countering human
trafficking. They have a unique role to play in healing the wounds
of those who have been trafficked and who have suffered much. By
also raising awareness of human trafficking and the sufferings of
the victims among the clergy, this role will be enhanced," said
Martin Andreas Wyss, IOM chief of mission in Moldova.

Last week, IOM counter-trafficking experts carried out training
for 30 Catholic nuns in Brazil as part of an overall strategy to
involve faith-based organizations on the issue across the world. In
the past three years IOM has trained more than 1400 religious
personnel in Albania, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Nigeria,
Romania and Thailand and Ukraine in addition to the 60 priests in
Moldova.

For further information, please contact:

Iraida Margineanu

IOM Moldova

Tel: +373 22 232940 (ext.123)

E-mail: "mailto:imargineanu@iom.int">imargineanu@iom.int