United Christian Forum North East India (UCFNEI) in collaboration with Hope Charitable Foundation (HCF) and North East Solidarity (NES) held a webinar on September 26, under the Chairmanship of Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil the president of UCFNEI to discuss ways to combat human trafficking.
Advocate Rosalynn L Hmar from Mizoram moderated the session. The welcome address was delivered by Dr B J Symlieh from (North East India Council of Churches (NEICC).
Rev. W. C. Khongwir in his opening address emphasised the commitment of UCFNEI in its fight against human trafficking from North East India.
Special invitees of the webinar were North East Solidarity (NeS) an association of people from North East India based in Bangalore and in other parts of India.
The conference had three-panel sessions with eminent speakers. The first session focussed on the need to have more networking on issues related to human trafficking, particularly the reality and impact of violence against women. This session was taken by Rohit Balla, from, People Uniting to Stop Human Trafficking (PUSH)
Advocate Ashima Samuel, National Director EFIC@R from Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), took the second session. She focused on the importance of rule of law and criminal justice in ending human trafficking.
Philiya Mary Thomas, programme volunteer from YMCA Youth in Transition Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, Malaysia, spoke on the dangers associated with oversees educational recruitment which can end up in human trafficking.
The discussions included efforts on the issue, cyber trafficking, evolution of the nature of human trafficking, and the role of media in the fight against trafficking.
The way forward and concluding remarks were given by Rev. Abhiskek P John from the National Theological Commission, Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI). The EFI is committed to end human trafficking and urged for working together with the ecumenical platforms to end human trafficking from the region.
The closing remarks and final prayer were given by Dr Rini Ralte from United Theological College, Bangalore, and a key person from North East Solidarity.