Encouraged by Pope Francis’ exhortation to bring an end to human trafficking and by his encouragement to young people to overcome fear and learn the warning signs of trafficking (CNA/EWTN News, Vatican City, 12 Feb. 2018 ) Members of APT/AMRI staffed stands 152 and 153 at the RDS throughout the Congress and delighted in the opportunity to meet with so many people, from both the national and international contexts.

The Congress provided a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about Human Trafficking in all its guises and whilst we enjoyed the engagement with others, an abiding memory from the time at stand 152, was the extent to which so many people claimed to be totally unaware of human trafficking and unaware of the fact that human trafficking exists in ”our own backyard,” as opposed to occurring elsewhere but not in our own country….

In addition to conversations and real engagement, visitors to the stand were invited to help themselves to literature, information fliers and support gifts containing logos of APT and its partners, donated by Blue Blindfold (www.blueblindfold.gov.ie).

Without a doubt, we have reached a much wider, international audience as a result of our daily presence at the Congress and already we are receiving correspondence from those whom we met, requesting membership of APT or looking to make donations or inviting us as guest speakers at schools, parishes and local communities.

Whilst it was a productive and most enriching time, we are truly grateful for the possibilities of reducing the risks of human trafficking of young people, by virtue of the awareness-raising opportunities afforded us at the World Meeting of Families.

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