Three Catholic schools in Thailand received national awards for their anti-human trafficking efforts as Talitha Kum Thailand joined a nationwide campaign promoting human dignity and protecting vulnerable people.
Talitha Kum Thailand joined hundreds of representatives from government agencies, international organizations, diplomatic missions, civil society groups, and educational institutions in observing National Anti-Human Trafficking Day on June 5 at the Government Complex in Bangkok.
Organized by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security under the theme “Together We Can Stop Human Trafficking,” the event brought together approximately 400 participants from across Thailand in a shared effort to prevent and combat human trafficking.
Talitha Kum Thailand participated in the observance through an information booth and public awareness activities focused on preventing trafficking and supporting vulnerable populations.
Photo credit: SPC
The network also introduced the “Walking in Dignity” mobile application, which is designed to support potential victims, promote safe migration, and raise awareness about the risks of labor and sexual exploitation.
During the ceremony, three schools in the St. Paul educational network received the Exemplary Educational Institution Award from Mr. Nikorn Soemklang, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, in recognition of their anti-trafficking education and student protection programs.
The honored institutions were St. Louis Suksa School in Bangkok, Assumption Convent School in Lopburi, and St. Joseph School in Phetchaburi Province.
According to Sr. Marie Agnes Buasap, SPC, project coordinator of Talitha Kum Thailand, the schools were recognized for their sustained commitment to educating young people about the dangers of human trafficking.
“The main reason our three schools received the Model School award is that we have consistently integrated the topic of human trafficking into the curriculum across all subjects,” she told LiCAS News.
“We also organize various activities such as awareness walks and runs against human trafficking, with participation from teachers, students, parents, and members of the wider community,” she added.
The recognition highlights the role of Catholic educational institutions in promoting awareness, prevention, and protection measures among young people in a country that continues to face significant trafficking challenges.
Photo credit: SPC
“Our participation today reflects the Church’s commitment to walk with the most vulnerable,” said Sr. Françoise Jiranonda, SPC, leader of Talitha Kum Thailand and former provincial superior of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres in Thailand.
“Through education, awareness, and tools like the ‘Walking in Dignity’ app, we hope to empower communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to human trafficking. We are also deeply grateful to the St. Paul schools whose students and teachers model what it means to be disciples protecting human dignity,” she added.
According to the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP), Thailand remains a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking.
The country serves as a destination hub for both forced labor and sexual exploitation, making prevention, education, and victim support essential components of the national response.
Talitha Kum Thailand is part of the global Talitha Kum network coordinated by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in Rome. The network brings together religious congregations, dioceses, and lay partners to combat human trafficking through prevention programs, victim assistance, advocacy, and public awareness initiatives.
The name Talitha Kum comes from the Gospel of Mark 5:41, where Jesus says, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
The phrase embodies the network’s mission of restoring dignity, hope, and new life to survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.
