In breaking news the Global Freedom Network was officially launched at the Vatican, March 17th, and brings together the Catholic, Anglican and Sunni Islamic faiths in a united effort to end modern slavery by pressuring governments, businesses, educational and faith institutions to rid their supply chains of slave labor. The initiative is the brainchild of billionaire Australian mining magnate, Andrew Forrest and other members of the leadership council include Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and senior Islamic authority, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar.
Years of continous efforts to help end human trafficking, forced prostitution and child labor has now culminated into a global interfaith initiative. At the Vatican signing, Forrest said the initiative would bring together "millions of churches and mosques to gather in one great army to fight the war against slavery."
The Columban Mission Institute’s Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations welcomes the good news and looks forward to following the work of the Global Freedom Network as members of the leadership council address the issue and crisis of modern day slavery. Staff at the Columban Mission Institute are committed members of the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) – the peak body for 190 religious orders in Australia, representing 8000 religious sisters, brothers and priests working towards the elimination of human trafficking in Australia, Asia, the Pacific and internationally.
The Global Freedom Network is a hopeful step forward toward a more just and peaceful world and, as developments receive global media coverage, many will become exposed to the importance of interfaith dialogue and collaboration in addressing major global issues and crisis.
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