By Sr.Chatarina Supatmiyati, RGS, Coordinator of Talitha Kum Indonesia (Province of Indonesia)
Talitha Kum Indonesia hosted the Talitha Kum Asia Conference in Jakarta from August 26 to 30, 2025, with the theme ‘Compassion in Action: End Human Trafficking’. The conference was attended by 63 participants, representing Talitha Kum International, Asia, and Youth Ambassadors from 16 countries.
The objectives of the conference were to strengthen the Talitha Kum network in Asia and collaborate with interfaith movements, as well as other organizations in anti-human trafficking. We also reviewed Talitha Kum’s Priorities 2025-2030 and the implementation of the Jubilee Year of “Pilgrims of Hope” in the priorities.
Developing and implementing regional network coordination has also become a priority, particularly within the communication team, as well as increasing the commitment of the younger generation to the mission and vision of Talitha Kum to build awareness about human trafficking. The conference provided an opportunity to learn, adapt the network into a collaborative sisterhood, reflect on the past, and determine the next steps for Talitha Kum Asia.
I attended the event together with six other Good Shepherd sisters, representing Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Nepal, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The presence of the Good Shepherd sisters in the Talitha Kum network plays a vital role as network coordinators in various countries in Asia. Together we raise our voice to stand with the victims of human trafficking, learning, working across borders, building a network, and strengthening collaboration as women religious.
We took the opportunity after the conference to spend two days at the Good Shepherd Convent in Jakarta, Indonesia, for reflection, dialogue, and conversation facilitated by Sr. Laurina from Malaysia. We gathered to share our learning experiences and ignite the spirit of shared mission. We are building friendships as a good shepherd family, and we are committed to continuing our learning together for the sake of the mission of promoting human dignity, which holds, as our Mother Foundress taught us, that “one person is of more value than the whole world”.
Personally, I found the two-day conversation with the Good Shepherd sisters involved in the Talitha Kum network to be very meaningful, as we shared our joys and challenges and discussed our hopes for the future. We are learning, appreciating, and listening to one another, fostering a sense of oneness and belonging in the same mission.
I offer gratitude, especially to the leadership team in my province, for supporting my work as part of the Talitha Kum network, where part of my mission formation is to address the issue of human trafficking and implement our Congregational position on the trafficking of women and girls.
This work is never about us as individuals, but rather about working together to raise the voice of the voiceless!
