Melanne Verveer Working with Sisters of Saint Basil to Combat Human Trafficking

            The Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great, Fox Chase Manor, PA welcomed Melanne Verveer, former First Lady Hilary Clinton’s Chief of Staff, an international expert on human trafficking, to their Community Days.  Melanne discussed how the current war on trafficking is being waged, what the status is and how the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great, as an organization, from their monastery in Fox Chase Manor, PA, can make an impact across the world.  Verveer, co-founder of Vital Voices Global Partnership - an international nonprofit focusing on emerging women leaders, work with Hilary Clinton and her global initiatives on women’s rights and helped to coordinate the U.S.’s response to the growing global problem of human trafficking, still serves on the Council of Women Leaders of UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes).

            Verveer’s presence was in response to the Sisters answering a new call, from their 2007 General Chapter in Rome, to combat human trafficking, especially of women.  Reaching out to various resource persons to learn as much as they can about this crucial problem, the Sisters were able to clearly define their plan of action.  The five major focal points of action decided upon are;

• To look at and align the community’s strengths with the current needs
• To be a catalyst of influence in the passing of a Trafficking Victims Protection Act in Pennsylvania
• To network with government agencies, non-government agencies, other religious communities, and the US FORUM
• To promote awareness of this issue using all available resources
• To be cognizant of the origin of products purchased to ensure we do not support companies using persons being exploited through trafficking
   

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