São Paulo, November 22, 2023. – Between November 19th and 22nd, 2023, São Paulo hosted the Stella Maris Scalabrinian Network (SMSN) Encounter, gathering esteemed dignitaries from across the globe to present insights into the maritime sector and prospects for the forthcoming decade.
The primary objective of this international gathering was to deliberate on profoundly pertinent issues crucial to societal development and the formulation of public policies. Additionally, the aim was to propose tangible solutions to urgent and intricate concerns such as contemporary slavery, human trafficking, and the rights of fishers and maritime workers.
Moreover, the meeting served as a forum to explore the realm of international collaboration in supporting seafarers and migrant populations. Topics encompassed discussions on international cooperation, institutional support, and civil society’s role in resolving challenges and backing aquaculture initiatives.
Joining representatives from Stella Maris in 13 countries were esteemed participants including Fr. Leonir Chiarello, CS, the Superior General of the Congregation; Fábio Baggio, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development; and Father Bruno Ciceri, an expert on maritime slavery responsible for developing a new SMSN project in the Persian Gulf.
The event also welcomed distinguished figures such as Audun Lem, Deputy Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division at FAO, the UN body dedicated to food and agriculture; Chris Williams, a fisheries specialist from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF); Carlos Müller, President of the National Confederation of Waterway, Air Transport, Fisheries, and Port Workers (CONTTMAF) and ITF Regional Committee member for Latin America and the Caribbean; as well as Kevin Hyland, representing the Santa Marta Group, a global civil society alliance combating human trafficking and modern slavery, among others.
Press Release November 22: https://simn-global.org/stella-maris-network-encounter-aims-to-bring-perspectives-of-the-maritime-sector-for-the-next-decade/
