On October 31th, 2023, the inaugural SATAs was held in London. The SATAs is the annual celebration of three sisters, as representatives of their congregations and networks, who have demonstrated exceptional courage, creativity, collaboration and achievement in the protection of their communities from human trafficking.

Every day, tens of thousands of sisters worldwide are dedicating their lives to protecting their communities from exploitation. Embedded in the communities they serve, and providing a profound quality of care, sisters provide sustainable and meaningful support to those suffering. They are well-placed to identify and address the systemic causes that put people from their communities at risk. Arise is proud to support hundreds of sisters each year, in their anti-trafficking work.

The SATAs is an opportunity to make the phenomenal work of Catholic sisters on the frontlines against trafficking known; to share knowledge and foster anti-trafficking efforts between congregations; and to broaden and deepen the protection of communities vulnerable to trafficking worldwide.

The three awards are:

• The Common Good Award – Despite adverse conditions and sometimes scarce resources, sisters’ resourcefulness and dedication are leading to effective and sustainable work against trafficking across the world. This award winner will have demonstrated creativity and courage in their anti-trafficking interventions.
• The Servant Leadership Award – Embedded in their communities, sisters are often uniquely placed to lead through service and develop long-term anti-trafficking systems and networks. This award winner will have contributed to the growth of such networks, and have facilitated collaboration across cultures and religions.
• The Human Dignity Award – The effectiveness of sisters’ anti-trafficking work is often due to their familiarity with local customs and vulnerabilities, and the trust they have from local communities. This award winner will have a proven record of effective anti-slavery work over a period of fifteen or more years.

This year, the event honoured three sisters, Sr Seli Thomas SMI from India, Sr Patricia Ebegbulem SSL from Nigeria and Sr Francoise Jiranonda SPC from Thailand, who have demonstrated courage, creativity, collaboration and achievement in the protection of their communities from human trafficking. Each laureate was awarded £20,000 to dedicate to a project of their choosing. Sr Ebegbulem, thanked the Sovereign Order of Malta, represented by Ambassador Michel Veuthey, for the important work being done on human trafficking. Notably, many participants from all over the world expressed their acknowledgement of the value of the webinars on human trafficking to Ambassador Veuthey and encourage their continuation.

Last but not least, the event hosted high level representatives from the UK and all over the world, such as  the former UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, who gave a powerful keynote address; Dame Sara Thornton; Kevin Hyland; Sister Emma Bonetti; Father Mark Odion and the representatives of Talita Kum, Renate.