Freedom week is an ecumenical event of churches to highlight the issues of modern slavery. It is an International movement of churches to take along the voice of God to address the issue of justice for the poor according to the Nazareth manifesto of Jesus. When God’s people respond to the biblical call to justice, it does transform communities and the lives of people.
Freedom week 2021 was commemorated from September 19-26. The event was also intended to connect Christian communities to God’s heart for justice, cast a vision that a just world is really possible.
On 20th September, ICD- NEI organised an online event under the leadership of Dr Roger Gaikwad. Speakers from different Churches, prayers, video clippings on freedom themes and a resolve to end human trafficking in the North East region were the highlights of the programme. Eminent speakers who spoke during the programme were Rev. Boipu Serto from CBCNEI, Dr Rini Ralte from Mizoram and Rev K Lalnusanga, the regional director of Baptist Church of Mizoram, Guwahati.
On September 24th UCFNEI in collaboration with NES and HCF organised an online event highlighting the theme of the week moderated by A K Goldsmith. Prominent leaders who spoke on the occasion included Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil the president of UCFNEI, Amos Tshering, technical specialist of Anti Human Trafficking, World Vision India, Moumita Khati, co founder and programme director light house, Disha, from Anti Human trafficking initiative of Siliguri Community transformation and welfare society, Rev. Bijoy A Sangma from Haggai Institute, Dr Angela Engty from NEHU Campus Tura and Dr B J Symlieh from Meghalaya.
On 26th September, the Assam Christian Forum organised a joint fellowship with Arunachal Christian Fellowship Guwahati. The programme was held under the leadership of Debia Torum the chaplain of Arunachal Christian Fellowship Guwahati and Rev T P Mordecai from EFI. The speakers who spoke on the event were Rev K Lalnusanga, the regional director of Baptist Church of Mizoram, Guwahati and A K Goldsmith.
Different forms of human trafficking and the facts paints a picture of reality of slavery: bonded labour, child marriage, sex trafficking, child labour, domestic servitude, child Begging, child soldier and organ trafficking are not just social issues but issues of humanity that needs to be addressed.
