SMG International Timeline

Our Mission

Human trafficking continues to be one of the most urgent challenges facing Europe and the world today. With more than 136,000 people estimated to be living in modern slavery in the United Kingdom alone, and over 50 million victims globally, the need for coordinated action against human trafficking has never been greater.

The Santa Marta Group acts as a vital platform for bringing together key actors from across Europe to collaborate on the fight against human trafficking. Our mission is to create systemic change through collective action, uniting governments, law enforcement, faith communities, civil society, and businesses to address this pervasive issue. Our European mission works within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8.7, which calls for an end to modern slavery.

By facilitating dialogue and collaboration, the Santa Marta Group Europe aims to ensure that human trafficking is consistently prioritized within national and EU policies. Through our extensive network, we advocate for increased funding for law enforcement, enhanced cross-border cooperation, and greater involvement of businesses in supply chain transparency. .

21/11/2024 - Maynooth 2024: Human Trafficking — Justice and Faith Perspectives

20/09/2024 - Meeting of Cardinal and Imams to visit community social action projects

10/09/2024 - Santa Marta Group Ghana Visit

29/06/2024 - Guidance and Awareness Raising Event in Shoreham-by-Sea

26/06/2024 - Santa Marta Leadership Summit in Cork, Ireland.

23/05/2024 - Taiwan International Conference on Fisher’s Welfare

01/05/2024 - Roundtable Discussion: How is Modern Slavery Hidden in Plain Sight?

25/04/2024 - Marking 10 Years of the Santa Marta Group

21/03/2024 - SMG UN CSW68 Side Event

08/02/2024 - Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita

02/02/24 - The Role of Churches and Faith-Based Organizations in Fighting Trafficking in Human Beings: Catholic Initiatives

31/01/2024 - US National Association of Attorney Generals Meeting in Minneapolis

08/12/2023 - Sir Iain Livingstone joins Santa Marta Group as Trustee

20/11/2023 - Santa Marta Group's presents at the Academy of European Law (ERA)

14/11/2023 - SMG Strategy Director Criticises the Irish Government's Proposed Human Trafficking Legislation

25/10/2023 - E-Learning Course on “Human Trafficking: Countering Demand Within the Context of Labour Trafficking”

23/10/2023 - Conference: “Diplomacy, Faith, and International Cooperation on Human Trafficking: Forging Partnerships in the UK and Beyond”

20/10/2023 - October 20th Diplomatic Conference

11/10/2023 - OSCE Promotes National Referral Mechanism for Ukraine

10/10/2023 - Council of Europe Discusses Maltese Efforts in Combatting Human Trafficking

18/09/2023 - Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards to join Santa Marta Group Board

15/09/2023 - $30bn by 2030: G20 commitment needed to fulfil SDG 8.7

15/06/2023 - Police Scotland and Santa Marta Group host anti-trafficking summit

16/02/2023 - Partnership with US federal law enforcement

08/02/2023 - Celebrating St. Josephine Bakhita’s feast day 2023

07/05/2021 - Santa Marta Group's Letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel with a strong message about the UK Government’s New Plan for Immigration

08/02/2021 - Launch of the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse at St Mary’s University

09/07/2020 - Santa Marta Group backs Crimestoppers Campaign to Combat Modern Slavery

15/06/2020 - Virtual presentation to a Caritas India pandemic webinar that focused on the ‘Impact of Covid-19 on Trafficking in Persons’

04/10/2019 - Second Africa Regional Conference of the Santa Marta Group – Nairobi Kenya

10/09/2019 - INTERPOL Global Conference – Buenos Aires

04/07/2019 - Launch of programme to raise awareness of human trafficking among worldwide community of nurses

10/02/2019 - Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrated mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Luján

08/02/2019 - Santa Marta Group conference for Latin America, held in Buenos Aires

14/11/2018 - First Africa Santa Marta Group Conference

08/02/2018 - The fifth international Santa Marta conference took place at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences from 8 – 9 February 2018