Participating for the first time in the Asian Human Mobility Network Workshop in Thailand was a meaningful and enriching experience for me. It was not only an opportunity to deepen my understanding of human mobility in the Asian context but also a valuable occasion to meet, listen to, and learn from people who are actively involved in this mission in different countries across the region.
Through the sharing and discussions, I came to realize that migration is becoming increasingly complex and presents many challenges, especially for migrants who are in vulnerable situations. Accompanying and protecting them, therefore, cannot be the responsibility of one country or one organization alone. It requires connection, mutual learning, sharing of experiences, and collaboration among networks throughout the region.
One particularly valuable learning experience for me was gaining a better understanding of COATNET, a network of Caritas and Christian organizations working together to promote safe migration and prevent human trafficking. The sharing by the representative of Caritas Internationalis and COATNET helped me see more clearly the importance of collaboration across countries, particularly in sharing information, raising awareness, and protecting people who are at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking.
I was also deeply impressed by the openness, solidarity, and collaborative spirit of the participants. The different stories and experiences shared during the workshop helped me understand that a network is not simply a place for meetings and exchanges; it is also a space where we learn from one another, support one another, and transform our common concerns into concrete actions.
[…Accompanying and protecting them, therefore, cannot be the responsibility of one country or one organization alone. It requires connection, mutual learning, sharing of experiences, and collaboration among networks throughout the region…]
What I bring home from the workshop is not only new knowledge but also a broader perspective on my own mission. I feel encouraged to return to my local work with a more proactive spirit of networking and collaboration and to share what I have learned about safe migration and the prevention of human trafficking, especially with people and communities who are particularly vulnerable.
I am sincerely grateful to Caritas Asia, the organizers, all the participants, and everyone who generously shared their experiences throughout the workshop. I hope that the relationships built and the lessons learned during this gathering will continue to serve as bridges for greater collaboration among Caritas organizations across Asia, COATNET, and all those committed to accompanying and protecting migrants.
I return from Thailand with much to learn, much to reflect on, and a renewed conviction that, by connecting and working together, we can contribute to creating safer migration pathways and better protecting the dignity of every person.
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Caritas Asia organized an Asia Human Mobility Network workshop on 21-23 September 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together the directors, practitioners, and human mobility focal points of Caritas Member Organizations in Asia, Caritas Internationalis, Caritas MONA, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) and JRS Asia Pacific. This article is a personal reflection shared by Sr. Maria Tran Thi Bich Tram, FMA, who is currently working as a Safe Migration and Anti-Human Trafficking Officer of Caritas Vietnam.
A New Experience in Accompanying Migrants: A Reflection
