Papal appointment

By Marivi Prado - St. Thomas University

MIAMI GARDENS | St. Thomas University has been recognized once again at a global level for its leadership in intercultural human rights, as Professor Roza Pati has been appointed a member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace by Pope Benedict XVI.

The council, a Vatican body dedicated to the promotion of social justice, has as its main goal advocating peace and justice around the world consistent with the Gospel and the Church�s social teaching.

In her new role as a member of the Pontifical Council, Pati will help identify �the signs of the times,� and contribute to developing solutions that uphold the dignity of all human beings. She will continue to foster global dialogues to promote justice, which, as Pope Paul VI said, is indispensable to the attainment of true world peace.

�This is a significant appointment and a recognition of the global impact Professor Pati has had through her writings and her speeches around the world on human rights issues such as human trafficking, a recognition of her status as a leader in global human rights,� said Douglas Ray, dean of St. Thomas� School of Law.  

Pati, who was born in Albania, was a member of parliament there and served in the cabinet as Secretary of State for youth and women. A public servant and a scholar, Pati teaches at St. Thomas University Law School and serves as executive director of the Graduate Program in Intercultural Human Rights, as well as director of the Human Trafficking Academy.

�I am extremely proud of Professor Pati,� said Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale, St. Thomas University�s president. �She has demonstrated to be a leader in so many areas of social justice.�

Among many contributions, Pati facilitated The Miami Declaration of Principles on Human Trafficking, a consensus formulation of policies drawn up by global experts at St. Thomas University in February 2005, and designed to combat human trafficking from a victim-oriented perspective.

�Our Graduate Program in Intercultural Human Rights has become a major center of research in the advancement of legal thought,� said Msgr. Casale. �We will continue to address the global affront against human dignity that human trafficking and other forms of injustice represent.�

Pati also was instrumental in organizing a global forum on human trafficking, co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and held in Rome in May 2011: �Building Bridges of Freedom: Public-Private Partnerships to End Modern Day Slavery.� Msgr. Casale delivered the closing address at the gathering, which brought together a broad spectrum of participants in the fight to eradicate human trafficking worldwide.