Batam, Indonesia – August 11–15, 2025 – The Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) is participating in the Stella Maris – SIMN Regional Meeting in Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia, bringing together regional representatives, church leaders, government officials, mental health professionals, and international partners to address the urgent needs of seafarers and fishers.
Hosted by Stella Maris Batam, this important gathering serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning to enhance pastoral care, advocacy, and support mechanisms for maritime communities. Key stakeholders from the Catholic Church, the Indonesian Government, and global organizations will work together to address challenges impacting maritime workers, particularly in the areas of mental health, workers’ rights, and community well-being.
The objectives of the meeting include:
- Exploring the Catholic Church’s role in addressing maritime issues and fostering collaboration with Stella Maris
- Understanding the Indonesian Government’s initiatives to protect seafarers and fishers
- Sharing updates and best practices from Stella Maris operations across the region
- Gaining insights into the lives and needs of Indonesian seafarers
- Addressing mental health concerns among maritime workers
- Strategically planning SIMN’s regional initiatives
- Engaging with external partners such as Humanity United
Expected outcomes from the week-long meeting include strengthened partnerships between Stella Maris and Indonesian institutions, clearly defined strategic priorities for SIMN’s regional programs, greater awareness of mental health needs in maritime ministry, and actionable insights from international stakeholder engagement.
Participants in the meeting include SIMN Regional Representatives, Stella Maris staff, Indonesian Church leaders, government officials, mental health professionals, and representatives from SPPI, ECMI, and Humanity United.