About AOS
AOS today
Today, globalisation dominates the lives of People of the Sea. The fierce competition of global commerce leads to exploitation of workers among the world’s poorest communities.
But there is a positive side to world developments. New technology gives us better global communications. New encounters between people of different cultures provide opportunities to learn and grow.
Meeting the challenges of the new globalised world was the theme of the world congress of the Apostleship of the Sea held in Rio de Janeiro in 2002. Globalisation can and must be given a human face. This is the task which the international network of the Apostleship of the Sea gladly accepts as we remember the words of Our Lord
Do not be afraid, I am with you always.
The XXII AOS world congress, 2007
The most recent AOS world congress was held in Gdynia in June 2007. Delegates pledged to remain in solidarity with People of the Sea as witnesses of Hope and to advocate a maritime humanism.
The task of the Apostleship of the Sea is clear: it is to contribute to the best of our ability, to bringing this “globalisation of solidarity” in the maritime world, in spite of the ever increasing and often threatening impact of certain economic globalisation on the life and work of maritime people. The Gospel values will be finally the gauge with which to judge the work of the Apostleship of the Sea.