Tag: Justice and Peace Page 5 of 7

JPIC/ED Bulletin and Antislavery Campaign

UNANIMA International is a non-governmental organization (NGO) advocating on behalf of women and children (particularly those living in poverty), immigrants and refugees, and the environment. Our work takes place primarily at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where we and other members of civil society aim to educate and influence policymakers at the global level. In solidarity, we work for systemic change to achieve a more just world.

On the ground, our unique membership consists of 18 congregations of Roman Catholic sisters whose 17,500 constituents work in 79 countries. We bring their voices, concerns, and experiences as educators, health care providers, social workers, and development workers to the United Nations.

UNANIMA in Ghana

1 June 2013. You sponsored a very successful two-day international youth gathering in Tamale, Ghana in late April. Six UNANIMA communities attended (13 sisters) from: the Carmelites of Vedruna, Holy Child Sisters, Religious Sisters of Charity, Sisters of Providence, Religious of Jesus and Mary, and Ursulines, as well as sisters of other communities and lay people who are working against trafficking in the area. There were about 76 people represented, from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, the DR Congo, Cameroon, Gabon and the USA. Some of the sisters travelled three days by bus to get there. … READ MORE

Franciscans International is a non-governmental organisation that voices concerns at the United Nations, with and on behalf of the most vulnerable, about justice, poverty and the planet.

My World is a global survey for citizens led by the United Nations and partners. It aims to capture people’s voices, priorities and views, so that global leaders can be informed as they begin the process of defining the new development agenda for the world.

Through creative online and offline methods, MY World asks individuals which six of sixteen possible issues they think would make the most difference to their lives. The sixteen issues have been built up from the priorities expressed by poor people in existing research and polling exercises and they cover the existing Millennium Development Goals, plus issues of sustainability, security, governance and transparency.

Talitha Kum successfully conducted a Counter Trafficking Training Course for Religious Women of East Africa on April 6 – 12, 2011 at the Center of Spirituality of the Little Sisters of St. Joseph in Karen Nairobi, Kenya. 35 Sisters from 30 religious congregations attended the Training Course. They come from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan and Zambia. (cfr. Attached list of participants) The Course was ably facilitated by the UISG-IOM team, this time consisting of Sr. Estrella Castalone, FMA and Dr. Stefano Volpicelli of IOM. Sr. Agnes Wamuyu, Executive Secretary of AOSK (Association of Sisterhood of Kenya) coordinated the Course while Sr. Jane Joan Kimathi acted as the local facilitator. The presence of the Papal Nuncio, who presided at the Opening Eucharist assured the participants of the Church’s blessings. READ MORE

Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale CATHII

CATHII promeut un monde sans prostitution en s’opposant à la marchandisation du sexe et en luttant contre la législation de la prostitution qui fait augmenter la traite. CATHII dénonce toute forme d’exploitation humaine telle que le travail forcé et l’exploitation sexuelle. En plus de réclamation pour les victimes et travail de conscientisation, CATHII coordonne des actions collectives pour les Congrégations religieuses et leurs alliés et développe des alliances avec des organisations qui ont la même visée.

CATHII INFO – JOURNAL

– Coalition québécoise contre la traite des personnes – Francophonie contre la violence envers les femmes – Tourisme sexuel – Campagne pour l’abolition de la prostitution

Pour nous joindre : info@cathii.org et www.cathii.org

Blog: http://nouvellescathii.blogspot.ca/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CATHII.info

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cathii_info

Attack on a peaceful gathering of several civil society organisations in a church – Lusaka

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On June 3, 2013

In News, Publications, Zambia Sector

The Oasis Forum and its constituent members are appalled and shocked by the behaviour of Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who attacked a peaceful gathering of several civil society organisations, yesterday, 31 May 2013, inside the Church of the Bible Gospel Outreach Church in Africa (BIGOCA) situated in Matero Township, Lusaka. The consortium of civil society, exercising their rights, was gathered to pray and peacefully protest Government’s removal of subsidies on Maize meal, agriculture and fuel. READ MORE

Communication from the Bishop’s Conference of Southern Africa regarding the highly controversial E-Tolling system

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 24, 2013

In News, South Africa Sector

Dear Friends,

Please see below the communication from the Bishop’s Conference of Southern Africa regarding the highly controversial E-Tolling system.

This coming Saturday (25^th May 2013), Fr. Mike Deeb (SACBC J&P Coordinator) and myself have called a meeting of all J&P groups and interested people, at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto, at 10:30am, to look at how we as a Church can deal with this issue, and plan our campaign.

The press release itself can be used in your communities, prayer groups and Justice and Peace groups as a discussion paper which we hope will encourage you to further action.

Please be informed on this issue and contact the SACBC J&P Department should you like to know more on the Catholic Bishop’s stance. Lots of information can be found online too.

With every good wish and God bless.

Raymond A. McQuarrie, M.Afr.

Vicar for Justice & Peace

Archdiocese of Johannesburg

Gauteng, South Africa

Justice and Peace Press Release on E-tolling

SACBC Justice and Peace Statement on E-Tolling and Gov Accountability

Caritas Zambia Press Statement on MPs Resignations

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 8, 2013

In News, Publications, Zambia Sector

Dear all,

Kindly receive a timely Press Statement issued by Caritas Zambia on the continued, wasteful and unwarranted by-elections being caused by MPs who are behaving like political prostitutes.

Fraternally Yours in Christ,

Fr. Cleophas

… As we have already done on many occasions, we appeal to government to stop encouraging MP resignations through promises of jobs and other privileges. Where is the lean government the people of Zambia were promised if ministerial jobs are open for purchasing political patronage? It is shameful to see very high ranking government officials dancing and jubilating at MP resignation forums with full knowledge of the harm by-elections are causing on the weakest of our society. This is immoral and an act of inconsistency for a government that has proclaimed an option for the poor as a cornerstone of its governance values. The Zambian society must treat this behaviour with scorn and strong condemnation. READ MORE

EUR-ECHO – Pâques 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 7, 2013

In News, Publications

Chers confrères,

Le Pape François, dans son homélie du 19 mars, parle d’un service qu’il se sent appelé à rendre en tant qu’évêque de Rome et auquel, dit-il, nous sommes tous appelés : faire resplendir l’étoile de l’espérance. Nous avons besoin, dit-il, de voir la lumière de l’espérance et de donner nous-mêmes espérance. Il indique comment nous pouvons nous y prendre en parlant d’être gardiens de la création, en posant sur tout homme et toute femme un regard de bonté et de tendresse. Oui, dit le Pape, n’ayons pas peur de la tendresse. La tendresse n’est pas la vertu du faible mais dénote une force d’âme et de capacité d’attention, de compassion, de vraie ouverture à l’autre, d’amour. SUITE

JCTR calls for a holistic approach in tackling Mealie-meal prices.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 7, 2013

In News, Publications

Press Release, 5^th April 2013

The affordability and accessibility of mealie-meal has been a topical issue for sometime. This is not surprising given that mealie-meal is a staple food for the majority Zambians. It is therefore not surprising that the commodity of such strategic importance continues to attract attention from various stakeholders. READ MORE

Bulletin JIPC-ED No 9 April 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On April 26, 2013

In News, Publications

Together with the whole Church we warmly welcome the new Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. Since the day of his election, he has repeatedly asked his audiences to pray for him. Let us also in our daily prayers commend him to God to bless him in his new challenging ministry. … Continue reading

Interview with Sarah Augustine

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On March 29, 2013

In News, Publications

This new interview with Sarah Augustine opens our eyes to the current and historical harms fueled by the “Doctrine of Discovery”. We are invited to break the chains of all the oppressed, in this case the Indigenous Peoples. Sarah unveils with profound honesty how the Church, perhaps inadvertently, paved the way for the creation of unjust social structures still very much active in today’s world.

Just one month ago, African theologian Laurenti Magesa gave a prophetic conference at Tangaza College (Nairobi) on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Charles Lavigerie’s anti-Slavery Campaign. In his speech Magesa said that “except for rare cases such as Cardinal Lavigerie, much of Christian evangelization within Africa itself was reluctant to pronounce and declare unequivocally that the Slave Trade and slavery were “intrinsically evil.” Magesa documents the words of Pope John Paul II recognizing and acknowledging this historical oversight in the history of the Church. In John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter of 1994, Tertio Millenio Adveniente (TMA), he openly apologized for what he describes as the “sinfulness” of the Church’s children on this matter. The Pope further noted that “acknowledging the weaknesses of the past is an act of honesty and courage which helps us to strengthen our faith, which alerts us to face today’s temptations and challenges and prepares us to meet them” (TMA 33). It is in this spirit that this interview takes place. We are invited to strengthen our faith as we openly name the “force without a face” behind the “Doctrine of Discovery.”

Sarah invites us to choose life. She says: “To choose Life is to decide with one’s whole being to work on the side of Life, promoting human dignity over financial gain, standing in the way of a juggernaut of endless growth at any cost that Western society defines as mundane, conventional, necessary. To choose life is to stand on the side of the oppressed day after day, even if it means becoming oppressed, because this is what will enable us to retain our humanity, or perhaps experience it for the first time, since all of us are dehumanized by the machines of death.” READ MORE

Balaka Drama Group – Antislavery

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On March 23, 2013

In Malawi Sector, News

Lechaptois (Balaka) Drama Group – 125 Anniversary of Cardinal Lavigerie’s Antislavery Campaign

As part of the Malawi Sector’s commemoration of the Cardinal’s Antislavery Campaign the M.Afr students in the SAP First Cycle will come to Lilongwe on Monday on 25^th March to perform two short plays and a poem at two venues: St Francis Parish and Crossroads Hotel.

Luntha TV will be there to film the plays and discussion on Tuesday. They will air it and we hope to have a DVD that can be circulated.

Everyone is welcome both at St Francis and Crossroads.

The events will take place as follows:

Date: Monday 25^th March 2013

Time: 3-5.30 p.m.

Venue: New Hall, St Francis, Kanengo, Lilongwe (A25).

Programme: 1. Play 1 – “Cheap Labour”- slavery in the past. 2. Poem – Africa, where are you? 3. Play 2 – “The Changed Identity of Slavery” – slavery / human trafficking in the present. 4. Discussion.

Date: Tuesday 26^th March 2013
Time: 6-8.30 p.m.
Venu: The Auditorium, Crossroads Hotel, Lilongwe (A3)
Programme: 1. Welcome – by MC Wisdom Chimgwede. 2. Opening Prayer. 3. Introduction – Bill Turnbull. 4. Play 1 – “Cheap Labour”- slavery in the past. 5. Poem – Africa, where are you? 6. Play 2 – “The Changed Identity of Slavery” – slavery / human trafficking in the present. 7. Link – just a few words. 8. Panel and open discussion. 9. Closing remarks. 10. Closing prayer. 11. Drinks and snacks.

Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging, and Corruption in Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On March 21, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News, Publications

Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging, and Corruption in Mozambique

February 2013

A report on the illegal flow of timber from Mozambique to China featuring detailed case studies revealing smuggling techniques, specific examples of corruption and the collusion of senior Mozambique politicians with Chinese timber exporters.

This document was produced with the financial assistance of the Department for International Development (DFID) Forest Governance Markets and Climate programme.

The contents are the sole responsibility of Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of DFID.

Conclusion of the report:

Mozambique is a signatory to the Yaounde Ministerial Declaration on African Forest Law Enforcement and Governance, committing itself to 42 indicative actions against illegal logging and associated trade, corruption, and to promote improved forest governance. Given the problems outlined in this briefing, it is clear these commitments have not been met.

The discrepancy in official export/import data in volumes of timber traded between Mozambique to China demonstrates the scale of illegal exports and how they drive illegal logging in the country.

The tax revenue lost to this trade harms Mozambique’s capacity to fund improved forest management and law enforcement, as well as community poverty alleviation schemes.

Government efforts to control the illegal timber trade, by increasing the number of seizures, legislating for greater fines and by increasing the VAT tax on the export of logs, have been undermined by the persistence of the illegal operators protected by political patronage.

These problems should by now have raised concerns from the relevant Mozambican authorities and their Chinese counterparts, leading to an investigation regarding any illegalities involved. The fact that these problems continue to blight the proper management of the forest sector is a travesty forMozambique’s forests and for those poor communities who rely on them for their survival.

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