Leadership Teams Seminar and Reception

 

On Tuesday, November 15, 2011 and Tuesday, January 24, 2012, the Partnership will host One Day Executive Seminars especially for Leadership Team Members which will be held in New York City near the United Nations. Attending the event will allow you direct access to the UN/NGO organizations that share your concerns and interests as well as inform you of current global issues. The agenda for the reception consists of:

-An overview of the UN System

-Presentation and  discussion on the Millennium Development Goals

- Dialogue with an Ambassador to the UN,

-Presentations concerning related topics such as Human Rights, Trafficking, UN Millennium Development Goals

-Luncheon

 For more information contact the Partnership Office at: partnershipforglobaljustice@gmail.com

 

 

Global Economics Webcast :  DVDs Available

 

DVDs of the recent Global Economics Webcast are now available through the Partnership office.  Part One :  Presenters : Dr. Marci Rossell and Ana Martinez de Luco, CCV, presentation and powerpoint on:

-A Brief History of Modern Economics

-Basic Principles and Definitions of Economics

-Domestic and International Economics including

  Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF/World Bank)

   and World Trade Organization

-International and Domestic Investments

-Homelessness and the Marginalized

 

Part Two :  Presenter :  Amata Miller, IHM, presentation and powerpoint on :

  -Economic systems today – a brief review
-Principles of economic justice
-Economic globalization and its differential effects
-Evidences of economic alternatives underway
-Action roles for social transformation

   -Economic Issues in Light of Social Justice Ethics

 

Cost : $25 for single set of Part One or Part Two plus $7.00 for shipping and handling

          $45for the double set including Part One and Part Two plus $7.00 for shipping and handling

 

Contact the Partnership office for orders:  partnershipforglobaljustice@gmail.com

 

 

 

Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dies at 71

 

Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist who began a movement to reforest her country by paying poor women a few shillings to plant trees and who went on to become the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, died here on Sunday. She was 71.

Dr. Maathai, one of the most widely respected women on the continent, wore many hats — environmentalist, feminist, politician, professor, rabble-rouser, human rights advocate and head of the Green Belt Movement, which she founded in 1977. Its mission was to plant trees across Kenya to fight erosion and to create firewood for fuel and jobs for women.

The Partnership for Global Justice Award Wangari in 2006 Justice Award for the founding of the Greenbelt Movement.

 

UNICEF:The Original Kids Helping Kids® campaign

For more than 60 years, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has served as the Original Kids Helping Kids campaign. In 1950, children across America were inspired to collect coins for UNICEF to aid children abroad enduring the after-effects of World War II. It was not just a charity effort—it was a call to end the needless suffering of their more vulnerable peers around the globe. Since then, for generations of Americans, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has been a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of the world’s children.

Today, that mission is as urgent as ever, and the campaign is just as vibrant. Established as one of the longest-running youth initiatives in America, with more than $164 million raised to-date, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF remains an inspiration to the young (and the young at heart) to further the cause of children everywhere. Hundreds of millions of kids and adults (including past presidents!), spanning three generations of Americans, have been part of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.  For more information go to: http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/.

Seven Billionth World Citizen Soon to be Born

In just a few weeks, a baby who will be the 7 billionth inhabitant of planet Earth will be born. In view of this milestone, DESA News interviewed Hania Zlotnik, who heads UN DESA’s Population Division, the unit in charge of preparing the official UN population projections that provide the basis for estimating the day when the world population will cross the 7 billion mark.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is commemorating this event by leading the “7 Billion Actions” campaign which will culminate on “7 Billion Day” on 31 October. The campaign spotlights both the challenges and opportunities that the large current population of the world entails. The latter revolve around the 1.7 billion young people aged 15 to 29, whose energy and fresh ideas will contribute to shape the world’s future and the increasingly well trained population of women and girls whose opportunities for learning, working and having a say in their countries’ future are on the rise. For more information go to: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/newsletter/2011/october/feature.shtml#fea1

More Bits:

 Global Reconciliation Decade – 2011-2020

Peaceful societies require stable societies and responsive as well as responsible citizens.

http://www.lightmillennium.org/2011_26th/ser_reconcilation_projects.html

 

“There is no dialogue without civil society”. Neither progress!

- H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations met representatives of NGOs.

http://www.lightmillennium.org/2011_26th/aturlon_66th_ga_president_al_nasser.html

 

Upcoming Programs and Meetings:

October 19, 26, November 2, 3          Orientation:  Manhattan College

October 27, November 10, 17                        Orientation:  Felician College

October 28-29                                     Partnership Board of Directors Meeting, Nazareth, KY

November 15                                      Leadership Seminar and Reception

January 16-18                                      Orientation:  Felician College

January 24                                           Leadership Seminar and Reception

Upcoming UN Meetings in 2012:

February 8-17                                      Commission on Social Development

Feb.27-March 9                                   Commission on the Status of Women

May 7-18                                             Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

June 2-6                                               Rio+20

Women, War and Peace on PBS starting October 11^th go to:  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/

Women, War & Peace (executive director Abigail Disney) is a bold new five-part PBS television series starting Oct. 11, that challenges the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain. Featuring narrators Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Geena Davis and Alfre Woodard, Women, War & Peace is the most comprehensive global media initiative ever mounted on the roles of women in war and peace. With depth and complexity, the series spotlights the stories of women in conflict zones from Bosnia to Afghanistan and Colombia to Liberia (Pray the Devil Back to Hell), placing women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security, and reframing our understanding of modern warfare.  We urge you to watch it, encourage others to watch it, and be part of this important dialogue. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/

This month we join with the NGO/UN Committee on Social Development and invite you to sign on to the Social Protection Floor Campaign:

NGO/UN Committee on Social Development

Social Protection Floor Campaign

SIGN-ON LETTER IN SUPPORT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOOR FOR ALL

We, as members of civil society, strongly support the Social Protection Floor Initiative – a joint UN effort coordinated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by numerous UN agencies, international NGOs, development banks and other development partners.

About 75 percent of people in the world are still not covered by adequate social security. This lack of protection is a social liability that undermines social cohesion and economic performance and creates political and institutional instability. In a world of growing inequality this floor is a necessary tool for eradicating poverty. It helps governments to build more inclusive national development plans which put people at the center. 

The concept of a social protection floor is very clear. No one should live below a certain income level and everyone should be able to access at least basic health services, primary education, housing, water, sanitation and other essential services. The two necessary elements are social transfers, whether in cash or kind, to guarantee income security, food security and adequate nutrition and universal access to essential services.  

The Social Protection Floor (SPF) is a policy which must be tailored to the needs of each country and builds on that country’s existing social protection mechanisms. It aims to make it possible for every citizen to enjoy the human rights expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (par 22) “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security”. So it is universal!

When people stand on a solid floor, they are able to live with dignity and invest in their skills and development to move to higher levels of wellbeing.

Experience shows that a Social Protection Floor can be afforded by all countries if integrated incrementally. A number of low and middle-income countries have already successfully taken measures to build their national Social Protection Floor or have introduced some elements of it. The results show us that the impact of the SPF on poverty, vulnerability and inequality can be dramatic[i]. It is affordable!

Building a policy for a Social Protection Floor into the national plan for development is the responsibility of governments. However, it will become a reality only with the active engagement of civil society at all levels – local, national, regional and international. So we call on all – civil society, development partners, UN agencies and individual citizens – to take an active part in promoting this strategy to eradicate poverty and ensure the human rights of all citizens.    

 

---

[i] Among many examples of SPF success stories are: the extension of health services coverage in Rwanda, Ghana and Thailand; the introduction of cash benefits such as social pensions and child benefits in Namibia, Bolivia and South Africa; the introduction of public works programmes to guarantee benefits for the unemployed and underemployed in India; comprehensive sets of social protection benefits introduced in Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Argentina.   

To sign the petition go to: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/signature-campaign-social-protection-floor.html

COVER NOTE FOR SIGN-ON LETTER CAMPAIGN ON SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOOR

In the accompanying letter you will find our description of what a Social Protection Floor means.

Knowing that more than 1.4 billion people still struggle to live on less than $1.25 a day (World Bank), it is obvious that much more must be done to eradicate the scourge of extreme poverty.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinate the Social Protection Floor Initiative (SPF-I) as a joint UN effort to build a global coalition committed to supporting countries in building national social protection floors for their citizens.

A Social Protection Floor (SPF) is the first level of a comprehensive national social protection system that helps to realize human rights for all through guaranteeing: 

• Universal access to essential services (such as health, education, housing, water and sanitation and other services as nationally defined);
• Social Transfers in cash or kind to guarantee income security, food security, adequate nutrition and access to essential services.

Countries will develop nationally defined strategies for the progressive realization and sustainability of their floor as well as higher levels of social protection in line with their needs, preferences and financial capacities.

Building on existing social protection mechanisms these strategies may include a mix of contributory and non-contributory, targeted and universal, public and private instruments depending on the social economic and political context.

In summary, the SPF is:

• Universal- It includes everyone.
• Rights- based – (enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
• Nationally owned and designed.
• The first step in an ongoing process – not a ceiling of benefits.
• Affordable by all countries. 

How can you be involved?

• By forming a network to get as many signatures as possible to promote the initiative with your own government.  You can sign as an individual or as an organization.

This signature campaign can be used as a tool for lobbying at national and global levels.

The most important purpose of the campaign is to convince national government that the Social Protection Floor is needed and wanted by its citizens and  must be included in national development policies. 

We see this initiative as a wonderful opportunity to work together to roll back poverty, to put social protection at the heart of the international development agenda and to strengthen the chance for every person to live with dignity.

For further information see http://www.socialfloor.org

Global Economics Workshop

Webcast: October 8, 2011  9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

 

This program will address the current economic crisis through the lens of Christian ethics and principles.

 

These principles will then be applied to issues that are being discussed as part of the economic agenda including trade, debt, multinational corporations, development and subsidies.

 

There will be an emphasis on bridging the gap between those who live in plenty and those who live in poverty.

 

As we come to understand our commitment to justice, we realize that there is an economic component tied to each issue.  Therefore we need to understand economic principles as we live out our Christian vocation in the modern world and as we enter into dialogue with corporations and government leaders as well as with those who are unemployed and homeless.

 

October 8

 

Speaker:  Amata Miller, IHM, PhD,An economist specializing in economics of development, economic history and problems of the economically disadvantaged.  Amata Miller is currently Professor of Economics at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN and also teaches the economics courses in the M.A. in Social Justice program at Marygrove College, Detroit, MI.

Facilitator:  Ruthmary Powers, HM, PhD is currently the chair of the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Global Justice.  She has served as President of her congregation, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and in various education ministries including superintendent of schools, principal and teacher.

 

 

Overview of topics:

    -Economic systems today – a brief review
-Principles of economic justice
-Economic globalization and its differential effects
-Evidences of economic alternatives underway
-Action roles for social transformation

    -Economic Issues in Light of Social Justice Ethics

_________________________

 

Registration information for the webcast:

 

The webcast is limited to 35 streams, so please register early.

 

Cost to connect to the webcast is $20 per session/$40 total.  Go to:

 

https://app.etapestry.com/cart/DominicanSistersofPeace/default/category.php?ref=3751.0.187092009

 

Cost is $20 per person for attending webcast.

 

 

If you have any difficulty in registration, contact:  Martin de Porres Center, Dominican Sisters of Peace at 614-416-1910, or email: dfontana@oppeace.org.

 

This program is sponsored by the Partnership for Global Justice through a grant from the Hilton Fund for Sisters.  The program is hosted by the Martin de Porres Center a ministry of the  Dominican Sisters of Peace, Columbus, OH.

General Debate begins September 19th

The new President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar opened the 66^th General Assembly on Tuesday, September 13^th.  He outlined four main areas of focus for this year’s session. The first is the peaceful settlement of disputes, a need that has become more relevant and urgent than ever. Turning to UN reform, Mr. Al-Nasser called for revitalizing the Assembly’s work so that it remains efficient, effective and representative, especially in responding early to emerging crises, and for reforming the Security Council. On the third priority, improving disaster prevention and response, he cited the unprecedented surge of natural and man-made disasters. In the last area, sustainable development and global prosperity, he stressed the primacy of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight ambitious targets set in 2000 that aim to slash hunger and poverty, maternal and infant mortality, a host of diseases and lack of access to education and health care, all by 2015. Next week the Assembly holds its annual General Debate, when world leaders gather to discuss key global issues. The major speeches of the General Debate will be webcast at www.un.org, click on webcast.

 September 21 International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.  For more information go to: Internationaldayofpeace.org.

 

Webcast: Global Economics Workshop, Saturday, October 8^th

 

Sr. Amata Miller  will present the following topics: Economic systems today – a brief review, Principles of economic justice, Economic globalization and its differential effects, Evidences of economic alternatives underway, Action roles for social transformation, Economic Issues in Light of Social Justice Ethics.  See attachment #3 for further information.

Rest in Peace

Jacqueline Hudson, OP (1934-2011) passed away on August 3,2011.  Jackie was a prisoner of conscience and was incarcerated for her actions a number of times throughout her life.  During her last imprisonment, her health deteriorated and she was released from prison in Ocilla, Georgia several weeks before she died.  Jackie was a recipient of our 2005 Justice Award which was given to her while she was in prison.  See memorial attachment #2.

Seminar on the UN for leadership teams, October 5

On Wednesday, October 5^th the Partnership for Global Justice will host an Executive Orientation Program at the United Nations especially for Leadership Team Members.   Attending the event will allow one to direct access to the UN/NGO organizations that share concerns and interests as well as inform of current global issues. The itinerary for the reception consists of: A one day Seminar on UN Systems, Dialogue with an Ambassador to the UN, Presentations concerning related topics such as Human Rights, Trafficking, UN Millennium Development Goals and a Luncheon.

Our hope is to provide information regarding our programs and services and well as listen carefully to Leadership’s concerns as we continue to represent you as a Non-Governmental Agency to the United Nations.  For registration and more information email our office at: partnershipforglobaljustice.com.

Comboni Missionaries in Southern Sudan

 

Comboni Missionaries first established missions in Sudan in 1881. Missionaries were expelled in 1964 but allowed to return in 1972. During the long civil war in Southern Sudan and Darfur, the Comboni sisters remained in some locations and supported the local people especially to keep schools going. The sisters work in pastoral, health, education, women promotion and in the Sudan Catholic radio project.

 

This January a referendum in Southern Sudan resulted in the creation of a new, independent state, The Republic of South Sudan on July 9th.  Southern Sudan became a member state of the UN in July, 2011.

 

Unfortunately, now, the dispute for the natural-resource-rich border between North and South exploded as war again; discreet, non declared war, but still deadly. The Comboni Sisters reported aerial bombardments in the border under dispute. They nevertheless look on the positive side. One sister writes:  “The rain comes with double blessing to our land. First, bringing people together… The cultivation is done at community level; relatives and neighbors clean the soil and spread the seeds. This moment is a vivid space where they share their joys, concerns, hopes. Right at this moment, community support is very important to feel that all of them share the same social & political journey.  See attachment#1 for further information.

 

Distance Learning Program: 

 

The Spiritan-owned Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, USA, has launched a JPIC Distance Learning Program (in English) in mid August 2011. This year the program will present four courses: Foundations of Theological Reflection, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, Economics and People, and Water, Environment, and Development

 

The course is self-learning in design; the level is pitched at post high (secondary) school level and is in English. Participants set their own study pace during each course studying at a speed suitable to their already busy schedules. When participants complete a required number of courses they will be awarded a certificate by Duquesne University.

The course is offered free of charge and is the first of its kind available via internet. Prerequisites include a reasonably good internet access and an adequate fluency in English. You can find detailed information on the program and contact details at http://www.duq.edu/jpic.

Resources Available:

 

Spirit of Assisi:  For prayer resources and other materials to help in the celebration of the Spirit of Assisi, go to http://spiritodiassisi.wordpress.com/

 

Millennia2015 “Women actors of development for the global challenges”:  For information on this process and a series of conferences go to

In English - http://www.millennia2015.org/page.asp?id=300&langue=EN

In French -  http://www.millennia2015.org/page.asp?id=26&langue=FR

 

Creation Time:  September is a month dedicated to raising environmental awareness; it is a period of contemplation and action.  To access valuable resources go to –  http://www.praying-nature.com/site_pages.php?section=Ecology+Matters&category_ref=36

Online Seminar/Earth Charter: The Earth Charter International Secretariat (ECI) will be offering four one-and-a half-hour online seminars to introduce the Earth Charter. They take place each week in September beginning September 7th.

For information in English go to –

http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/articles/731/1/Online-seminars-to-introduce-the-Earth-Charter-and-the-Initiative/Page1.html

For information in Spanish go to - http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/contenido/

 

Protest about tar sands:  There is a growing resistance to the use of tar sands as a source of petroleum due to the extremely negative impact on the environment. To read more about an action in the USA go to – http://www.climatestorytellers.org/stories/james-hansen-white-house-and-tar-sands/index.html

 

EcoSpirituality Resources for Advent and Lent: The SHCJ Sisters have excellent resources on Soil, Water and Air. An 8-page resource on Air (including climate change) can be downloaded free at http://www.shcj.org/amer/EcoSpiritualityResources.htm

Support life‐saving poverty‐focused international assistance and protect 12 million East Africans from hunger now

 

More than 12 million of our brothers and sisters in East Africa—more than the entire population of the state of Ohio—face malnutrition and starvation in the midst of the region’s worst drought in decades. In our legislatures right now, there are some proposals drastically cutting international and domestic assistance to people in dire need such as those in East Africa.

 

As Christians, we are called to protect people who are hungry, thirsty, seeking refuge and care. Life‐saving poverty‐focused international assistance that fights hunger, disease and makes drought‐prone communities more resilient to hunger crises is less than 1% of our budgets.

 

Contact your representatives of Congress or Parliament now and urge them to preserve life‐saving, poverty‐focused international assistance

 

______

Send email or postcard to: your local or national representatives

_____

 

Sample email:

 

Dear ___

 

I urge you to preserve funding for poverty focused international assistance.  It is important to pay attention to those who do not have basic essentials of food, clothing and shelter.  While budgets are being cut, we must pay attention to the common good and not build budgets that disproportionately cut essential services to those in need.

 

The crisis unfolding in East Africa where more than 12 million people face malnutrition and starvation in the midst of a drought illustrates the urgent need to protect poverty-focused international assistance.

 

The International Disaster Assistance account provides lifesaving services to people in Kenya and Ethiopia who are in dire need of nutrition, health services, water and sanitation.  The Emergency Refugee and Migration account is helping people who have fled famine in Somalia to survive.

 

During this time of austerity and fiscal restraints, I urge you to give priority to programs that help the most vulnerable people in our world. 

 

Sincerely,

 

__

For More Information

 

Canadian Catholic Bishops Conference: cccb.ca/site  go: to Emergency aid for Horn of Africa

 

Catholic Relief Services:  crs.org/globalpoverty and crs.org/africa

 

US Catholic Bishops Conference:  usccb.org/globalpoverty

Letters and Lobbying Make a Difference

People ask what can be accomplished if one person sends an email or letter or meets with a member of Congress or Parliament or UN Ambassadors.

Your particular representatives, and the relationships you have with them, will play a role in how open they are to hearing and respecting different points of view. Without your lobbying, very little is possible.  Your representatives often will not act on an issue, or modify their view over time, unless they hear from constituents.

As few as 10 letters or emails from constituents can make a difference – depending on the issue and how the letter is written. The impact is even greater if you begin to climb the ladder of engagement by raising your issue in a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or even meeting with the staff of your representatives.

The American Friends have developed several articles on the importance if writing letters and lobbying: Go to: fcnl.org/resources, click on May/June Issue.  They have also developed a toolkit on this important activity:  Go to:  fcnl.org/toolkit.

UN welcomes South Sudan as 193rd Member State

On July 14^th the General Assembly admitted the Republic of South Sudan as the 193rd member of the United Nations, welcoming the newly independent country to the community of nations. South Sudan’s independence from the rest of Sudan is the result of the January 2011 referendum held under the terms of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the decades-long civil war between the North and the South.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39034&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1We’re at Nearly 7 Billion –

Up to Seven Billion!

As the world population approaches seven billion, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed in July that ending global poverty and inequality is the key to unleashing the great human potential for prosperity and peaceful coexistence, while protecting the planet and safeguarding the natural resources that sustain humanity. “Later this year, a seven-billionth baby will be born into our world of complexity and contradiction,” Mr. Ban said in a message to mark World Population Day, observed annually on 11 July. http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5406

 UN Reports Progress Toward Poverty Alleviation

Some of the world’s poorest countries have made impressive gains in the fight against poverty, but the least developed countries still lag in efforts to improve living standards, the United Nations said in a report by DESA, showing significant overall progress towards achieving the global targets against extreme poverty. Read the 2011 MDGs Report.
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/11_MDG%20Report_EN.pdf

 

67 Million Children Deprived of Education

67 million school-aged children are deprived of education, mainly due to financial or social hardship, in many cases stemming from poverty or armed conflict. At the opening of the high-level segment of the ECOSOC Council’ Annual Ministerial Review on 4 July, Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose Migiro warned that “getting kids into school is only half the battle.”
http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/amr/index.shtml

Statement on Nuclear Weapons

Papal Nuncio to the UN, Archbishop Francis Chullikatt made a significant statement on the Church’s rejection of nuclear war and nuclear weaponry at the 3^rd Session of the Prepatory Committee for the UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).  Go to: www.holyseemission.org click on press releases.

International Day of Peace, September 21st

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”), September 21st provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.  For more information go to: Internationaldayofpeace.org.

The worst droughts in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in 60 years have left at least 10 million people in need of aid. Half of those are children. Tanzania and the new state of South Sudan are experiencing serious food and water shortages too.

With no rains expected until October the situation will get considerably worse. Severe lack of rainfall has resulted in failed crops, critical shortages in food and water, and countless numbers of livestock dying from dehydration and starvation. Further compounding the crisis are drastic increases in food prices.

Thousands of Somalis are arriving in Ethiopia and Kenya every day. Malnutrition rates among Somali children arriving into Ethiopia or Kenya are as high as 47 per cent. Child malnutrition rates have doubled since January.
Catholic Relief Services is hosting a webcast on Wednesday, July 27 at 1:00 PM to assist us in learning how we can assist in the crisis.  See attachment.

We urge you to financially support the agencies that can provide emergency food and medical assistance.  Go to:

Catholic Relief Services:  CRS.org

Caritas International:  CARITAS.org

United Nations Children’s Fund:  UNICEF.org

OXFAM:  action@oxfamamerica.org

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/images/global-economy.jpg

 

Global Economics Workshop,  Save the Dates

Our three day workshop on Global Economics will be webcast this fall on three Saturdays:  September 10, Dr. Marci Rossell, “Market Economy”; October 8, Sr. Amata Miller, IHM, “Development Economy” and December 3, 2011, Srs. Marie Elena Dio, “Root Causes of Poverty” and Ana Martinez deLuco, “Homelessness and Those Without an Economy”.  The Dominican Sisters of Peace of Columbus, OH will be hosting our webcast.  At this time, we are hoping to allow groups or individuals to connect to the broadcast.  In addition, we will be able to provide a way that you can download the programs.  More information will be forthcoming in the next few months.

1,000 Days to Scale Up Nutrition for Mothers & Children

In September 2010, on the occasion of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Summit, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and then Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin launched the 1,000 Days: Change a Life, Change the Future Call to Action to draw attention to the irreversible impact of maternal and child undernutrition during the 1,000 day critical window of opportunity, from pregnancy to the age of 2, and the priority actions and interventions needed to scale up nutrition. Also launched that day was the Roadmap to Scale Up Nutrition (SUN).

1,000 Days to Scale Up Nutrition for Mothers & Children focuses on the theme Building Political Commitment for the 1,000 Days Call to Action. The International Meeting seeks to:

• Build political commitment and energy to help solve the problem of maternal and child malnutrition.
  We hope this meeting bolsters and reinvigorates champions of this issue and draws in new champions.
• Assess the progress in scaling up nutrition programs at the country level.
  This assessment will identify the challenges and gaps that need to be addressed as well as the extent of civil society engagement.
• Agree to a shared advocacy agenda and strategy for the September 2011 U.N. General Assembly follow-up and the G-20 Summit.
  This will focus on the additional resources needed to scale up nutrition programs.
• Strengthen the voice of civil society in this global effort.
  At the end of the international meeting, we hope to frame a consensus statement or declaration.

For more information see website:  www.thousanddays.org

Capacitar Training

Training in Healing and Transformation:  A Multicultural Wellness Education Program of Holistic practices 2011-2012 Training in New York City.  Training in Healing and Transformation is an intensive, hands-on program of holistic wellness practices for individuals who serve people in need. In four 16-hour sessions participants learn techniques of self empowerment to alleviate the negative effects of stress, pain, trauma and woundedness. The training incorporates theory and practice in multicultural and popular education methodologies which enable participants to teach what they have learned to others.  For more information about Capicitar go to:  www.capacitar.org.   To register or for more information about the New York Training Program contact:  Maureen Jerkowski, OSF at maureenj56@gmail.com

 

64^th Annual UN NGO Conference, Bonn Germany, September 3-5

 

The annual DPI (Department of Public Information)  NGO Conference will be held in Bonn, Germany in early September.  The theme is:  Sustainable Societies; Responsible Citizens.  We have several spaces available for our members to attend.  There is no cost to attend the conference, but participants will need to be responsible for their travel and housing.  If you or any of your members are interested in attending this conference through our NGO, please contact our office by mid-July at: partnershipforglobaljustice@gmail.com.

 

Upcoming Programs sponsored by Partnership for Global Justice:

August 22-24               UN Orientation for Teachers, Campus Ministers and new NGOs

September 6-8             UN Orientation for Students of All Hallows, Dublin, Ireland

September 10               Global Economics Webcast, Dr. Marci Rossell, Market Economy

September 16-17         Global Economics Program for St. Bartholomew’s Church, NYC

September 20-22         UN Orientation Days, Open to all

October 5                     Seminar and Reception for Leadership Teams of Congregations

October 8                     Global Economics Webcast, Sr. Amata Miller, PhD, Development Economy

December 3                 Global Economics Webcast, Marie Elena Dio, Root Causes of Poverty, Ana Martinez deLuco, Homelessness and Those Without and Economy

 

Partnership for Global Justice, 211 East 43^rd Street, Suite 708, New York, NY  10017, 212-682-6481,partnershipforglobaljustice@gmail.com, www.partnershipforglobaljustice.com;  blog: partnershipforglobaljustice@wordpress.com.

http://twawki.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ngo-logo3.jpg

 

64^th Annual UN NGO Conference, Bonn Germany, September 3-5

 

The annual DPI (Department of Public Information)  NGO Conference will be held in Bonn, Germany in early September.  The theme is:  Sustainable Societies; Responsible Citizens.  We have several spaces available for our members to attend.  There is no cost to attend the conference, but participants will need to be responsible for their travel and housing.  If you or any of your members are interested in attending this conference through our NGO, please contact our office by mid-July at: partnershipforglobaljustice@gmail.com.

 

 

Youth Assembly at the UN, August 3-5, 2011

The 9^th Annual Youth Assembly at the UN will take place at UN Headquarters, August 3-5.  This conference will bring together 600 youth leaders (16-24 yrs. old) from around the world and involve them in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  Registration and more information is available at: www.faf.org.

 

One Million Trees in the Amazon (attached to this email is more information)

 

Dorothy Stang taught that whenever you take something from the forest, you give something back to it. While the illegal logging continues, the Sisters and many in the Anapu community felt it was time to give back in a big way. They have committed themselves to planting one million seedlings to help reforest the area. Join Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in the Million Tree Project, a reforestation effort by the people of Anapú, Brazil.
http://youtu.be/sKINP_ClJ2Y

 

Some seedlings are started from seeds harvested in the forest; others like mahogany, are purchased. All the work is done on a volunteer basis.Financial support is needed!! $15 covers the cost of growing one seedling in the nurseries in the forest. To help us reforest the Amazon, send checks payable to the Sisters of Notre Dame to:

 

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Congregational Mission Office

MILLION TREE PROJECT

30 Jeffrey’s Neck Road

Ipswich, MA 01938 USA

 

 

Mind the Gap: Network

 DID YOU KNOW

-The wealthiest 1% of our population owns more than 90% of us combined!

-The wealthiest 10% of our population owns more than ¾ of the nation’s wealth!

-The median African American household has less than ten cents of wealth for every dollar of wealth owned by the median white family!

 

You may wonder how these disparities became so extreme – and why so few people are talking about them. If so, join NETWORK’s campaign!

 

NETWORK is launching a new Mind the Gap! campaign to tell our nation about how the wealth gap robs ALL of us. This is not in just a financial sense. The impact of the gap is widespread, resulting in a crack in the very foundation of who we are as a nation.

Check out the Mind the Gap! campaign at http://www.networklobby.org/campaign/mind-the-gap.

 

Network for Peace through Dialogue: A New Blog

The newest entry is A View of the Arizona/Mexico Border: Dark, Selfish and Paranoid which is visit to the border between Arizona and  Mexico with a group from the Sisters of Loretto. The link is:  http://www.networkforpeace.com/blog.html

The Great Green Wall (GGW) facing growing opposition

The Great Green Wall that crosses 11 African countries is supposed the combat drought and favour food security for millions of people. This (ageing) plantation project has just been approved of by a whole series of African states, from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east.

However, those defending the interests of indigenous peoples are denouncing its negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. Recourse to certain sources of financial aid has involved having to have monocultures of foreign, fast-growing species. Moreover, the GGW would force the displacement of people living in the targeted areas and reduce even further the water supplies that are already scarce.  For more information go to:  http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=92422

Partnership for Global Justice, 211 East 43^rd Street, Suite 708, New York, NY  10017.  212-682-6481. See us on our website at www.partnershipforglobaljustice.com; find our blog at partnershipforglobaljustice.wordpress.com.