A great reflection written by David Peacock.
Read the whole text here. (PDF)
Development and Peace’s struggle for justice in our world today is not a threat to the purity of our Church, but conversely one of its most transparent signs of God’s reign of peace and justice.
The 2008-2009 annual report of Development and Peace has been posted online. (PDF)
“…in 2008-2009, we contributed towards humanitarian relief for those affected by ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, people left hungry by skyrocketing inflation in Zimbabwe, families left homeless by military and rebel clashes in Pakistan, and those displaced and isolated by violent atrocities in the Congo, amongst others.
Equally important, are the numerous and varied projects that we support through our regular program, such as the Afghanistan Women’s Resource Centre, which attracted a record number of women for vocational training, and Campo Vale in Brazil, which helped defend families threatened by dam projects and negotiated fair resettlements – to name but a few.”
- Michael Casey
Check out the Development and Peace Just Youth Blog to read about the experience of Canadian Catholic Campus Ministers who are currently on a solidarity trip to Honduras. It seems like it is having a profound effect!
In the lead-up to the G8/G20 summit being held this year in Canada, Development and Peace has joined the At The Table campaign, a coalition of civil society organizations asking that poverty eradication, climate change and economic reform be placed as priorities on the agendas at both the G8 and the G20 meetings in June.
This campaign is asking Canadians to figuratively take their place “At the Table” with G8 and G20 leaders by signing a declaration that outlines policy goals being put forward by this broad coalition of organizations. These include the following:
1. Poverty and Inequality
Keep commitments to developing countries
Invest in and empower women and children
2. Climate Change
Reduce greenhouse gas pollution
Support poorer countries in responding
3. The Global Economy
Ensure global recovery for all
Make global rules and institutions fair
Supporters can add their name to the list of signatories by filling out the e-action card below. The full list of signatories from across the country and the globe will be presented to world leaders prior to the summit.
Canadians are also encouraged to organize their own At the Table dinner, where they can invite friends and family to discuss issues that affect the Global South and to sign the declaration.
Development and Peace has been encouraging Canadians to be engaged in the G8 since September 2009, when it asked supporters to send a card to their MPs and to the PMO’s office asking that food sovereignty be placed on the G8 agenda.
Your voice at the G8/G20: Sign the declaration here!
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Di Domenico
514 257-8711 / 514 257-8710 ext. 365
kelly.didomenico@devp.org
Have you heard about the Robin Hood Tax campaign? KAIROS is asking members to support it.
There is still time to register for the Saskatchewan Kewatin - Le Pas Regional Assemby (annual meeting) at St. Thomas More College from April 30 - May 2 2010.
This year’s assembly will focus on social media but will feature discussions/worskshops on other topics too.
Download the brochure for more information. regional-assembly-2010-brochure (PDF)
The theme of Share Lent 2010 is “see your gift grow”. Coincidentally (or perhaps not) that is also the title of this blog post from one of our members.
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has been a prophetic voice and agent for social justice for more than fourty years. This is not to say that Development and Peace disapproves of charity, we raised over 13 million for emergency relief for Haiti after all, but rather that we know that political and economic justice is needed if human dignity is to flourish in the long term.
