Latest OMI JPIC News
JPIC staff meet with Asian Development Bank August 19th, 2008
Washington DC - The Oblate JPIC staff met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials on August 13. Oblate JPIC Director Fr. Seamus Finn, Tomas Vyhnalek (Oblate visiting from the Czech Republic), Fr. Aaron Rosario (Bangladeshi Oblate) and George Ngolwe (JPIC staff) met with ADB Deputy Resident Director, Robert M. Schoellhammer at the ADB office in Washington.
The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on Asian Development Bank operations in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It was also an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the Indigenous peoples in those countries - particularly in accessing quality education - and to get a sense of the Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable development for local communities.
RugMark 2007 Report Details Recent Successes August 18th, 2008
ICCR and the Oblates have partnered with RugMark Foundation in filing Corporate Resolutions and other actions to stop child labor in the rug-making industry - a problem particularly in South Asia. RugMark has saved over 3,200 children from a grueling life of exploitation at the loom.
Read about RugMark’s most recent successes and their “Most Beautiful Rug” consumer awareness campaign in a new report, available on-line.
RugMark’s website features stories of the children found by RugMark inspectors who have been given a chance to attend school and make a better life for themselves and their families. Learn more…
PEPFAR Bill to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria Signed into Law August 5th, 2008
The U.S. Congress has approved a new five-year version of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). With a vote of 303-115, the Senate sent the global AIDS bill to President Bush, who signed it into law on July 30th. This landmark victory will save the lives of millions of vulnerable people in the world - especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Senate approval was given despite strong objections from Senate Republicans to cut Pepfar funding and efforts to filibuster amendments.
Platform for the Common Good Adopted in Philadelphia July 29th, 2008
Hundreds of Catholic social justice advocates met at the the Convention for the Common Good in Philadelphia in mid-July. They developed a “Platform for the Common Good” - a statement of principles designed to serve as “an educational tool in the preelection process, as a yardstick for measuring candidates and making our choices on November 4, 2008, and most importantly, as an accountability measure after the election.”
Universal Action Now - 17th International AIDS Conference to be Held in Mexico City July 28th, 2008
The worldwide gathering to focus on global HIV/AIDS policy proposals, scientific development and programs will run from August 3-8 in Mexico City, Mexico. The International AIDS Conference (AIDS2008) brings together some 25,000 stakeholders to share experiences, draw lessons and plan ahead to combat the global AIDS pandemic. Those expected to attend the conference include HIV-positive people, religious groups, business organizations, research scientists, youth, civil society and governmental leaders.
Thousands in Sri Lanka Forced by War to Flee Their Homes July 28th, 2008
Tens of thousands of people in northwestern Sri Lanka have been forced by aerial bombardment to leave their homes and are living out in the open. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar have both written pleas to the government asking that the bombing stop and the internally displaced people be assisted with food, medicine and shelter.
Recent News
- JPIC staff meet with Asian Development Bank August 19th, 2008
- RugMark 2007 Report Details Recent Successes August 18th, 2008
- PEPFAR Bill to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria Signed into Law August 5th, 2008