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Act Now for Responsible Finance and Debt Cancellation July 23rd, 2010

Please take action to press for responsible lending and desperately needed debt cancellation for poor countries – Click here for our Action Alert.

This Alert also includes an action to Make Mercury Pollution a Thing of the Past.

Learn more…

Ease Up on Mother Earth – Reuse! July 20th, 2010

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle… We’ve all heard this mantra many times, but how often do we really think about it?

Hard economic times have many of us reducing our purchasing, and we are finding that perhaps we don’t need as much as we thought we did. But we also have much that can be re-used – both for the good of the planet and to help out those in need.

How can we encourage Reuse?

Start a re-use project in your church. Maybe you can have collection boxes for winter coats or kids’ clothing that is worth passing on. Books and DVDs are other items that are good to swap. Are there a lot of gardeners in your community? Swap seeds and gardening magazines. The possibilities are endless once you start thinking about it.

If you really want to inspire re-use in your community, organize a swap meet. Set up a few tables and get a group of people to bring their perfectly good items that others can take home for free in exchange for a trade. A variation on the old rummage sale…

More and more people – especially young people – are trading on-line. For the low-down on Craig’s List, Freecycle and other internet trade sites, read the Care2.com blog entry – “Not Buying It? How to Trade the Stuff You Already Have”.

Re-use this post – share it with others!

Death Penalty News & Updates July 8th, 2010

Texas Judge Will Hold Hearing on State’s Death Penalty Law

A State District Judge in Houston has scheduled a hearing to listen to evidence on whether there’s a substantial risk that the death penalty law allows for the possible execution of an innocent person. The hearing, expected to last two weeks, will begin on November 8 and will likely include testimony from experts on the death penalty around the country. Early in March the same Judge ruled in a capital murder case that the Texas death penalty statute is unconstitutional.

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty- 2010 Annual General Assembly

On June 12 and 13, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty convened in San Francisco, marking the first international abolition meeting in the United States. The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty Assembly was an historic occasion that brought together death penalty opponents from all over the world. The conference was an opportunity for American death penalty opponents to learn from activists elsewhere and share strategies for worldwide death penalty abolition. The conference featured panel discussions led by community activists, victim’s families, wrongfully convicted death row prisoners, and former members of law enforcement who are opposed to the death penalty.

Upcoming International Events on the Death Penalty:

Click here to read more »

President Obama Calls for Immigration Reform July 2nd, 2010

On July 1st President Obama spoke to the nation about immigration reform. He laid out the ways that the broken immigration system hurts millions of people across this country, and how the country can’t wait any longer for real reform. President Obama said passing national comprehensive immigration reform is going to take both Republicans and Democrats working together.

Missionary Oblates JPIC Applaud Immigration Speech. More can be done.

The Missionary Oblates JPIC office applauds President Obama’s commitment to immigration reform. President Obama’s speech on Immigration reform is a step in the right direction to fix the immigration system. However, there are actions that the Obama administration can take in the interim as we wait for Congress to act. Halting raids and deportations of undocumented immigrants (those without criminal records) would send a big signal of commitment to reform of the immigration system.

Fixing the broken immigration system is a top issue for a majority of Americans and they are frustrated with the political delay and inaction in Congress. Polling shows that a majority of Americans support comprehensive immigration reform which includes creating legal status for undocumented immigrants already in the country, securing the border and better managing future immigration.

What you can do to Support Immigration Reform:

Thousands of people of faith across the country are praying, fasting and serving as a public witness and nationwide solidarity with immigrants, particularly those living in Arizona. The Justice for Immigrants postcard campaign is an opportunity for you, your community and your parish to participate in the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ campaign for comprehensive immigration reform. You can find more information at the Justice for Immigrants website. This site has coverage of the JFI postcard campaign, as well as links for supporters to send electronic versions of the postcards to Senators and Representatives encouraging Congress to act.

World Youth Parliament June 23rd, 2010

WYP 2010: Towards a Magna Carta of Values for a New Civilization will be held in New York City, August 9-16, 2010. This is a forum where young people (ages 17-30) will commit themselves to explore the foundations of a new society. Participants will propose guidelines which, with effort and some sacrifice, will signal serious change and a way of life leading to a more just society. Accommodations will be at St. John’s University dormitories. For more information go to: WYP.IDENTEYOUTH.US

To give a flavor of the event, these questions were asked on the website:

• Did you ever wanted to change the world but never knew how?
• Everyone speaks of freedom, but is freedom simply to do what one wants?
• Most young people are pursing academic degrees but did you ever ask yourself what is the purpose of education?
• Did you ever ask what is justice or why do we punish people?
• With the current economic crises in mind, did you ever reflect on our society’s ideas and views on work, economy, wealth, etc.?
• And, most importantly, did you ever ask, “Who am I as a person and a human being? What is the foundation of my dignity, rights, and duties?”

If you have ever reflected on these question or would like to do so, then the WYP is for YOU!

US Public Comments on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Requested June 9th, 2010

Written comments must be submitted by July 15, 2010

The Department of State and other Federal Agencies are scheduling meetings and inviting comments concerning the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On April 20, 2010, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice announced at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that the United States is reviewing their position on the Declaration.

Government agencies are currently scheduling meetings with tribal leaders, stakeholders and NGOs to discuss the reexamination of the UNDRIP by the US. Exact dates and locations for the meetings will be announced on their website: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/142662.htm

Comments can be sent by email to declaration@state.gov or by mail to S/SR Global Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW., Suite 1317, Washington, DC 20520. Written comments are due by July 15, 2010.

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