Look for the flags toward the bottom of the page indicating the different languages available on the site. Click on the language of your choice to read the description of this program. Then at the top left of the window, click on the calendar which each day offers a one-page focus on a particular country. If a page is missing, try again at a later date.

For English, go to http://www.40ultimos.org/intro.php?idioma=1

For French, go to http://www.40ultimos.org/intro.php?idioma=2

For Spanish, go to http://www.40ultimos.org/intro.php?idioma=3

The 48th Session of the Commission for Social Development met at UN HQ in New York February 3-12. The theme was “Social Integration,” taking into account its relationship with poverty eradication, full employment and decent work for all. Learn more about the CSD…

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

The CSW, dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women, will take place March 1-12 at UN HQ New York. More information…

New Economy Working Group

The mission of the New Economy Working Group (NEWGroup) is to help reframe the economic policy debate to address the social and environmental imperatives and opportunities of the 21st Century and to serve as a virtual policy think tank and communications resource for the growing number of civil society groups concerned with economic justice, environmental sustainability, and peace. Visit the New Economy website…

Lenten Resources:

Lenten Carbon Footprint Fast Traditional Lenten practices include prayer, fast, and almsgiving. Here is a new view of fasting, prompted by growing awareness of the need to reduce our production of climate changing pollution. You are invited to participate in a Lenten Carbon Fast from Earth Ministry and share it with others.

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center offers another Lenten resource, Stations of the Cross with All of Creation. These Stations provide an opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ Journey and the suffering of people and Earth today. Each Station includes: Scripture, Meditation & a Reflection Question. Cost: $2/copy. Order by calling 206.223.1138 or visit www.ipjc.org

Haiti

Historical Background on Haiti Jean Saint-Vil of Canada Haiti Action is interviewed for Straight Goods News regarding realities and myths about Haiti. Watch it in 3 parts on YouTube: Part 1; Part II; Part III

“The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” — Pope Benedict, Encyclical Caritas in Veritate

A Lenten Carbon Fast calendar is available from the Environmental Outreach Committee of the Archdiocese of Washington. Please use it as part of your Lenten discipline.

The calendar says: “As Catholic Christians we have a responsibility to be wise stewards of God’s Creation and each of us must decide how we can improve our stewardship to safeguard God’s creation now and for future generations. The Archdiocese environmental Outreach Committee suggests the following list of 40 carbon fasting actions everyone can consider as a part of your Lenten preparation for the Easter season. Each of these actions will reduce our production of climate change pollution and help to preserve God’s great gift of Creation.”

Download a PDF of the Lenten Calendar here…

During this time for personal and community reflection, we invite you to use the resources below and commit yourself to knowing more fully the Millennium Development Goals.

The MDGs correspond to issues that you, as religious leaders and faith communities, have been actively supporting for decades. They speak to the central concern of all faith traditions: the dignity of every human being.

The MDGs are eight goals for world development, adopted by the UN in 2000 in a drive to “cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015″.

The Millennium Development Goals are:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Create a global partnership for development with targets for aid, trade and debt relief

Call to Action:

• What can one person do to achieve them?
• What can we do together?
• What do we ask of our elected governments who have committed to working to achieve the MDGs?

Resource for Lent & the MDGs:

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
Making a real difference to the world’s poorest people.

Tracking the Millennium Development Goals
Learn, Track & Support

Faith in Action: Working Toward the Millennium Development Goals
“An Action Toolkit for Religious Leaders and Communities” (Download PDF)