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December Action Alert – Let’s Avoid Another Meltdown! December 3rd, 2009
Take Action to Protect People and the Planet
– Support Creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency
– Join the Call for Derivatives Reform
– Ring Your Church Bells – Send a Message to Copenhagen!
Learn more and take action – click here for our December Action Alert
Irish Bishops Issue Climate Change Statement November 30th, 2009
The bishops of Ireland released a major statement on climate change earlier this month. They invite all, “to reflect on ‘that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying’ (CV n. 50).”The statement has an accompanying DVD.
Faith Groups Advocate Pro-Poor Agricultural Policies at USTR November 30th, 2009
Fourteen representatives of the InterFaith Working Group on Trade and Investment, including Séamus Finn, OMI – Director of the Oblate JPIC Office, called on the US Trade Representative to support measures to aid small farmers in developing countries. In a symbolic gesture, the faith groups delivered more than 100 bags of rice to emphasize the need for trade rules that would enable poor countries to protect their populations from sharp spikes in food prices. The IWG members met with USTR trade negotiators the day before Thanksgiving, within 72 hours of their leaving for a WTO Ministerial meeting in Geneva.
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World AIDS Day 2009 – Focus on Universal Access and Human Rights November 24th, 2009
December 1st each year is World AIDS Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. The global HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major health and development issue. AIDS also continues to present pastoral challenges to the Church. Missionary Oblates in South Africa are regularly working directly with and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS.
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Conflict Mineral Trade Act 2009 Introduced in the US House of Representatives November 20th, 2009
Oblates visit a war refugee camp in DRC
On November 19, the United States House of Representatives introduced the Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009. The bill was introduced by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Washington), with co-sponsorship from Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) and Frank Wolf (R-Virginia). A coalition of faith based organizations and international nonprofit organizations concerned about conflict stemming from minerals extraction are encouraged by this Congressional action. The bill has also received support from various stakeholders in the electronics industry. To make this bill a reality, though, you need to urge your Congressional Representative to cosponsor the Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009 (HR 4128). Find your Representative on the House.gov website.
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