News Archives » Central America & the Caribbean
Medicines Patent Pool Formally Established June 9th, 2010
The Board of UNITAID, the European entity funded by an airline tax to support increased HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB treatment in developing countries, has formally established a Medicines Patent Pool. NGOs and faith-based shareholders concerned about access to medicines among the poor in developing countries have pressed for the formation of a patent pool as a way to lower costs and increase availability of essential medicines.
The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNITAID and the Medicines Patent Pool Foundation (MPPF) on June 8. The MPPF will be established as an independent organization under Swiss Law. The 3 founders are Paulo Teixeira (Brazil), Charles Clift (UK) and Benard Pecoul (France).
Interested in learning more? Go to other posts on this website and the UNITAID website.
Daniel LeBlanc, OMI Gives Briefing on Climate Change Conference at UN June 4th, 2010
Daniel LeBlanc, OMI gave a June 3rd briefing at the International Catholic Organizations Network (ICON) on the people’s climate change conference held last month in Bolivia . Titled the “World’s People Conference on Climate Change and The Rights of Mother Earth,” the gathering of some 35,000 civil society representatives was designed to send a strong message to governments that action is needed now to prevent a global climate disaster.
Later the same day he gave a report on the conference to the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, of which he is an active member.
Daniel LeBlanc, OMI was representing VIVAT International at the conference. He is a newly elected Board Member of ICON.
Stop Trafficking! May 26th, 2010
The May issue of the newsletter Stop Trafficking is available.
The Stop Trafficking newsletter, hosted by the STOP ENSLAVEMENT web domain, serves as a forum for exchange among religious congregations and their collaborating organizations:
- to promote awareness re: human trafficking;
- to exchange best practices in advocacy for and empowerment of survivors of human trafficking;
- to recommend actions to counter human trafficking.
More information on human trafficking is available on the Sisters of the Divine Savior website…
Also, for a full list of resources, visit our web page on Human Trafficking
Faith Groups Work to Prevent Human Trafficking During the 2010 World Cup Events in South Africa May 7th, 2010
The Oblate JPIC Office is working in solidarity with the efforts of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (Church on the Ball), and local initiatives by the Leaders of Consecrated Religious Life (SA) and the South African Council of Churches to counter human trafficking in South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
For multinational corporations who are long time sponsors of the FIFA World Cup, this event could be an opportunity to move beyond the usual sponsorship efforts of selling brands and expanding their markets. Official corporate sponsors of the FIFA World Cup are being asked to use the occasion of the World Cup 2010 to be part of the solution to eliminate human trafficking.
Christian Brothers Investment Services has initiated a shareholder advocacy campaign, supported by the Oblate JPIC Office, to engage multinational corporations on the issue of human trafficking during the 2010 Soccer World Cup events in South Africa.
Click here to read more »
Senate Democrats Unveil Immigration Reform Proposal April 30th, 2010
On April 29, 2010, Senate Democrats in the United States Congress released their immigration-reform proposal – Real Enforcement with Practical Answers for Immigration Reform” (REPAIR) Act to repair the broken immigration system.
Highlights of the proposal include:
- registration and an acceptance of responsibility program for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. a path to “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” status
- immediate green cards for foreign students who have obtained an advanced degree from a U.S. academic institution of higher education in particular fields and who have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer.
The REPAIR act also has provisions for Detention standards and protections; and includes DREAM ACT and AGJOBS legislation.
The Missionary Oblates JPIC office welcome the introduction of this proposal — The Real Enforcement with Practical Answers for Immigration Reform (REPAIR) which was announced by Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). The REPAIR proposal provides a legislative opportunity for Members of Congress to come together and enact a lasting solution to the problem of undocumented immigrants that continues to affect millions of families and communities every day.
The REPAIR proposal is an important first attempt to fix the broken immigration system in the United States and will be the focus of much debate in the coming months. Comprehensive Immigration reform can no longer wait. The status quo is badly broken and needs immediate repair.
