News Archives » Global
Oblates Promote Social Empowerment in Sri Lanka December 13th, 2012
“Social inability” is widely recognized and accepted today as a root cause of poverty. Empowering people to think for themselves, and stand on their own, offers a solid and a permanent way out for people from poverty and social misery. The philosophy that it is better to teach a person to catch a fish than to offer him one is the philosophy behind “The Citizen’s Forum”(CF), which is successfully operating in Sri Lanka under the direction and guidance of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR). CSR is the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) institution of the Colombo Province of the Missionary of Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).
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Isle of Man enacts legislation to outlaw vulture funds December 12th, 2012
Legislation to prevent the Isle of Man being used by ‘vulture funds’ to exploit the debts of some of the world’s poorest countries has this week received Royal Assent. The Isle of Man is known as a tax haven, but deserves recognition for this move toward greater transparency and ‘best practice’ regulation.
The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (Limitation on Debt Recovery) Act 2012 outlaws a practice that undermines international debt relief efforts.
The legislation prevents vulture funds from buying up poor nations’ debts for a fraction of their original amount and then using the courts to sue for the full value, plus interest and penalty charges.
Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK said the move was designed to send a clear message that the Isle of Man was a well-regulated, transparent and co-operative country.
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Southern Africa Trip Report December 11th, 2012
Mary O’Herron, a long-time staff member of the JPIC Office, recently traveled to South Africa with her family. She wrote up some reflections on her time visiting Oblates in Durban. Read her trip report (Download PDF)
National Apology to Native Americans December 10th, 2012
On December 19, 2009, the United States government officially apologized to Native Peoples – but didn’t tell anyone.
A diverse group of citizens plans to change this with an historic public reading of the national apology to native Americans in Washington, DC on December 19th. The reading, which will be broadcast via live-stream video, will take place in front of the US Capitol.
Mark Charles, a member of the Navajo Nation, has created a compelling, short video about the apology from the perspective of native peoples (watch the video). What is truly needed, he says, is an opportunity for a new national conversation for reconciliation between Native America and the rest of the country.
The gathering’s intention is to invite the nation’s citizens and leaders, and members of the global community to “join our efforts to communicate as publically, as humbly and as respectfully as possible the contents of H.R. 3326 (and the apology enclosed therein) to the Native American tribes, communities and citizens of the USA.”
For more information about this event and to RSVP, please click here. You can also go to this site to watch a live-stream video of the public reading on December 19.
Thanks to the Sojourners Community for this information. Mark Charles is a member of Emerging Voices, a project of Sojourners.
December 10: Celebrate “Human Rights Day” December 8th, 2012
“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains one of the highest expressions of the human conscience of our time” -Pope John Paul II, Address to the Fiftieth General Assembly of the United Nations, 5 October 1995
December 10 is International Human Rights Day. The theme for 2012 is My Voice Counts: Inclusion and the Right to Participate in Public Life.
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT), of which Missionary Oblates JPIC office is a participating member, is encouraging the celebration of Human Rights Day in your own community, parish or congregation.
View here for resources to celebrate international human rights day.
