News Archives » United Nations
The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples February 18th, 2010
Indigenous peoples contribute extensively to the cultural diversity of humanity, being responsible for more than two thirds of its languages and an extraordinary amount of its traditional knowledge.
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Port au Prince Archbishop Killed in Earthquake – Thousands Dead in Destruction of Haitian Capital January 13th, 2010
Thousands are dead in the violent earthquake that devastated Haiti yesterday. News is difficult to come by, but it has been reported that the archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, has died in the Haiti earthquake. His body was found by fellow missionaries in the ruins of the archdiocesan office.
Frs. Fred Charpentier and Adrien Difficile, communicating via email, have reported that the main building of the Provincial House in Port au Prince remains standing but an addition built about nine years ago has totally crumbled. An Oblate, who was inside when the tremors were first felt, managed to leave safely before the building collapsed. The Theology residence in Turgeau, close to Port-au-Prince, has also been totally destroyed.
Les Cayes, located on the southwest coast, also experienced the tremors but apparently suffered little or no destruction. That area on Wednesday had electricity but no phones and again, communication was by e-mail.
This statement on Haiti was released by the Oblate Central Administration:
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Pope Benedict Denounces the Failure to Forge New Climate Treaty January 11th, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI strongly criticized the failure of world leaders to agree to a new climate change treaty in Copenhagen last month, saying that world peace depends on safeguarding God’s creation.
The Pope made his comments in a speech to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican, an annual appointment during which the pontiff reflects on issues the Vatican wants to highlight to the diplomatic corps.
Pope Benedict has been very vocal about the need to protect the environment, taking steps to decrease the carbon footprint of the Vatican. Protection of creation is a moral issue for the pontiff who highlighted the fact that climate change is particularly critical for island nations, and also for the African continent where the battle for resources and increasing desertification has led to armed conflicts.
In his speech, Benedict criticized the “economic and political resistance” to fighting environmental degradation and creating a new climate treaty at last month’s negotiations in Copenhagen.
Sean McDonagh, SSC Laments Lost Opportunity at Copenhagen January 8th, 2010
Sean McDonagh, SSC, a respected author and speaker on environmental issues and one of the most articulate advocates for action on climate change within the Catholic Church, offers a close up view and analysis of the failed climate conference in Copenhagen.
He wrote a number of excellent brief articles from Copenhagen that give a vivid sense of the conference, as well as valuable information on the climate change debate.
Read his articles here:
- COP-01- Setting the Stage for COP 15 in Copenhagen (December 8, 2009)
- COP-02-How Robust is the Science of Climate Change (December 9 2009)
- COP-03-There is a need for urgent action on Adaptation (December 10 2009)
- COP-04-Politics and the UN Framework Convention Climate Change Conference (December 11 2009)
- COP-05-Tuvalus intervention on December 9th 2009 (December 14, 2009)
- COP-06-Q&A on Copenhagen and Reflections on the Church (Dec. 14 2009)
- COP-07-Tight Restrictions at COP15 (Dec 15 2009)
- COP-08-Politican Leaders Converging on Copenhagen (Dec. 16 2009)
UNITAID approves Patent Pool for HIV Medicines January 5th, 2010
On December 15, 2009 the UNITAID Board, meeting in Geneva, passed an historic resolution to create a patent pool for HIV drugs. The Oblates, with other faith-based investors in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), are encouraging major pharmaceutical companies to engage with UNITAID in the development of a robust patent pool.
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