News Archives » Social Justice
Stop the Belo Monte Dam Project in the Amazon October 1st, 2010
Watch a ten-minute video on the BELO MONTE DAM project on the XINGU RIVER in the AMAZON which contains 1/5 of the worlds fresh water flows and sustains the livelihood of 25,000 Indian populations and innumerable species of plants and animals. It would be the 3rd largest hydro-electric dam in the world.
The $17Billion complex would generate electricity for aluminum, copper, tin, gold, bauxite and iron ore smelters, while diverting the Xingu River and flooding 200,000 hectares of land. Sixty dams are projected over the next twenty years including dams in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. The Amazon basin would become a stagnant reservoir.
Sign the petition asking for the cancellation of the Dam.
More information:
- Amazon Watch
- International Rivers
- Belo Monte Dam Tour: Sigourney Weaver Narrates New Google Earth Animation on Brazil’s Controversial Belo Monte Dam
United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals September 20th, 2010
Achieving universal primary education by 2015 is Goal 2 of the MDGs
Global leaders have gathered for the United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in New York which runs September 20-22. The world is watching to see if this summit will make serious progress towards achieving the eight MDG goals by 2015.
In September 2000, world leaders came together at United Nations Headquarters to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound targets with a deadline of 2015. The goals adopted became known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The eight MDGs are broken down into 21 quantifiable targets that are, in turn, measured by 60 indicators.
1. Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty;
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. Develop a Global Partnership for Development.
A calendar of side events at the United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals.
Watch Live the United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals.
Oblate Bishop in Zambia Threatened for Speaking on Behalf of Poor People September 17th, 2010
Missionary Oblate Bishop Paul Duffy of Mongu Diocese in Western Province of Zambia is being threatened by the ruling government over his support for and speaking on behalf of poor people. Bishop Duffy issued a statement in which he said the people of Western Province think it is time for change. His statement has elicited a strong response from the ruling party, with a section of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) threatening to beat him up. Bishop Duffy has questioned the governments’ motive in borrowing huge sums of money which does not visibly translate to development in the country and in particular the Western Province of Zambia.
On September 16, all priests and catholic groups in Mongu diocese released a statement of support of Bishop Duffy OMI in which they added that the people of Western Province are tired of being referred to as the poorest province in Zambia.
In a statement of support to Bishop Duffy, Zambian Oblates of Mary Immaculate delegation said the verbal attacks by government ministers on Bishop Duffy were unwarranted. Father Singini Nacidze OMI, information director for the Oblates released this statement which was signed by Fr. Freeborn Kibombwe the acting local superior: “OUTSPOKEN OBLATE BISHOP PAUL DUFFY, OMI THREATENED” (Download PDF)
The Oblates in Zambia have also issued a Press Release with information about Bishop Duffy who has served in Zambia for 26 years. The statement calls for civility, decency, humility and responsibility in all sectors of Zambian society regardless of political party. (Download PDF)
Take Action on Poverty, Immigration and Slavery September 16th, 2010
Get involved in Stand Up this weekend. Press for action on the Millennium Development Goals. Find an event in your area.
Ask Congress to Support the DREAM Act! Learn more…
Read our latest Action Alert now.
Ask Congress to Support the DREAM Act! September 14th, 2010
Congress is only back in session for a couple of weeks before the November election. Momentum is strong in Congress to help immigrant youth. They can do this by passing the DREAM Act.
Young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives but who were brought to the US illegally, often as young children, face a difficult future. These children have grown up in our communities and include honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists, and aspiring environmental scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs. They face unique barriers to higher education. Unable to work legally in the United States, they often live in fear of deportation. This is a terrible loss both for them and for the larger society.
