News Archives » United Nations
Stop Trafficking! – December Issue December 16th, 2013
Read the latest issue of Stop Trafficking!, the Anti-Human Trafficking Newsletter to promote Awareness, Advocacy and Action. This issue includes the latest report from Polaris Project, information on webcam child sex tourism, serious concerns about the UN report on human trafficking, and raises awareness around boys being trafficked for sexual exploitation.
Older issues and handouts on specific subjects are also available here…
Stop Trafficking! is made possible through the supportive sponsorship of national and international congregations of women religious and their partners.
Celebrate International Human Rights Day: December 10 December 9th, 2013
Celebrated since 1950, Human Rights Day is held on December 10 every year. This is the date on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.”
The principles are based on a statement developed by a committee made up of U.S. Catholic laity and bishops appointed by the “National Catholic Welfare Conference” (the national agency of the American Catholic Bishops). Learn more…
For more information on human rights and the United Nations, please see our webpage on Human Rights, which offers both information and links to additional material
United Nations Opportunities November 4th, 2013
Through the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the VIVAT International NGO Office, persons in our network are able to participate in major UN meetings in New York City. There is no fee to attend these sessions, but participants are responsible for their own transportation and room and board. If you are interested in attending a major UN meeting in New York in 2014, contact Daniel LeBlanc OMI as soon as possible at dlkomijpic@yahoo.com
February 11 – 21, 2014: 52nd Commission on Social Development (CSocD 52)
March 10 – 21, 2014: 58th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 58)
May 12 – 23, 2014: 13th Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII 13)
Helpful Resource: Action Through Words
Action through Words is an online study course that helps users deepen their knowledge of the history and workings of the United Nations while expanding their knowledge of the English language and communication skills. This program is designed for anyone wanting to explore the work of the UN, especially those working where access to formal language training is limited. Go to: www.unepd.info/index.html
Right to Food Pursued at the United Nations November 4th, 2013
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, has submitted his final report to the United Nations. In the speech that accompanied this action, he welcomed “the rights resurgence” that he has seen across the world in the past decade.
“At a time when multiple, conflicting visions for food security have been put on the table, it is impressive to see so many States adopting laws, policies and strategies to realize the right to food, and so many people driving forward what is now a global right to food movement,” he stressed.
Mr. De Schutter said: “Treating food as a human right brings coherence and accountability. It helps to close the gaps by putting food security of all citizens at the top of the decision-making hierarchy, and making these decision-making processes participatory and accountable.”
He noted the importance of non-governmental actors, including religious organizations, saying,“Civil society has an indispensable role to play at every level: driving forward right to food movements, participating in the design of policies, taking part in monitoring, and developing new forms of accountability.”
Celebrate Human Rights Day: December 10th October 28th, 2013
On December 10, 2013, the world community will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the adoption and proclamation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day, we are being encouraged by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) – as people of faith, who acknowledge the dignity of every human being – to reaffirm the Universal Declaration’s statement that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture’s theme for Human Rights Day 2013 is “Confronting Solitary Confinement in an Age of Mass Incarceration.” NRCAT developed a Human Rights Day toolkit to help congregations and religious organizations observe the day. The 2013 toolkit includes:
- A bulletin insert with educational material and an interfaith prayer
- A poster for the promotion of Human Rights Day
- Talking points for integrating the reality of solitary confinement into sermons and prayers during worship
- Links to other worship resources, as well as to educational and advocacy activities that congregations can do to commemorate Human Rights Day
We encourage you to observe Human Rights Day during worship services, as a part of your religious education efforts and through advocacy activities during either the weekend of December 6-8, December 13-15, or another time of your choosing. If your congregation plans to commemorate Human Rights Day in any way, please let NRCAT know.
Access the NRCAT Human Rights Day Toolkit (Download PDF)
