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October 2011 

 

 

Working Together for Justice and Peace


Br. Clark Berge SSF, participates in FI workshop, Solomon Islands, November 2010

‍Last month I had the privilege of participating in part of the combined Chapter of the first and third orders, brothers and sisters of the Society of St. Francis (SSF), Franciscans in the Anglican Communion. The venue for the Chapter was the Holy Cross Benedictine monastery, in a beautiful spot near Poughkeepsie, north of New York City. Meeting delegates from many different nations, plus the prayer-full atmosphere and the honest dialogue which pervaded the chapter, made it a special experience.

FI and the Society of St. Francis work closely together as evidenced by the appointment of Averil Swanton TSSF to the FI International Board of Directors (IBD); and the two week workshop FI facilitated in the Solomon Islands last November for 200 SSF brothers and sisters. Following the training Br. Selwyn Suma SSF returned to Papua, New Guinea, where he joined others in courageously challenging a big multi-national logging company who had obtained, through dubious means, the ‘rights’ to purchase a huge tract of forest land from an indigenous group.  When challenged by the management of the logging company about their illegal protest, Br. Selwyn responded fearlessly that he ‘was not protesting, rather he was witnessing to the truth’.  Their protest was successful. This example challenges each one of us to take action when faced with injustice - and to fearlessly speak the truth...
 
Sr. Denise Boyle fmdm
Executive Director, FI

 

 

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A Franciscan Voice at the UN


Enkelada Papa, FI Advocacy Officer, delivers oral statement on UPR for West Papua

During the Human Rights Council, 18th Session, in September, FI delivered three oral statements and one written statement. These reflected Franciscans’ concerns about justice issues at the grassroots and included recommendations on how the governments concerned should address the injustices.

Read written statements>>
Read oral statements>>

 
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Urgent Appeals

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Construction of a highway through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS), in Boliva.

In September, FI prepared and sent four Urgent Appeals to United Nations Special Rapporteurs. These related to human rights injustices affecting Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia; local communities and the environment in India; and the right to medical care in West Papuan prisons. The appeals  were positively received and FI continues to monitor the outcome in each country. Read urgent appeals>> 


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Franciscans lobby UN Permanent Missions


Franciscans address human rights concerns in Tanzania and Uganda at the UN

In the lead-up to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), 12th Session, in October at the United Nations (UN), FI invited three Franciscans from Uganda and Tanzania, to share their countries’ human rights concerns with the UN Permanent Missions  for France, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, and Russia. Read full story>>

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Environmental Justice


Members of the OFM Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office, and FI staff members met in Rome in September, to discuss how to continue to increase awareness of environmental justice issues within the Franciscan Family. They will promote strong Franciscan participation at the People’s Summit (26 May – 10 June 2012) followed by the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (4 June – 6 June 2012) in Brazil. Read full story>>

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Right to Water and Sanitation


Guide to Water & Sanitation

With the Human Right to Water and Sanitation officially recognised by the UN as a Human Right in July 2010, FI and WaterLex have co-published, ‘Water and Sanitation – A Practical Guide.’ It is designed primarily for grassroots communities to learn how to better address water access issues and how to deal with governance challenges in everyday life. Download Guide>>

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FI Job Opportunities

FI is currently recruiting a Regional Director of the Asia Pacific Programme, and a Project Manager. Read more>>

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