Saturday, May 9, 2009
Bead for Life
Recently, the Today Show aired a segment on "Bead for Life," an organization (and member of the Fair Trade Federation) that seeks to eradicate extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful bead jewelry. By selling the jewelry, the women provide income, food, medicine, school fees, and hope. Click here for the Today Show video and here for the Bead for Life website. Thanks to Sister Allan for pointing this out to us.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
A Message from the Partnership for Global Justice
This month we have an opportunity to act on the national level to promote economic justice for all. From June 1-3, 2009, the United Nations will be holding a High Level Conference on the Global Financial and Economic Crisis. In order for this conference to be effective in making our economic and financial systems more equitable, heads of state must be present. By choosing to attend this conference they can demonstrate their appreciation of the gravity of this economic crisis and their willingness to seek a just global solution – one that serves the needs of all of the world, not just those of the powerful economic interests who will be lobbying for a return to business as usual.
Please email or fax your head of state NOW (United States:President Barack Obama (Email: comments@whitehouse.gov or fax: 202-456-2461) to urge his/her attendance at this important meeting.
Sample text:
Dear _______________________________,
I urge you to attend the UN High Level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis that will take place in New York from June1 to 3. Your presence there would signal a real commitment to changing our global economic system from the current model that has proven to be unsustainable to one that values people over profit and protects our planet. We need to focus on the common good rather than excessive profits for a very few. Our country should take a leadership role in restructuring our global financial and economic system for the benefit of all.
Sincerely
Please email or fax your head of state NOW (United States:President Barack Obama (Email: comments@whitehouse.gov or fax: 202-456-2461) to urge his/her attendance at this important meeting.
Sample text:
Dear _______________________________,
I urge you to attend the UN High Level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis that will take place in New York from June1 to 3. Your presence there would signal a real commitment to changing our global economic system from the current model that has proven to be unsustainable to one that values people over profit and protects our planet. We need to focus on the common good rather than excessive profits for a very few. Our country should take a leadership role in restructuring our global financial and economic system for the benefit of all.
Sincerely
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
President Obama Signs Community Service Bill
On April 21, President Obama signed into law (P.L. 111-13) the "Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act," legislation that reauthorizes and expands national volunteer service programs.
The "Serve America Act" will:
Grow the number of AmeriCorps volunteers from 75,000 to 250,000
Increase education rewards to $5350
Provide incentives for middle and high school students to engage in service
Recognize and support universities engaged in service
Create green and other new service corps to meet key needs in low-income communities
Expand service opportunities for older Americans and public-private partnerships
Build a nationwide service infrastructure through community-building investments and social entrepreneurship
The final version of the bill contains restrictions on the types of activities for which national service funded positions can be used; however, nonprofit organizations will be able to use their own funds to advocate for causes in which they believe.
The bill also includes an amendment for nonprofit capacity building. It sets up a grant program in the Corporation for National and Community Service to expand organizational development assistance to small and midsize nonprofit organizations.
To read more, go here.
The "Serve America Act" will:
Grow the number of AmeriCorps volunteers from 75,000 to 250,000
Increase education rewards to $5350
Provide incentives for middle and high school students to engage in service
Recognize and support universities engaged in service
Create green and other new service corps to meet key needs in low-income communities
Expand service opportunities for older Americans and public-private partnerships
Build a nationwide service infrastructure through community-building investments and social entrepreneurship
The final version of the bill contains restrictions on the types of activities for which national service funded positions can be used; however, nonprofit organizations will be able to use their own funds to advocate for causes in which they believe.
The bill also includes an amendment for nonprofit capacity building. It sets up a grant program in the Corporation for National and Community Service to expand organizational development assistance to small and midsize nonprofit organizations.
To read more, go here.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Marketing Arm of Human Trafficking
Check out the Polaris Project website for a human trafficking blog. The April 28 entry is about the marketing arm of human trafficking, but there are other important issues covered, as well.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Four Lessons for Teaching Justice
Don't miss the May 11 issue of America, focusing on education and social justice. Click here to read one of the articles, "Four Lessons for Teaching Justice," by Drew Christiansen, SJ.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Global Health Crisis: From Pax Christi USA
May 1, 2009
With Crisis Comes Opportunity: A Statement on the Global Health Crisis
Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace movement, offers our deepest condolences to the families of all those who have died from the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, the United States and around the world. We also hold in prayer all those who are suffering from this virus and those who may be vulnerable to infection. This outbreak reminds us that we are all connected to each other on this planet, that no person or nation is an island unto themselves and that the fate of each person touches every other person. We can no longer think of ourselves as only citizens of the United States. We are members of one human family, made in the image of God. Unfortunately this global health crisis is also being used by those who reject this vision of the unity of the human family. Right-wing demagogues and opportunistic politicians are using the concerns over the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico as an excuse to continue spreading the racist fear and hatred of immigrants (particularly undocumented immigrants) that was engaged during national debates about immigration reform.To read the rest of this statement, click here.
With Crisis Comes Opportunity: A Statement on the Global Health Crisis
Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace movement, offers our deepest condolences to the families of all those who have died from the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, the United States and around the world. We also hold in prayer all those who are suffering from this virus and those who may be vulnerable to infection. This outbreak reminds us that we are all connected to each other on this planet, that no person or nation is an island unto themselves and that the fate of each person touches every other person. We can no longer think of ourselves as only citizens of the United States. We are members of one human family, made in the image of God. Unfortunately this global health crisis is also being used by those who reject this vision of the unity of the human family. Right-wing demagogues and opportunistic politicians are using the concerns over the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico as an excuse to continue spreading the racist fear and hatred of immigrants (particularly undocumented immigrants) that was engaged during national debates about immigration reform.To read the rest of this statement, click here.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 19 - Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
We haven't had a Troy Davis update in a while. Unfortunately, it doesn't look good for him. His stay of execution is set to expire on May 15, which could lead to a late May execution date. Amnesty International is calling for a Global Day of Action for Troy Davis on May 19. Click here for more information.
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