JPIC Action Alerts are timely publications that alert our readers on current and upcoming peace and social justice activities, legislative actions that promote human dignity, and integrity in all creation. For our current Action Alerts, please go here. JPIC Advocacy History & Perspectives
Culture of Life: The JPIC Office advocates for a consistent life ethic that includes all aspects that address the safety and quality of a person’s life and all of creation. That point of view leads the JPIC Office to advocate on behalf of policies, economic justice, attitudes and legislation aimed at achieving peace between nations and political factions, between family members, and within the individual spirit.
Death Penalty: The JPIC Office continues to advocate for the complete abolition of the death penalty. We are monitoring the frequency of the death penalty in the country and have been a part of advocacy efforts to prohibit the death penalty for children under 18 and for persons who are developmentally disabled. The good news is that a growing number of juries hesitate to seek the death penalty in lieu of other sentencing options. For more information, refer to http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/
War and Peace: Diplomacy together with the Franciscan values compels the JPIC Office to call for a responsible transition as it concerns military occupation of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Obama Administration has declared a significant change in strategy in Iraq. Both leaders in the U.S. and Iraq have established a date for the withdrawal of troops and stated that diplomacy and development need to be emphasized over military action. This is a step in the right direction. The FY2010 budget that was just approved by Congress begins this process, but there is more work to be done. The JPIC has been advocating for all and any peaceful resolution to this situation, for more update details on peacemaking efforts visit http://www.networklobby.org/issues/2009%20issue%20agenda/peacemaking_page.htm
JubileeUSA: The pending Jubilee Act seeks the cancellation of debt incurred by the world’s most impoverished nations, prohibits unfair economic conditions on indebted countries, while mandating transparency and responsible lending practices from governments and international financial institutions, especially predatory activities (vulture funds). On June 18th, Representative Maxine Waters introduced the Stop VULTURE Funds Act (H.R. 2932), a bill in the House of Representatives that would prevent vulture funds from making this excessive profit at the expense of poor countries. To read more visit http://www.jubileeusa.org/vulturefunds.html. July 1, 2009 - Haiti reached the“completion point” in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries program canceling $1.2 billion of debt! Jubilee's Executive Director Neil Watkins celebrates: “Today’s action to free Haiti of its unjust and unpayable external debt is a welcome and long overdue step. Debt cancellation will provide desperately needed relief for the people of Haiti.” In 2008, Haiti suffered a food and fuel crisis and endured the devastating impact of four hurricanes. As Haiti faces the severe effects of the recent global downturn, debt cancellation can help Haiti fight this uphill battle. Jubilee and partners have worked for over 5 years for this victory. Congratulations to everyone for their hard work! Click here to read press release.
Africa: Many issues relate to the concerns and conflicts in Africa. Special needs are addressed as they arise. For more information, refer to Franciscans International (FI) at www.franciscansinternational.org. FI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status at the United Nations. This means that FI delegates are able to speak at UN meetings and contribute to reports. Other sources for information are http://www.africaaction.org/ and Catholic Relief services at http://www.crs.org/. Among the list of related issues selected for focus in 2009 is collaboration between the African Union and the United Nations for the purpose of establishing an effective mediation mechanism for political, boundary and economic disputes on the continent. Caritas International, a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations around the globe, partner with Catholic groups in more than 200 developing countries and territories. For more information about Caritas’ work in Africa, see http://ww.caritas.org/. President Obama's recent trip to Ghana in July 2009 got world wide coverage from the ONE Campaign, CNN-where Anderson Cooper interviews the President, White House website and other media outlets.The JPIC Office collaborates with the organizations on numerous projects and especially on the continent of Africa.
Kenya: The Upendo Village project is designed to respond at the local level to the needs of women, men and their children living with HIV/AIDS. It is a collaborative effort of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi and the Wheaton Franciscans. The project surrounds their clients with resources and support to improve their health, restore their self-respect, honor their dignity and increase their lifespan. Upendo Village provides hope, love, services and resources so that families can be strengthened and can plan for their future. To read further about the Upendo Village Project, check out http://www.upendovillage.org/ .
Darfur, Sudan: The situation in Darfur continues to be riddled with strife and conflict. Earlier this year, President Obama reminded us of his commitment and obligation to end the atrocities in Darfur. Since then, we've been anxiously waiting to see his plan for peace. The Obama administration now appears close to finalizing their plan, but much depends on when and how it is released. President Obama must personally announce his plan, and clearly state his commitment to that plan as a national priority. To follow his plan and act visit http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign/obamarollout, http://www.africaaction.org/ also http://www.crs.org/sudan/needs-continue/
Northern Uganda: The JPIC Office has solicited information from Franciscan International (FI), Caritas International, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and evangelical groups, and applied these materials to regularly impact federal legislation on Northern Uganda. The 2004 Northern Uganda Crisis and Response Act, was signed by former President Bush which continues to assist the Acholi communities in Uganda deal with devastation caused by the militant Lord’s Resistance Army, which had been kidnapping children and enslaving and raping them. For more information and efforts to bring peace to this troubled land refer to the Ugandan network at http://www.ugandacan.org/.
Human Trafficking: By the time someone has been trafficked, we've already failed. Obviously efforts to help victims, empower survivors, and punish perpetrators are extremely vital. At the same time, ultimately we should be working towards a world where trafficking does not occur in the first place. Prevention efforts can be nebulous, though, and even with the best of intentions can do more harm than good. Numerous experts who are working in the anti-trafficking movement in various capacities expressed some common themes about what needs to happen to address the roots of trafficking. To get more information locally and globally visit http://www.humantrafficking.org/, http://www.usccb.org/mrs/trafficking/index.shtml also http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=658 On the state level, a Catholic lobby group organized for the purpose of assisting women and children called Project Irene has been successful in its efforts to pass milestone legislation in Illinois. In collaboration with Illinois’ Rescue and Restore Campaign, the two-year-old law not only prosecutes violators of human trafficking, it also responds to victims by providing accessible crisis intervention. For information about Project Irene, view http://www.Projectirene@aol.com. To download and read the Monthly Anti-Human
Trafficking Newsletter and to obtain further information on Human
Trafficking, click this link, http://www.stopenslavement.org/index.html
Environment: On Friday June 26, 2009 the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed landmark climate change legislation, the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" (H.R. 2454), by a vote of 219 to 212. The bill seeks to cap emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and also to transform the energy sector. In an action alert, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supports the measures in the bill that: Ensure that low-income individuals and families in the U.S. are not disproportionately affected by any potential rise in energy prices resulting from the legislation; Assist not-for-profit, community, and faith-based institutions including houses of worship to become more energy efficient; and Put in place mechanisms to provide adaptation assistance for poor and vulnerable populations internationally. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Charities have both been advocating for changes towards our environment. Clean Water: We encourage people to take action: individually, collectively and in solidarity with people around the work to address concerns of water scarcity and equality. It is a crucial human rights issue that all people have access to clean water. This action is in conjunction with the UN International Decade for Water: 2005 to 2015. There have been several actions against the privatization of water in developing countries where the needs of the local community have not been considered. The JPIC Office has focused advocacy efforts upon the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. On March 22 2009, we celebrated World Water Day. The theme was "Shared Water - Shared Opportunities". Special focus will be placed on transboundary waters. For further information, check http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/flashindex.html In July 2008, the Franciscan Federation resolved to support clean water and accessibility initiatives. The resolution also opposes bottled water: first, bottled water is linked to hindering the development of vital resources, and, second, the manufacture of containers clogs landfills. For information, view http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/cms/page1555.cfm/. Energy: June 25, 2009 the House is slated to vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The President weighed in heavily on the importance of passing this bill to read more go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/A-Historic-Energy-Bill/ also visit EGO Justice on Climate Change. As Congress moves this year to tighten emission standards for vehicles, the JPIC Office plans to continue to advocate for proposals that make for a cleaner environment.
For more information and updates, view http://www.faithinplace.org/news.php?ID=58
Protect the Arctic Wild Life Refuge against drilling: The 19.6 million-acre refuge, locate in the northeast corner of Alaska, is a crucial haven for huge flocks of migratory birds, caribou and dozens of other species, including polar bears, arctic foxes, Dall sheep and muskoxen. The Arctic tundra region is an ecologically sensitive area that will not easily recover from the oil drilling process. Efforts to drill in this area have been turned back in Congress, but still continue to be proposed even in unrelated budget and defense bills. For more information, view http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlife/species/, http://www.defenders.org/, http://www.sierraclub.org/, http://www.ucsusa.org/action/alerts/, http://www.nwf.org/.
Healthcare: Affordable Health Care: A Basic Human Right: The JPIC Office joined Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in its efforts to promote the coverage of the uninsured and the underinsured. The focus was particularly active in the spring. For more information refer to Catholic Healthcare Association at http://www.chausa.org/. For continuous information on healthcare visit these websites, http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=329, http://www.chn.org/humanneeds/090701a.html, http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=698#3
HIV and AIDS
Pandemic: Former President Bush has asked Congress to provide an
additional $50 billion towards Global AIDS crisis over the first
five years after he leaves office. This increase in the President's
Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) would provide lifesaving
treatment to 2.5 million people which is 1.4 million more than the
current program. To read the entire press release please go to http://www.one.org/node/339.
On June 23, 2009 Eric Goosby, MD, assumed the role of Ambassador at Large and Global AIDS Coordinator with the U.S. Department of State. To read entire press release go to http://www.pepfar.gov/press/releases/2009/125246.htm. Recently President Obama ask for additional 2.9 billion increase funding for global poverty alleviation in his FY 2010 budget. For local HIV/AIDS meetings and networking in the DuPage County visit http://www.dgaan.org/.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Initiatives for comprehensive immigration Reform is currently being discuss in Congress and in the White House.
The JPIC Office continues to support the recently re-introduced Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, a proposal allowing illegal immigrant students who completed high school to attend college as citizens of the United States or to serve in the U.S. military. For more information, check http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/index.htm, http://www.franciscanaction.org/Links/exec/Immigration and http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=645
Affordable Housing: The JPIC Office continues to support affordable housing particularly as it impacts young families, the elderly and singles in DuPage County. We urge the Illinois General Assembly to create a fund to assist people in their efforts to achieve homeownership. Recently Advocacy was Needed to Stop Massive State Budget Cuts for Human Service Programs in Illinois, by saying no vacation for lawmakers until they pass 12-month budget that is morally and fiscally responsible. For information on this statement and action alert visit http://www.housingmatters.net/showalert.asp?aaid=4089
Womb to Tomb: For these sensitive life issues, regarding a consistent life ethics our advocacy efforts are guided by the efforts of the Catholic Health Association at http://www.chausa.org/.
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