January 2025 Update

Dear Sisters and Friends,

At the Justice Desk we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for 2025 and below you will learn of some of the events, reports and articles (that have been referred to us) that we hope will be of interest to you. We know that there is too much in this update but you are only asked to engage with that which interests you but we would ask that you might share this issue with those who do not have the gift of the internet.

In this issue you will find:

News of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
RENATE
1. Task Group Activities.
2. Beyond Borders Short Film.
3. House of Prayer Resources.
Poverty Watch 2024: Ending Poverty must be top of the Political Agenda.
In the latest issue of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice Working Notes I draw your attention to two articles in this edition. The first is by Meaghan Carmody formerly the Coordinator of Coalition 2030 and the second is by Noel Wardick who is the CEO of the Dublin City Community Co-op ( I serve on the Board of the Co-op).
Ruhama and our overlapping work over the last three months.
Global leaders face a monumental task. Here are six critical steps that they — and the Irish government — can take in 2025 to make the world fairer and better for all: These impactful actions clearly resonate with our Presentation Charism and our IPA Commitments. Well worth a read! Read the full article HERE.
President Higgins on Migration.
The Facts about Climate Disaster as referred to us by the English Province.
Talitha Kum and their recently published 2023 Report. (We are members and I was privileged to attend the Talitha Kum Assembly during the year).
Course: Every year, the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission USG-UISG engages in the JPIC Formation Workshop—a five-day journey for JPIC Promoters and individuals working in related ministries. More below!
National Justice and Peace Network NJPN UK
1. Events list
2. Spring Newsletter.
3. Invitation to a debate: The World in 2030: what can be done to make it more peaceful'?
4. 70 Christian organisations have published a statement calling on the big five UK high-street banks to end their financing of new fossil fuels which are fueling dangerous levels of global heating.
AEFJN Ireland and the African Updates.
Justice Coalition for the Religious (JCor) - Training available on the SDGs.
The published number of human trafficking victims in Ireland is “a considerable underestimate of the true number”, according to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Article below.
An invitation to us from Despoina our IPA NGO Representative at the UN.
Coalition 2030
1. We have signed off on the new 2025 Work Plan for Coalition 2030. You can check out this plan below.
2. Coalition 2030 hosted a webinar entitled "Why Ireland Needs Future Generations Commission a recording of this event is now available on YouTube here. (and below)
Europe's Oldest Marine Reserve - is located in Co. Cork (as referred to us by the Sisters of the South West Province).
New report finds significant challenges caused by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has left women in Ireland and Northern Ireland more at risk from violence.
Link to Edmund Rice Newsletter HERE

I hope that some of what you read in this newsletter is of interest and as always there is a standing invitation to let us know what you are doing, events you have attended, or indeed articles of interest. We would love to hear from you.

Brian O' Toole

Director at the Interprovincial Presentation Justice Desk.

The 2025 Jubilee was officially opened on December 24, 2024 at 7pm, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father, who then presided over the celebration of the Night Mass of the Lord's Birth inside the Basilica. The Holy Father has decided that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25 years. The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and is a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis. Below is the logo that will be used throughout the year, but what exactly does it mean? The Catholic Church of England and Wales give a good but succinct description of what will be in store for all this year, should we choose to engage. More HERE.

At the ATD Christmas Caroling in December where we raised €700 for ATD.

The document below is a RENATE Task Group Update, highlighting all the key activities our Task Groups have been involved in over the past year. We hope this will help make the entire membership more aware of the valuable work being done within RENATE's Task Groups. If you feel inspired to join any of these groups, we would love to hear from you — our invitations are always open. You can read this below or just click HERE.

RENATE Task Group Activities, 2024.pdf

I attended the launch of this film and have a small (very) part in it!

As always, you can stay up to date with everything happening within RENATE via the “News” section of our website or through our social media channels:

RENATE NEWS SECTION: https://www.renate-europe.net/blogour-work/
FACEBOOK: @renateurope
INSTAGRAM: @renate_europe
TWITTER: @RenateEurope1

The second document is a Winter Prayer Package, lovingly prepared by the RENATE House of Prayer Task Group. This package is designed for your personal prayers and reflections over the Christmas season and into next year, and we hope it will bring you peace and inspiration during this special time. You can check out this resource HERE. We have published one prayer as an example below.

Poverty Watch 2024: Ending Poverty Must be Top of the Political Agenda

as the negotiations for the Programme For Government begin, this report from EAPN can be read below. We are affiliated with the European Anti Poverty Network.

Poverty Watch 2024: Ending Poverty Must be Top of the Political Agenda - EAPN IrelandAs talks on Government formation get underway, it is crucial all political parties put the elimination of poverty at the top of the political agenda so that it forms a central pillar of the next Programme for Government, The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland said today as it published its annual Poverty Watch Ireland report. … Continue reading "Poverty Watch 2024: Ending Poverty Must be Top of the Political Agenda"

In the latest issue of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice Working Notes I draw your attention to two articles in this edition. The first is by Meaghan Carmody formerly the Coordinator of Coalition 2030 and the second is by Noel Wardick who is the CEO of the Dublin City Community Co-op ( I serve on the Board of the Co-op).

Intergenerational Solidarity: What Duties Do We Have for People in the Future? You can read this article HERE on Page 16

by Meaghan Carmody. Meaghan Carmody works as a Senior Sustainability Advisor for Business in the Community Ireland. She holds an MA in International Political Economy from University College Dublin and has worked in the Irish NGO sector for a decade on issues of sustainable development.

Destabilising the Fight Against Poverty You can read this article HERE on Page 45

by Sofia Clifford Riordan and Noel Wardick

Sofia Clifford Riordan worked for Dublin City Community Co-op as Policy, Advocacy & Programmes Officer with a focus on drafting advocacy papers, position statements, and thematic reports. She holds a Masters in Human Rights and International Politics, from University of Glasgow, and a Bachelors in Social Care, from Technological University Dublin.

Noel Wardick is the CEO of Dublin City Community Co-op since 2015. Noel holds a Bachelors in Communications and a Masters in Economic Science from UCD. In addition to his senior management roles Noel has considerable governance experience having served on a number of boards in the not-for- profit sector. Prior to joining the Co-op, Noel worked in international development and spent several years living and working in the Horn & East Africa.

Over the course of 2024 we have had a number of occasions to work with Ruhama, some directly and in other instances we dovetailed our attendance and presentation at events. At the North East Province Day, entitled 'Hope in Hard Times' we were delighted to be addressed by Mia de Faoite of Ruhama. (You can read our report of this event HERE). Later in the year we attended the Health & Social Care Education and Human Trafficking (HSCEHT) conference where Mia was given a standing ovation for her presentation. (More HERE.) In the lead up to the General Election we developed a set of questions that we asked of the prospective parliamentarians and the first of these was to ask for the inclusion of the 'On-The-Spot fines' for purchasers of sex. This element of the Nordic model, adopted by Ireland, is missing and allows men to escape their responsibilities. Such an inclusion would go some way to addressing the "Demand" side of the equation. At the final conference of the year Human Trafficking - A Faith and Justice Perspective (More HERE), this very question was posed (as urged by the Presentation Justice Desk) to the police attending this conference and they applauded the question and offered that they have been actively campaigning for its inclusion. There was now a new energy in the room. You can read more about Ruhama and their prestigious award below.

Ruhama wins Charity of the Year 2024 in recognition of their work tackling Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. You can read more about this award HERE.

Global leaders face a monumental task. Here are six critical steps that they — and the Irish government — can take in 2025 to make the world fairer and better for all: These impactful actions clearly resonate with our Presentation Charism and our IPA Commitments. Well worth a read!

1. Take urgent and just action on the climate crisis

2. End hyper-capitalism, the root of climate chaos and gender inequality

3. Reaffirm commitment to international law, accountability and justice

4. Prioritise forgotten crises

5. Stand up for minorities and migrants

6. And for once and for all… let’s fully deliver women’s rights

Read the full article HERE.

The world in 2025: Six actions global leaders can take to build a fairer and better planetAs a chaotic year draws to a close, ActionAid Ireland’s Karol Balfe says there are clear pathways there for global leaders to pull us out of the crises.

Céad Míle Fáilte Romhaibh!

The facts about a planet facing climate disaster are clear. Why won’t this Labour government face them?

Jeremy Corbyn

You can read the full article HERE.

You can download or read the the full report HERE.

Talitha Kum is an International Network Against Human Trafficking, an initiative established in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). This global network, led by Catholic Sisters, aims to end human trafficking and exploitation through collaborative initiatives focused on prevention, protection, spiritual support, social reintegration, and rehabilitation of survivors.

“Talitha Kum. Little girl, I say to you, rise up.” (Mark 5:41)

“Talitha Kum” is derived from a powerful biblical passage: “Talitha Kum. Little girl, I say to you, rise up.” (Mark 5:41). In this passage, Jesus addresses Jairus’s 12-year-old daughter, believed to be dead, and upon taking her hand, she immediately rises and walks. This message of hope and transformation is the core to Talitha Kum’s mission. The expression “Talitha Kum” defines the identity and mission of its global umbrella network, which unites around 6,000 Catholic Sisters, allies, and partners by referring to the transformative power of hope, compassion, and mercy. As Catholics, rooted in the Gospel and guided by the Catholic Social Teaching of the Church, we draw inspiration from Jesus’ words. This word is an invitation to Talitha Kum networks and all people of goodwill to rise up with courage and hope, stand with victims and survivors of trafficking, and promote a just world where every human being can live with dignity and fullness, fulfilling Christ’s message:

We offer a few graphics below that explain the reach and impact of Talitha Kum in numbers but you can download or read the the full report HERE.

Whilst Talitha Kum is a worldwide network we are currently working in the European Network and the detail of this network can be seen in numbers below.

I was referred to an interesting article in the Tablet recently and felt it was worth the share!.

'Why trafficking involves us all' Page 4 / Listen, dream, act - A victim support network led by women Religious is educating young people to recognise how trafficking involves us all / BY JOANNA MOORHEAD in the Tablet HERE.

Date: 10 to 14 February 2025 ------------- UISG PJPIC Formation.

Every year, the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission USG-UISG engages in the JPIC Formation Workshop—a five-day journey for JPIC Promoters and individuals working in related ministries.

The aim of the workshop is to empower Promoters and those involved in JPIC-related ministries with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to discern appropriate responses to the current needs of the world.

This workshop offers participants a space to reflect, discuss, and share, enabling them to grasp essential theoretical concepts for their work and service. By learning from shared experiences and practices and exchanging knowledge, participants will enhance their capacity to better serve and care for both people and the planet.

Formats:

· Online: via Zoom

· In-person: UISG Headquarters (non-residential; accommodation not included)

Participation Fees:

To help cover translation services, access to materials, and event recordings, a donation-based participation fee is requested:

· Online: €50 (euro)

· In-person: €100 (euro)

We want everyone to participate in this experience. If you face financial difficulties, you can indicate during registration whether you can contribute a partial amount or require a full scholarship.

If you are interested in this course you can register HERE

English.pdf

National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN)

Below is a list of events that will be held during this Jubilee Year by the NJPN and I will be presenting on the Opening Doors to Freedom from Trafficking and Slavery on February 6th. (Online only and I will send the poster with the invitation shortly for all. I hope that you will join us at this event.)

You can read the most up to date National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) Spring Newsletter HERE. (or below). I am a member of the NJPN Executive Board.

_________________________

Spring 2025 Newsletter.pdf

This may be of interest .

Greetings for Christmas and the New Year from Hexham Debates! ✨ We are very pleased to welcome back our first speaker:

🎓 Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University to launch Series 18 of the Hexham Debates!

🗣️ Debate No.1 - 'The World in 2030: what can be done to make it more peaceful'?

⏰ 11am online on Zoom

🗓️ Saturday 18th January 2025

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive a Zoom link to this event: 🔗 https://wordpress.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=780254213c71ea59aa3290254&id=8c1017fe00

See you there! 👋

Today, 70 Christian organisations have published a statement calling on the big five UK high-street banks to end their financing of new fossil fuels which are fueling dangerous levels of global heating.

In the largest action yet calling for change from UK high street banks on their fossil fuel financing, the Churches and Christian organisations involved join the many charities, churches, universities and medical institutions that have already taken action on this issue. Between them, the signatories represent over 400,000 members.

________________

We signed this and below is a letter of thanks for our support.

Dear Sr Eleanor and Brian,

I hope you are well.

Just a note to say many thanks to you both and all at the Presentation Sisters (English Province) for signing the Statement of Concern to UK bank CEOs on their fossil fuel financing.

We were delighted that eight Catholic religious orders were among the 70 Christian organisations that signed onto the statement, as well as SCIAF, the National Justice & Peace Network and Justice & Peace Scotland.

The statement received national media coverage in The Times last Tuesday (you can read the full article here), as well as articles in Crux, Church Times and Independent Catholic News.

Many thanks again for your support. I hope we can continue working together on these issues in the year ahead.

With very best wishes, God bless,

James

James Buchanan

Climate Finance Campaign Manager

Laudato Si' Movement

AEFJN- Ireland.

As members of the Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network we hear news from the other antennae around the world and AEFJN- Germany publishes a fortnightly news sheet that is very informative and I offer the November sheet below but for others or indeed to subscribe to the feed you can visit https://www.netzwerkafrika.de/

Africa_News_29__November_2024.pdf

JCoR is offering an online training program to all Sisters, Brothers, priests, and their partners from these countries who would like to learn more about the SDGs, the progress reporting forum that will happen in July, and how we can contribute our voices and experiences to our national conversations and efforts for sustainable development. If you are living in or have a significant past experience from one of the countries that will report this year, you are invited and encouraged to join our training programme. The first session will be held on Monday, 27 January 2025. Visit the JCoR website to learn more about the programme and register to join us!

The published number of human trafficking victims in Ireland is “a considerable underestimate of the true number”, according to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The body has responded to figures contained in the 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Figures on human trafficking victims 'a considerable underestimate of the true number'Advocates believe actual figures of victims in Ireland is much higher than numbers contained in UN report because currently, only gardaí can identify victims

A request from Despoina our IPA NGO Representative at the UN.

Dear all,

As we prepare for the upcoming UN Commission for Social Development in February 2025 under the Priority Theme of: Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development we, the NGO Committee on Social Development (NGOCSocD), are pleased to share with you our 2025 Civil Society Declaration which is now available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Arabic.

The Declaration was drafted by the two co-chairs of the NGOCSocD Advocacy subcommittee, Dr. Despoina Afroditi Milaki and MaryAnn Dantuono, and approved by the entire membership.

You can download the Declaration below:

2025 Civil Society Declaration – English

This is the time to rethink our whole approach to society, to accept and implement social change and transformation. Peoples’ needs are changing in response to a quickly evolving context. People want more responsive action to address the key challenges.

You can click this link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl_zOeNGPAFAW70u40vN9Bub_9mVbHZWiAwnS5f7Ul4PrAtg/viewform) to sign the Declaration!

Please circulate the 2025 Civil Society Declaration among your networks for signatures.

All signatures received from NGOs and individuals will be shared with Bureau members of this Commission, UN Member States and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the opening of the 63rd session of the Commission on February 10, 2025.

For any questions, please email ipa.ngo.rep@gmail.com or ngosocialdevelopment@gmail.com.

You can find out much more about the upcoming conference when you visit https://ngosocdev.org/csocd63/

Thank you!

Despoina

(We have signed this on behalf of the Presentation Sisters in Ireland and in England).

In early December we met with other members of Coalition 2030 at their plenary to consider what might be the work of the Coalition during 2025 and we are now being invited to vote on the Coalition's 2025 work plan. Please read the amended version here.

Coalition 2030 hosted a webinar entitled "Why Ireland Needs Future Generations Commission a recording of this event is now available on YouTube here. (and below)

Here also are the slides from Catherine Carty's presentation.

Europe’s oldest marine reserve, located in County Cork, is in decline. What’s going on? https://jrnl.ie/6529406

Europe’s oldest marine reserve, located in County Cork, is in decline. What’s going on?The Journal Investigates finds multiple pressures and lack of management are wreaking havoc on life in Lough Hyne Marine Reserve.

New report finds significant challenges caused by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has left women in Ireland and Northern Ireland more at risk from violence.

Domestic abuse victims more at risk on both sides of border since BrexitNew report finds significant challenges caused by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has left women in Ireland and Northern Ireland more at risk from violence.

Link to Edmund Rice Newsletter HERE

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