March 2026

I had the privilege of attending a roundtable with the UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. The discussion provided an opportunity to highlight several issues we intend to raise in our Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) this coming November.

In particular, we addressed the rapid proliferation of data centres in Ireland and the potential development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Shannon Estuary to meet increasing demand on the existing power grid.

More about this visit:

UN Special Rapporteur

Astrid Puentes Riaño is conducting an official visit to Ireland from 9–20 February 2026 to evaluate the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. She is meeting with government officials, civil society, and stakeholders in Dublin, Galway, and Cork to examine environmental protections, climate change, and human rights defenders. 

Key details regarding the visit:

• Focus Areas: The visit covers clean air, water sustainability, biodiversity, non-toxic environments, and the protection of environmental human rights defenders.

• Key Issues Raised: Civil society groups, including the Centre for Environmental Justice and Friends of the Earth Ireland, raised issues including energy poverty, data centres, transport, and the need to align national policy with the Aarhus Convention.

• Constitutional Concerns: Discussions included the potential for constitutional recognition of environmental rights, and the implementation of recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (CABL).

• Upcoming Report: A preliminary report will be presented on 20 February 2026, with a final report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027. 

The visit aims to bridge the gap between environmental policy and human rights obligations within the country.

Lenten Reflections by OUR COLLEAGUE IN jUSTICE Maurice Lange

Our "Effective Pedagogy" Lent 

These BRAND NEW Lenten Reflections connect to the 2026 Laudato Si Action Plan of the U.S. Unit of Presentation Sisters. Each Reflection ponders one of the Sisters’ 6 Goal Actions of their Plan which focuses this year on “Ecological Education”.  Click HERE to read this reflection; HERE

The International Presentation Association & the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN and the NGO Working Group to End Homelessness, along with our co-sponsors, hosted a virtual side-event on the margins of the 64th session of the UN Commission for Social Development, titled ”Upholding Human Dignity: Addressing Homelessness through Inclusive Social Protection”. The event took place on February 12, 2026, via Zoom.

The speakers and participants of the side-event shared best practices’ projects that uphold human dignity for homeless and vulnerable in similar situations, presented aspects of the intertwined social protection and homelessness policies, and explored possible innovative partnerships between various stakeholders on action-oriented commitments.

Our IPA UN Representative, Dr. Despoina Afroditi Milaki, moderated this extremely insightful and inspiring conversation. Homelessness is solvable! By centering human dignity and expanding social protection, the global community can forge a pathway towards inclusive development and social justice.

You can access the side-event’s recording here: https://youtu.be/jxuM_7QLcAQ

The normalisation of poverty in the UK refers to how financial hardship has become an accepted, almost invisible part of everyday life, rather than a crisis demanding urgent action. Rising living costs, insecure work, and long-term underinvestment in public services have made poverty more widespread, leading to a shift in public perception where struggling to afford basic needs is increasingly seen as typical rather than exceptional.  More below. 

Concept Note

Shining a Light on Racism in England:

From Lived Experience to Collective Action

Racism in England remains a persistent and deeply rooted social injustice, shaped by historical legacies of colonialism and slavery, reinforced through structural and institutional systems, and experienced daily through interpersonal prejudice. Despite the existence of strong legal protections—most notably the Equality Act 2010—evidence continues to show that racism affects life chances across employment, education, housing, healthcare, and the criminal justice system.

This webinar, hosted by the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN), seeks to create a reflective, informed, and action-oriented space to explore the realities of racism in England today. It acknowledges both the progress made through decades of activism and legislation, and the significant gaps that remain between law, policy, and lived experience.

Recent data underscores the urgency of this conversation. Racially motivated hate crime is the most frequently reported form of hate crime in England and Wales, with marked increases following global and political events. Black communities continue to face disproportionate policing and sentencing outcomes; Muslim communities experience rising Islamophobia, particularly following international conflicts; Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities remain among the most marginalised groups in society; and East and Southeast Asian communities have faced heightened abuse in recent years. These patterns highlight that racism in England is not uniform but impacts different communities in distinct and intersecting ways.

The webinar will situate contemporary racism within its broader historical and political context. It will reflect on landmark moments such as the Macpherson Report’s recognition of institutional racism, while also engaging with current debates— including concerns about the repeated cycle of inquiries without full implementation, and controversies such as the Sewell Report, which many critics argue downplayed systemic racism.

Central to the webinar is the importance of lived experience, moral reflection, and collective responsibility. Through contributions from activists and scholars, including Beverley Prevatt Goldstein, the event will explore how racism and “othering” operate, the personal and social costs they impose, and the practical steps individuals, faith groups, NGOs, and communities can take to challenge injustice. The inclusion of reflective elements and facilitated discussion underscores the belief that confronting racism is not only a policy issue, but a moral and communal task.

At a time when migration debates, media narratives, and political rhetoric risk fuelling division, this webinar aims to foster understanding rather than fear, solidarity rather than denial, and action rather than complacency. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on how they can “shine a light” on racism in their own contexts—where they live, work, worship, and organise—and to see anti-racism as an ongoing commitment to justice, dignity, and peace.

In case you didn't get to be with us you can access the recording of this wonderful gathering HERE. 

We were so blessed to have such 'on-point' presentations from Dr. Beverley Prevatt Goldstein and Richard Reddie. And we thank them for their kind attention. 

Attached please find 

1. The Racial Justice Sunday Resource HERE

Click to find out more about the National Justice & Peace Network

You can also contact Sharon Chambers NJPN Administrator admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk 

or 

Ann Kelly our membership secretary a.m_kelly@btinternet.com

 ____________________

John Woodhouse in his comments last night mentioned a Theos Report entitled From Strangers to Neighbours: The Church and the Integration of Refugees HERE

We were also invited to attend the Together March in March 28th next for all faiths and none. More HERE

I was asked to writge an article for Independent Catholic News and this can be found HERE and below

We are proud to share some of the work of the Presentation People in Australia. Dr. Gemma Thomson shared this February reflectcion with me and asked that I might share with you. We are happy to do so HERE and below

Dear Presentation People,

In recent years, the monthly Justice Reflections from Presentation Australia Justice Contacts have sparked conversation, awareness, and action across our community. We are excited to keep this momentum alive in 2026 as we continue to animate the spirit and vision of the Presentation call to mission.

Our monthly Justice Reflections are prepared as a shared formative, reflective and inspiring resource for our Presentation community. They help us stay connected, deepen our collective awareness, and strengthen our commitment to advocacy on issues that impact those furthest behind. Through these reflections, we strive to continue to animate the International Presentation Association’s Justice Strategy. We hope to cultivate consciousness, inspire action, and work together for justice, peace, and the flourishing of all creation.

Please find attached the reflection for the month of February. 

In 2026, our monthly justice reflections will explore the issues identified in Australia’s Universal Periodic Review considered by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 26 January 2026. As Presentation People, we remain committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) and our priority areas:

• To honour and advance the rights of women and children

• The rights of the earth

• The rights of Indigenous and Tribal People,

• and our UN Advocacy focus of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children

We look forward to sharing these with you throughout the year, and please feel free to share this resource with your respective networks. 

In the spirit of oneness,

Presentation Australia Core Team

I had the privilege of attending the Coalition 2030 networking morning, held at Hen’s Teeth in Dublin 8 on Wednesday, 18 February, and facilitated by Davie Philip of Cultivate. The event provided a valuable opportunity for members to connect and reconnect while strengthening collaboration across the Coalition. Discussions focused on key priorities and important milestones for the year ahead, including the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency, alongside an update on the appointment of the new project coordinator, Niall McGurk. Participants also shared insights and perspectives, and we heard five impactful stories illustrating progress and challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as strategies for effective advocacy to ensure Ireland can make a meaningful contribution during its Presidency. A central takeaway was the urgency of action, with only four years remaining to achieve the SDGs and Ireland currently off track—just 35% of the goals are on target, while over 18% are in decline. In response, there was a strong consensus that Coalition 2030 must sharpen its focus and relevance, potentially becoming more politically active in calling out insufficient commitment to the SDGs. Participants emphasised the need to reconnect with the “big picture,” including the five Ps of the SDGs, to better engage and resonate with the public by linking global goals to real-life local issues. Other priorities identified included taking more strategic risks, advocating for the appointment of a Future Generations Commissioner, strengthening and expanding the coalition, building on existing progress, and maintaining an outward-facing approach while recognising the enduring importance of the Agenda 2030 framework, despite its limitations. 

Photos Below

At the urging of Sr. Miriam Pollard I include a link to this important petition below. Your kind attention to this would be appreciated.