Newsletter
Interprovincial Justice Desk
April 2020
Last updated March 27th 2020
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Dear Sisters and Friends,
I had been putting this newsletter together from early March keeping to the issues that concern us all in both Ireland and England but events have suddenly and seriously taken a turn and the news is filled with worry, concern and a new reality that Covid-19 dictates. That said I'll leave it all with you can dip in and out of whatever catches your eye.
Seamus Heaney
This evening.
March 28th
Earth Hour
Earth Hour
8.30pm - 9.30pm
8.30pm - 9.30pm
Switch off your lights!
We hope you are safe and well.
Earth Hour 2020
This Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out in Áras an Uachtaráin. As they have done in previous years, President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina have asked that all non-essential lights in Áras an Uachtaráin will be switched off from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm, to mark “Earth Hour.”Earth Hour 2020
Earth Hour is a global moment of solidarity for climate action, when more than 350 of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building and the Sydney Opera House – and millions of homes around the world - prepare to switch off their lights.Speaking about the initiative, President Michael D. Higgins said:
“Sabina and I have asked that the lights at Áras an Uachtaráin be switched off for ‘Earth Hour’, to highlight the need for urgent action on climate change.
We are currently experiencing dark times, as the international community is battling to contain and defeat the COVID-19 virus. The global pandemic has brought hardship for many, and it has shone a light on the great extent to which our lives, and our vulnerabilities, are intertwined.
Like other global challenges that have left a scar on our humanity, the fight against the coronavirus requires international solidarity and coordinated action. Earth Hour is a symbolic moment reminding us of mankind’s ability to affect real change, and inviting all people of our planet to consider the impact we are having on Mother Nature.
Let us use the darkness of Earth Hour 2020 to reflect on the ways we can bring an end to our current crisis, and put in place the types of policies and practices, at every level, that can bring about a better use of the wondrous beauty of our shared, but vulnerable, planet.”
Mia
I attended a living Wage Seminar that encourages both the UK and Ireland to pay the Living Wage as opposed to the Minimum Wage. Click Below
And recently
March 21st 2020
March 22nd 2020
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All you need to know about the money message and how it is being applied liberally to block and slow legislation. Will the new Governemt of Ireland take on board the need to use the Money Message.
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This poem by Spike Milligan is probably more appropriate now than at any time before
We contacted 6 Irish Members of the European Parliament in the hope that they would not support the ratification of this list. Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) was the only MEP to vote against the Party Lines and vote with her conscience.
EU accused of climate crisis hypocrisy after backing 32 gas projects
EU accused of climate crisis hypocrisy after backing 32 gas projects
More here
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Oscar Romero Day March 24th 2020
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‘It’s Like the End of the World’ At the Turkish border with Syria, tales of the desperation unfolding on the other side, where some 900,000 people are fleeing a Syrian assault.People are freezing to death in the hills huddled up against the Turkish Border. The camps are full and people are fleeing with nothing but their lives.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/world/europe/turkey-syria-idlib.html
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New UK Immigration Policy:
New UK Immigration Policy:
No visas for low-skilled workers, government says.
Labour said the "hostile environment" will make it hard to attract workers.But Home Secretary Priti Patel said the new system was about bringing "the brightest and the best" to the UKThis policy is to take effect on December 31st 2020.More here from the BBCNo visas for low-skilled workers, government says.
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Ireland ranks 10th out of 15 comparable EU countries in this year’s Sustainable Progress Index, commissioned by Social Justice Ireland. The index comprises three dimensions: economy, society and environment. Ireland is ranked 11th out of the 15 countries on the economy dimension. On the social index, Ireland is in the middle of the ranking, in 7th place. Ireland, however, scores last on the environment index which suggests we are facing significant challenges in meeting our environmental targets. https://www.socialjustice.ie/content/policy-issues/sustainable-progress-index-2020-ireland-ranks-10th-out-eu-15
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UK
Environment 13th out of 15
Society 10th out of 15
Economy 13th out of 15
Overall UK is 9th out of 15 (just one place above Ireland
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I received this notice from Sr. Maureen O' Connell of the Congregational Coordinating Team for Justice (CCt_J) who asked that I would share with those who might be interested in attending this Workshop in Moneygall.
workshop with niamh brennan 23 April 2020 poster (1) (1).pdf
Children should be at the heart of the SDGs
Children should be at the heart of the SDGs
24th February 2020
This joint report presents the case for placing children, aged 0–18 years, at the centre of the SDGs: at the heart of the concept of sustainability and our shared human endeavour. Wealthy countries generally have better child health and development outcomes, but their historic and current greenhouse gas emissions threaten the lives of all children. The ecological damage unleashed today endangers the future of children’s lives on our planet, their only home. As a result, our understanding of progress on child health and wellbeing must give priority to measures of ecological sustainability and equity to ensure we protect all children, including the most vulnerable. This is evident in Ireland's ranking in the report. In terms of child flourishing we rank fifth, however in terms of sustainability and implementing our commitments in terms of the SDGs we rank 154th. The results imply Ireland has a long way to go to meet the aims of Agenda 2030. More here
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Sr. Ann Marie Quinn, who serves as the executive director of the International Presentation Association, was a ubiquitous presence throughout the meetings. She said the global focus on homelessness was evident in both the attention paid to the problem by the U.N. member states and in the participation of religious congregations and nongovernmental organizations from throughout the world.
She hailed the leadership of the African countries on the issue, calling it a "very positive move."
"We're all driven by what happens in our 'home base,' " she told GSR.
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At a recent School Principal Meeting Nickie described what prompted their collective school action to help bring the spark back into homeless children who attend their school.
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European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland
Newsflash February / March 2020
More here
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Our four day High Court hearing in January 2019 drew huge crowds, from grandparents to grandchildren, a whole class of primary school students, artists, deliveroo drivers, engineers and (obviously) lawyers.
You won't want to miss the sequel.
Reasons you should come:
- It's historic. Climate Case Ireland is one of the only climate cases in the world to make it to the highest national court of law.
- It's for all of us. Ireland remains one of the poorest performing countries in the world on climate action but Climate Case Ireland can help change this.
- It's about our fundamental rights. Climate Case Ireland is asking the Supreme Court to secure our right to life; our right to family life and home; and our right to an environment consistent with human dignity.
We hope to see you there!
Stay tuned to our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events in the meantime
Climate Case Ireland team
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This week, The Marmot Review reveals life expectancy failing to increase, how the UK labour market can loosen the grip of poverty, and a new toolkit for employers.
This week, The Marmot Review reveals life expectancy failing to increase, how the UK labour market can loosen the grip of poverty, and a new toolkit for employers.
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February 27th 2020
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marapr2020newsnoteswebsite2.pdfModern Slavery in the UK
We may not immediately think about modern slavery when we hear of County Lines but it is one of the most prevalent forms in the UK today.County Lines involves trafficking drugs from big cities into small towns and is creeping into communities all over the country. It is run by organised criminal gangs who are ruthless and target children and vulnerable young people deliberately because they are easily exploited and can often move around under the radar.Often, because they have been systematically groomed, they don’t see themselves as victims and don’t realise they are trapped until it is too late.Our work around the country with modern slavery partnerships has highlighted the need for support to help people and communities to learn more about County Lines, how to prevent it taking root in neighbourhoods and how to support victims.In response, we have launched our first set of resources as a six-week Lent course on County Lines exploitation. Lent is a time when many of us choose to give things up but this year we are urging people to spare a thought for those who are being exploited?The course provides a comprehensive introduction to County Lines exploitation and is made up of fact sheets, real life stories, spiritual reflections, background reading and action points.Stay up to date by following us on Twitter or Facebook. For more information or to download the course materials and shareable social media graphics, visit www.theclewerinitiative/countylines.___________________________________________
I attended the launch of this event and was really impressed by the bravery of Bertha Cacarés who attended to speak about her mother as a murdered Human Rights Defender.
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It can't be any clearer than this. Why planting the quick growing conifers is the worst idea and does nothing ultimately to mitigate Climate Change.
All you need to know in under 3 minutesClick the photo
The global capitalist system and an associated patholgical illness called “affluenza” is the biggest threat to humankind rather than coronavirus or flu, the human rights campaigner Kumi Naidoo has said.
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Cancelled at the UN because of the Coronavirus
From Sr Eileen in England
The feast of the #Annunciation is celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas. This feast celebrates the day the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary was an ordinary girl from a simple town. Yet, God chose her from all time, and set her apart to be the mother of His Son. And Mary's answered "Be it done unto me according to thy word" This important day offers hope for all.
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Contact
To make contact all details are as above.
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Edmund Rice March Newsletter here
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