Advocacy

Write for Rights

The Sisters of St. Joseph have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Amnesty International, a global organization focused on upholding human rights. That relationship continues through the annual visit from their leadership to us. This year Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General for Amnesty International Canada’s English-Speaking section, came to speak to us about their mission. Since 2012, the Sisters of St. Joseph have participated in the world’s larges human rights campaign, Amnesty’s Write for Rights. Write for Rights is a global letter writing campaign to fight injustice and support those whose human rights are threatened. Participants from around the globe write letters of support for those who face threats of violence and imprisonment for who they are and what they stand for. These letters put pressure on governments and leaders by showing them that the eyes of the world are watching and will not accept inaction. By writing letters to leaders and those in need, participants of Write for Rights fight injustice and protect those who advocate for change.

This year, our Write for Rights event was open to Sisters and staff who proved the might of the pen! Our words and actions supported five causes - four abroad and one right here in Canada. We supported three activists facing imprisonment and violence: Dang Dinh Bach (an environmental lawyer in Viet Nam), Şebnem Korur Fincancı (a human rights defender in Türkiye), and Manahel al-Otaibi (a women’s rights supporter in Saudi Arabia). We also supported systemic change by writing for Kyung Seok Park and Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, a disability activist group in South Korea. Here in Canada, we supported the Wet’suwet’en land defenders who continue to fight to protect the environment and their ancestral lands from the construction of a fossil fuel pipeline, even in the face of criminal charges.

Pre-made letter writing packages were available for pick up on November 22 and a sit-in writing marathon event was held on International Human Rights Day, December 10th. Filled with a passion for change and delicious treats, Sisters and staff put their hands and hearts to work and wrote letter after letter. In total, 266 earnest letters were carefully written by Sisters and staff! Thank you to all who attended in person or submitted letters in advance.

The Write for Rights event was a smashing success and, supported by our prayers, we know our letters and petitions will enact change.

-Rhiannon Allen-Roberts & Sarah Morrison

The Need to Speak Up

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Annual Peace Luncheon commemorating the 75th anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Law. Among the distinguished speakers was Dr. Atif Kirbursi, a retired UN official, who underscored the UN's fundamental mission to uphold global peace, a daunting task given the existence of 194 nations worldwide. He recounted numerous instances where the UN's efforts successfully prevented conflicts and averted wars, while acknowledging occasional failures.

Dr. Kirbursi commended the implementation of the sustainable development goals as a yardstick for assessing progress. However, his most poignant message resonated deeply: "No one will give you power; you need to take power yourself." His words emphasized the imperative of proactive engagement against injustices, rather than passivity or indifference.

Image: micheile henderson/Unsplash

This sentiment was echoed by the subsequent speaker, Simin Khaveri, a native of Iran who played a pivotal role in exposing the execution of ten young women, aged 17 to 30, in Iran in 1983. Among these victims was her own sister. These women, adherents of the Bahá’í faith, were put to death for their religious beliefs after enduring months of imprisonment and torture. Despite being offered freedom in exchange for renouncing their faith, they chose martyrdom. Simin's actions in alerting the media shed light on this tragedy, prompting international scrutiny and condemnation of Iran's actions.

Let us remember that when we see injustice, we must speak up.

-Sister Nancy Sullivan, csj

Images: Oleg Laptev/Unsplash

Labour Day: Imagining a New Kind of Economy

As Labour Day rolls around once again, there’s a different feeling in the air. For many workers, wages haven’t kept up with inflation. There’s a growing sense that workers have been pushed to the brink and they’re ready to stand together for a fair deal. For some that has meant strikes; for others, tough negotiating. Slowly, progress is being made.   

But a recent article, by a former grocery-store worker, puts this progress in context. The article makes the point that there was a time when a person could build a solid career out of a full-time job at a grocery store. There were benefits, a pension, and a wage that would be about $46/hr in today’s dollars. Cashiers and clerks started at a wage that was triple the minimum wage. 

Today, we can’t imagine such a thing. That’s how far removed from decent work our economy has become.  It’s not that grocery stores are making less profit. In the quarter  that ended July 1, Metro announced that net earnings increased 26 per cent to $346.7 million from $275 million during the same quarter a year earlier. That’s profit.  Yes, their costs went up, but their revenues increased at the same time, ensuring these huge profits.

And, of course, it’s not just Metro. And it’s not just grocery stores. Profits don’t trickle down to workers; they flow to shareholders through increased dividends and buybacks.  It’s how the system works.

“Profits don’t trickle down to workers; they flow to shareholders through increased dividends and buybacks.  It’s how the system works.”

As we celebrate Labour Day, let’s also begin to imagine a new kind of economy. What about an Economy of Solidarity?  An economy grounded in human rights and care for the earth and all earth’s inhabitants. 

If we learn to stand together, we could make it happen.

-Sister Sue Wilson, CSJ

OVER THE AIRWAYS: THE IMPACT OF RADIO

Celebrating World Radio Day

In 2012, February 13th was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as World Radio Day. The Assembly’s desire was to heighten our awareness of the importance of radio communication. I have been given permission by Farm Radio International’s Executive Director, Kevin Perkins, to cite information from its fall newsletter, Tuning In.

In the publication, I learned how modern technology is helping Farm Radio better target their programming to where their listeners live and ensure that their programs remain relevant. Thus, they efficiently determine who is listening by using information such as the location, height and power of a station’s transmitter to gauge a station’s broadcast area.

The information gained on the station’s geographic reach is overlaid on population maps to determine the number of listeners within the station’s broadcast zone. With this information, Farm Radio states that on average, 40-60 percent of potential listeners in a broadcast zone typically tune in to Farm Radio programs regularly. In addition, these statistics on location and numbers of listeners facilitates better marketing to potential sponsors as well as increased revenue for the station’s operation.

One specific example of Farm Radio’s success is highlighted by its impact during COVID. It was instrumental in changing minds and reaping positive results by ensuring that millions of people across Africa have access to information about life saving vaccines.

Achata Traore, a regular listener to Farm Radio broadcasts shares how radio programming changed her mind about being vaccinated against COVID. She explained, “When they came to vaccinate us, I was really worried. But I remembered the advice on the radio programs. I got vaccinated. I passed the information on to them in the fields when we were there for work, saying they wouldn’t lie to us.”

Let us applaud the 58-year success of Farm Radio International, the wonderful brainchild of Canadian broadcaster, George Atkins.

To learn more about the important work of Farm Radio International visit https://farmradio.org/

Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

International Day for Malala

International Day for Malala – July 12, 2022

Many will remember Malala, who at age 17, received the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating on behalf of young girls in her country, Pakistan to receive an education along with the boys who were schooled without question.  Pakistan was under the rule of the Taliban and still today education for young girls is forbidden.  As a youngster wanting the opportunity to learn, Malala defied this rule and went to school – and one day was brutally attacked for her action against the rules of the Government.  This forced her family to flee Pakistan for medical help and also to protect her family members.  Her passion and commitment did not wane and up to the present day, Malala continues to use her voice on behalf of the many girls and women desiring an education in her country and other countries around the world. 

On July 12, 2013, the United Nations called for world wide access to education with the institution of Malala Day.   Her words that day still are heard across our broken world: “Malala Day is not my day.  Today is the day of every woman, of every girl, of every boy who have raised their voice for their rights.”  (UN Address, July 12, 2013)

A line from our own Sisters of St. Joseph Statement, Moving With Love, comes to mind for personal reflection on the current situation in our world:

            “We commit to risk taking and justice making”…

What risks do we need to take to build a more just world for all?

Where are we being invited to use our voice to promote justice for all? 

-Sister Ann MacDonald, csj