D&P makes a difference

Ready to make a difference with YOU!

2008-08-14T15:16:00.001-07:00

Development and Peace's Youth Assembly is gearing up for

the 2008-2009 year!

From left to right

Dan (PEI), Adrian (E ON), Dan (NL), Zach (BC), Chiarra (N ON), Nicole (MB), Tera (NB) - in the tree, Vanessa (C ON), Alison (NS), Julio (AB) and Sarah (SK)

Absent : Danielle (SW ON)

Lights Camera Action in Jos!

2008-07-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

25 youth delegates who attended YARAC's "The Church, Young people, Social Justice and Peace" are on fire to work for change after the three day workshop. The D and P youth team here co-facilitated and participated with 25 youth from the Archdiocese of Jos.

The three day workshop was built around three themes: The Church and Social Doctrine, Youth as God's instruments and The Church, Transformation and Social Justice. On the Tuesday, we (Nigerian and Canadian youth) exchanged our experiences working for justice through our parishes and respective organizations.

The most exciting part of the workshop though was the Action Plan session. The first set of small groups was based on gender. The young women swiftly seized the opportunity to meet as women and after much passionate and thoughtful conversation came up with a six month action plan to educate women at the University of Jos on the dangers of prostitution culminating in a rally with drama and jingles. The men's action plan seeks to change a significant problem too... to advocate for, develop and implement a salary grid for church workers in the diocese.
The Catholic Social Teachings on Economic justice did not get lost on them.

Afterwards, participants gathered in parish groups to develop action plans, all with goals that were SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound). Many individuals who previously did not perceive their reality as changeable were moved to take action in their own community.

Over the three days, many new friendships were made and much time was spent exchanging emails before everyone departed. YARAC, our hosts, intend to accompany these youth as they begin to implement their action plan and see this as a beginning of more work to support youth in working for justice through their parishes.

The news of the workshop is getting out there. Just yesterday, we were interviewed with YARAC, a CYO- Nigeria member and a university professor on a live radio show called Pandora's box.

Let's see what happens!

D and P Youth Team Welcomed Warmly in Jos, Nigeria

2008-07-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

The youth team of Tana Kayler (St. John's, NL), Innah Gaspar (Halifax), Tara Hurford (Digby), Mandi Peterson (Otttawa), Lori Ryan (Toronto) and Natasha Halpin (Vancouver) have arrived in Jos, Nigeria and will be hosted by YARAC (http://www.yaracnigeria.org/) for the next two weeks.

On Friday, the team travelled with YARAC staff to Bauchi state to a community that had just gained access to water and sanitation through the support of DEC and WaterAID. A community theatre piece was presented to a large community gathering to raise concerns re water access and to spark discussion about how the community can maintain this wonderful new set up. What an incredible way to engage the whole community in this very important issue.

Tomorrow, the youth team co-hosts and facilitates a workshop for Catholic youth eager to become stronger leaders in their parish, entitled - Just Youth - The Church, Young people, Social Justice and Peace in Nigeria. A key resource person works for the Justice, Development and Peace Commission here (another D and P partner).

It's so inspiring to witness the persistent work of so many for democracy and the endless energy of our partners here.

- Lori

Indiana Jones and the Mining Pit of Doom

2008-06-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

Melanie, top fundraiser sporting her "Bling Kills" tee

St. Mary's Secondary School in Cobourg fasted for 24 hours to draw awareness to the human rights abuses and environmental damage caused by Canadian mining companies abroad.
They even invented their own game called

INDIANA JONES AND THE MINING PIT OF DOOM!

Congrats on raising $910!

2008-06-11T11:58:00.001-07:00

St. FXers making a difference on campus!

2008-06-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Kudos to St. Francis Xavier D and Pers for a fabulous year. Check out their successes:

Ø Regular weekly meetings led by student executive and attended by members at large
Ø Recruited 100 new students for mailing list at society night.
Ø Canadian Mining: Called to Account: Coffee House, Guest speaker Father Peter Henriot addressed 80-90 people, and a 40th Anniversary potluck
Ø Joint film night with other campus group, Sipakapa is Not For Sale, with guest from Sipacapa, Javier de Leon
Ø Solidarity Sunday and a box social night
Ø Power of One Film night with D and P group
Ø Stayed in touch with the local, provincial and national chapters of Development and Peace

Overall, we are very proud of our accomplishments this year. We raised awareness about international mining, an issue which is often neglected. Our signature campaign was a huge success, and all of the 233 cards collected have been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office. We are hopeful that advocacy for change in Canadian mining policy will result in ratification of our organization’s suggestions. Our fundraising also exceeded our expectations, and we are proud that the funds will support long-term, sustainable development around the world.

We are very pleased with our work this year, and look forward to continuing this fall.

Thank you to St. FX D and P executive: Jennifer Jackson, Francis Tibollo and Rachel McNally for taking such leadership and making great things happen! Let's keep on keeping on! Strength, persistance and inspiration the incoming exec.

Holy Cross Box lunch auction raises $20,800!

2008-05-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Students at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary in Saskatoon recently held their annual Box lunch auction and raised an amazing $20,800 for DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE programs!

For the fundraiser, each homeroom chooses a creative theme for the box lunches which in the past have included, 'birthday bash lunch' and 'survivor Hawaii lunch'. Afterwards, they auction the lunch packages off to the highest home room bidders! This year, one group of students pooled their resources and beat out the teachers by bidding $7,322.90 for "The Lunch", a meal for 40 people served in the staffroom.

During the event, Bishop Albert LeGatt addressed the assembled students and staff and spoke about his experiences in Ghana.

Each year, the funds raised go to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Way to go Holy Cross!!!!!

D&P Hamilton workshop is a huge success!

2008-05-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

On Thursday May 15th, at Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster ON, 5 high schools got together to learn the differences between charity and justice, and make pledges to live justly in the world. Some of the pledges included "cycle to school", "buy fair trade coffee" and "stop before you shop!"

The day commenced and concluded with discussions surrounding inspirational artwork created by the talented Marika Ince. The paintings are featured here and can also be found at the following websites... http://www.learningandviolence.net/violence.htm and http://www.learningandviolence.net/dreams.htm

Other highlights of the day included the game 'This Gold is mine' and demonstrations about the 'No Sweat' campaigns that are happening in Ontario school boards as well as accounts of how select panellists live simply on a day to day basis.

When asked how she liked the workshop, Kasandra from Christ the King said, "It was really inspirational and really fun!" Another student said, "It was really inspiring. I really liked it! The interactive games were great, especially the gold game!" ~ Samantha from St. Thomas More

Overall the day was a huge success and many of the student attendees have decided to take up the challenge and make a difference fighting for justice!

Successful mobilization and educational campaign bears 190,000+ signed petitions

2008-05-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

Since fall 2007, Canadian Catholics have raised the alarm about the devastating impacts of some Canadian mining companies on communities in the global south. Their voices have been raised in parishes, schools, campuses, and street corners across Canada. More than 190,000 people took heed and joined the movement to call for accountability.

Today, these 190,000 petitions were presented in Ottawa, calling on the Government to appoint an ombudsperson to verify social responsibility by Canadian mining, oil and gas companies in their overseas operations. 5 of the 41 Federal MPs met with by Development and Peace members spoke publicly in support of this campaign today: Viviane Barbot (BQ), Steven Blaney (CP), Diane Bourgeois (BQ), Bernard Patry (L) and Alexa McDonough (NDP).

Development and Peace Bling Kills street theatre troupe from Carleton University were a big part of the action.

The work by the Canadian government and NGOs is often being undone by the irresponsible operations of some Canadian mining, oil and gas companies.

Let's keep the pressure on! Life Before Profit!

Victory for the right to water!

2008-05-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Johannesburg, 30 April 2008

PREPAYMENT WATER METER SYSTEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL,

FREE BASIC WATER TO BE INCREASED

The Johannesburg High Court today ruled that the City of Johannesburg’s practice of forcibly installing prepayment water meters in Phiri, Soweto is unconstitutional. It also set aside the City’s decision to limit its free basic water supply to 25 litres per person per day and ordered it to provide the residents of Phiri with free basic water in the amount of 50 litres per person per day.

The City was further directed to give the residents of Phiri the option of an ordinary credit metered water supply.In a ground-breaking judgment – the first in which the constitutional right to water has explicitly been raised – Judge MP Toska criticised the municipality for its discriminatory approach to the provision of water.

The Judge found that: “the underlying basis for the introduction of prepayment meters seems to me to be credit control. If this is true, I am unable to understand why this credit control measure is only suitable in the historically poor black areas and not the historically rich white areas. Bad payers cannot be described in terms of colour or geographical area.”

The Judge stated that “25 litres per person day is insufficient for the residents of Phiri”, whom he described as “poor, uneducated, elderly, sick, ravaged by HIV/AIDS and reliant on state pensions and grants.” The judge continued that “to expect the applicants to restrict their water usage, to compromise their health, by limiting the number of toilet flushes in order to save water is to deny them the rights to health and to lead a dignified lifestyle.”

The Judge found that increasing the free basic water supply would not put significant strain on the City’s water and financial resources, especially if free basic water already supplied to rich households is redistributed to the poor.

Stuart Wilson, Head of the CALS Litigation Unit said that “the judgment speaks volumes about the City’s approach to the poor and the vulnerable. A serious rethink of the City’s approach to poverty must now take place”.

For more info, see Mail & Guardian article.

Coalition Against Water Privatisation on 072 429 4086

D&P member asks Dion to Regulate Canadian Mining

2008-04-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

Danielle advocating for mining regulations to Stephane Dion

The Young Liberals of Ontario are urging the Liberal Party to regulate Canadian mining companies operating abroad.

This is thanks to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace member Danielle Takacs, who convinced the Brant Young Liberals group, of which she is a member, to propose the policy recommendation titled: “Enforcing standards of practice for Canadian mining companies operating abroad” to the regional and then provincial youth parliament.

“My work with Development and Peace inspired me to bring it to the political level,” said the 24-year-old studying for her masters degree in political science at the University of Guelph.

“I think (faith) can definitely be a guiding and inspiring drive,” said Takacs. “Politics can be a tough and often a dirty game. I think it’s important to be involved for the right reasons and persevere.”

Congratulations to Danielle Takacs, Development and Peace youth rep for SouthWestern Ontario, is making a difference through her work to push Young Liberals and Stephane Dion to adopt a policy on mining. Her persistence, creativity and passion are paying off.

REad more in the Catholic Register article, Catholic makes her mark on Canadian mining. http://www.catholicregister.org/content/view/1160/857/

D&P speaks out to protect peace and justice advocates in Colombia

2008-04-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Development and Peace Executive Director, Michael Casey, has sent an urgent letter to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, requesting the Government of Colombia to act as soon as possible to protect the leaders of the Program for Development and Peace in the region of Magdalena Medio (PDPMM), in eastern Colombia.

Assistant Director of the PDPMM
Fr. Libardo Valderrama

These leaders are being threatened by the paramilitary group, Las Aguilas Negras, who has made a list of its next victims, adding that they will be "exterminated one by one". This list targets, among others, the PDPMM, the human rights organisation SEMBRAR, the Farmers and Miners Federation, as well as several priests in the region

Casey urges Colombian president to take action, "These threats to human life and the terror they bring to the people, their families and the communities concerned are unacceptable. The paramilitary group responsible for these threats must be stopped immediately from continuing its intimidation tactics throughout the country."

Investigation reveals: Socks supplied to schools by RJ McCarthy's are being made under terrible conditions

2008-04-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

After years of campaigning, the truth is coming out about where and under what conditions some uniforms are being made... Investigation for Catholic School Boards uncovers worker rights violations in factory producing school uniforms

Toronto- For years, students have been asking questions about where and under what conditions their school uniforms are being made. A new report on a factory investigation conducted by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) for Catholic School Boards in Ontario confirms their worst fears.

Read the entire press release and WRC report at http://en.maquilasolidarity.org/en/node/781

This collaboration of students, teachers, school boards and Development and Peace is making a difference. Now that these conditions have been exposed, pressure can be exerted to improve factory conditions. More action ideas to follow soon...

Hungry for justice - try out some of these recipes...

2008-04-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

Staff here at D and P took action during this Share Lent campaign

The most noteworthy example, this year is ...

Development and Peace International Programs Department

put together this recipe book full of recipes

from all over the world interspersed with photos of partners
Available in French and English

For sale for $15.

Email lryan@devp.org if you'd like a copy.

All funds will go towards Development and Peace.

Students take to the hill - Parliament Hill!

2008-04-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Angela Pereira and Adrian Debows of Carleton U D and P group give a first hand account...

Our street theatre calling Canadian mining to account went really well!

We performed for 90 minutes and got 30-40 cards sign (We didn't have enough otherwise we could have gotten more!). It snowed but we continued to act. People got really into it! I think they saw it as part of the tourist experience too. A lawyer came up to us and discussed the mining issue with us and gave us some ideas. He talked about how if a Canadian ambassador is helping with the atrocities (like in Guatemala) then we can use the courts to settle the matter. He said it would be a real embarrassment for the government.

Another bonus was that the big anti-war protest was on the same day. Those protesters were
coming just as we were leaving, and they took a bunch of our information and distributed it amongst themselves.

Also we raised more than $2000 at our THINKfast held at St. Paul's University too.

We are part of the Easter Story - Victory for Life!

2008-03-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

A posting from Julie Perreault, D and P program officer writing from West Africa...

Pour moi, Pâques prend une dimension bien spéciale cette année. Ma traversée du désert africain a été marquée par la misère des gens, par quelques doutes et, je dois l’avouer, un certain découragement devant la tâche à accomplir.

Mais au bout du voyage, ressurgissent des images fortes : celles d’hommes et de femmes, qui, au nom de leur foi musulmane ou catholique, se lèvent et se battent pour la justice. Ils sont mes repères de vie et d’espérance dans cet océan chaotique où seule la pauvreté, la survie et l’injustice semblent émerger.

Comme toujours, l’humain engagé et entêté à faire advenir le meilleur, à faire gagner les forces de vie sur les forces de mort me ravive et me dynamise dans ma foi et dans mon engagement. Joyeuses Pâques solidaires!

http://www.julieenafrique.blogspot.com/ - Check it out for more postings.

2008-03-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Bling Free Day at St Joe's High School in Saskatoon

2008-03-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Taking action in response to too many stories of irresponsible mining,
staff and students at St. Joe's had a "Bling Free" Day.
Leaving jewelery, ipods and cell phones at home students were a sign of solidarity
and created more awareness that our hunger for "bling" promotes mining and is part of the chain of problems.

Elliot Lake parish THINKfasts

2008-03-25T15:20:00.001-07:00

12 youth in

Elliot Lake parish,

Our Lady of Fatima

THINKfast on Good Friday

and raise $1200 to make a difference through D&P!

That's an average pledge of $100 - wow!

Benefit concert held in Quebec City raises $1400!

2008-03-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Des jeunes de Québec, impliqués à Développement et Paix, ont organisé, le 6 mars, un spectacle bénéfice, le Cabaret Solidaire, qui a permis d’amasser 1 400$ pour l’organisme.

C’est au café-bar l’Agitée que plus de 100 personnes se sont présentées afin d’assister à cet événement musical riche en diversité et en saveurs internationales. Sept groupes et artistes de la région ont pu donner des prestations musicales de qualité qui ont grandement été appréciées par les spectateurs.

Parmi les groupes : Mamadou Kane et ses percussions africaines ;
Jumba, gagnant de Cégep en Spectacle avec ses compositions rock progressives ;
Ryna Wolteger et sa musique Tzigane de l’Europe de l’Est ;
Félix Culpa et ses aires de « ska franco festif » et enfin, Stephane Eduardo, qui a joué quelques-unes de ses pièces de didgeridoo.

Age is just a number, and in our case, our number has a lot to tell the world!"

2008-03-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

Students rave about the First ever Catholic School Justice Workshop
sponsored by the Archdiocese of Winnipeg Catholic schools and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace

On February 19, sixty students and teachers attended representing eight schools: Our Lady of Victory School, St. Gerard’s School, St. Mary’s Academy (jr and sr), St. Ignatius School, St. Augustine’s School from Brandon, St. Boniface Diocesan High School, St. Jean Brebeuf School and Christ the King School.

Shaya Gasnarek, a grade 8 student from St. Augustine’s school in Brandon really enjoyed the workshop,
"The way that you told us how we have power [to create change] over and over again really made us think we can make a difference. That's really great to hear, especially [since] every day people tell us we don't, that we're just kids, but now we know we're not. Age is just a number, and in our case, our number has a lot to tell the world!"

Manitoba rocks! Way to go!

You may kick me off my land but you can't keep me down

2008-03-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that almost 9% of Colombia's population have been displaced from their homes? That's 3, 800,000 people!

For the past 20 years, forced displacement has been one of Colombia's most serious humanitarian problems. All the different parties of the armed conflict have systematically used it as a war strategy -- a fact that reveals the structural character of the conflict.

Richard Simard, Programs Officer alerted me to this great video...

"Our Colombian partner "Asociación Campesina de Antioquia - ACA" produced and diffuses this video (with English subtitles) on the situation of the displaced populations.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GjjNxJmndso
We often say in Colombia, there are no displacements because there is war, there is war so that there are displacements."
Displaced people have rights. With ACA's work and others, may they be realized. La Lucha continua.

The Asociación Campesina de Antioquia (ACA) works with displaced farmers and their families in Antioquia, many of whom have been forced to live in makeshift houses on the outskirts of Medellin where they have no access to basic services and where theres is no decent land for them to work. Many are forced to beg in the street to provide for their families. The ACA also works to put the problem of Antioquia in a national perspective: a team of filmmakers travels across Colombia making documentaries about rural, afro-Colombian and indigenous communitie who find themselves caught in the middle of Colombia's war.

From latin rhythms to 100 mile meal

2008-03-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

University of Toronto Newman Centre D&P group's

THINKfast began with a Latin Rhythms workshop and

closed with an incredible 100 mile meal

with lots of excellent stuff in the middle!

Stay tuned for a photo.

Cardinal Carter CHS of Toronto making a difference

2008-03-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

CARDINAL CARTER (TORONTO)

HOLDS AMAZING THINKfast

with 102 people
and more than $5500 in donations

Can you tell what's happening in these dramas of communities affected by mining??

After 24 hours... food never tasted so good! Thanks Cardinal Carter.

1st Ever THINKfast in Petty Harbour and Goulds, NL

2008-03-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

Tana Kayler, NL youth rep reports...

Our fast was awesome this year!!!!! We had a great time! raised over $1,100 !!!! so reached my personal goal of doubling the amount from $500 to $1,000 and

we almost reached my doubling goal of youth participants from 10 to 20 ...

Some highlights:

community game with lego - Our group made flower garden & palm trees, low southern houses, church with steeple, car, people & a bridge - amazing i know and we built a community centre when we rebuilt it after the company destroyed it!

Father Paul did an insane job with jeopardy he had crazy categories -

gospel gals & bible boys, famous fasters, bible villians etc.

6 min film on making fair trade coffee in Mexico

theatre "golden rule" was great!

Add up score for lent 2007 calendars and 6 lowest scores got bling stickers

We're going to be an annual travelling THINKfast road show and pick up people each year. Last year at St. Teresa's, this year at St. Kevin's, next year...stay tuned!

Gold doesn't glitter for some in Honduras

2008-03-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

On tour in Ontario, Pedro Landa of Caritas Tegucigalpa (a D and P partner) is speaking at parishes, schools and on campuses giving first hand accounts of the negative impact of mining in Honduras.

About 85% of the mining companies in Honduras are Canadian. He doesn't want to blame the Canadian people. But he wants them to know that "the jewelry that they are wearing is the result of suffering of people and destruction of environment."

Last night at Trent U, tonight at the OECTA AGM to address shareholders in Goldcorps and next week with government officials in Ottawa, Pedro is a forceful and convincing advocate to regulate Canadian mining operations.

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=932278

2008-03-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

When the Canadian company Manhattan minerals wanted to make an open pit gold mine right in the middle of their town, the people of Tambogrande tried to stop it. Against incredible odds with the support of Development and Peace and others, the community was able to prevent the mine. Their creativity and persistence are an inspiration to all. You can watch their story online at http://www.guarango.org/

Together, we can make a difference.

In our current campaign, we are working hard so that no communities have to face these same threats without the right to defend their rights and their environment. http://www.devp.org/

D and P makes a difference in El Salvador

2008-03-05T10:55:00.001-08:00

"Gracias por su apoyo!"
- Thank you for your support

CRIPDES of El Salvador recently sent us this photo thanking us for our international solidarity to help defend the persons of CRIPDES of El Salvador who had been imprisoned for about twenty days when accosted by police on their way to a rally for public water for all.

They were absolutely liberated last Tuesday from the outrageous accusations of participation in terrorists' acts having caused riot public. Our

PARTNER CRIPDES celebrates this nice win against injustice. http://www.cripdes.org/

ONE WEEK UNTIL Development and Peace makes a difference week!!!

2008-02-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

Youth are busy across the country making plans for events:

Just a few examples are:

Movie Night at University of Toronto at Mississauga, March 5,

Life is worth more than Gold Presentation by Pedro Landa of Caritas Honduras, Trent University, 7 pm, March 6

Movie Night, Carleton University, March 6

Spectacle bénéfice, St-Pierre-de-l’Île d’Orléans, QC, Espace Félix Leclerc, 1er mars, 20 h (Photo:Jeunesse Québec last year)

Cabaret Solidaire, Québec, QC, Café-Bar l’Agitée, 6 mars, 19h

Rebuilding our Lives after the Tsunami with Wardah Hafidz, Dalhouse University, March 6, 7 pm

44 THINKfasts from Vancouver, BC to Labrador City, NL

There’s still time to help make a difference as part of D and P makes a difference week. Be a part of this national event! :) If you want to attend these events and need more detail, email Lryan@devp.org.

How can YOU make a difference in March 2008?

2007-10-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Raising money for D&P is a lot of fun and there are so many ways to do it, even if you only have a few minutes;)

Here are some examples:

organize a THINKfast

hold a bake sale in your school

arrange a charitable sports event, e.g. "ping-pong for peace"

hold a screening of "Tambogrande: Mangos, Murder and Mining"

During the 40th Anniversary of Development&Peace in Toronto, we did a street theatre on irresponsible mining and had a lot of success. This time we wanted people to sign our petition but you could also collect money at the same time;)

Here are some pics from last Saturday:

Go make a difference!

2007-10-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Help us raise money during D&P makes a difference week : March 1-8, 2008!!!

(The picture shows Sarah and Marlene - we are now interning in D&P`s education office in Toronto and host this blog;))