It was big news in Canada when, in 2008, the country slipped from the top-ten list of the world’s most peaceful countries (all the way to eleventh). By this year, it was back in eighth, 74 places above the U.S. and, when liberals in the U.S. feel despairing, what dominates their fantasy life but “moving to Canada?” And yet, today, you could make an argument that Canada has actually become one of the earth’s more irresponsible nations — namely, when it comes to the environment. Indeed, you could argue that the world would be better off if the government in Ottawa was replaced by, say, the one in Brasilia, which has made a far better show of attending to the planet’s welfare. It’s a tale of physics, chemistry, and most of all economics, and it all starts in the western province of Alberta.Continue reading If Brazil Has to Guard Its Rainforest, Why Does Canada/U.S. Get to Burn Its Tar Sands?→
Pax Christi USA applauds the efforts of all citizens of conscience who have spoken out against the Afghanistan war in these days leading up to President Obama’s decision regarding July troop withdrawal. Sadly, this week’s announcement that 10,000 troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of the year and 23,000 more by the end of next summer was but a mere gesture and not a serious shift to bring this war to an end.Continue reading STATEMENT: Statement on President Obama’s announcement on troop reduction – A mere gesture→
Amnesty International has noted that the tide is turning for human rights abuse in Africa, and mobile phones and FM radio have arguably done more than most other conventional methods to pursue this objective. In many countries in Africa, there is now a vibrant civil society, which, although often still repressed, can no longer be ignored by those in power. Much needs to be done to secure human rights in Africa, but “the tide is turning” and mobile phones and FM radio have arguably done more than most other conventional methods to pursue this objective, reports Amnesty In ternational in its annual report. “In many countries in Africa,” says Amnesty, “there is now a vibrant civil society, which, although often still repressed, can no longer be ignored by those in power.”Continue reading Africa: Mobile phones, radio promote rights, says advocacy group→
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — One of the first efforts Michelle Obama launched in the East Wing was a mentoring program for young women to drive home her message that success requires hard work. This week, Obama took that message to Africa for the first time. At the mid-point of her tour of South Africa and Botswana, the first lady has heard the uplifting stories of young women who have overcome the odds. She met with one of the first black academics to earn a PhD in South Africa, several of the nation’s Rhodes scholars and the creator of a micro-finance institution in Senegal. Continue reading First lady focuses on women in South Africa but misses unemployment issue→
Fairer voting helps but fundamental reforms are needed to tackle the crisis in the impoverished north
The bloody aftermath of [ http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/2598/Goodluck-Jonathan ]Goodluck Jonathan’s victory in the 16 April presidential election will require decisive action from his new government to prevent a dangerous and widening gulf between north and south. Although Jonathan, on the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), won most of his 22.5 million votes in the south, he scored enough in the north to claim a respectable national mandate, according to the results from the Independent National Electoral Commission. Continue reading Better Elections, Dangerous Politics→
The Pastoral Land Commission or CPT is well known for its advocacy efforts. The organization´s battles, research, and initiatives — like the “Referendum on limiting land ownership” held in September of last year, the “Campaign against slave labor”, as well as its annual reports on the conflicts over land — are never trivial, but on the contrary always leave a mark. Continue reading Pastoral Land Commission in Amazonas→
Developed countries led by the United States have kicked against an international regime of top-down rules for setting emission reduction targets and penalties for non-compliance at the post-Cancun climate change negotiations currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand. At the start of a two-day pre-sessional workshop on the emission reduction targets by developed country parties (Annex 1 countries) the United States’ negotiator, Jonathan Pershing said the US made a pledge of 17 emission reductions by 2020 based on 2005 levels and would not be party to any international regime with possible consequences for not meeting set targets.Continue reading US takes tough stance at climate change talks in Bangkok→
Lawmakers to vote on controversial Forest Law that could ease restrictions on deforestation. Less than six months after taking office, President Dilma Rousseff and some Brazilian lawmakers are looking to trying to maintain Brazil´s reputation as the economic powerhouse of the Hemisphere, ensuring that it leads in growth. But some policies could have severe environmental and social costs, some warn.Continue reading Rousseff’s dilemmas→
Gathered under a banner bearing Psalm 24’s reminder – “The Earth is God’s, and all that is in it” – about 150 people from all parts of the Earth (50 from the south) considered the impact of Canadian mining companies on their communities and offered some signs of what must be done differently… We met in Toronto, Canada, as this country is home to 75 per cent of the world’s mining and mineral exploration companies, and Canadian stock exchanges raise 40 per cent of all mineral exploration capital worldwide…the participants commit to continue the process of reflection and action on resource extraction, and also call upon the Canadian churches, as well as churches globally, to take re sponsibility in speaking out more publicly on the issues and concerns raised during the gathering.” (see list of sponsors at the end)Continue reading Ecumenical Conference on Mining – Final Statement→
A Clifton Diocese priest ministering in Brazil has called for an end to a series of killings after a community leader seeking justice for landless people in the Amazon region was murdered. Father Leo Dolan, who has served in Brazil since 1970, is supporting the family of Adelino Ramos, who was shot to death in front of his wife and two of his daughters aged six and four. Dinho, as he was known, was gunned down in broad daylight. Speaking from Brazil Father Leo said: “Dinho’s murder was brutal, unjust and shocking. His needless killing is the latest in a long line of injustices that have been inflicted on poor and landless people. It needs to stop. For peace to triumph, the people responsible for the killings, especially those who order them, must come to justice. Brazil’s people do not deserve this.” Father Leo and communities in Brazil are being supported by fellow Catholics in the Clifton Diocese – the Catholic Church in the West of England. Continue reading Clifton priest calls for end to killings in Brazil→
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