Daily Archives: June 8, 2015

Economic Justice, Economy, Education

Webinar: A Faithful Response to Fast Track June 10th 12pm (EST)/ 9am (PST)

Stop! TPPThe past few weeks have allowed us a glimpse into the heavily politicized world of trade politics. Last month, the Senate narrowly passed the undemocratic “Fast Track” trade promotion authority.  Now the trade fight is headed to the House.

We, as people of faith, have an opportunity to reframe the debate to ensure that marginalized communities and God’s earth are at the center of U.S. trade policies. With negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership nearly complete, corporate interests have trumped any form of public participation.  As a result,  access to medicines, good jobs, food security, and environmental protections are all in jeopardy.

Join the Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment to hear a play-by-play on the Senate vote and the latest on the House fight. Learn what small actions you can take back home that can have a big impact on the global economy. Sign up here.

Speakers
Laura Peralta-Schulte – NETWORK: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Lacey Kohlmoos – Public Citizen, Global Trade Watch
Chloe Schwabe – Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (Moderator)
Maryknoll Alert Link

Chloe Schwabe
Faith Economy Ecology Program Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
200 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-832-1780
cschwabe@maryknoll.org 
www.maryknollogc.org 

Action, Climate Change, Environment

Georgetown University Announces End to Endowment Investments in Coal Mining Companies

Ignatian Solidarity Network

Georgetown University and Georgetown University’s Board of Directors passed a resolution announcing the end to direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production.
Georgetown University and Georgetown University’s Board of Directors passed a resolution announcing the end to direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production.

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 4, 2015, the Board of Directors of Georgetown University passed a  resolution stating that the university will not make or continue any direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production.

The board resolution emphasizes Georgetown’s Jesuit Catholic mission as an impetus to “lead on issues of justice and the common good such as environmental protection and sustainability.”  It also states clearly that climate change is “real and poses a serious threat.”  They also identified the efforts of Georgetown University Fossil Free and the University’s Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility.

“The work of understanding and responding to the demands of climate change is urgent and complex,” said John J. DeGioia, Ph.D., president of Georgetown University in a university statement. DeGioia continued, “It requires our most serious attention. As a university community, we can best respond to this evolving and ongoing challenge when we acknowledge the tensions embedded in this work – and the variety of perspectives that are present in this moment.”

This announcement comes from Georgetown as another Jesuit university is considering a call from faculty to divest from fossil fuel related industries.  Earlier this year over 200 Loyola University Chicago faculty members expressed their support of the movement to divest led by Loyola president Rev. Michael Garanzini, S.J.  The issue will be addressed by university administrators and the board of directors in the coming weeks.

Action on both campuses comes just a couple weeks before Pope Francis’s encyclical on climate change will be promulgated.  Earlier today the Vatican announced that it will be shared publicly on June 18th.

Environment, Extractive Industries, Latin America

Churches and Mining in Latin America

Faith communities concerns for extractive in- dustry in Latin America. This short video aims to raise consciousness on the negative effects of the mining in- dustry in Latin America. It shows the necessity for faith communities to commit themselves in defense of those suffering the negative effects of extractive industry, defend land, water and nature. The video can be used for pastoral animation with local communities but also in dialogue with parties responsible in the area of mining. —Contributed by the Comboni Family