Monthly Archives: December 2015
Born Into Danger
UNICEF
More than 16 million babies were born in conflict zones in 2015 – 1 in 8 of all births worldwide this year. In conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan
Solar Kiosks Help Light up Rural Kenya
By Justus Wanzala
Olkiramatian, Kenya, Dec 7 2015 (IPS) – This market centre in the arid Lake Magadi region, Kajiado of Southern Kenya is with no grid electricity. The area is inhabited by the pastoralist Maasai community. With climate change affecting their pastoral way of life, the community is increasingly adopting a more sedentary life but without amenities.
The centre is hot and dusty. Much as the area enjoys bright sunshine during the day, the situation changes to pitch dark after sunset. But in the last two years, the market centre is witnessing a transformation. It is becoming a beehive of activity.
This is courtesy of Solar Kiosk Kenya Ltd. that installed a retail kiosk, called the SOLARKIOSK E-HUBB. The E-HUBB, designed by GRAFT (partners and co-founders of SOLARKIOSK AG, the Berlin-based mother company), is a modular solar-powered structure that can be easily implemented in remote communities. Continue reading Solar Kiosks Help Light up Rural Kenya
Pope prays for Paris climate conference
“What kind of world do we want to pass on to those who come after us, to the children who are growing up? For the sake of the common home we share and for future generations, every effort should be made, in Paris to mitigate the impact of climate change and, at the same time, to tackle poverty and to let human dignity flourish.”
Pope Francis prayed for the success of the Paris Climate Change conference during his address after the Angelus on Sunday.
The Holy Father said that as he follows the work of the conference closely, he remembers the question he asked in his recent encyclical Laudato Si’: “What kind of world do we want to pass on to those who come after us, to the children who are growing up? The Holy Father then urged that, “for the sake of the common home we share and for future generations, every effort should be made, in Paris to mitigate the impact of climate change and, at the same time, to tackle poverty and to let human dignity flourish.” Continue reading Pope prays for Paris climate conference
Reflecting on Columban Mission to Paris Climate Talks
In the Catholic forums Fr Sean McDonagh has called for a three-year Synod on Creation, developing the ‘Care for Creation’ ministry of the Catholic Church and building on Laudato Si’. It is absolutely clear that new ‘Creation Care’ structures are needed throughout international and national Church structures to work with hierarchy on environmental issues.
Ellen Teague
As the Columbia missionaries’ delegation to the Paris UN climate talks leaves later today, three questions are pertinent in this final blog: Why were we here? What reflections have struck us? How do we continue Colombian mission on Climate Change after COP21?
First, we have continued action on climate change which has been part of Colombian mission work for more than three decades. Second, we have supported people – particularly those most vulnerable to climate change impacts – who are crying out for climate justice.
Greenhouse gases poured into the atmosphere are changing the Earth’s natural cycles on land and in the sea and affecting the stability of the climate that has underpinned human development over the last 11,000 years. COP21 is the latest UN international initiative to address the problem and seek to promote sustainable development, and so we have been a witness to tackling human induced climate change here in Paris. Continue reading Reflecting on Columban Mission to Paris Climate Talks
DRC police fire teargas at protesting students
Reuters
KINSHASA – Police in the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo fired teargas on Wednesday to disperse stone-throwing students whose protest against a feared increase in school fees is the latest sign of unrest ahead of a tense election season.
Witnesses said the protest outside the Superior Institute for Architecture and Urbanism was the second by students in Kinshasa this week. It comes ahead of an election set for November 2016, when President Joseph Kabila is due to step down. Continue reading DRC police fire teargas at protesting students
Bishop disturbed by calls to end resettlement of Syrian refugees in U.S.
BALTIMORE (CNS) — The head of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration said he was disturbed by calls from federal and state officials for an end to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States.
“These refugees are fleeing terror themselves — violence like we have witnessed in Paris,” said Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the migration committee. “They are extremely vulnerable families, women, and children who are fleeing for their lives. We cannot and should not blame them for the actions of a terrorist organization.” Continue reading Bishop disturbed by calls to end resettlement of Syrian refugees in U.S.
Analysis: ‘Nigeria’s new cabinet a blend of experience’
DW spoke to Garba Kare, a lecturer of political science at the University of Abuja, to hear what he makes of the new cabinet.
DW: Were there any surprises in the composition of the new cabinet?
Garba Kare: There are a number of surprises, maybe pleasant surprises. When the cabinet list was announced, it did not conform entirely to what had earlier been predicted. Pundits had attempted to guess that particular persons were going to be posted to particular ministries; I think they largely failed. It was only two or three ministries that the pundits predicted correctly like agriculture, information and finance. That is not to say that personalities posted to those ministries can’t handle the portfolios. Continue reading Analysis: ‘Nigeria’s new cabinet a blend of experience’
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