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Kairos Times: September 2007. Vol 6, #7
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| Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. |
--Nelson Mandela |
In this edition:
- United Nations Adopts Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Canada Votes Against It
- October 14-21 - Week of Action Against Poverty
- Re-energize at KAIROS Regional Meetings!
- Advance notice: KAIROS Sunday 2008 materials are now ready
- International Day of Prayer for Peace –
2007: (21 September 21)
United Nations Adopts Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Canada Votes Against It
Finally, after more than 20 years of negotiations, the United Nations has adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The September 13 vote was overwhelmingly in favour of the international human rights instrument. 143 countries voted “yes”, four countries voted “no” and 11 abstained.
Canada was one of the four states to vote against the non-binding declaration, along with the United States, Australia and New Zealand. All are countries with large indigenous populations.
Indigenous representatives from North America praised the positive vote, saying: "States have finally recognized what we have always known – We are Peoples, equal in all ways to all other Peoples, with inherent and inalienable rights to our survival, our way of life, lands and self-determination."
In a joint statement, KAIROS, Amnesty International and the Canadian Friends Service Committee applauded the UN's decision.
Describing it as an "historic moment," KAIROS Executive Director Mary Corkery said “Indigenous peoples in every region of the world face daily threats to their well-being and survival as peoples. The adoption of the Declaration sends a clear message that this has to change.” While Aboriginal peoples in Canada joined with their supporters to celebrate the Declaration's adoption, they also criticized Canada's decision to oppose it. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine said Canada was betraying its international legacy as a protector of human rights and called the opposing vote "a stain on Canada's reputation internationally."
KAIROS would like to congratulate the Aboriginal organizations that showed great leadership on this issue. We, our member churches, and human rights groups endeavoured to walk with Aboriginal people in their work towards the Declaration. KAIROS member The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) played a key role advocating both nationally and internationally at the United Nations over a number of years. For all in our churches and network who ever participated in action on this issue—thank you.
For more information contact
Ed Bianchi, KAIROS' Aboriginal Rights Coordinator, at 613-235-9956.
Top
of pageOctober 14-21—Week of Action Against Poverty
Plan to take action this October as part of an International Week to End Poverty. Download the KAIROS action resource and circulate the bulletin insert at your Sunday, October 14 church service. Organize and register a “stand up against poverty” event at your church on October 16 or 17. Download and join the worldwide performance of the Poverty Requiem. Sign the October 17 Call to Action. Meet with or write your MP to urge Canada to adopt a plan to reduce and eliminate poverty in Canada. For more information or for print copies of KAIROS’ resources please contact Michael Polanyi, Canadian Social Development Coordinator, at 1-877-403-8933 x237. Please let us know about your October events (date, time, location, contact person) so that we can post these on the KAIROS calendar!
Re-energize at KAIROS Regional Meetings!
It's the start of another school year, the start of another church
year ... and the start of another KAIROS campaign year! Regional
meetings in Tatamagouche NS, Ancaster ON, Winnipeg MB, Fort Qu'Appelle
SK, and Sorrento BC in late September and October will introduce
you to our brand new three-year education and advocacy campaign
for a just and sustainable energy policy. Want to attend? Get more
information at
http://www.kairoscanada.org/e/network/RegionalMeetingsFlyer_2007.pdf.
What's more, on September 22 we're launching a special web-based
campaign resource www.re-energize.org
to help you join our brand new campaign, Re-energize: Time For A
Carbon Sabbath. This siteincludes our advocacy action (sign it online
or download and distribute it), a call on our government to investigate
the real costs --to the environment, to human rights, and to economic
justice-- of society's dependence on fossil fuels; a workshop to
help understand the issues behind the campaign; and some real options
for you and your church or community to consider as you think your
own dependence on fossil fuels. Also find a "Carbon Sabbath"
bible study, planning notes for a "100 Mile" church picnic
or harvest dinner, and an outline for a 12 hour PowerDown Day or
"energy fast." There's lots to do! Make sure you tune
in to www.re-energize.org
on September 22! For more information, contact
Sara Stratton, Campaigns Coordinator, at 1-877-403-8933 x 241.
Advance notice: KAIROS Sunday 2008 materials are now ready
If you'd like to highlight the social justice ministry of KAIROS in your congregation, why not host a KAIROS Sunday service? It's traditionally held on the last Sunday before Lent or Transfiguration Sunday (February 3, 2008) but you can hold it any time of year that suits you. It's a great way to bring attention to the Re-energize campaign as well as the many other aspects of KAIROS' work. For resources, including an order of service, bulletin insert and ideas for children's time, visit http://kairoscanada.org/e/network/sunday/index.asp. For more information, contact Fahira Golich, Donor and Network Relations Assistant, at 1-877-403-8933x221.
International Day of Prayer for Peace
– 2007
(21 September 2007)
The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites congregations and parishes to pray for peace on 21 September 2007 or the closest Sunday. The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (press release), and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence.
Congregations worldwide are invited to pray for peace - possibly using the same prayers - in all participating churches on September 21 or the Sunday preceding it.
Consult the following link for more information.
http://overcomingviolence.org/en/about-dov/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace.html
You’ve been reading Kairos Times, a monthly e-bulletin from KAIROS, the social justice organization of eleven Canadian churches and church agencies. Sign up for this free bulletin and occasional urgent actions or email us or call us toll-free 1 877 403 8933.
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