Archive for 2011
Congolese Elections—A Step Backward
December 23, 2011
While the African Union and neighbouring countries have accepted the results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) recently held presidential and parliamentary elections, most national and international observers have said that the results were marred by substantial electoral irregularities…
Post filed in: Africa
ELCIC letter to Minister Kent re. Canada’s withdrawal from Kyoto Protocol
December 15, 2011
The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), has written to Minister of the Environment Peter Kent expressing her disappointment and concern over the recent decision of the government to withdraw Canada from…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Kyoto Withdrawal Diminishes Canada
December 14, 2011
Environment Minister Peter Kent’s announcement of Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol not only tarnishes our international reputation but also betrays the efforts of the thousands of Canadians who worked long and hard for Canada to ratify the only legal…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Building a Culture of Solidarity with Migrant Workers
December 14, 2011
A Christmas Wish to mark December 18 International Migrants Day On 4 December 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December as International Migrant’s Day. On 18…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Policy Briefing Paper #30: Coal and Shale Gas Obstacles to Climate Justice
December 14, 2011
While much attention has focused on the tar sands as the fastest growing source of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions, climate justice demands that we also curb emissions from coal and shale gas. The most recent KAIROS briefing paper examines these…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Banner Presentation & Feast Mark Qualicum Celebrations
December 13, 2011
L to R: Quilter Beulah Paugh, Qualicum Band Councillor Donna Kennedy, Qualicum Band Councillor Darlene Wells, Chief Patricia Cassidy, designer Norma Emerson, and Parksville/Qualicum KAIROS Chair Hans Kratz. In the midst of a few hundred school children, parents, and supporters,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Reflection for Advent 4: Midwifing Solidarity
December 13, 2011
I had a January baby (she is now almost eight!). So I remember the December before her birth as a month of profound anticipation. Advent for me was not symbolic, but intensely real as preparations unfolded and my hope and…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Too Little, Too Late
December 12, 2011
By John Dillon Politicians are portraying the outcome of the Durban climate conference as a “success” because they have agreed to keep on talking in the hope of arriving at a legally binding pact by 2015 that would take effect…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Some final reflections
December 9, 2011
It’s the end of the second week of negotiations here in Durban. A fair number of official and civil society delegates have already returned home, as this is where political leaders are left to make final compromises. A total of…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Il est impératif de prendre des mesures urgentes pour améliorer les conditions de vie dans les communautés autochtones : le Canada doit respecter ses obligations en matière de droits humains
December 8, 2011
Les peuples et les personnes autochtones ont le droit au même niveau de vie et au même accès aux services gouvernementaux que tous les Canadiens. Ils ont le droit de vivre et d’élever leurs familles sur leurs propres terres et…
Post filed in: En français
Attawapiskat Joint Statement: Urgent action needed to improve living conditions in Aboriginal communities
December 8, 2011
Canada must meet its human rights obligations. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right to enjoy the same standard of living and access to government services that are enjoyed by other people in Canada. They have the right to live…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Backwards to Climate Chaos or Forwards to Climate Action?
December 8, 2011
By John Dillon Environment Minister Peter Kent wants out of the Kyoto Protocol (KP), which he describes as “ineffective and unfair because the major emerging economies [particularly China and India], still want to consider themselves … to be developing countries.”…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Primate’s Statement: A call to action for the love of creation
December 7, 2011
“We believe that we show our respect for God’s creation by working for a climate treaty that is morally and legally binding… As people “striving to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
COP17 — From Meeting to Marching to Prayer
December 7, 2011
On Sunday, December 4th, several KAIROS partners and collaborators gathered to debrief and discuss their experiences of Durban COP17 (so far!) over lunch at the Diakonia Centre, home to the Faith Secretariat for this COP. Beyond Julia, Caroline, Ivonne, and…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Reflection for Advent 3: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
December 5, 2011
by Jennifer Henry “to provide for those who mourn in Zion– to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.” Isaiah 64:1 61:1 The spirit…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Spirited Reflections
Rallying for Climate Justice!
December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4 By Caroline Foster The climate justice rally was one of the highlights of my time in Durban so far. Although mixed reports are coming in on the actual number of participants (anywhere from 3,000 to 20,000), thousands…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
COP 17: from Peoples’ Space to Conference Hall
December 3, 2011
As a first timer to a COP, I’m blown away by the cynical emphasis on offsets and the carbon markets and the resistance to REAL emission cuts. Will the hope of Kyoto Protocol die here? At the Reducing Emissions from…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Kairos Times: December 2011
December 2, 2011
Read the December 2011 issue.
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
Attawapiskat: a hard look at the federal government’s response so far
December 2, 2011
1 December 2011 KAIROS Urgent Action Background information As of November 30, federal leaders and the Red Cross have now visited the northern Ontario Cree community of Attawapiskat, which is a step forward. The Red Cross is flying in emergency…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Is Canada Placing Conditions on Climate Adaptation Funding?
December 2, 2011
By John Dillon Environment Minister Peter Kent maintains that Canada is refusing to commit to further greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions under the Kyoto Protocol (KP) because the KP only applies to developed countries. He says developing and emerging countries…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Policy Briefing Paper #29: Arctic Melting Sounds the Alarm for Life on Earth
December 1, 2011
Accelerated melting of Arctic ice and permafrost is among the clearest signals that climate change is rapidly approaching a point of no return. This latest KAIROS Briefing Paper “Arctic Melting Sounds the Alarm for Life on Earth” summarizes several recent…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Direction générale, KAIROS
December 1, 2011
Initiatives œcuméniques canadiennes pour la justice/Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, situé à Toronto, en Ontario, est à la recherche d’une personne pour combler le poste de direction générale, un poste permanent à temps plein, à partir du début de l’année 2012….
Post filed in: En français
COP17 — at the stadium
December 1, 2011
Following November 26th’s orientation and dinner (a local favourite, “bunny chow” – hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry and eaten with fingers) at the Diakonia Centre (Diakonia Council of Churches – Durban, a rather unique local council of churches…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Durban COP17 — Meeting our Partners
November 30, 2011
By Jim Davis I am ensconced in Durban for the start of the climate negotiations as an accredited civil society observer with the World Council of Churches (WCC). I must say, however, that we are all chagrined by the ongoing…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Beauty and Struggle in Durban
November 29, 2011
I arrived in Durban on Saturday as a delegate to the youth conference Youth for Eco-Justice. The program is hosted by the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. It brings together youth from around the world who are working on…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Farmers Cool the Earth
November 28, 2011
One of my most vivid memories from last year’s UN climate conference at Cancún is a banner that said: “Farmers Cool the Earth.” It was strung up at an encampment organized by Via Campesina, a global network of small farmer…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Reflection for Advent 2 (Isaiah 11:1-10)
November 28, 2011
by Jennifer Henry “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 64:1 Photo by Sara Stratton…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Attawapiskat First Nation: Background
November 25, 2011
Dr. Elizabeth Blackmore, one of 15 family doctors for the James Bay coast, said at a recent press conference on Attawapiskat, “I often have to remind myself that I am still working in the province of Ontario… From a medical…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights