Archive for 2012

Message from the Executive Director for Chief Theresa Spence

December 21, 2012

Dear Chief Theresa Spence, On behalf of KAIROS, I write to offer you support. We offer prayers for your continued strength and health of body, mind and spirit as you pursue the non-violent resistance strategy of a hunger strike. During…

Post filed in: UNDRIP Blog Updates

Tailings Ponds: A Toxic Legacy for South Brook?

December 20, 2012

A dam breach in the tailings pond of the defunct Gullbridge copper mine in central Newfoundland has reinforced for me that all of our work here at KAIROS is connected.  I often explain KAIROS in a kind of shorthand –…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice

Stand in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

December 19, 2012

Hunger strikes, protests, singing and drumming are all part of the call to stop legislation that undermines Indigenous rights and the environment. Theresa Spence, Chief of Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, courageously began a hunger strike on December 11th…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

International Migrants Day

December 18, 2012

Today is International Migrants Day. While we salute and celebrate the contribution of hundreds of thousands of workers worldwide, KAIROS is saddened and concerned about a series of changes over the past year, which reduce migrant workers’ rights.  As a…

Post filed in: Migrant Justice

Temporary migrant workers who pay Employment Insurance are no longer eligible to collect benefits

December 17, 2012

Ironically, changes to Employment Insurance Regulations announced earlier by the Government of Canada came into effect on December 10, International Human Rights day. As a result of these changes, migrant workers who pay into the Employment Insurance (EI) system while…

Post filed in: Migrant Justice

Do we dare dream of transformation?

December 17, 2012

We are only a couple of days before Christmas when we will meet the baby who comes to transform our lives and our world.  Before we welcome Jesus, we hear again from voices on the margin. The stories about Mary…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

L’ONU reconnaît la Palestine comme un État non membre

December 13, 2012

Le 29 novembre 2012, l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies (AGNU) a adopté une résolution historique rehaussant le statut des Territoires palestiniens à celui d’État observateur non membre. Nombreux sont les analystes à voir dans la décision de l’AGNU de reconnaître…

Post filed in: En français

Partenaire vedette de KAIROS : Yolanda Becerra, Organisation féministe populaire (OFP)

December 13, 2012

Yolanda Becerra est une promotrice des droits humains bien connue et une leader du mouvement populaire des femmes en Colombie. Elle est la directrice nationale de l’Organisation populaire des femmes (OFP), basée à Barrancabermeja, et membre fondatrice du mouvement social…

Post filed in: En français

Les Cours des femmes en Colombie : créer un espace pour dire la vérité sur la violence

December 13, 2012

Rachel Warden, Coordonnatrice des partenariats en Amérique latine de KAIROS, accompagne des partenaires de KAIROS en Amérique latine et a passé une partie du mois de novembre 2012 en Colombie. (Elle offre aussi des commentaires en anglais.)Elle nous écrit : « J’ai passé une…

Post filed in: En français

Kairos Times: November 2012

December 13, 2012

Read the November 2012 issue.

Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter

A Climate Justice Advent Reflection

December 12, 2012

By Jennifer Henry For what does the bell toll? Is it joy as of a wedding or a birth? Is it a summons or obligation, as to dinner or to church? Is it alarm, crisis–a warning of imminent danger?  Or is…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections

Honouring human rights defenders in photos: A KAIROS slideshow for International Human Rights Day

December 11, 2012

KAIROS marks International Human Rights Day, December 10, and the following week of celebration by commemorating the courageous work of our human rights partners in Canada and in the Global South. Through our migrant justice, Indigenous rights, women of courage and…

Post filed in: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

A Deadly Typhoon Strikes the Philippines- and it’s not Typhoon Pablo

December 10, 2012

A reflection from the Philippines by Norma P. Dollaga, a deaconess serving The United Methodist Church in the Philippines. Her organization KASIMBAYAN is a member of EcuVoice, the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines, a KAIROS partner…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections

WOMEN’S REGIONAL COURT FOR JUSTICE, TERRITORY AND PEACE IN CALI – Final Verdict

December 10, 2012

WOMEN’S REGIONAL COURT Justice, Territory and Peace PUBLIC HEARING Cali, November 27th and 28th, 2012 The Women’s Regional Court was conceived as a space for the recuperation of memory, for truth, justice for women, the defense and conservation of territories, reparation…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Regional Women’s Court in Cali – the importance of Territory

December 10, 2012

After the women’s court in Bucaramanga, I went on to Cali to participate in the regional women’s court for the region of Cauca. This court had a very strong Indigenous identity and presence, as well as a focus on territory.  There…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Un portrait des ONG canadiennes en développement international

December 10, 2012

Par Julia Sánchez, présidente-directrice générale : Le Conseil canadien pour la coopération internationale, dont KAIROS est membre. http://www.ccic.ca/ccic/ccic_f.php Ces derniers jours, les déclarations du ministre de la Coopération internationale du Canada relayées par la presse auraient bien pu porter la…

Post filed in: En français

Commissioner Marie Wilson on Lessons Learned from Canada’s Residential School Experience

December 10, 2012

The three TRC Commissioners are busy people. Justice Murray Sinclair, Chief Wilton Littlechild and Marie Wilson are present at all national events, and share the responsibility for local hearings between themselves. They’re also in dialogue with the Parties to the…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights

An open letter on human rights to the President of the Philippines

December 10, 2012

4 November, 2012 To His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines Mr. President: KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives unites eleven churches and religious organizations in faithful action for ecological justice and human rights. KAIROS has a long…

Post filed in: Asia-Pacific

From empire to the margins

December 10, 2012

 Luke 3:7-18 In this third week of Advent, we are again given an opportunity to name the context, the brokenness, and the need that is awaiting the birth of the prophet and teacher Jesus Christ. We hear from John the…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

WOMEN’S REGIONAL COURT in Bucaramanga – Preliminary Ethical Ruling

December 7, 2012

                          WOMEN’S REGIONAL COURT Justice, Territory and Peace PUBLIC HEARING Bucaramanga, November 24th and 25th, 2012 Preliminary Ruling   The Women’s Regional Court was conceived as a “space…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

CIDA and the role of the private sector in international development

December 7, 2012

A new study on the role of the private sector in international development, by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SCFAID), has been generating a great deal of public debate in recent weeks.  The study recommends,…

Post filed in: Uncategorized

Overturning empire’s power

December 6, 2012

Luke 1:68-79, 3:1-6 By Miriam Spies, an MDiv student at Emmanuel College (United Church) in Toronto. Miriam is in a community placement  with KAIROS. We’re posting this entry on December 6, when Canada remembers the 14 women murdered in 1989…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

Canadians Resisting Climate Change Despite Inaction at UN Talks

December 3, 2012

After the failure of UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen, Cancún and Durban over the last three years, it is difficult to be optimistic about the current round of talks in Doha, Qatar. The negotiations remain stalemated as parties reiterate their…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights

Temples and Pipelines: Northern Gateway via the Gospel of Mark

November 30, 2012

KAIROS continues to reflect on the consequences of the Northern Gateway pipeline for Indigenous communities and all of Creation.  In this sermon for Trinity St. Paul’s  and Bathurst Street United Churches, Education and Campaigns Coordinator Sara Stratton explores those questions…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

Preparing for the Regional Court Women’s Court

November 30, 2012

I spent the day before the regional Women’s Court in Bucaramanga with OFP staff. As you can imagine, they were busy confirming the program and the content, and finalizing logistical details including finding accommodation and food for the 150 people who are arriving from different communities…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

The Regional Women’s Court in Bucaramanga

November 30, 2012

On November 25, the International Day to End Violence against Women, I had the privilege of participating in the regional Women`s Courts for Justice, Territory and Reparation in Bucaramanga, Colombia. KAIROS was invited to be a part of a symbolic…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

United Nations has recognized Palestine as non-member state

November 30, 2012

On 29 November 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed an historic resolution upgrading the Palestinian Territories to the status of a non-member observer state. This move by the UNGA to recognize Palestinian statehood is seen by many as…

Post filed in: Middle East

KAIROS déplore la détérioration de la sécurité et de la situation humanitaire en République démocratique du Congo

November 27, 2012

KAIROS suit de très près la détérioration de la sécurité et de la situation humanitaire dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC). KAIROS collabore avec notre partenaire congolais Héritiers de la Justice, un groupe de promotion des droits…

Post filed in: En français