Archive for 2021

A new way of moving forward in this work for justice and peace #KAIROS20

July 30, 2021

Returning from a World Council of Churches meeting in Tanzania in 1974. I was transferred from Montreal to Toronto. At this time here in Toronto the churches were, for varied reasons, becoming committed in a more formal way to justice,…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

World Student Christian Federation – Africa partnership #KAIROS20

July 28, 2021

I had the opportunity to work with KAIROS and more directly with 3 Staff – John Mihvec (late), John Dillon (late) and Jim Davis. All very instrumental in supporting voices from the “South” on critical issues concerning our lives and perspectives. Which…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, Africa

Reflections on the birth of KAIROS #KAIROS20

July 26, 2021

An anniversary is a good time to remember our roots.  It is also a good time to look for a continuum from what the founders hoped and prayed KAIROS would become to what it is now, twenty years on.    I was there…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

Congratulations to the OFP on their 49th anniversary

July 22, 2021

This week the Organización Femenina Popular (OFP) celebrates their 49th anniversary.   The OFP will be hosting two public events in Spanish this week to commemorate the organization’s forty-nine years:  Thursday, July 22 at 5:00pm EDT | Virtual conversation on the feminist economic alternatives on Facebook Live via the OFP’s Facebook account   Saturday,…

Post filed in: En Español, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

Twenty years of partnership: Héritiers de la Justice #KAIROS20

July 22, 2021

| Français | Photo: A survivor of sexual violence testifies of her ordeal to Ian and Kirsten in the presence of Néné Lubala in Bideka in 2016. Twenty years of partnership dedicated to restoring the dignity and rights of vulnerable…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

Vingt ans de partenariat : Héritiers de la Justice #KAIROS20

July 22, 2021

| English | Photo: Une survivante de violence sexuelle témoigne de son calvaire à Ian et Kirsten en présence de Néné Lubala à Bideka, en 2016.   Vingt ans de partenariat dévoué à la restauration de la dignité et les droits des populations vulnérables…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, En français

KAIROS calls on Canada to heed recommendations of Investigate PH report

July 21, 2021

Holding the Philippines government to account for human rights violations  KAIROS has recently joined thirty-five civil society organizations, churches and prominent individuals representing labour, youth, faith communities, human rights defenders, and the Filipino community in delivering a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,…

Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Twenty is an important number in Mayan culture/Veinte es un número importante en la cultura Maya #KAIROS20

July 20, 2021

(English follows) KAIROS ES VIDA, LUCHA, HERMANDAD, AMISTAD, ES TELARAÑA QUE VA UNIENDO ESFUERZOS PARA LA DEFENSA DE LA MADRE TIERRA.  Número importante en la cultura maya, cuando se cumple 20 años se llegó a ser una persona completa (jun winäq), 20 nawales del calendario maya, pero a…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, En Español

Taking our courage in hand and overcoming fear #KAIROS20

July 15, 2021

What do you do when your life is in constant danger? When you are never sure that when you leave your home in the morning that you will return safely in the evening? This is a daily reality for the…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

Hot off the press! Women Peace and Security At a Glance report for year 3

July 15, 2021

The At a Glance report for Year 3 of the KAIROS Women of Courage: Women Peace and Security program is now available in English, French and Spanish.  The report highlights the critical work of KAIROS partners – grassroots women peacebuilders in Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Palestine – in a year that…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Remembering John Mihevc #KAIROS20

July 13, 2021

John Dillon and John Mihevc must be remembered with special appreciation – their initiative became the spark, and their research was the anchor of so many of KAIROS’ ecumenical justice initiatives.  Joe Gunn In celebrating KAIROS’ 20th anniversary, my thoughts are ever woven with thoughts of my brother, John Mihevc, blessed be his memory.  John…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

Gender and land defense in Abya Yala in times of pandemic

July 9, 2021

“In this new global context, the compilation of struggles and the essential role of women in the defense of territories, the specificities and damages that they experience in socio-environmental conflicts, become relevant…” Latin American Network of Women Defenders of Social and Environmental Rights, 2020 annual report  Women…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

KAIROS and partners mark the 10th anniversary of South Sudan: the world’s youngest country

July 8, 2021

Friday, July 9th marks the 10th anniversary of South Sudan, the world’s newest country.   Despite some progress towards peace and reconciliation, particularly since the signing of the latest iteration of the peace agreement, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of…

Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage

A moment for renewed commitment #KAIROS20

July 8, 2021

Few of us might remember, but the churches were in shock when KAIROS was founded.   Perhaps presaging our present-day situation, because the largest Christian churches had embraced colonialism in the form of Indian Residential Schools, lawsuits were threatening their very existence. We should honour the brave Anglican Church reps who came…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

Investigate PH releases 2nd report on escalating human rights violations in the Philippines

July 7, 2021

Yesterday, INVESTIGATE PH released its second report on human rights violations in the Philippines. The findings – which highlights escalating state-driven violence – are deeply alarming and demand urgent attention. The report is the second in a series of three…

Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Women peacebuilders lay groundwork for sustained transformational change

July 6, 2021

Located literally under the shadow of the West Bank wall in Bethlehem, Wi’am: Palestinian Conflict Transformation Centre offers women victims of gender-based oppression and violence just that—transformational change.  Wi’am—a partner of KAIROS Canada’s Women of Courage, Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program—is one of four women-led grassroots organizations that…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

New Economy Trailblazer: Preparing our Home

July 2, 2021

The transition to low carbon economy is largely focused on decreasing emissions and shifting sectors that rely on oil, gas, and coal to low carbon alternatives. These solutions are about mitigating the impacts of climate change in the future, but what about the impacts…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice

Comunicado de prensa: KAIROS celebra 20 años de acción enérgica por la justicia

June 30, 2021

(Ottawa, ON) – KAIROS: Iniciativas ecuménicas canadienses por la justicia cumple 20 años el 1 de julio y, para conmemorarlo, lanzará una serie de reflexiones y celebraciones que culminarán con un evento juvenil el 24 de octubre y el Encuentro Virtual del 20º Aniversario de KAIROS,…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary

Communiqué de presse: KAIROS célèbre ses 20 ans d’action ardente pour la justice

June 30, 2021

Ottawa (ON), le 1er juillet 2021. – Le 1er juillet, KAIROS : Initiatives œcuméniques canadiennes pour la justice aura 20 ans. À cette occasion, l’organisme lance une série de réflexions et de célébrations qui culmineront avec un événement jeunesse le 24 octobre et le…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, En français, Media Releases

Media Release: KAIROS celebrates 20 years of spirited action for justice

June 30, 2021

(Ottawa, ON) – KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives turns 20 on July 1, launching a series of reflections and celebrations that will culminate with a youth event on October 24 and the KAIROS 20th Anniversary Virtual Gathering, October 26 to 28.   In…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, Media Releases

Hilando y tejiendo juntas: camino de hermandad y solidaridad #KAIROS20

June 29, 2021

English KAIROS está celebrando 20 años como organización de justicia social, ecuménica y ambiental. Desde sus inicios comenzamos a trabajar juntos. Nuestras organizaciones, hilando y tejiendo juntas.   Siempre encontramos sintonía en la lucha frente a los impactos de las actividades…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, En Español, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

Spinning and weaving together: A journey of siblinghood and solidarity #KAIROS20

June 29, 2021

Español  KAIROS is celebrating 20 years as a social, ecumenical, and environmental justice organization. From its beginning we began to work together. Our organizations, spinning and weaving together.  We always find harmony in the struggles against the impacts of oil and mining activities, climate change, and the role of Indigenous peoples and women in the…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America, Uncategorized

Letter to the Editor: Canada needs to step up its human rights, with shift to emerging energy technologies

June 29, 2021

Re: Canada better step up its game on battery-powered electric vehicles,(The Hill Times, June 7.) Canada does need to step up, but on human rights, with the shift to emerging energy technologies, especially as it is poised to benefit from…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

Sister Anne O’Brien, presente!

June 25, 2021

The KAIROS staff is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Anne O’Brien, gsic on June 23. Anne was a beautiful person through and through, with a great energy and deep passion for justice. She was always extremely supportive of KAIROS’ work and generous with her…

Post filed in: Uncategorized

Protect the last remaining old-growth forests

June 21, 2021

We are at a critical moment in the protection of Canada’s old-growth forests. Logging of old-growth or primary forests in British Columbia’s coastal temperate rainforests is putting Canada’s ability to mitigate the climate emergency and build resilience in our ecosystems…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice

KAIROS condemns the killing of three Indigenous youth in the Philippines, and decries the loss of life

June 18, 2021

KAIROS joins partners, human rights organizations, churches and solidarity organizations from around the world in condemning the rape and murder of three Indigenous youth in Lianga town, Mindanao, Philippines, by the Philippines Army.   As we call for justice and an end to this impunity, we grieve the loss of…

Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Bill C-15 on its way to becoming law

June 18, 2021

This week marks an important moment which will be remembered as a good day in the struggle to uphold and recognize Indigenous Rights in Canada.   With its passage in the Senate, Bill C-15, An Act Respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is now…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights