Masanga, Tanzania:The First DREAM Patients 12/01/2011
 “My name is Joseph, I have 8 children and in two hours I made it here with my bicycle”. These are the words of a patient who just arrived at the DREAM Center in Masanga (Mara Region), in northern Tanzania, bordering Kenya. In fact, in late February, the permits from the regional authorities arrived, authorizing the beginning of clinical activities. The new DREAM center is located next to the Dispensary of the Daughters of Charity, the only health center post within the surrounding area, where 350 medical visits per month are carried out. A little further on there is a school (Primary School), which houses 200 children, and finally a Church. It is the picture of an area where men and women can come, be welcomed and cared for. Mara Region is a rural area - Tarime, the nearest town, is a three-hour drive away. Small villages characterize the rest of the territory, so far without light or water. The population is generally very poor, living on small-scale agriculture and a few grazing animals, and the basis of their feeding is Cassava. Joseph carefully puts his “tag-date” in his wallet…and sets an appointment in two days for his visit with the doctor. He says goodbye with a smile and, before it gets dark, he is back on the saddle of his bike. More This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar. Add Comment World AIDS Day, December 1: Getting to Zero 12/01/2011
 In 1988, the World Health Organization declared December 1st as World AIDS Day. United Nations agencies, governments and all sectors of civil society mark the occasion by spreading awareness about the pandemic and campaigning around specific themes related to HIV/AIDS. From 2011-2015, World AIDS Day will have the theme: “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, Zero AIDS related deaths.” This year in June, the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on AIDS adopted bold targets for 2015: reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by half, eliminate new infections in children, provide treatment for 15 million people living with HIV, end stigma and discrimination, and close the AIDS funding gap. Ban Ki-Moon, in his message for World AIDS Day, cites the progress that has been made in the last 30 years as proof that the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths can be achieved. More This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.  African women who bear the brunt of the continent’s conflicts now demand to play a defining role in peacekeeping. A resolution to foster women’s political participation in the domain of peacekeeping and conflict management was accepted on Friday at the 2011 Women’s Platform for Action in Africa (WPAA). Under the auspices of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the WPAA meeting emphasised the urgent need for better female representation at national levels, where women can actively take part in decisions to prevent war and mediate conflict. The two-day conference in Midrand from Sep. 29 to Sep. 30 came ahead of the second session of the Pan-African Parliament in October. Gender-based sexual violence, which has become a characteristic of armed conflict, is closely linked to gender relations within the culture, said Francoise Labelle of Mauritius who is second vice-president of PAP. "It is only if women can play a full and equal part in the mediation processes that we will be able to build a foundation of peace," Labelle said. This year marks the 11th year of United Nations’ resolution 1325, which addresses women’s rights in war conflict, peace negotiation and reconstruction processes. It also urges increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes. However, there has never been a female U.N. chief peace negotiator and women constitute less than eight percent of negotiating delegations in peace processes mediated by the U.N., while less than three percent are peace agreement signatories. Women and young girls remain disproportionately affected during and after conflict. "It is more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier during conflict," said President of the PAP Women's Caucus Mavis Matladi of South Africa. More By Sr. Marian Harte, DC This year’s Conference held in Bonn, Germany with its theme of “Sustainable Societies/Responsive Citizens" attracted many NGOs, all interested in sustainable development with a lot of attention given to volunteers as it was the 10th Anniversary of Volunteerism. There were many events held over the 3-days from NGO Workshops, Round Table Discussions as well as many youth events, exhibitions, interactive dialogue and net-working. Representatives from Media and Academia were very much part of this Conference. It gave participants an opportunity to engage in sharing their experiences and articulate perspectives on how to enhance their activities in the promotion of sustainable societies. I felt privileged to engage in this conference and have learned so much about connecting the “DOTS” between protecting the planet and giving people a chance of a better life. Read More   The Reality: For 10 years, the Daughters of Charity in Sardinia have worked with immigrant women who have been victims of human trafficking. One Sister describes their situation, “These are women who are seeking equality, respect, freedom, autonomy and well-being for themselves and their families, but, they have fallen into the spiral of modern slavery. They are abused, violated and sold several times. They have been robbed of their dignity as women and mothers, dispossessed of their right, to security, to liberty and to happiness by being forced by criminal organizations to prostitute themselves.” The Response: There is a safe residence with individualized programs to help the women regain their independence. They have safe lodging, psychological support, access to health care, legal assistance, relationships with the police and judicial authority, educational and professional courses. There is always the possibility of voluntarily returning to their homeland protected and assisted, or, in case of necessity, of moving elsewhere. There is psychological counseling for the women to help them with their new choices in life. The Responders: In their service the Sisters are helped by personnel who are specialized educators, cultural mediators of the same nationality as the women, and psychiatrists. Service is available to the women 24 hours a day. Results. Since 15 March 2003, the day on which the “Escape House” was opened, 140 young women and 12 children have been rescued.  Knowing that more than 1. 4 billion people still struggle to live on less than $1.25 a day, it is obvious that much more needs to be done to eradicate the scourge of extreme poverty. At present, 80% of the global population does not enjoy social guarantees that enable them to live a life of dignity and enjoy their basic human rights. Ensuring a Social Protection Floor for these people is one of the fastest ways to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and invest in social justice and sustainable economic development. The concept of a social protection floor is very clear. No one should live below a certain income level and everyone should be able to access at least basic health services, primary education, housing, water, sanitation, food security and adequate nutrition. Social transfers, in cash or in kind, that provides income security as well as food security must be guaranteed. The United Nations Social Protection Floor Initiative promotes universal access to essential social transfers and services. Social protection measures act as cushions for individuals and families against economic shocks and other life contingencies, thus enhancing their capacity to manage and overcome the challenges that affect their well-being. More  By Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, DC The Cook Islands are diligently planning to protect their “enua” (lands) and “moana” (ocean) from effects of global warming and climate change, even though they bear minimal responsibility for causing them. “Big countries are into mitigation, but adaptation is our only choice,” said Deyna Marsh, Education and Awareness Coordinator for the Cook Islands National Environment Services. “Changes are already happening. Sea levels are rising all around the Pacific. If nothing is done now, we will lose our Islands, our traditions, our culture. Buildings and infrastructure on the foreshore will be lost or damaged, and both food security and the health of the people will be affected.” A workshop held in Rarotonga, February 28 to March 4, produced a Cook Islands Climate Change Adaptation Plan. When the Plan is approved by managers of the Kyoto Protocol Climate Change Adaptation Fund, the Cook Islands could receive $5million in support. Read More  When the Daughters of Charity in Puerto Rico responded to the inquiry from the United Nations' NGO Committee on Social Development about their experience of social integration or the lack of it among those with whom they live and work, what follows are their observations and concerns: Question 1: In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? -Racism based on skin color, nationality, social class, religion, politics, etc. - Cultural marginalization, the disintegration of the family - Religious pluralism or the increased number of religious sects/denominations -Neo-liberalism and political imperialism Question 2: Examples of good practices and programs that encourage social integration. Project Life and Hope: Counseling and therapy services for families, children and adults. Efforts are made so that the people realize these services are beneficial to the community because they make them better citizens who share and are integrated into communal activities. Music Project: after school hours, integrates students from diverse communities that are in conflict over drugs and other issues. There is solidarity among NGOs that want to promote the poor and marginalized sectors through the establishment of micro loan incubator projects for those who can’t get access to traditional banks. This is in its infancy but very similar to what the Vincentian Family is trying to establish in Haiti. Question 3: What can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive “society for all” (what kind of policies are needed)? --Reduce government bureaucracy, that the government be seen not as a way to get rich but to serve. --That democracy be authentic and not a fiction, as it is in the majority of countries. -Disinterested economic support by the government to works of social justice. --That programs for the young be established in universities and schools with the focus on helping them become promoters of social integration through clubs, foundations, alliances. This would be a sort of a vaccine for the new generation against the virus of profit and individualism that the neo-liberal system / culture promotes. --Campaigns that promote the equality of all people.  Daughters of Charity serving in Argentina responded from their experiences with the most vulnerable to the NGO survey on social inclusion/integration, sharing their reflections, concerns and hopes. In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? · The disintegration of the family · The lack of the opportunities to procure higher education and a profession · Unemployment · Uncontrolled violence · The deterioration of and lack of social services What are examples of good programs and practices the encourage social integration? St. Louise School, Caracas imparts a complete and quality education on the levels of preschool, primary and junior high. We strive to from conscientious citizens with Christian commitments, competent , and in solidarity with these commitments, open to the present and the future, capable of bettering their situation in life and in solidarity with the needs and difficulties of others. · The education community participates in solidarity campaigns to benefit people with low incomes. There is an organization, “Fathers of Families,” with great effort they promote Christian and human development in the surrounding neighborhood. They strive to promote integrated growth with and for 350 young children in the primary and intermediate levels. The children come from country and city area. They prepare them for life by means of activities that involve them in building skills for life. They also work to stimulate the children’s abilities to help build a new and a just society. What can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive “society for all” (What kind of policies are needed)? Emphasize and honor human rights. World Refugee Day and Everyday Do “1 Thing” 06/29/2011
 On World Refugee Day, 20 June, 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees launched the“1 Campaign” which is designed to put individual refugees in focus and to strengthen global protection, respect and compassion for all refugees. The campaign encourages individuals to “Do 1 Thing” in response to the plight of refugees today, especially in light of the situation of refugees and stateless persons in North Africa and the Middle East in the context of the popular demonstrations and protests that have spread across this region since the end of 2010. See "Become Involved" for "Do 1 Thing" suggestions. Read More UNHCR This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar. | ArchivesDecember 2011 CategoriesAll |
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