FAITH AND JUSTICE NEWSLETTER/Issue no 20

We respect the dog because of its master, (Minyanka Proverb/Mali):
What about respecting human beings because they were created at God's image?

1 At the Entebbe meeting (3/12/'04) we decided to call a meeting of 2 representatives only of JPIC Commissions from each ofthe 3 Dioceses of Lira; Gulu and Soroti, to gather at the Lira Pastoral Centre, Ngeta, Lira.
The only dates available for that Centre are 13th. p.m. to 16th. a.m. Jan. 05.

Sr. Beatrice Arinaitwe (077-466 826, P.O Box 314, Lira) has kindly agreed to coordinate in Lira. Please inform her of your coming. The basic agenda is to determine the first, concrete steps towards realising the best approach to helping the traumatised.
Those who attend should come with clear information on what is being done already for the traumatised in their area.

5 31/01/05: ARU-JPIC Commission
at ARU Secretariat
The date was changed so that the participants may benefit from the input from the All Africa Conference of Sister to Sister programme (see above AACSS)

Communion and Solidarity
Between Africa and Europe

This is the topic discussed at the first symposium held in Rome, dedicated to bringing together representatives from both continents to reflect on their common needs and responsibilities.
An estimated 150 bishops, and delegates from 62 countries on the two continents met to reflect on the need to exchange gifts between the Church on the two continents.

Organized by the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) and the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), with the sponsorship of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the collaboration of organizations concerned with solidarity, the conference took place from Nov. 11-13.
"In the light of an experience of solidarity and exchange which has existed for such a long time" -- with missionaries, volunteers, and organizations of solidarity --, the novelty of the meeting is to deepen a "collaboration that is truly reciprocal" -- "to give and receive" -- between Africa and Europe.

GLOBAL TRADE CAMPAIGN

Global Week of Action - 10-16 April 2005

Many civil society Networks, NGOs and Churches are organizing activities for the Global Week of Action on Trade from the 10 - 16 April 2005. The aim is to make pressure on national and International Institutions, to TRANSFORM the conditions, rules and practices of international trade, so as to make of TRADE an instrument for the promotion of human well-being, sustainable communities and economic justice.

The actual rules and practices of international trade is one of the root-causes of the impoverishment of Africa.

AMECEA Justice and Peace is encouraging each Justice and Peace Commission, group, or persons interested in a more just world, to join other organizations in your country, or locality to make a meaningful Global Week of Action on Trade (10 - 16 April 2005).

Our message is

NO to the rich and powerful imposing
unjust trade agreements,
indiscriminate liberalisation and privatisation
on the poor.
YES to everyone's right
to food, a livelihood, water, health and education.

This websites will tell you all you need to play an active part in one of the biggest global mobilisations we have ever seen.

Your role is vital in helping to make the Week a success. Please add your organisation to the list of those endorsing the Week of Action.

The symbol for the campaign features a person at the center, emphasizing our commitment that people must come first in the context of trade: their rights, their livelihoods and their God given dignity. Also pictured are scales or baskets balanced across the shoulders of the person - these symbolize both the scales of justice (which are not balanced fairly), commerce and human labor.
The ARU-JPIC commission will try, at the January 31st meeting, to organise our participation

Trade for people,
Not People for Trade.

Theme of the
World Day of Peace (01/01/05)
Do not be overcome by evil
But overcome evil
with good
(Rom 12.21)