PWRDF UPDATE August 2007
Welcome to Update - The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund newsletter and information bulletin for subscribers.
PWRDF is the Anglican Church of Canada's agency for international development, relief, refugees and justice issues. Please contact Yvonne Lane for more information on any of the following items.
1. Partner News – PWRDF joins the Canadian Foodgrains Bank
2. Refugee Issues
3. Partnership for Life – generous donation from General Synod
4. Staff Travels – Latin America
5. International Day of the World’s Indigenous People – August 9
6. Emergency Response
7. Local Heroes
8. New Resources/Mailings
1. Partner News
PWRDF is pleased to announce its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. CFGB is comprised of 15 church-based agencies engaged in their mission to end hunger. Last year, with a budget of $24.8 million, 56 projects in 17 countries benefited 1.3 million people. Projects represent a broad range of food-related programming, including food aid, the provision of seeds and tools, long-term food security, nutrition programming and addressing food justice.More information will be provided to all parishes in September –watch out for a package from CFGB and begin to think of ways that you can participate in the program as a PWRDF member. Visit the CFB website.
2. Refugee Issues
Safe Third Country Agreement - The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) Inland Protection Group, of which PWRDF is a member, is inviting CCR members and others to write to Cabinet Ministers asking them to live up to their obligations under the law to review the status of the United States as a safe third country.
There is a formal letter referring to the two submissions sent by CCR to the Cabinet Ministers, one in November 2006 and a second in April 2007 that can be adapted for use. Both submissions and more information are available from the CCR.
3. Partnership for Life – Generous Donation from Toronto Diocesan Synod
After watching the PWRDF video – For a Generation without AIDS at the Toronto Diocesan Synod in May, one synod member proposed a challenge to all in attendance to empty their pockets and “not only talk, but act”. Our thanks to Thelma Carter for achieving an enthusiastic response to “Angli-can” as opposed to “Angli-can’t” and raising $13,000 for PWRDF’s HIV and AIDS work in Africa.
4. Staff Travels – Latin America
Suzanne Rumsey, Development Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean travelled recently to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Brazil, visiting nine partners during her 18-day stay in the region. Her work included monitoring projects by field visits and meeting with partners at their offices.
The issues of domestic violence and violence against women are emerging as central themes for all PWRDF partners in the region and they all reported specific activities being undertaken to address these issue. Some of the challenges faced by the partners include:
Guatemala
- The need for income generating projects. Women’s experiences and needs as refugees and now returnees are being met through donations from outside their communities. These donations, while gratefully accepted, do not fill the need for long-term economic sustainability and self-sufficiency;
- Donor interest has waned in recent years, as throughout much of Latin America;
- A general increase in human rights violations in the last few years;
- Lack of adequate data regarding the presence and nature of HIV and AIDS in Guatemala;
- Some areas are still dealing with the impact and ongoing needs of those communities that suffered great destruction during Hurricane Stan in October, 2005.
Nicaragua
- Health indicators have declined or not improved since 2000. Fewer dollars per capita are being spent on health care in 2007 than were being spent in the 1980’s at the height of the US-sponsored Contra war and economic embargo. Health delivery is necessary within a broader integrated community development program;
- 60% of Nicaraguans live below the poverty line and the country is rife with corruption and political instability;
Brazil
- PWRDF partner KOINONIA, an organization independent from the Brazilian churches has great ecumenical experience and strong relationships with the churches. These relationships have positioned them to both support diaconal work and has pushed them to more prophetic ministries. Much of their work is at the grassroots level and with young people, including an HIV and AIDS initiative which PWRDF supports;
- KOINONIA has had great success with their resource, AIDS and the Churches: A call to action produced in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.
We invite your thoughts and comments regarding this discernment process over the summer months by contacting Carolyn Vanderlip via E-mail.
5. International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
In an open letter marking the 13th commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which took place August 9, 2007, Indigenous peoples and human rights organizations in Canada called on the federal government to “abandon its extreme and unprincipled campaign of opposition” to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples “before further harm is done to the safety and well-being of Indigenous peoples worldwide and to Canada’s reputation as a principled defender of human rights.”
The UN Human Rights Council only adopted the Declaration in 2006. But its final adoption by the UN General Assembly was delayed to allow further consultation. The General Assembly is expected to make a decision on the Declaration within a month.
The open letter criticizes Canada for joining with Colombia--a state where violent attacks on Indigenous peoples are widespread--in lobbying to reopen negotiations on the text. Canada and Colombia were among seven states that signed a joint letter to the UN calling for redrafting of the key provisions of the Declaration.
The letter was signed by KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the Native Womens’ Association of Canada, Amnesty International, the Assembly of First Nations, the Canadian Friends Service Committee, Indigenous peoples’ organizations in British Colombia comprising the First Nations Leadership.
For more information see our related story.
6. Emergency Response
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) and all members of Action by Churches Together, (ACT) International have been responding to one of the worst monsoon seasons in many parts of Asia.
The monsoon season (June-September) is a period in Asia where millions of small-scale farmers get rainwater for their subsistence agriculture, especially for paddy cultivation. Unfortunately, this year since mid-June, torrential rains have caused flooding and created havoc in the lives and livelihoods of millions of the impoverished people. The countries most affected are Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia and China.
PWRDF is working with ACT International, a global alliance of churches and related agencies that assists in disaster response worldwide, to respond to the situation.
Since mid-July, PWRDF provided initial response to appeals in Bangladesh, India and Nepal totalling CAD$67,000. PWRDF will continue to respond to these emergencies as additional needs are assessed.
For more information, please check our Emergency Response stories on the website.
7. Local Heroes
Basil Pogue, PWRDF Diocesan Representative for Qu’Appelle, took part in the PWRDF delegation visit to Mexico in March 2007. He has, to date, spoken to seven congregations about the work that PWRDF is doing in Mexico. The communities he spoke to were centered in rural Saskatchewan and he has bookings for more sessions in September and October. His article about the trip was published in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle newspaper.
8. New Resources/Mailings
Under the Sun #38 is now available in your parishes – this issue looks at understanding the link between emergency relief and development. It is also available on our website. Also included are seven new pew bulletin stories, also available on our website.
Annual Resources – another reminder that these resources are now being finalized and will be sent out to all parishes in September. Our ecumenical theme this year is Enough for All – Care for Creation. Please let us know ASAP by e-mail if there are changes to the quantities that your parish uses.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank – a Christian Response to Hunger – information will be included with your September resources mailing. If you would like to find out what you can do to help alleviate hunger, please go to the CFB website.
Supporting Fair Trade = Just Economy – the PWRDF Fair Trade posters displayed at General Synod and the card used to promote the Fair Trade coffee and tea that was served at the event have been popular and distributed to Diocesan Representatives/Coordinators. It will shortly be available to view on our website.If you would like copies of the poster and the cards, please let us know.
