The latest newsletter of the non-governmental organization (NGO) UNANIMA International provides a portrait of the actions taken in the framework of several committees and commissions of the United Nations (UN). It highlights the many challenges facing our societies. Although the findings are sometimes disturbing, Executive Director Jean Quinn, FDLS, emphasizes the encouraging signs while affirming that “We are people of hope”.

In this overview of recent activities, the newsletter highlights the 61st Commission for Social Development (CSocD61), whose theme was “Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All: Overcoming Inequalities to Accelerate Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Full Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” It is reported that the NGO was particularly involved in this event, including Jean Quinn a member of the panel, who addressed the participants at the opening session; and the presentation of the Civil Society Declaration. The text of the Declaration is available on the web. Links are also provided to the recordings of the panels and other relevant documents.

Participants at the 61st Commission on Social Development (CSocD61) at the United Nations, which took place from February 6 to 15, 2023.

There are also links to learn more about the first UN Water Conference which takes place from March 22 to 24 (see the full program).

New publication

Among the new publications, we must highlight the recent publication of the International Presentation Association (IPA). This network of the Congregation of the Presentation Sisters, with communities in some twenty countries, was founded in 1988. While working in partnership with other organizations, this network has chosen to focus on “the elimination of violence against women and children” as its advocacy theme at the UN.

It has just released a second publication entitled “Policies for Gender Justice; Practices in addressing domestic violence and gender stereotypes.” The publication highlights the synergies and collaborations between governments and civil society organizations to address the issues.

This March issue presents a new testimony. This time it is about the commitment of a Religious Sister to immigrants in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The usual elements, including the list of resources, complete this publication which is available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) have launched a solidarity initiative to collect donations to help those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. All proceeds will be donated to Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, a non-governmental organization (NGO), which responds to the Humanitarian Coalition’s appeals in earthquake situations.

Fundraising is part of the current Lenten campaign of the NGO. Organized by the Quebec Provincial Administration, members of the lay staff of the SNJM General Administration, along with the Sisters and the French-speaking affiliates collected a substantial sum. The SNJM English-speaking affiliates and Sisters raised $450 at a gathering on Saturday, March 11.

Awareness activities

Along with this, information activities on the annual campaign of Development and Peace (D&P) are underway. Julie Tétreault and Marianne Daudelin, as well as Sr. Jeanne Dagenais, have shared the details of the campaign with the members of the SNJM Quebec Justice and Peace Committee. They will continue their awareness work with the Sisters of Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) on March 21.

Also of note is the traditional hunger meal to be held on March 29 at MJM during which a time of reflection is planned. All monies collected will be sent to D&P.

The NGO has been involved since the first days of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and has donated $75,000. D&P is working in collaboration with Caritas Syria to deliver all possible aid to the affected populations in Aleppo and Lattakia. The NGO is also in contact with humanitarian organizations in Turkey that are coordinating actions with the Turkish government.

The SNJM’s have long supported Development and Peace in its successive campaigns to help marginalized populations and earthquake victims.

For the first time since the launch of the CATHII – University at the UN, participants will be able to travel to New York to attend the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The ten students will attend the on-site sessions from March 4-8. This delegation will take advantage of its presence to network with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) gathered at the CSW, visit the United Nations, and take a few field trips in addition to attending sessions on human trafficking.

Members of this cohort will be able to follow the other sessions in virtual mode until the end of the 67th edition, which ends on March 17. Afterwards, the students will prepare a report on their experiences and discoveries. The report with its conclusions will be presented in a special edition of the newsletter of the Action Committee against Internal and International Human Trafficking (CATHII) planned for next May.

Some special features

 “This third edition is special in many respects”, points out Sr. Lise Gagnon, a member of the trio responsible for this program, along with project manager Kavitha Culasingam, and Élodie Ekobena another CATHII member of the Centre Justice et Foi. (Centre for Justice and Faith)

In addition to attending the UN, this is the first time the program has included two people in the workforce who have returned to pursue their academic studies. These individuals are in their thirties and have experience in a medical setting and at a Crime Victims’ Assistance Center (CVAC).

Also to be noted is the return to a human-scale group. “The first year we had eight people. The second year, we had 27.  This larger number of participants had a more  difficult time integrating with each other,” says Sr. Lise. The third cohort comprised of 10 members fostered closer relationships and facilitated the logistical elements in New York.       

Mission accomplished

Even though CATHII is not yet ready to evaluate its program, it is clear that it has fulfilled its initial mission of training the next generation. “We wanted to help sensitize young people to the situation of human trafficking in all its forms without really knowing who we could reach with our program,” she recalls.

To date, the program implemented in 2020 has reached 45 students from 13 different academic faculties at six separate institutions. These faculties include criminology, social work, journalism, public affairs, political science, medical, anthropology and law! “It’s a pleasant surprise and it’s also a good way to open up to other horizons,” says Sr. Lise.

Sr Lise Gagnon, snjm

The ten students of this third cohort participated in four preparatory sessions led by a team composed of a researcher and professor at the School of Social Work at McGill University which is concerned with the situation of migrants, a person from the organization Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLÉS), (Together in the fight again sexual exploitation) whose work is recognized with victims of sexual exploitation and internal trafficking. A person from the Coalition québécoise contre la traite des personnes (Quebec Coalition against human trafficking) and a member of CATHII who has experience with UN sessions, complete the group of trainers.

“It is very touching accomplish the work in such a short time despite all the pitfalls due to the pandemic. The fact that we now have an intergenerational cohort that will be able to go to the UN is seen by our entire team as a gift of life,” exclaims Sr. Lise.

This year’s ten participants are from the universities of McGill, Sherbrooke, Laval and the Université de Montréal. The theme of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is “Innovation and Technological Change, and Education in the Digital Age for the Achievement of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls”.

Last November 4, during an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Tel-Aide région du Suroît organization, the administration paid tribute to Sr. Thérèse Soucy for her innovative ideas and her commitment to the community.

Ms. Francine Douaire, the emcee of the evening, emphasized Sr. Thérèse’s innate ability to “organize projects, work in a team, and lead groups. Inventive, she knew how to find solutions. With her ability to bring people together, she called upon key people who would be enthusiastic and energized by this same spirit and who would have favored the birth of Tel-Aide. The project led to the creation of four initial groups of 10 people.”

A continuing need

Soucy Thérèse

Sr. Thérèse Soucy worked as a pastoral teacher at Valleyfield High School for many years before retiring. Very sensitive to the realities of her community and in collaboration with the people of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, she set up a listening center in 1982. Her goal was to help people living in all kinds of difficult situations and struggling with mental health problems.

This innovative idea of Sr. Thérèse is more relevant today than ever. Since the pandemic, the organization is facing a constant growing need. This was also an opportunity to highlight the collaborative approach and, above all, the spirit of Sr. Thérèse, which she shared with the volunteer listeners.

Touching tributes

Claude DeBellefeuille, Member of Parliament for Salaberry-Suroît, gave a poignant testimony underlining the contribution of Sr Thérèse in her life.

Ms Claude DeBellefeuille, Member of Parliament for Salaberry-Suroît, gave a poignant testimony, according to those present. “Sr. Thérèse has transformed my life. She enlightened my path and showed me how to take care of those who are most needy. This has marked my whole life,” she said in a speech marked by sincerity in both tone and words. She had also been a volunteer helper at Tel-Aide for a several years. Other people testified to the significant impact of Sr. Thérèse on their lives.

The event also included speeches by Henri-Paul Munger, representative of the organization’s Board of Directors, Claude Reid, MNA for Beauharnois, and Miguel Lemieux, Mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. The administration of Tel-Aide also unveiled a commemorative plaque in honour of Sister Thérèse Soucy and named a room in the organization’s facilities “Salon soeur Thérèse Soucy”. The emcee took this opportunity to thank all the partners and especially the  volunteer helpers.

In conclusion, let us mention that the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) were represented by Sr. Lise Gendron and Mrs. Janine Lefebvre, SNJM associate.

Sr. Lise Gendron with volunteers from the Tel-Aide Suroît region.

Source photo : Tel-Aide region of Suroît

The Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) returns with its “Seven Weeks for Water” campaign this Lent 2023. After proposing a water justice pilgrimage to the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Pacific, North America and Europe, EWN is taking a global approach this time. The organization invites readers to take advantage of Lent to review some of the biblical texts from previous years’ campaigns.

Recalling that water has a “strong spiritual significance in the Christian tradition as a gift from God,” EWN wishes to raise awareness of the fact that millions of people do not have access to clean, life-giving water.

This EWN campaign is supported by the World Council of Churches (WCC). In the form of weekly theological reflection texts, the campaign is an invitation to use these resources in small groups or to contribute to personal reflections.

The year 2023 is a crucial one for the entire water community. It is the first time that the United Nations will hold a World Water Conference in New York. The event will take place from March 22 to 24. It will be kicked off on World Water Day.

The first text, entitled “The rainbow color of the pilgrimage of water justice in North America”, is based on examples of large-scale water contamination in several American cities. The author argues that the lack of access to clean water in the United States is the result of systemic racism.

Note that most of the texts presented include questions for discussion, avenues for action or additional resources. Check this page each week for a new reflection text.

Topics of reflections and publication dates:   

• 22 February 2023: “The rainbow color of the pilgrimage of water justice in North America”, by Michele Roberts
• 27 February 2023: “God’s Gift of Water”, by Grace Ji-Sun Kim
• 6 March 2023: “Feminization of water poverty in Africa”, by Dr Agnes Abuom
• 13 March, 2023 – “Water – Gift and Source of Life” – Ivo Poletto
• 20 March 2023: “Water: a gift of God, a public good and a human right. Should we privatize it?”, by Rev. Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates
• 27 March, 2023 – “Water for Life” – Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm
• 4 April, 2023 – “And we are still thirsty for water!” – Bishop Munib Younan

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, the Catholic Women’s Council (CWC) is hosting a virtual event to share perspectives on the ongoing synod process on synodality. The theme of this event is: Does the synodality process expand or limit the tent space for women?

The Zoom platform event is being held at 7:00 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The majority of the presentations will be in English. Interpretation in several languages, including French, will be available. Full login details can be found at the bottom of the web page by clicking here. 

Making the voice of Catholic women heard

In addition to this one-time event, it is important to highlight the initiative of the CWC, which undertook a survey on four continents to probe the reality of women involved in the Catholic Church. The analysis clearly demonstrates their marginalization within the institution and points out the consequences of this state of affairs.

The document also points to women’s efforts, resilience and “hope for a spiritual awakening.” The report’s recommendations are well worth pondering, according to some groups. In fact, it was filed in Rome in the fall of 2022. Founded in 2019, the CWC brings together Roman Catholic networks in favor of “full recognition of the dignity and equality of women in the Church.”

In the same line of thought, let us point out that in Quebec, known groups such as L’autre Parole, Femmes et Ministères and Groupe Femmes, Politique et Démocratie (GFPD) are working together to prepare a synod of Christian women in order to make their words heard at an event planned for the fall of 2023.

Virtual Meeting – March 9 – 7:00 am (ET)

Zoom Meeting
Meeting-ID: 850 0781 8212
Kenncode: 939696