U.S. to refocus diplomatic strategy
The United States is looking to spend more money to improve public health and fight hunger worldwide, as well as help manage energy affairs, if an overhaul of the country’s diplomatic strategy goes ahead, officials said. Another policy push would entail tighter policing of illicit financial networks. AlertNet.org/Reuters (11/17)
SVDP (Australia) protests child imprisonment
There are still 645 children detained in prisons of Australia and Christmas Island, according to Dr John Falzon, CEO of the National Council of St Vincent de Paul Society. Speaking in Sydney, he called for the Federal Government to fulfill a commitment it made in 2008 and end child detention.
Declaring a personal cease-fire on Sept. 21, 2010
On International Day of Peace take the opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind. The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. Click Read More
2010 Labor Day Statement – A New “Social Contract”
The United States Catholic Conference 2010 Labor Day Statement “A New “Social Contract” for Today’s “New Things” echos the title of Leo the XIII’s “Rerum Novarum” (Of New Things”).
It calls for Americans “to protect the life and dignity of each worker in a renewed and robust economy”. As a Vincentian footnote some might be surprised to know that it was a member of the Vincent de Paul Society who advised Leo the XIII on this first of the great Social Encyclicals and that Ozanam anticipated, and actually prepared the ground for, the recognition of the social issues in calling for a living wage.