Issues of the Day

There are many religious congregations, NGO's, and international organizations that are contributing their might to bring about a just and peaceful world. Fully conscious of a harmonious universe where nature is not ruthlessly exploited, all of them have targeted some burning issues in the area of their work. Aware of these important problems on justice, peace and ecology, let us prioritize our targets and join hands with the rest in tackling them.

Free Trade

Free trade takes a heavy toll on human rights, on workers, on the health of people, and the earth. It also leads to job instability, depressed wages, and erosion of labour standards in both developed and developing countries. Corporate "biopiracy" exploits the natural resources and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. Free market economics promotes corporate "rights" at the expense of human rights.

What can we do?

a) Become part of the Earth Charter Initiative, a global movement promoting change for an ecologically sustainable future. http://www.earthcharter.org
b) Send stories about the impact of economic globalization and free market economics on your local setting to the Holy Cross International Justice Office. www.holycrossjustice.org
c) Involve your community in economic justice work. Make people aware of these important issues. Then write letters and articles to newspapers, lobby government officials, and promote public debates about these topics.
d) Visit these websites to have more ideas for actions:

1. Common Frontiers, a multi-sectoral working group, confronts, and proposes an alternative to, the social, environmental and economic effects of economic integration in the Americas. It does its work through a combination of research, analysis and action, in cooperation with labour, human rights, environmental, church, development and economic and social justice organizations. http://www.web.net/comfront

2. Global Trade Watch Global (GTW), created in 1995 to promote government and corporate accountability in the globalization and trade arena, is still the only U.S. organization focused full-time on globalization issues. http://www.tradewatch.org

3. The Third World Network (TWN) is an independent non-profit international network of organizations and individuals involved in issues relating to development, the Third World and North- South issues. The TWN's international secretariat is based in Penang, Malaysia. It has offices in many countries. http://www.twnside.org.sg

4. The Canadian Catholic Organization for DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is one of Canada's leading international development agencies. Since 1967 it has helped improve living and working conditions in 70 countries around the globe, providing funds for human rights, community development and humanitarian (English, French, and Spanish). http://www.devp.org