Author Archive
Les élections congolaises – Un pas en arrière
January 9, 2012
Si l’Union africaine et les pays voisins ont accepté les résultats des élections présidentielles et législatives tenues récemment en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), la plupart des observateurs nationaux et internationaux y ont relevé de graves irrégularités qui ont entamé…
Post filed in: En français
Congolese Elections—A Step Backward
December 23, 2011
While the African Union and neighbouring countries have accepted the results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) recently held presidential and parliamentary elections, most national and international observers have said that the results were marred by substantial electoral irregularities…
Post filed in: Africa
ELCIC letter to Minister Kent re. Canada’s withdrawal from Kyoto Protocol
December 15, 2011
The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), has written to Minister of the Environment Peter Kent expressing her disappointment and concern over the recent decision of the government to withdraw Canada from…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Kyoto Withdrawal Diminishes Canada
December 14, 2011
Environment Minister Peter Kent’s announcement of Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol not only tarnishes our international reputation but also betrays the efforts of the thousands of Canadians who worked long and hard for Canada to ratify the only legal…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Building a Culture of Solidarity with Migrant Workers
December 14, 2011
A Christmas Wish to mark December 18 International Migrants Day On 4 December 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December as International Migrant’s Day. On 18…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Policy Briefing Paper #30: Coal and Shale Gas Obstacles to Climate Justice
December 14, 2011
While much attention has focused on the tar sands as the fastest growing source of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions, climate justice demands that we also curb emissions from coal and shale gas. The most recent KAIROS briefing paper examines these…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Banner Presentation & Feast Mark Qualicum Celebrations
December 13, 2011
L to R: Quilter Beulah Paugh, Qualicum Band Councillor Donna Kennedy, Qualicum Band Councillor Darlene Wells, Chief Patricia Cassidy, designer Norma Emerson, and Parksville/Qualicum KAIROS Chair Hans Kratz. In the midst of a few hundred school children, parents, and supporters,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Some final reflections
December 9, 2011
It’s the end of the second week of negotiations here in Durban. A fair number of official and civil society delegates have already returned home, as this is where political leaders are left to make final compromises. A total of…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Il est impératif de prendre des mesures urgentes pour améliorer les conditions de vie dans les communautés autochtones : le Canada doit respecter ses obligations en matière de droits humains
December 8, 2011
Les peuples et les personnes autochtones ont le droit au même niveau de vie et au même accès aux services gouvernementaux que tous les Canadiens. Ils ont le droit de vivre et d’élever leurs familles sur leurs propres terres et…
Post filed in: En français
Attawapiskat Joint Statement: Urgent action needed to improve living conditions in Aboriginal communities
December 8, 2011
Canada must meet its human rights obligations. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right to enjoy the same standard of living and access to government services that are enjoyed by other people in Canada. They have the right to live…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Primate’s Statement: A call to action for the love of creation
December 7, 2011
“We believe that we show our respect for God’s creation by working for a climate treaty that is morally and legally binding… As people “striving to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
COP17 — From Meeting to Marching to Prayer
December 7, 2011
On Sunday, December 4th, several KAIROS partners and collaborators gathered to debrief and discuss their experiences of Durban COP17 (so far!) over lunch at the Diakonia Centre, home to the Faith Secretariat for this COP. Beyond Julia, Caroline, Ivonne, and…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
COP 17: from Peoples’ Space to Conference Hall
December 3, 2011
As a first timer to a COP, I’m blown away by the cynical emphasis on offsets and the carbon markets and the resistance to REAL emission cuts. Will the hope of Kyoto Protocol die here? At the Reducing Emissions from…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Kairos Times: December 2011
December 2, 2011
Read the December 2011 issue.
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
Attawapiskat: a hard look at the federal government’s response so far
December 2, 2011
1 December 2011 KAIROS Urgent Action Background information As of November 30, federal leaders and the Red Cross have now visited the northern Ontario Cree community of Attawapiskat, which is a step forward. The Red Cross is flying in emergency…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Policy Briefing Paper #29: Arctic Melting Sounds the Alarm for Life on Earth
December 1, 2011
Accelerated melting of Arctic ice and permafrost is among the clearest signals that climate change is rapidly approaching a point of no return. This latest KAIROS Briefing Paper “Arctic Melting Sounds the Alarm for Life on Earth” summarizes several recent…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Direction générale, KAIROS
December 1, 2011
Initiatives œcuméniques canadiennes pour la justice/Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, situé à Toronto, en Ontario, est à la recherche d’une personne pour combler le poste de direction générale, un poste permanent à temps plein, à partir du début de l’année 2012….
Post filed in: En français
COP17 — at the stadium
December 1, 2011
Following November 26th’s orientation and dinner (a local favourite, “bunny chow” – hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry and eaten with fingers) at the Diakonia Centre (Diakonia Council of Churches – Durban, a rather unique local council of churches…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Durban COP17 — Meeting our Partners
November 30, 2011
By Jim Davis I am ensconced in Durban for the start of the climate negotiations as an accredited civil society observer with the World Council of Churches (WCC). I must say, however, that we are all chagrined by the ongoing…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Attawapiskat First Nation: Background
November 25, 2011
Dr. Elizabeth Blackmore, one of 15 family doctors for the James Bay coast, said at a recent press conference on Attawapiskat, “I often have to remind myself that I am still working in the province of Ontario… From a medical…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Ecuador’s Oil Struggle: Reflections on an Amazonian Journey
November 25, 2011
In July 2011, KAIROS staff Rachel Warden and Sara Stratton, together with Fort Chipewyan activist George Poitras, travelled to Ecuador to learn more about the impacts of oil exploration on the Indigenous peoples and ecosystems of Ecuador’s Amazon region. The…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Latin America, UNDRIP Blog Updates
KAIROS marks November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence
November 24, 2011
Along with women’s organizations and movements, partners in Canada and around the world, KAIROS marks November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, with strengthened resolve and a renewed call to end violence against women, support women…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Déclaration sur la Conférence de l’ONU sur le changement climatique Durban, Afrique du Sud
November 17, 2011
Nous lançons un appel aux fidèles des églises membres de KAIROS et à toutes les personnes de bonne volonté afin qu’ils s’unissent nous pour presser le gouvernement du Canada de défendre les trois objectifs suivants à la Conférence de l’ONU…
Post filed in: En français
KAIROS Statement on the UN Conference on Climate Change Durban, South Africa
November 17, 2011
We call on the members of our KAIROS churches and all people of good will to join us in urging the government of Canada to champion the following three goals at the November-December 2011 UN Conference on Climate Change at…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
KAIROS Staff head to COP 17, UN Climate Change Conference in Durban
November 17, 2011
Jim Davis and Caroline Foster are imminently heading to Durban COP 17. John Dillon, who’s staying home, will be following Durban outcomes closely. Amidst the hurly-burly of organizing their departures, KAIROS staffers gave us a sentence (or so) each on…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
KAIROS plays key role in World Council of Churches North American Hearings on Poverty, Wealth and Ecology.
November 15, 2011
From November 6th to 11th, representatives from churches in Canada and the United States, joined by guests from every continent, met in Calgary, Alberta for a consultation convened by the World Council of Churches on issues of poverty, wealth and…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Policy Briefing Paper #28: Is Durban the world’s last, best hope to avoid climate disaster?
November 13, 2011
“Our Mother Earth is ill. The development model of unlimited economic growth and overconsumption has broken the balance between human beings and the envi-ronment. The current proposals on the table in the nego-tiations are not enough to stop climate change….
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change
November 11, 2011
We, representatives of Canadian faith communities, are united in our conviction that the growing crisis of climate change needs to be met by solutions that draw upon the moral and spiritual resources of the world’s religious traditions. We recognize that…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice