VeryTopShalom News North America  

An instrument of hope, formation, and action

concerning priority matters of social justice.

In This Issue
Environment and Oceans
Two Global Crises
Pandemic Recovery
CO2 Emissions
At the Border
DACA
Child Labor
Human Trafficking
World Refugee Day
March on Washington
Child Victims of Aggression
Gun Violence
COVID-19 Behind Bars
Open Skies and Nuclear Weapons
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June/2020
         
  
"We work actively, especially in our local situations, to eliminate the root causes of injustice in order to realize a world of peace, justice, and love." - You Are Sent, SSND Constitution #17   
 
The SSND Shalom North America Team grieves the violence and racial injustice illustrated in the senseless death of Mr. George Floyd of Minneapolis. We pray for his family and all who are hurting, and we echo their calls for justice. May his death re-energize our collective resolve to collaborate with others in the dismantling of racism locally and throughout our world. 
 
Thank you for all you do to promote solidarity and protect the dignity of all life during these challenging times. May the resources in this newsletter help you in your efforts.     
       
  
Shalom North America Contacts
Click here for our printer-friendly (pdf) version of the newsletter. (Please note - our July/August newsletter will be delivered on July 8.)

Integrity of Creation              

Environment and Oceans       
During the month of June we commemorate two days of environmental significance: World Environment Day, June 6, and World Oceans Day, June 8. The theme for World Environment Day is "Time for Nature." During these days of the coronavirus pandemic, nature is sending us a message: To care for ourselves, we must care for nature. To explore this theme further click here. The theme for World Oceans Day is "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean." For more information click here.    
  
Integrity of Creation              

Addressing Both Global Crises      
While COVID-19 is the most urgent threat facing humanity today, we cannot forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long term. The response to two worldwide crises, climate change and COVID-19, may be mutually reinforcing; global recovery from COVID-19 can put the world's climate on the path for a safe, healthy, just and sustainable future. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provide a clear international framework for action and embrace our shared responsibility for peoples of the world and the planet. Read more.   
     
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Integrity of Creation           

Link Pandemic Recovery with Focus on Climate  
One hundred fifty-five companies, with a combined market capitalization of over US$ 2.4 trillion, have signed a statement urging governments around the world to align their COVID-19 economic aid and recovery efforts with the latest climate science. As debates on recovery packages around the world ramp up in the coming weeks, the companies, which are all part of the Science Based Targets Initiative, are calling for policies that will build resilience against future shocks by supporting efforts to hold global temperature rise to within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with reaching net-zero emissions well before 2050. Learn more. Relatedly, faith-based organizations urge the World Bank to make sure their aid and recovery programs proactively support efforts to cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy sourcing. Learn more, let your voice be heard.

Integrity of Creation              

CO2 Emissions Could Fall 7%       
Global carbon dioxide emissions could fall by up to 7% this year, depending on ongoing restrictions and social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic, according to research recently published in the journal Nature Climate Change. This would be the largest single annual decrease in absolute emissions since the end of World War II.  A UN report last year said emissions needed to drop by 2.7% a year to keep warming well below 2 degrees Celsius, and 7.6% a year to keep below 1.5C. Learn more.

CO2 emissions could fall 7% in 2020
       
 
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Human Life and Dignity              

Challenging Suspension of Humanitarian Protections at the Border            
More than 260 legal, faith-based, humanitarian, human rights, and community organizations have signed on to a letter strenuously objecting to the administration's use of the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to implement indefinite, illegal and life-threatening restrictions on humanitarian protections at the southern U.S. border. The letter urges the administration to restore humanitarian protections required under U.S. law and treaty obligations and to implement practical, science-based safeguards endorsed by public health experts while processing unaccompanied children and asylum seekers asking for refuge at the border. Read more
 
Human Life and Dignity          

DACA Supreme Court Decision Coming Soon          
A Supreme Court decision concerning the legality of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is expected as early as next week. We invite you to watch this short video from Catholic Immigration Legal Services to learn what the court case is about, the three most likely outcomes, and what this all means for our immigrant sisters and brothers. In the meantime, continue to pray for DACA recipients and their families ( sign-up here to join in an interfaith prayer online Monday mornings at 8:30 am, Central) and urge Senators to provide a permanent solution by passing the Dream Act of 2019 (S. 874). 
 
 
 
 
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Human Life and Dignity              

World Day Against Child Labor (6/12)  
There are an estimated 152 million children involved in child labor, 72 million of which are doing very hazardous work. Given the economic impact of the coronavirus, these children are now at even greater risk of facing circumstances that are even more difficult and working longer hours. Learn more. SSND's partnership with Beyond Borders in Haiti includes a focus on ending child domestic labor. Learn more.  
 
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Human Life and Dignity               

The Latino Face of Human Trafficking   
Data from the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline shows that an incredibly high number of people who come to this country from Latin America and the Caribbean are being exploited by human traffickers. The most egregious figures come from the agriculture sector, where 76 percent of the victims are immigrants and nearly half of all victims are from Mexico. Service providers, educators, and law enforcement can use this important information to help formulate targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Read more



 
Human Life and Dignity              

World Refugee Day (6/20) 
On June 20, we recognize the 26 million refugees in our world. Refugees are some of the most resilient, yet vulnerable, people on the planet. Their vulnerability has increased tremendously during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have host nations stopped accepting incoming refugees, but people in " displaced communities are at high risk for contracting and spreading the virus," since the cramped and unsanitary living spaces make it nearly impossible to maintain social distancing or sanitation guidelines.  
 
Let us pray that our global community will learn to welcome the stranger, to make peace without violence, and to live in solidarity with one another. Click here to "Get to Know a Refugee", here to learn more about how the pandemic is affecting refugees, here for some inspiring video rosaries, and here for a toolkit for action. For those in Canada, you are also invited to consider taking action to support migrant workers.     
Rosary for Refugees
Rosary for Refugees
 
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Human Life and Dignity               

Poor People's Virtual March on Washington (6/20)
Rooted in the lived experience of people living in poverty, the Poor People's Campaign mobilizes communities across the U.S. to confront the systemic injustice that impoverishes millions. On June 20, the Poor People's Campaign is planning a virtual march on Washington for people in poverty, faith leaders, and people of conscience to demand that both major political parties address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and militarism. Learn more/join in the effort.  
 
Virtual March on Washington
Virtual March on Washington
 


Peace and Non-Violence              

International Day of Innocent Child Victims of Aggression (6/4)       
It is a sad reality that in situations where armed conflict breaks out, it is often the children who are most affected by the consequences of war. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children  who are the victims of such aggression. The UN's commitment to protect the rights of children is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. Learn more.  
     
Children and Armed Conflict Campaign  
Children and Armed Conflict Campaign
 
 
Peace and Non-Violence              

National Gun Violence Awareness Day (6/5)    
Typically held the first Friday of June, National Gun Violence Awareness Day calls attention to the fact that every day more than 100 Americans are killed with guns and access to a gun triples the risk of death by suicide. One way to call attention to this, to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and to say that we can and should do more to prevent it, is to wear orange and take part in events in your area. Learn more/take action. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a national ban on assault-style firearms. Learn more
            
Peace and Non-Violence              

A Catholic Response to COVID-19 Behind Bars        
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for those living and working in jails, prisons, and detention centers are severe. Reports show more than 25,000 people inside have tested positive for the virus; hundreds have died. The Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) believes being pro-life means one cannot simply stand by while this virus harms so many who live and work in detention facilities - action must be taken. Learn more, take action.  
 
 
  
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Peace and Non-Violence              

U.S. Withdraws from Open Skies Treaty  
The Trump administration has decided to withdraw the U.S. from Open Skies, a three decades old treaty meant to prevent accidental war by allowing nations to fly over each other's territory with elaborate sensor equipment to assure that they are not preparing for military action. The action has raised concerns about the fate of extending the New START arms control treaty with Russia.  The New START treaty, which places limits on deployed nuclear warheads, is set to expire in February. Learn more. Read about Vatican opposition to nuclear weapons.  
 
American withdrawal from Open Skies
American withdrawal from Open Skies
 
   

The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times. 

Shalom LogoShalom News North America is an e-publication of the Shalom North America Contacts (SNAC) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame - Arlene Flaherty, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Kathleen Bonnette, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at tdewane@ssndcp.org.

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