Peace is Possible
A newsletter for friends of Pax Christi International
As part of our work on nuclear disarmament, Pax Christi International is thrilled to announce the launch of a new campaign for young people - an Open Call for Artists! Young people from 15 to 35 years old and from every part of the world are invited to express in a creative way why it is important for countries to join the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The top ten entries will be displayed at the upcoming World Peace Congress in Barcelona!
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Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific
Latin America & the Caribbean
Water for Life Campaign
Pax Christi International launches a new campaign highlighting the need for water justice throughout the Americas as a result of extractive industries. The campaign calls on the international community for awareness raising, solidarity, and action.
Campaign Video
What's at stake for rural communities in their fight for water justice? How are Indigenous people affected by extractive activities? Watch our campaign video and share. Awareness is the first step.
Americas Consultation: Continental synergies in times of global challenges
On June 29 and 30, Pax Christi International hosted a consultation for our members and partners in the Americas region. The consultation highlighted important peacebuilding and human rights issues in the region and provided space for discussion of future working priorities in the region.

The objective was first of all to share, to analyse the regional, continental and global context and its impacts on the communities and on the work of partner organisations. Secondly to reflect together on the potentials and challenges of strengthening a regional process of cooperation and exchange of information. The consultation provided a deep Contextual Analysis of Extractivism in the Americas. We were joined by the Washington Office on Latin America; the China-Latin America Sustainable Investments Initiative; Oxfam Intermon in Spain; the Committee for Human Rights in Latin America and TerraJusta from Bolivia. During the consultation, steps were identified to build a joint agenda with Canada and the United States, due to the impact of the policies of these two countries in the region in economic, political and cultural terms. 
Demanding Justice for Simón Pedro Pérez López
Pax Christi International joins the worldwide call for justice after the murder of human rights defender Simón Pedro, who was killed last week in Mexico. He was a member of the civil society organisation La Sociedad Civil Las Abejas de Acteal, and accompanied for three decades by FRAYBA, a partner of Pax Christi International.
Asia-Pacific
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.
Pax Christi Aotearoa is offering three online study reflection sessions looking at the history of the Pax Christi peace movement and develops a peace spirituality founded in traditional Maori spirituality. Dates are 20 July, 27 July, 3 August at 7:30pm NZ time. To enroll email paxchristiaotearoa@gmail.com before Friday.
Korea Peace Appeal
We have joined the Korean Peace Appeal as an international partner organisation. It urges international action and solidarity to end 70 years of war through dialogue rather than sanctions.

Appeal to Corporations Active in Myanmar
In response to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar the facilitation team for Pax Christi Asia Pacific has drafted a letter template that can be adapted for advocacy purposes in local contexts. It calls attention to the responsibility of corporations operating in Myanmar.

Africa
Sr Angèle: Creating Communities of
Nonviolence in DR Congo
Recently Sr Angèle Gapio of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus in the DR Congo shared news about training activities among religious communities. In February, training was organised through Pax Christi International for religious sisters in Goma (DR Congo). The training covered topics like nonviolent communication and active nonviolence, as well as conflict management. The trainings soon spread to other dioceses and parts of the country. The junior sisters were very happy with the formation and testify to great personal transformation as a result. Our members and partners in the region look forward to further growth and learning opportunities in the coming months, including training for young people on the same topics. Sr Angèle remarks that the training was really striking for her and changed her way of living in community. This is nonviolence in action!
Ecumenical Network of South Sudan

The ecumenical network of South Sudan has released a message on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the formation of the world's newest country. The statement expresses both celebration of this milestone and concern for the ongoing unrest and violence that deeply touches all those who call South Sudan home. Theh have also sent prayer resources for people to use in their parishes. Everyone is encouraged to pray for the people of South Sudan and to take action in solidarity.


Remembering
Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo
“There is a role for everyone to play in educating for peace, for reconciliation and for civic consciousness. It is a challenge for us all, because the Spirit of God must open our minds to a peace which the world cannot give us.” Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo
(1939 – 2021)

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, former archbishop of Kinshasa and co-president of Pax Christi International (2007 to 2011), has died following a period of illness. He was a force for peace and tireless advocate for democracy in his beloved homeland, DR Congo. He will be sorrowfully missed by the entire Pax Christi movement and his legacy lives on in the important grassroots, nonviolence work we continue to carry out in the Great Lakes region of Africa today.

Cardinal Monsengwo’s history with Pax Christi International reaches back more than 20 years. At our World Assembly in Amman (Jordan) he was elected vice-president, and in 2007 named co-president alongside Marie Dennis. “It was an honour to serve as co-president with Cardinal Monsengwo,” remarked Dennis. “His deep yearning for an end to the violence in his own country helped to shape Pax Christi International’s commitment to nonviolence and reconciliation in Africa.”

This passion was also well-reflected in PCI activities in the region. These included efforts to end impunity for serious crimes, contributing to peaceful cohabitation and the respect of territorial integrity, and strengthening civil society and promoting political education, especially in light of elections in DR Congo.
Advocacy
Embolden peacebuilders, demand justice: Message on the situation in Jerusalem
Pax Christi International denounces all forms of violence. Yet, it is imperative to recognise that violence and terror can take many forms and can be executed under labels which belie its true intent. Violence never happens in a vacuum. We are monitoring the situation in Palestine very closely and responding through advocacy and solidarity. Our most recent messages may be found on our website.

In May, a group of 14 scientists and Catholic leaders, including Pax Christi International senior advisor Marie Dennis, released a statement calling on President Joe Biden to reduce the threat that nuclear weapons pose to the world and tp work with other nations toward their abolishment. The statement urged the Biden administration to revise dated U.S. nuclear policies, reduce U.S. spending on nuclear weapons, and engage in diplomacy with Russia and other countries, including at the upcoming review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which takes place in New York this August.

Deepening Catholic Thought on Nonviolence
Advancing Nonviolence and Just Peace in the Church and the World
Have you ordered your paperback or e-pub copy yet?
Advancing Nonviolence and Just Peace in the Church and the World is the culmination of a three-year global conversation. The book shares the experiences of on-the-ground nonviolent interventions, explores the scriptural, theological and historical foundations of nonviolence, reviews the most current social science on how nonviolence has been effectively employed, and outlines a vision for how the Church might embrace active nonviolence into every aspect of its life.

A paperback version is available in English and e-publication versions available in both English and Spanish. Please visit the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative website for ordering information.
Study Guide for Advancing Nonviolence Now Available
We are pleased to announce a study guide to help you use Advancing Nonviolence and Just Peace in group and study settings. The guide offers questions to help you unpack the stories you'll find in each chapter and understand how nonviolence can grown in your own faith and practice.
You are invited to study, pray, act and celebrate the power of nonviolence during the annual Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action. We are encouraging solidarity actions around the globe to promote and celebrate nonviolence between 21 September (International Day of Peace) and 2 October (International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday). We have prepared many tools and resources, as well as a list of last year's activities, to inspire your participation in 2021!

The annual Pax Christi USA national conference takes place on 30 and 31 July. This year the conference will be online through Zoom and feature a special pre-conference event sponsored by Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative.

Pax Christi International Recommends
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We are pleased to share with you the 2020 Pax Christi International Annual Report, where we recount and highlight our progress and achievements.

Despite the year’s challenges, we were able to continue our mission to promote nonviolence and just peace.
The main goal of the Second IPB World Congress is to provide a space for gathering and sharing experiences for all involved in international peace and justice movements. 

This Congress will feature a special exhibit of the top entries in our Artists for Peace contest (see above).
Etienne de Jonghe is widely recognised as a peacebuilder at the highest level. After his 30-year tenure as secretary general of Pax Christi International, the movement had become an international justice and peace network of more than 100 Pax Christi member organisations spread across the world. In this interview, Etienne traces some of the priorities of Pax Christi international through his invaluable experiences.


Pax Christi International
paxchristi.net