CAFOD supporters take action in numerous different ways to try and change the world for the better. Below is a taster of the campaigns we are involved in.
UNEARTH JUSTICE
What's it all about?
CAFOD are working to get poor communities to have a much larger say in whether and how minerals are mined and who benefits therefore trying to ensure poor communities benefit from their mineral wealth. We are calling on governments and multi-national businesses to make changes in mining practises which will end this injustice. CAFOD is fighting for jewellers to sign the Golden Rules which are about considering the affected communities, human rights and environmental standards.
Three reasons why this action is vital to mining communities:
- In developing countries, mining is all too often a cause of conflict, water shortages, polluted water supplies and lands poisoned by toxic waste.
- Currently, it is almost impossible for jewellers to trace exactly where their gold has come from or to guarantee the conditions in which it has been mined. 12 Golden Rules aim to change this by committing jewellers to work within the industry to improve the way gold is mined.
- Campaigning works: 45,000 people signed petitions calling for clean gold and, spurred by this pressure, seven leading UK jewellers have signed the golden rules. In the USA, 25 jewellers have also signed up.
How can you get involved?
There will be a free exhibition running this summer to explore the truth behind gold through striking images from three continents - and discover how you can help turn gold from a curse to a blessing for the countries where it is mined. It will be running from 21 May to the 1 June 2008 at the gallery@oxo on the Southbank in London. The exhibition will then tour UK cities including Reading, Plymouth, Cardiff and Bristol.
CLIMATE CHANGE
What's it all about?
Climate change threatens the globe and affects everyone, especially people living in poverty. Rich countries are largely responsible for the pollution and environmental damage causing global warming. Severe climate conditions, floods and droughts are the result. The poorest countries are least able to cope with this.
We are currently integrating climate change work into our overseas programmes. This is done by assessing specific threats faced by particular communities and developing strategies to reduce risk and prepare for change. We also continue to support relief work carried out to help those affected by climate disasters around the world, such as hurricanes, floods, and drought. The effects of climate change undermines long-term development work, so CAFOD's overseas programmes in this area support communities in adapting to the new challenges of climate change.
How can you get involved?
This autumn supporters will be lobbying and emailing their MPs to ensure a stronger and more effective UK Climate Change Bill. If you want to get involved and lobby your MP, take a look here
About me:
has been fighting poverty for 45 years. We work alongside people living in poverty, whatever their race or religion, in more than 60 countries. Our aim is to promote justice and equality, and bring about positive changes in the lives of underprivileged people.
Here are just some of the things we do:
- Campaigning for a fairer world, and encouraging loads of people to join us! We also demand that politicians consider poor communities when they are making big decisions that affect the world.
- Working with underprivileged people to help them make positive and long-term changes in their lives, and building global partnerships for change.
- Supporting projects such as schools, farms and health centres in poor communities, using funds raised from supporters.
- Providing relief and aid after natural disasters or conflict - helping to rebuild communities and bring support to people who need it most.
- Talking to Catholic communities and young people in schools about poverty issues and global justice, and putting faith into action.
We can't do any of these things without the support of people like you!
CAFOD stands for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. We work with lots of other charities and agencies here, and overseas, with the common goal of fighting poverty.
Thanks for adding me. Great to discover you in Myspace. Thanks for all the good you do. Happy to welcome you and support you. Prayers and best wishes from my space to yours :)
O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our brothers the animals to whom thou gavest the earth as their home in common with us. We remember with shame that in the past we have exercised the high dominion of man with ruthless cruelty so that the voice of the earth, which should have gone up to thee in song, has been a groan of travail. May we realise that they live not for us alone but for themselves and thee, and that they love the sweetness of life.
Thanks for the add and for being a friend of the Human Right to Food! It would be great if you would lend your voice and face to the struggle against hunger:
We are delighted to let you know that The Big Picture, a co-operative selling artwork produced by streetchildren is now open for business. You can find us at www.thebigpicture.coop
Please help us to publicise our work by telling your friends and networks. Thanks very much.
