 About
the Lutheran Office for World Community
(LOWC)
LOWC Update - #7
October 2006
An occasional, informal bulletin of news, events and resources
for LOWC partners.
News
LWF treaty-body monitoring of women’s rights convention
In January 2007, nine countries where there are LWF member churches
and programs will be reviewed by the Committee on the Convention of
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Countries up for
review include: Austria, Colombia, India, Namibia, Netherlands,
Nicaragua, Peru, Poland, Suriname.
During CEDAW, countries submit reports about the status of women
in their countries, regarding education, violence against women,
minority groups, employment, discrimination, among other issues. LWF
Churches and World Service Programs and in these countries are
encouraged to send 2-5 page “shadow reports” detailing issues
covered by CEDAW to the Lutheran Office for World Community (contact
Emily Freeburg).
These reports are of great benefit to the CEDAW experts to further
the national application of this human rights treaty. One way to
prepare these reports is to read what a government has submitted to
the UN, and respond in detail to any of the issues they may have
misrepresented or overlooked.
To read the country reports, or see the "issues and questions" up
for discussion, go to:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/37sess.htm .
More than 23 Million Stood up against poverty!
In the largest Guinness World Record ever set 23,542,614 people
stood up against poverty on Oct. 15. Activists included cricket fans
in India, school children in Gaza and the West Bank, crowds at a
concert in a slum in Zimbabwe and in Times Square in New York and
many others. The event was co-coordinated by the Global Call to
Action against Poverty and the UN Millennium Campaign. The World
Record number was announced today (17 October), on the international
day for poverty eradication, at events held at the United Nations in
New York, London, Johannesburg, Milan and Nairobi following official
confirmation from Guinness World Records. No doubt, churches all
over the world played a critical role in making the day a success.
To find out more:
http://www.whiteband.org/
Sixth Anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325
New resolution on Women Peace and Security to be introduced to
Council
On Oct. 26, the Security Council will host an open debate on women,
peace and security. The debate, held under Council Presidency of
Japan, will focus on the role of women in the consolidation of
peace. Civil society women peace builders from Timor-Leste, Liberia
and Burundi will report to the council in a special Arria Formula
meeting. In addition, the UN and civil society will hold five panel
discussions highlighting the linkages between the SCR 1325 and the
newly established Peace Building Commission and the importance of
gender justice and security sector reforms in peace consolidation.
For more information:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/5thAnniversary/Open_Debate/Compilation/Compilationindex_2005.html
To read the report released by the Secretary-General:
http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/1325/N0653084.pdf
High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development in General
Assembly
In September the General Assembly opened its session with a High
Level Dialogue on Migration. Representatives of over 120
governments, including some 90 ministers, discussed migration for
the first time in the GA plenary.
The report of the Secretary-General on international migration
and development estimates that 191 million people live in countries
other than where they were born. It notes that migration does not
follow only a South-to-North track. One third of the world’s migrant
stock are workers and families from developing countries living in
developed nations; one-third have moved from one developing country
to another, and another third have migrated from a developed
country. By the most recent estimate, $173 billion in remittances
from migrants was sent to homes in developing countries in 2005. In
the developed world, immigrants often fill certain work force
shortages or take jobs that are unwanted locally, reduce the extent
of population ageing and help to maintain the solvency of social
pension systems, and stimulate demand and economic growth. Twelve
civil society speakers also addressed the High Level Dialogue.
For the full summary and documentation of the outcomes of the
meeting:
http://www.un.org/esa/population/hldmigration/
ELCA and Episcopal Church Release Joint Pastoral Letter on the
MDGs
The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) issued a joint pastoral letter that underscores their new
shared commitment to the MDGs. The letter, released to ELCA and
Episcopal Church members Sept. 15, includes reflections on the
theological basis for the MDGs, examples of how Lutherans and
Episcopalians are currently collaborating to end global poverty,
three calls to the U.S. government to take specific actions toward
achieving the MDGs, and a vision for future collaboration in
advocating for the MDGs through the "ONE Lutheran" and "ONE
Episcopalian" campaigns.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, and the
Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal
Church, met with officials at the United Nations on Sept. 15 to
express their churches' unity and commitment in working toward
eliminating poverty around the globe.
The text of the bishops' pastoral letter on the Millennium
Development Goals is at
http://www.ELCA.org/advocacy/one/06-09-14-pastoral.html
New Research and Reports
Publication: UNFPA launches reports on migration of women and
young people
Women Make Up Half of All Migrants But their Contributions Often
Overlooked Today, half of all international migrants—95
million—are women and girls. Yet, despite substantial contributions
to both their families at home and communities abroad, the needs of
migrant women continue to be overlooked and ignored. This year’s
State of World Population report, A Passage to Hope: Women and
International Migration, examines the scope and breadth of female
migration, the impact of the funds they send home to support
families and communities, and their disproportionate vulnerability
to trafficking, exploitation and abuse. Although migrant women
contribute billions of dollars in cash and services, policymakers
continue to disregard both their contributions and their
vulnerability—even though female migrants tend to send a much higher
proportion of their lower earnings back home than their male
counterparts.
Young People Move More Now Than Ever
Moving Young offers a glimpse into the lives of young migrants and
the reasons that compel them to leave their homes and countries.
Young people from developing countries are increasingly on the move
and represent a third of all international migrants. They come from
all types of backgrounds, and cross borders for many reasons. Their
journeys are often marked with hope and success, but also with
disillusionment and despair. Many are searching for jobs and better
opportunities, while others are forced to escape conflict or
persecution. This special companion volume brings to life, through
first-person accounts, the issues raised in The State of World
Population.
More information on both reports
http://www.unfpa.org/swp/swpmain.htm
UN releases in-depth study on Violence against Women
On Oct. 11, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan released an in-depth
study on violence against women. Using data from over 24,000
interviews, this study represents some of the broadest research on
this subject to date. The study includes recommendations divided
into six key areas for action at the national level that include a
wide range of measures from ensuring States ratify all human rights
treaties to increasing funding for adequate services and access to
justice and redress to victims/survivors. The study is available at:
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/61/122/Add.1
UN releases first comprehensive study on Violence against
Children
On Oct. 11, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the world
body’s first comprehensive study of violence against children as it
calls for urgent action by everyone to combat the global scourge and
care for its young victims. For example, the World Health
Organization (WHO) has estimated that almost 53,000 children died
worldwide in 2002 as a result of homicide. Studies from many
countries across the globe suggest that 80 to 98 per cent of
children suffer physical punishment in their homes, with a third or
more experiencing severe physical punishment resulting from the use
of implements. The study puts forward 12 overarching
recommendations, as well as five specific recommendations applying
to the home and family, schools and other educational settings,
institutions for care or detention, the workplace and the community.
To read the study:
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/61/299
Publication: Partnerships with faith-based organizations
This report describes how Pathfinder International has engaged the
support of religious leaders through training and sensitization, to
spread knowledge and acceptance of family planning and to challenge
harmful traditional practices. Working with faith-based
organizations and religious leaders helps Pathfinder establish
credibility in traditional communities and can provide a solid,
established network for collaboration and dissemination of
information and services.
Hard copies are available by contacting
tech-comm@pathfind.org
or to download:
http://www.pathfind.org/Publications_RH_Resources_Community_Mobilization
Toolkits, manuals and new web resources
New toolkit aimed at combating human trafficking
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime today launched a
toolkit to help Governments, policy-makers, law enforcement agencies
and NGOs tackle human trafficking more effectively. It contains
practical tools for police and other law enforcement officers such
as a checklist to help identify trafficking victims as well guidance
on interviewing victims and victim protection. The toolkit also
outlines key aspects of a comprehensive response to human
trafficking, such as the need to bring national legislation into
line with international standards and strengthen international
cooperation in criminal justice, including the extradition of
criminals, seizure of assets and confiscation of the proceeds of
crime. The toolkit is available:
http://www.unodc.org/pdf/Trafficking_toolkit_Oct06.pdf
Girls and Science: A Training Module for girls and science and
technology careers
Women in the developing world are generally under-represented in
science and technology, UNESCO presents this module aims to address
the inherent gender disparities in this field, with a specific focus
on Africa. It aims to:
• Promote a positive image of women in scientific and
technological career
• Sensitize parents, educators, school administrative staff,
curriculum developers and trainers to counter gender stereotypes
within the field
• Improve access of girls to scientific and technological education
by providing clear ideas of career opportunities
• Provide teachers with the necessary career guidance tools to meet
the needs of female learners seeking careers in science and
technology.
To access the module please go to:
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001453/145367e.pdf
Organising civil society campaigns for small arms action: a
manual for NGOs
This manual highlights how disarmament issues have traditionally
been focused almost exclusively on state actors and governmental
organs, whereas civil society action has often been ignored. Using
clear, descriptive language, it provides concrete steps on how to
organise campaigns for small arms action. For more information, see
www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC22668
UN launches online “Peacemakers Toolbox”
The United Nations’ Department of Political Affairs (DPA) has
created an innovative new website to give diplomats, politicians,
mediators and other officials critical advice and background
information to help them resolve violent conflicts around the world.
The website contains a comprehensive, indexed database of modern
peace agreements, guidance on how to manage a peace process and a
“peacemaker’s toolbox” with links to resources that include a
handbook for drafting the language of peace accords.
DPA also plans to set up a mediation support unit that will
provide specialized assistance and advice to peace envoys operating
in the field, as well as a “standing team” of on-call mediation
experts who can be dispatched at short notice to help in peace
negotiations.
See:
http://peacemaker.unlb.org/index1.php
Update on the Peace Building Commission
The Peacebuilding Commission, established my UN member states in
2005 as part of the ongoing UN reform processes, will supply
resources, advice and propose integrated strategies for countries
recovering from conflict, focusing on reconstruction,
institution-building and sustainable development. Meetings of the
PBC have begun this fall.
Leadership
Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support: Carolyn
McAskie (Canada)
Chair: Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins (Angola)
Co-Chair: Carmen Maria Gallardo Hernandez (El Salvador)
Co-Chair: Johan L. Løvald (Norway)
Countries to be Considered
Sierra Leone
Burundi
Donors had pledged roughly $140 million so far, though the target
it set at $250 million target. Donors thus far include: Indonesia
($20,000), China ($3 million), Denmark (approximately $8.5 million),
Croatia ($10,000), Finland ($1.4 million, which would later increase
to $2 million), Turkey ($800,000), Sweden ($27 million), Japan ($20
million), Egypt ($20,000), Belgium ($2 million), Netherlands
(approximately $19 million), United Kingdom ($55 million over three
years), Republic of Korea ($3 million), Ireland ($12.7 million),
Iceland ($1 million), Luxembourg (approximately $380,000).
This issue of LOWC Update has been produced by Dennis Frado and
Emily Freeburg.
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