Just Notes

Past Issues

Human Rights and China

In this issue: • Four focus issues have long attracted calls for reform from within China from legislators, academics and activists, as well as internationally. They also represent necessary progress towards China’s intention to ratify the United Nation International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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Global Water Crisis

In this issue: Did you know that of a population of roughly 6.1 billion, more than 1 billion lack access to potable water, and that by 2025, it is expected that 3.4 billion people will be living in countries defined as water-scarce? 2025 is only a few years away. “Water is much more than just a basic human need. It is an essential, irreplaceable element to ensuring the continuance of life. Water is intrinsically linked to fundamental human rights such as the right to life, to food and to health. Access to safe water is a basic human right.” --Pope Benedict NOTE: JUST Notes includes a powerful documentary, “A World without Water”, that can be viewed online. Adobe Flash Player is needed to view it: http://www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3930199780455728313

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Global Food Crisis

In this issue: There are competing and, at times, contradictory forces that are involved in the world food crisis. At the center of this issue, the concerns and needs of human beings must remain in focus in order to drive the analysis and the advocacy that results. Catholic social teaching places the needs of human beings before all else, particularly before profit. The major players in the world food industry, including governments, corporations, farmers, NGOs and relief agencies, must work together to resolve these conflicts in order for a just food system to exist. –Education for Justice

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USING RAPE AS A WEAPON OF WAR AGAINST WOMEN IN CON

In this issue: The Congo war has claimed more lives than any conflict since the end of World War II, yet receives almost no attention outside central Africa. An estimated 4 million people have died here since 1996 — the vast majority not by firepower but starvation or preventable diseases, as people hid in the jungle to escape the fighting. --Adapted from Ms. Magazine/ “Not Women Anymore…”

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Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery

In this issue: Slavery is illegal in every part of the world, but there are about 27 million people still held in slavery. Modern day slaves are not usually held in chains, and they are rarely bought or sold in public. Slaves can be male or female and may be as young as 4 years old (but a person can also be born a slave), and may continue to work until death. Slaves may work up to 20 hours a day, sometimes more, up to 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. --Education for Justice

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Christmas and Consumerism

In this issue: It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest level of subsistence... --Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, #8

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