Congregational Projects

At the 2016 Brigidine Forum ongoing commitment for the Common Project Fund was expressed in this way.

“In this graced moment, we are becoming more deeply aware of our mission to live within one web of life: our common home. The cries of the hurting planet and those of our sisters and brothers in distress tug at our hearts as we hear the groans of ecological and human exploitation that lead to destruction and annihilation. We are impelled to take action in small and large ways in the footsteps of Jesus, living in the spirit of Brigid of Kildare and reflecting the values of Daniel Delaney.”  Invitation and Call, Forum 2016

In the spirit of the decision of the 2016 Forum we are currently in partnership and contribute financially to the following projects:

At the Brigidine Council of the Congregation held in San Antonio in 2003 the decision was made to join the newly formed Non- government Organization UNANIMA International based in New York USA.

UNANIMA International is a coalition of 22 Member Communities with over 22,000 Members in 85 countries throughout the world.

The name begins with “UN” to represent the United Nations, and the “Anima” is from the Latin word for feminine “spirit” or “life principle”. It also represents a group acting with one heart and one mind.

UNANIMA International is a Non–Governmental Organization (NGO) advocating on behalf of Women and Children (particularly those living in poverty), migrants and refugees, those trafficked for profit and the homeless. A particular focus is the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable and how through local initiatives we can contribute positively to the care of our common home.

UNANIMA International’s work takes place primarily at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where UI and other members of Civil Society aim to educate and influence policy makers at the global level. In solidarity, UNANIMA International works for systemic change to achieve a more just world.

UNANIMA International’s members and staff have been especially involved in areas encompassing issues that call for not only collaboration within local communities, but also for advocacy at national and international levels.

Staff and UNANIMA International representatives in New York work to do international advocacy through a top-down approach, while our members working at the local level take a localized, bottom-up approach to advocacy.

To learn more about the work of UNANIMA International, advocacy, documents, resources and Updates we invite you to visit the UI website or Facebook page on the following links

Website: https://www.unanima-international.org

https://www.facebook.com/unanimaintl

 

September 2022 Newsletter

June 2022 Newsletter

April 2022 Newsletter

February 2022 Newsletter

December 2021 Newsletter

October 2021 Newsletter

February 2021 Newsletter

September 2020 Newsletter

UNANIMA International Statement on COVID-19 and Family Homelessness

UNANIMA -Press Release – UI Statement on COVID-19

April 2020 – English Newsletter.pdf

December 2019 Newsletter

October 2019 English Newsletter.pdf

August 2019 English Newsletter.pdf

June 2019 English Newsletter.pdf

April 2019 English Newsletter.pdf

 

 

 

https://www.miseancara.ie/

Misean Cara is an international and Irish based missionary movement working with marginalised and vulnerable communities in developing countries. In realising the human rights of each person Misean Cara’s partners deliver services in the areas of education, health, livelihoods and income generation as well as advocacy, networking and community development.

A holistic approach to eliminating poverty works through the implementation of locally appropriate programmes and projects that target the root causes of social inequalities. This work is undertaken in partnership with local communities and local, national and international agencies

The Strategic Plan 2017-2021 sets out five key objectives:

  1. Uphold the right to quality education
  2. Uphold the right to better health, clean water and sanitation
  3. Uphold the right to sustainable livelihoods
  4. Uphold and advocate for human rights
  5. Enhance and promote the Missionary Approach to Development

 

https://www.rubencentre.org

In 2018 in collaboration with Misean Cara we, Brigidines, as a congregation committed to the financial support of the Ruben Centre Health Clinic, Birthing Centre in Mukuru, Nairobi. The Ruben Maternity Centre was established in May 2018 it offers accessible, respectful and affordable services to the many hundreds of mothers in the area. The Mukuru community had long expressed a strong desire to have a safe place to give birth.

Ruben Maternity Centre aims at reducing neonatal mortality rate which stands at 20 deaths per 1000 live births, maternal mortality rate which is at 342 deaths per 100,000 live births in Kenya.

Antenatal clinic follow up is encouraged in order to screen all risky or sick mothers whereby treatment and preventive measures is offered on time. The mission of the clinic is to offer quality and dignified maternity health care services to all women in Mukuru and beyond. Their vision is to offer respective maternity care services, appreciated by all in need for its affordability, acceptability and professionalism.

 

 

   http://pacificclimatewatch.com.au/wp/

Pacific Climate Watch

Towards achieving a congregational ‘voice’ on climate change and Pacific Islands– especially the most vulnerable. Because of our connection and concern for the peoples in our region who are negatively impacted by climate change we aim to advocate and be a strong voice in solidarity with them. Many of us have witnessed first-hand the effects of climate change and rising sea levels on the health and future of these vulnerable people. You are invited to add to the strength of our voices.

                                                                                                    https://www.erc.org.au/pcp

Pacific Calling Partnership, affiliated with Intercongregational Voice on Climate Change

As a congregation, Brigidine Sisters, we are a member of the Intercongregational Voice on Climate Change and in solidarity with our Pacific nation neighbours those present at the Council of the Congregation in Sydney 2018 committed funds from our Congregational Projects to support training programs for youth leaders in Tuvalu for a period of three years through the Pacific Calling Partnership.

“Pacific Calling Partnership is very grateful for the continuous support from the Brigidine Sisters.”

 

PCP Tuvalu Training Program

Pacific Calling Partnership delivers Leadership Program in Tuvalu

The Pacific Calling Partnership has delivered the first phase of a three phase program of workshops to young climate leaders in Tuvalu as part of a leadership training program. This training was modelled on PCP’s successful Kiribati Australia Tuvalu Exchange Program (KATEP) which has been running since 2014, and the more recent Australian Award Fellowship program which aimed to strengthen the capacity of Pacific women leaders.

The overall objective of these programs is to respond to the requests of Tuvlau Climate Action Network (TuCAN) to help build the leadership capacity of their youth and their ability to project their voice to the world, especially as it relates to climate change.

Phase 1 consisted of a three day workshop beginning on the 5th of November and ending on the 7th of November. The workshop was delivered by PCP Coordinator, Jill Finnane, together with Edmund Rice Centre Director, Phil Glendenning, and PCP Project Officer, Vincent Sicari.

The participants to the workshop were 16 young Tuvaluans selected by TuCAN for their promise and ambition to work for climate justice for Tuvalu. The PCP team delivered the workshops with the active participation with TuCAN members who are providing mentorship for the young participants. The second phase of the training program consists of a group project, selected by each group with the aim of implementing their newly acquired knowledge, to be supervised by a TuCAN mentor.

As part of the Kiribati Australia Tuvalu Exchange Program (KATEP) the Pacific Calling Partnership will be heading back to Tuvalu on March 1st.  The aim of this visit is to lead the second phase of the professional development opportunity for emerging leaders. While there, the team, this time consisting of our new PCP Coordinator, Corinne Fisher, and our Project Officer Vincent Sicari, will also be delivering a short leadership course to young members of the EKT (Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu). This latter is in response to a request from Rev. Fou Aso, a graduate of the KATEP himself and now a Pastor and climate advocate in Tuvalu.

PCP is keen to return to Tuvalu to deliver these programs and to strengthen our relationship with this vulnerable island nation. Tuvalu, according to the United Nations, is one of the most vulnerable nations to the effects of climate change. In fact according to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the very existence of this nation of 11,000 people is in doubt.

Report by Maria Timon C – Pacific Calling Partnership

 

TUVALU – Population 11,810

Formerly called the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu consists of 5 low-lying coral atolls, 4 islands, and more than 100 islets, all spread over a very large area.

These isolated spots of land, the above water tips of undersea mountains, are famed for their beautiful lagoons, reefs, fabulous fishing, and collectible postage stamps.

The Polynesians first settled the land now called Tuvalu some 2,000 ago. Arrivals included those from Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati.

The Spanish explorer Mendana reportedly sighted the islands in 1568. The first Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, and the islands changed forever. In fact, some islanders were subsequently enslaved and forced to work.

In 1892 the British convinced the islanders to join the Gilbert Islands protectorate; later to be called the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.

Almost fifty years later, during World War II, the U.S. used the islands as a military base to combat Japanese invasions in the Pacific.

In the mid 1970s the islands seceded from the Gilbert Ellise Colony, officially changing their collective name to Tuvalu, and became an independent nation. Its government remains a part of the British Commonwealth as a parliamentary democracy.

The economy of Tuvalu is agricultural based, and though an ideal venue for tourism, the islands are yet to fully develop that industry.

The only airport is located on the Funafuti Atoll, and transportation between islands is by boat.

 

Articles on the impact of climate change in the Pacific region

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-18/pacific-islands-forum-2019-climate-change-focus/11417422

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/03/qa-former-tuvalu-pm-says-scott-morrison-denies-climate-change-is-happening-in-pacific

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/16/one-day-disappear-tuvalu-sinking-islands-rising-seas-climate-change

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/15-countries-most-prone-to-rising-sea-levels.html