Social Justice Issues
Introduction
Hill Connections offers ways of linking faith with action for social justice -- to help build a just and peaceful world. Introductions to Social Justice Issues (with links to web sites for in-depth background material and analysis) are provided. When focusing on an issue, consider using a 4-step Social Analysis Process as part of your reflection. As you contemplate these issues in light of your spirituality, you are invited to put your faith into action.
Children
Widespread abuse and neglect: child labor, trafficking, and child soldiers. Needed: U.S. ratification of Convention on the Rights of the Child; CWU's A World Fit for Children. UNICEF's "UNGEI" education focus, especially for girls.
Death Penalty
Violence begets violence; all life sacred. U.S. out of step: 1,099 executions since 1976! The Death of Innocents: Helen Prejean's book. Inspirational: Juan Melendez and Bud Welch.
Disarmament
Eisenhower's: "cross of iron." Gen. Butler: peace award. Carter: a nuclear crisis. Press Congress to create a Department of Peace. Disarming peacemaker: Thomas E. Trimmer.
Genetic Engineering (GE)
Dangers of terminator seeds, Bt engineering, pharming, programmed resistance to herbicides. Faith-Based Conceptual Framework on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture. Support organic agriculture.
Global Debt Relief
Commitment to debt relief still needed. Become a jubilee congregation. Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty. New Jubilee Blog.
Iraq
Iraq Speakers Bureau. FOR's Iraq Photo Project. War in Iraq costs. The Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act, S. 1651.
Landmines and Cluster Bombs
Landmines costly: humanly, environmentally. 155 countries ratify treaty. Landmine Monitor Report 2007. Cosponsorship needed for: Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007, S. 594. Save lives: ban cluster bombs.
Migration
15 million migrants. Amnesty International’s report, Why Am I Here? Pastoral letter: Strangers No Longer. Prayer service: Celebrating Immigrants. Inspirational: Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Act now for immigration reform. Adopt a minefield.
Peacemaking
Peace campaigns: Global Nonviolent Peaceforce and Christian Peacemaker Teams. Purchase Peace Bonds. Lobby Congress for a Department of Peace.
Restorative Justice
Sobering statistics: such as U.S. is world leader in incarceration. Restorative justice sites. Real Justice training. Treatment Instead of Prison
programs. Upcoming conferences. "Angel in Disguise" story.
School of Americas (SOA/WHISC)
SOA responsible for notorious dictators and human rights abusers. Use SOA Watch's 2008 Elections packet. Nov 2007: 25,000 protesters! H.R. 1707: 122 cosponsors. Organize a teach-in.
Women
Striving for freedom, peace, and equality. Worldwide exploitation and abuse. TRADE, the movie. CEDAW (women's human rights treaty) ratified by 185 countries; U.S. has not signed. Rescue and Restore: anti-trafficking campaign.
Gratitude to the Institute for Peace and Justice
for use of their Pope Paul VIth graphic.
Modified April 26, 2008.