A journey from unknown to representation, by Donatus Lili In a period of uncertainties, when the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity were merging with the Good Shepherd, I was the Justice Peace link for the Kenya province in 2016, and later the NGO Regional Designate for Africa in January 2017. On my first to-do list was to take a course on Sustainable Development (February –March). Sounds good, but no way, it is complex, demanding and engaging. The High Level Political Forum, the UN process which reviews Member States’ implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was to be held in... more
Justice Peace
28-May-17
UNANIMA International’s 2017 Woman of Courage: Marietta Latonio Marietta Latonio, advocate, researcher, professor of social work, and monitor and evaluation officer at Good Shepherd Welcome House, Cebu in the Philippines was awarded a ‘Woman of Courage’ by Sr Jean Quinn, Executive Director of UNANIMA International in recognition of her work and dedication. The Award was presented during an event moderated by Sr Angela Reed rsm ' Inherent Dignity, Real Choices: A Preventative Approach to Ending Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation' running parallel to the UN Commission for the Status of Women... more
07-Mar-17
Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030 Message by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on International Women's Day, 8 March 2017 Across the world, too many women and girls spend too many hours on household responsibilities—typically more than double the time spent by men and boys. They look after younger siblings, older family members, deal with illness in the family and manage the house. In many cases this unequal division of labour is at the expense of women’s and girls’ learning, of paid work, sports, or engagement in civic or community leadership. This... more
19-Feb-17
Good Shepherd at the Second World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls, New Delhi, January 29-31, 2017 A combined report by Sr. Vimala Bai &Sr Jacquline Dhas Prostitution is an absence of choice. It is never a choice. We, four Good Shepherd Sisters from India (Hilda John, Vimala Bai, Jacquline Dhas and Zita Oliver) and one sister from Philippines (Ailyn Binco) attended the three-day Second World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls in New Delhi this past January. This Congress was Organised by CAP International (Coalition for the Abolition... more
07-Feb-17
"Pray without ceasing" Next Wednesday we are invited to join the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking in Persons. Day wanted by Pope Francis according to the suggestion of the UISM last year. This year, the emphasis is on Trafficking in Children, many victims of traffickers and clients of all kinds. Religious, we responded to the call of the Lord Jesus and gave our lives so that the dignity of God's child of each person is respected. Many congregations are fighting together: raising awareness among young people and the public, asking governments, protecting and caring for... more
28-Jan-17
Sr. Magdalena Saavedra from the Centre of Overseas Workers, Davao, Philippines and Theresa Symons from MDO Asia Pacific, represented Good Shepherd at the recent Civil Society Programme for Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 8-9 December. There were about 300 participants at the civil society forum. This was followed by Common Space between civil society and governments on 9 December and the GFMD Summit for governments from 10-12 December. Focus of the civil society forum The theme for civil society programme was “Time for Action: Doing rights-based... more
26-Jan-17
Good Shepherd Asia Pacific Commitment From 21 to 27 October 2016, 51 participants from 18 countries in Asia Pacific gathered at Maryridge, Tagaytay, Philippines, for a capacity building workshop on Anti Trafficking. While a smaller workshop had been held in 2011, since then almost all the countries of Asia Pacific where Good Shepherd is present, had become engaged directly or indirectly in anti trafficking work. The Asia Pacific Circle of Unit Leaders (APC) requested the workshop which was organised by the Asia Pacific Justice and Peace Core Team. The work began in late 2015 with a survey... more
19-Nov-16
The year 2016 started with several activities at the UN-Geneva. The Committee on the Rights of the Child , which is the body of 18 Independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by its State parties held the 71 st Session from January 11 to 29 . The following countries were reviewed: Senegal, France, Ireland, Peru and Kenya. Peru was also reviewed on the Optional Protocols on involvement of children in armed conflict and on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography . As NGO only France took part in a joint statement of the "... more