Sub- Saharan JPIC Conference conclusions: JPIC coordinators from South Africa, Togo and the Vice-Province of St. Francis met in Nairobi from May 9-12. They elaborated draft statutes to be exmined by the JPIC commissions of the Sub-Saharan entities, in order to present them to the Ministers in February 2001. Each entity agreed to promote a study of the JPIC manuel during the first six months of 2001. When possible, this study will be coordinated with other commissions. The commission suggests English and French language courses be organized in Africa to facilitate communication. The JPIC commission has requested an annual meeting. In October 2000 the United Nations is organizing a Congress on Racism in South Africa. Issues like tribalism, regionalism and xenophobia are lived and experienced in Africa. The commission suggest Racism be assumed as a theme by the entities of Africa and the conclusions shared at this U.N. International Conference. The next JPIC conference meeting could take place in South Africa in October 2000 followed by participation in the International meeting. Finally, the commission encourages the conference to become affiliated with the African European faith and Justice network. There are 40 congregations affiliated already. They all have work in Africa. As part of their evangelisation they try to influence the European Union's social, economic and agricultural policies towards Africa. They have an office in Brussels and coordinate programmes in favour of Africa. More information can be obtained on their web-page: AEFJN

International Recognition for JPIC work: The JPIC International Council of the Order received an award for it's work. An inscribed silver plate was presented to Paolo Maiello, ofm, representing the council, at a ceremony in Taormina, Sicily on the 27^th of May. The Foundation " Antonio Labisi" choose the JPIC commissions of the Order for special recognition because of efforts to overcome social and cultural problems in their respective nations. Prizes have previously been awarded to distinguished organizations and individuals for their work in favour of disadvantaged of our societies.

French OFM JPIC Resource-book: The COPEF is buying copies of the French Handbook for the Friars from Editions Franciscaines. So far 500 copies will be distributed by the Editions Franciscaines.  The Editions franciscaines will not place this book in their catalogue. It is an internal service done to the COPEF.

JPIC and initial formation: In an open letter to the Formation Secretaries of the conferences Jose Carballo ofm, Secretary of Formation and studies encourages formators to examine the question of JPIC in initial formation. This process will help reflection on JPIC and initial formation in the International JPIC congress in Vossenack. The letter states: " As you are by now informed, the JPIC office of the General Curia is organizing an international congress. The Congress will take place in Germany. I enclose a copy of the programme. Among the themes that will be reflected is Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in initial and ongoing formation. This is a vital theme for those of us in formation. For this reason, I am asking that you send your reflections to the JPIC office of the Curia or to the office of the Secretariat. How do we form candidates in Justice and Peace, such an important dimension of our life? Your collaboration will be important."

Franciscans International and JPIC Brazil commission: 25-28 April, FI Geneva worked with representatives of the Brazilian NGO community to present a Civil Society's Report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Each country by signing the international covenants (e.g.. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; International Convention on the Rights of the Child) agrees to submit every five years to the UN a detailed report on the conditions of that particular country in terms of the topics of that specific covenant or convention. In 1992 Brazil signed the Covenant on ESC Rights but did not submit its reports in 1992 and 1999. This past year more than 2000 Brazilian NGOs throughout 17 states (out of 26 states) worked for 8 months to produce an civil society report that was presented to members of the UN Committee for ESC Rights on 27 April in Geneva. The strategy for the visit and presentation was worked out earlier this year when representatives of FIAN met with the Geneva staff and during John Quigley's visit with the coordination team of the NGO consortium in Brasilia in March. The visit of the 5 Brazilians (a member of Congress, a delegate of the Attorney General, friar Rodrigo de Castro Peret and coordinators of the NGO network) took the ESC Committee members and the Brazilian diplomatic mission by surprise. The Committee members were impressed by the thoroughness of the civilian report and promised to treat it seriously. The Brazilian government promised to submit its official report as soon as possible. FI met with Mrs. Mary Robinson to brief her on the Civil Society Report before her visit to Brazil on 15 May. Copies of the report are available from FI in Geneva or the JPIC Rome office.

Franciscans International and Human Rights. FI Geneva is discussing with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a number of governments and international NGOs the organization of a second Seminar on the Right to Development (RTD). Last September FI hosted the first informal seminar of experts on the RTD. For forty years within the diplomatic community there has been a resistance to merging the two sets of human rights described in the two separate international covenants: the Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Many of the human rights mechanisms of the UN are designed to protect and promote civil and political rights (freedom of speech, freedom from torture, right to a fair trial, etc.) and there has been a strong protest among poorer and developing countries calling for the protection and promotion of their basic economic, social and cultural rights (health care, housing, education, etc.). A growing number of countries see the human right to development as an overarching right that covers both sets of rights in the two covenants and could be used as a bridge between the two covenants. However, there is a strong polarization of opinions about the relevance and enforceability of the right to development. Wealthier countries are suspicious that it may be a "Trojan Horse" that will be used to force them into paying large sums of money to corrupt governments of underdeveloped countries in the name of  "development." For example, the United States insists that there are economic, social and cultural "opportunities" but not "rights." Some poorer countries see the RTD as a key to economic equality in a new social order. FI is trying to set a climate where states and civil society can discuss the RTD in an informal yet productive manner.