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| JPIC Resource Book
The International Council stressed the importance of examining initial formation programmes and help create a JPIC consciousness among young friars. To achieve this, coordination with formators is necessary. The European JPIC conference coordinators met in 1998 and assumed two priorities for Europe: refugees and JPIC in initial formation. A survey was elaborated to ascertain the reality of JPIC in initial formation before making suggestions. Due to the war in Kosovo they were unable to meet again in April in Herzegovina but did so in Sarajevo in October. However, many JPIC conferences including Brazil, Southern-Cone South-Slav, ESC and COMPI are examining formation programmes from the JPIC perspective. The interchange of experiences and programmes, which include both theory and practice, will be beneficial to the Order. Copies of the survey, based on the Ratio Formationis, are available from the JPIC Rome office. Colombia Peace Mission
The Minister General sent a letter to the Provincial Ministers of both Colombian Provinces in December 1998, endorsing the Franciscan Peace Mission and encouraging them to work together for peace and reconciliation. This is the latest move to endorse the Peace Mission to Colombia assumed by the JPIC International Council in 1997 at the request of both provinces. Previously the JPIC office and the conferences focussed attention on the Balkans and tried to help brothers be instruments of peace during some very difficult years. Francisco Ó Conaire ofm visited Colombia at the beginning of 1999. He met with the JPIC Commissions of both provinces separately and together. The proposal for the Peace Mission has a triple dimension: ideas and actions for peace and reconciliation within individual Provinces, common initiatives and support from the Order. A final meeting took place with both Minister Provincials present. They agreed to study revised mission proposals at their earliest convenience. The human rights violations continue unabated. Impunity is estimated to be in the region of 98%.
Franciscans International (FI)
On 29 March 1999 the Conference of the Franciscan Family (CFF - the six major superiors of the Franciscan Family, OFM, Capuchin, Conventual, TOR - men and women- and Secular Order) approved the new Charter of Franciscans International and agreed to be the Sponsors of FI. This effectively means a closer association between the Orders, Congregations and FI. The CFF have chosen thirteen (13) members for the new International Board of Directors of FI. This Board appoints and supervises the staff persons who have the task of overseeing FI’s work at the United Nations in New York and Geneva. Franciscans International in Geneva presently focuses on four countries: Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan and Brazil. FI interventions during UN Commission (March/April) and Sub-Commission on Human Rights (August) help promote respect for human rights in these countries. These countries have major problems with refugees, internally displaced and landless peoples. Pakistan’s Christian minority is under constant threat from Muslim extremists. Many of our friars involved in Justice and Peace work have participated in the UN Commission meetings and have had opportunities to network with other organisations. The Franciscan Family in the above mentioned countries have requested FI’s involvement and have committed themselves to back up their efforts. Close co-operation is taking place in Geneva with the Dominicans, Jesuit Refugee Service, Maryknoll Missionaries, Caritas, International Catholic Migration Commission, Lutheran World Federation and several other non-religious NGO’s. In 1999 FI was able to organise a link up between the World Bank, the debtor countries and Governments in an open forum live TV link up. Three top officials of the World Bank and delegates of various governments spoke for the first time with the UN special reporter for the debt issue via Franciscan mediation. Bishop Carlos Belo, Nobel Peace Laureate of East Timor, addressed a specially convoked sitting of the UN Commission on Human Rights in September, through the auspices of Franciscan International. This invitation was an indication of the credibility that FI has in UN circles, as well as the possibilities available to Franciscans in combating human rights abuses at an international level.
Recommendation: Any Province or Conference may prepare and send to FI a written statement, of two thousand words on an issue related to human rights in their region. Our office in Geneva can submit these documents to be published as an official UN document.
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