Loreto at the UN - What can you do?

"It is key to know that the products we consume come from a globalised marketplace and that our choices affect people millions of miles away." Clare Condon, Loreto Intern at the UN, 2011.

We all have a role to play in issues that affect our world. Simply keeping informed and raising awareness in others is a fantastic first step to cultivating a shared  understanding and the need for action. There are many ways that individuals, groups, families, schools and workplaces can do something to stand up for the inequalities and unjustices that exist today. We have compiled a starting list below, you may like to add more. Please let us know your ideas and we will add them to our list to help inspire others.

What can you do? 

• Keep up to date by joining our UN mailing list.
• Form an action /advocacy group at your school or workplace.
• Download/develop fact sheets about important social issues.
• Find out more about human trafficking and refugee issues.
• Check out and share YouTube videos that deal with human rights and the situation of women and girls such as the "Girl Effect".
• Invite a speaker to your school or workplace.
• Raise funds to support Mary Ward International projects that support poverty eradication.
• Sign petitions against child slavery and trafficking e.g. www.stopthetraffik.org.au
• Buy Fair Trade products where possible.

Slavery in the 21st Century by Clare Condon - Loreto Intern at the UN, 2011
 

Slavery is a word we associate with antiquated and deeply unjust societies, yet for the 15 to 30 million slaves living in 2011 it is a daily reality. Characterised by a denial of self determination, these enslaved individuals are forced to work for little or no pay under the control of another person.

Trafficking of persons plays a large role in modern day slavery, with 75-80% of all human trafficking victims being sold into the sex trade. Other areas of exploitation include forced labor, domestic servitude and begging syndicates. Slavery exists outside the sphere of legal or social governance and the fact that this system remains part of our global economic and social structure is rarely discussed openly. Tens of millions of trafficking victims lack access to education and healthcare, live under threat of brutal beatings and suffer a broad denial of the most basic human rights.

Trafficking of persons is a complex issue, yet often involves vulnerable people being coerced from ‘source countries’ to ‘destination countries’ with the promise of regular employment and a better life. ‘Source countries’ are generally economically depressed regions, particularly areas in Eastern Europe and Asia.

Clare Condon, pictured above, is a Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak graduate, and a MWIA volunteer. She previously volunteered at the Mary Ward Social Centre in Darjeeling.

Read Clare's paper in full.
Find out more about our projects in Darjeeling.

Online Campaign to End World Poverty

• Are you concerned about the inequitable distribution of wealth and resources in our world?
• Would you like to make "Poverty History" for everyone in both the so-called developed and developing worlds?

If so, then vote in the online petition for a Social Protection Floor:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/signature-campaign-social-protection-floor.html

‘Social Protection Floor’ means ensuring the basic human rights of each person. Please vote in this online petition if you believe that every person is entitled to a basic set of essential social rights including food, water, housing, education and work. By voting you are using your voice to encourage governments to allocate more money to social services that meet the most basic needs and respect the dignity of every person. This campaign was initiated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), supported by NGOs at the UN such as Loreto/IBVM.

It only takes a minute to register your vote, but its impact could be long lasting. This online campaign is rapidly gaining support among grassroots activists around the world, and has the potential to become a powerful advocacy tool, so we urge you to do your bit.

After you have voted, please use your networks to spread this message. Talk to your friends and family, post this petition on facebook, email your contacts and/or share the link with colleagues.

We are aiming for one million signatures by the end of this year (2011). With your help this petition will improve people’s lives in every country round the globe.

Here are two valuable resources for further information on the Social Protection Floor:
www.social-protection.org
Social protection floor campaign

Information provided by Anne Kelly, IBVM UN representative
On behalf of the NGO on Social Development

Find out more