St Thomas Aquinas students began to understand how together they can help empower those who desperately need support in their fight for human rights, land rights, and equity. This realization also led those who participated to a greater awareness and appreciation of the opportunities that exist here in Canada. So, they signed petitions.
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Awesome videos by Ontario’s St Thomas Aquinas in Brampton, and Saskatoon’s St. Thomas More College at U of S: brilliant hearts and minds propping Development and Peace! Thank You!
These NEW videos are special messages of solidarity and thanks to THINKfast participants across Canada from 4 of our Partners. To start, meet Victoria from Nigeria….
After having familiarized myself with the D&P campaign on food sovereignty, I figured I was fairly up-to-snuff on where my food was coming from…
In Montreal in February 5 of our Partners visited us for a weekend of visioning and planning. We took a few minutes to interview them and now we are sharing their messages with you!
These are special messages of solidarity and thanks to THINKfast participants across Canada:
Meet Victoria from Nigeria
Meet Riad from Lebanon
Meet Sam from Cambodia
Meet Don from Indonesia
Friday March 5, 2010, marked St. Thomas Aquinas (Brampton) first ever THINKfast, fundraising over $5 000.00.
The Music students opened the evening with a magical performance of ‘I believe’, followed by a heartfelt presentation from the students who traveled to Nicaragua.
The THINKfasters then participated in a community building workshop facilitated by Rising Stars and student-led workshops about Development and Peace and Social Justice. Together they learned about the struggles of those less fortunate, and they learned about the impact our lifestyle here in North America has on the Developing World. They felt the hunger pains, the headaches, the nausea, and the fatigue that millions of people have accepted as a normal part of their every day existence.
And knowing that these feelings are not normal they began to understand how together they can help empower those who desperately need support in their fight for human rights, land rights, and equity. This realization also led those who participated to a greater awareness and appreciation of the opportunities that exist here in Canada. So, they signed petitions.
And after Fasting for 25 hours, they gathered for a meal prepared by our Hospitality students and our Aquinas Community prayed in SOLIDARITY with those in our Global Community.
Our Youth believe and hope to make a difference one choice at a time, one action at a time, and one prayer at a time.
- Cathy Rizzo
Our Just Youth group at Carleton University in Ottawa hosted a screening of the documentary Food Inc on campus last week.
I had never seen the film before. After having familiarized myself with the D&P campaign on food sovereignty, I figured I was fairly up-to-snuff on where my food was coming from and the injustices that are perpetuated by the way we, especially in the Global North, eat. But whoa! Is there ever a lot to learn!
Even in North America, the lack of control that farmers have over their land and the way that they use it is astonishing. Seed patents prevent farmers from being able to save their seed from year to year. The incessant corporate desire to increase “efficiency” forces farmers to construct the dankest, most poisonous environments possible in which to raise their livestock.
What a world we live in. Traditional farming practises are so undervalued.
The seemingly endless web of connections between big agri-business and government agencies that regulate food policy was astonishing as well. The sheer number of people doubling as government advocates for fewer restrictions on corporate farming and higher-ups in the actual corporations is wild.
How it came to be that farming elites with virtually no connection to on-the-ground production can exert so much control over national and international food policies is beyond me. These monetary hierarchical structures need to be changed.
The consensus within the group was that the film is really calling us to take a good, hard look at the way we eat. Every day, we vote with our dollar in grocery stores and local farmers markets.
But in addition to purchasing more organic, local food, we must also advocate for political change. Because so much of big agri-business relies on subsidies from the government (especially in the United States), we must continue to advocate for change at the policy level as well as at the local level.
Finally, the film presented an interesting perspective on the affordability of food. Essentially, the cheapest food is often also the unhealthiest. This puts people with a lower income in a severely disadvantaged position, especially health wise. In North America, the highest rates of obesity are found in poorer demographics because good quality food is simply too expensive. We must be aware of and work to correct the structures of power and privilege that are present within our society and, by extension, within our food systems.
by Kaitlyn Duthie-Kannikatt, Eastern Ontario Youth Rep
This year’s THINKfast campaign is rockin’ it all over the web!
Students are creating their own videos (way to go Thomas Aquinas in Brampton!) or link their online fundraising page to their local parish to promote their THINKfast (nice site!).
It’s great to see that so many young people are participating in this campaign and are supporting and spreading the word about the work of Development and Peace and its partners in the Global South.
Over 150 participants are using our new online fundraising tool (click here for direct access) to collect their pledges.
Organizers and participants can easily set up their group and personal profiles and reach out to family members and friends who live further away via e-mail or social media applications like facebook and twitter.
AND, this tool also allows D&P to save on staff and mailing costs because tax receipts are emailed out immediately to donors.
Go check it out and we wish all participants and organizers a great time at their THINKfast 2010!
Student leaders at St Thomas Aquinas High School in Brampton, Ontario (how is it that all the St Thomas Aquinas schools are AMAZING THINKfasters?) made this awesome video to promote their THINKfast this year.
I love it!
Tom, from Saskatoon’s St Thomas More College JUST YOUTH Group (one of the strongest in the country – go SK!) made this brilliant video. I really dig the music and it connects our work after the Tsunami to what is going now in Haiti.
If you’ve got a video to share – let me know. What amazing youth members we have!
Don’t forget to check out our special 2010 THINKfast THANK YOU from 4 of our Partners.
I didn’t know what to expect when I applied to be a participant in the Development and Peace exposure trip to Guatemala. I went with uncertainties and questions about the prospects for sincere solidarity in the struggle for justice. I returned inspired by the many people I met and with a deeper appreciation their struggles, which I can sum up in three words: resistance, persistence and insistence.
Resistance
Nuevo Horizonte is a community of ex-guerrilla combatants, linked to the Public Education Centre, a Development and Peace partner. While the root social-economic problems that forced them to take up arms in the first place continue, the weapons they use to resist have changed. They run alternative economic initiatives, such as co-ops, that support the well-being of the individuals of the community.
Persistence
Forced off their land, the community members of San Basilio set up tents in the face of the army. Their persistence led them eventually to recuperate their lands, though they continually face threats.
Insistence
The people’s insistence reminds me that the time to live, to change, to demand and to enjoy is now. Insistence is a significant part of the struggle for justice in Guatemala, because nothing will be given to people seeking justice without it.
These three words represent the invaluable lessons I learned from Guatemalan communities capable of transformation. Learning about their struggles has given me a deeper perspective on the struggles I face in my own life.
by Angela Mooney: Angela participated in a solidarity trip in 2005 and was a Development and Peace member at Carleton University, Ottawa, where she studied human rights and political science while working for justice on many fronts.
Solidarity Trip 2010 applications are available. Join us in the Philippines this August.
Justine, Cailin, Isabelle and Morgan
What’s happening in Vernon?
Justine Correia, our BC Youth Rep went with Morgan Hillis, Izzy Weber Concannon, and Cailin Correia to take a stand and meet with their local MP Colin Mayes.
They delivered almost 500 signed Fall Action cards promoting the principles of food sovereignty.
To top it off, Conservative MP Colin Mayes signed the card himself – adressed to the Prime Minister in support of the D&P Campaign.
PLUS, from January 22nd to January 24th Youth from the Nelson diocese in BC gathered together to participate in the first annual Nelson D&P Youth Rally. Youth were educated on social justice and learnt more about Development and Peace.
The weekend was a blast filled with high spirits wonderful music and food. At the Rally we also elected 2 new Diocesan Reps: Annalea Zimmer and Ollie d’Aoust who will help represent youth from the Nelson Diocese.
WOOT WOOT! The Youth Rocked the weekend – thanks everyone that came out!
By Justine Correia, Youth Rep BC!
Hey Canada,
We want to tell you about the Bead Game (or we called it the “Chip Game”) – a simulation game we played as part of our Catholic Schools Social Justice Day in Winnipeg/St. Boniface.
In this game, global realities are simulated on a small scale. Participants have an opportunity to experience some of the dynamics of the global economy.
The game is from the United Church of Canada Websight program: here is the link to the Bead Game, here is the link to more games from Websight.
Here is some on-site blogging on what we thought about our game…
Andy, Zach, Jayden, Jacob, Chris, Darian, Shane:
The hardest part of the game was trying to pay taxes, help friends, and still be able to benefit for yourself. The easier part was that the taxes were not as much as people expected in real life. It really helped people see the true difference between classes.
trading during the bead game
Karl, Michelle, Marina, Ula, Ludvika, Matt, Sam:
The best part was getting all the chips and cheating. It felt like the silence, the not talking and not getting caught cheating was the hardest part. But we would do it again because it was FUN and a CHALLENGE. And some felt it was good to cheat while others found it hard giving away chips and students who were sad and thought it was unfair.
Lindsay, Emily, Jessica, Marissa, Tiahna, Abigail, Karima, Adan:
The best part of the global economy game was being able to survive. The hardest part was not being able to communicate and some people were lacking specific instructions. We all enjoyed the game and would probably play again. It was very quiet and at times it was nerve-racking because we didn’t want to be caught talking.
Lent has arrived, and with it, the opportunity to See your gift grow in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East!
D&P launched its Share Lent campaign this week, with the goal of raising $10,000,000 to help support the work of our amazing partners in the Global South.
We’re spreading the word about partners like the Interchurch Justice and Peace Commission in Colombia; Cinderlas Institute for Rural Development in Indonesia; and the Papaye Peasants’ Movement in Haiti. You’ll find all kinds of resources to help share their stories here.
D&P Makes a Difference Week , from March 14 to 20, would be a great time to make some noise about them!
There are lots of ways to show solidarity and to work for justice and peace – fundraising is one of them. Right now at D&P, we’re seeing the results of incredible, creative fundraising in schools across Canada for the people of Haiti. When the earthquake struck, D&P sent $50,000 right away, money that was raised during previous Share Lent campaigns because 10% of every Share Lent collection goes to emergency relief. When you raise money for Share Lent this year, you’ll be helping communities to develop in a just, sustainable way. That’s their best protection from the effects of natural disasters.
We thank you for your solidarity. It will change the world!
Siobhan Rowan
Education Program Coordinator
Across the provinces men and women, young and old, of all ways of life and religion are coming together to reach out to the suffering in Haiti and provide what they can to the rehabilitation of an injured Haiti.
From coast to coast, Canadians are coming together to show their support for the Haitian people:
James Dempsey, Toronto office intern
