JPIC Updates
Latest Newsletter: JPIC Update July 2021
Jul 02 2021
Dear Friends,
As we mark Canada Day as well as US Independence Day this week there is much to celebrate, and also much food for thought and critical reflection about the history of our nations. I know I join with each of you in praying that our mission contributes to putting an end to the marginalization, empoverishment, exploitation, enslavement and destruction of the world's most vulnerable peoples.
To that end, this email will cover two important issues. First, I am very grateful to the Abba House community for raising their concerns to the Provincial Team about doing business with Amazon. I have been asked to include my response to them in this update, and I invite additional conversation from any of you. Second, I want to highlight the great work coming from our UN Office. Read on!
Worker Justice and Amazon
Worker justice is a serious issue, and there has been lots of press attention recently about abuses coming from Amazon. Instead of singling out one company to avoid, I would like to suggest that the Sacred Heart community could take the following positive steps regarding our purchasing power:
1. When possible, purchase goods from fair trade registered companies. In the US and Canada, you can find a list at the Fair Trade Federation, at this link. Members of the Fair Trade Federation are carefully vetted and pledge to a robust set of worker justice and environmental principles.
2. When possible, do business with companies that are registered B Corps, in the US and Canada. Certified B Corporations are for-profit businesses that balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. You can do an on-line search for B Corps in your area, and you can find a full list at this link.
3. When possible, purchase items that are manufactured in fair trade certified factories. Often companies that are not registered or certified fair trade will still distribute products made in fair trade factories, which pledge to protect workers. A useful description of what this means, along with the symbol to look for, can be found at the REI website, here. REI is one such company, but there are many, many others.
4. When possible, purchase used items, from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Thrift Stores, etc. This helps to combat the "throwaway culture" that Pope Francis highlights in Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti.
5. Purchase as much as you can from local farmers, farmers' markets, and local family businesses. This keeps small companies in business and cuts down on the pollution and trash associated with shipping.
In addition, the Province is already engaged in corporate advocacy around worker justice through our participation and membership in two key coalitions: National Farm Workers Ministry (NFWM) and US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT). NFWM currently has a campaign for worker justice targeted at Wendy's, and USCSAHT has a campaign highlighting worker justice in the seafood industry targeting Walmart. I currently represent the Province in both organizations, and would welcome others to be involved.
Finally, and as a direct result of the concerns expressed by Abba House, the Province is in the process of becoming a member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsbility, which engages corporations around priority issues, which include worker justice, the environment, and racial justice. They include Amazon in their list of corporate engagements, and a full description of their successes in 2020 is at this link.
Exciting Program from the Society of the Sacred Heart at the UN
Next week the Society of the Sacred Heart will be participating in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The Sacred Heart delegation will be presenting on Monday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 7 at Zoom events sponsored by our UN-NGO Office. More information, and the link to register, is on these flyers for July 5 and July 7. On July 5 the topic is Holistic and Intersectional Approaches to Peace, and on July 7 the topic is Listening to Youth, Older Persons, Refugees and Indigenous Peoples. These topics feel very timely in the context of reflecting on US Independence Day and Canada Day.
You can also read a full update from our international JPIC Office, here.
Finally, there is much to celebrate today, as we learned that the US Government has halted federal executions in order to conduct a review. This great victory for human dignity is a result of the tireless advocacy work of many individuals and organizations, including us, as well as our partner, the Catholic Mobilizing Network. I appreciate the opportunity to work with each of you, and look forward to more great successes as we work together to advance the kindom of God.
With love and solidarity,
Kim
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Kim Lamberty, DMin
Director, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Society of the Sacred Heart USC
