Global Hunger/Food Security
Legislative Update
Three pieces of legislation to address global hunger and improve food security are currently under consideration in the House and Senate. Catholic Relief Services supports two of these bills and urges the Senate to improve the third bill—its version of the Food Security Act of 2009. Here is a synopsis of how these bills will address global hunger.
The Roadmap to End Global Hunger
CRS, along with many other faith-based and international relief and development organizations, supports the bipartisan H.R. 2817, The Roadmap to End Global Hunger and Promote Food Security Act of 2009. This bill, which was introduced by Representatives James McGovern (MA- 3) and JoAnn Emerson (MO-8), addresses global hunger and improves food security three ways:
- the development and implementation of a comprehensive, government-wide global hunger reduction strategy.
- the establishment of the White House Office on Global Hunger and Food Security.
- the creation of the Permanent Joint Select Committee on Hunger.
The Global Food Security Act
Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced bipartisan legislation, S. 384, The Global Food Security Act of 2009. While CRS welcomes the bill’s focus on increasing food security in poor countries, CRS believes the bill must be improved by including a program for Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), such as Catholic Relief Services. Not having this provision prevents us from participating in international agricultural and rural development, nutrition, and crisis management activities as authorized by the bill. Currently, PVOs such as CRS are effectively working on agricultural development in poor countries through other U.S. international assistance programs but they have limited opportunities to access U.S. bilateral agricultural assistance funding. This limits our ability to accomplish urgently needed agricultural development efforts.
| Did you know that…The Old Testament mentions an innovative way to feed the hungry?
The people were not to reap all of their harvest. Some was to always be left behind for those who were less fortunate. Leviticus 19:9,10
What if we adapted that concept for today? Imagine that. |
On a positive note, CRS worked with allied PVOs to get an improved version of the Global Food Security Act of 2009 introduced in the House, H.R. 3077. This bill would require PVO participation in agricultural development programs and ensures that PVOs may also receive cooperative agreements for agricultural research. We urge members of Congress to support H.R. 3077, which would help to further our mission to help poor and disadvantaged people overseas.
The People of Sudan Still Need Your Help
In March of this year, 13 international aid organizations were asked to leave Sudan. Catholic Relief Services was not part of this exodus, and we have been able to provide critical relief and development activities in Darfur, around Khartoum and throughout the south.
In Congress, members are taking action to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Sudan. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus began fasting for Darfur this past spring. Fifteen members will fast a minimum of one day each with hopes of calling attention to the situation in Darfur.
For an update on CRS’ humanitarian efforts in Sudan, please read An Open Letter to Friends of CRS or visit http://crs.org/sudan/needs-continue/.
Please keep the people of Sudan in your thoughts and prayers.
Peace in the Holy Land—Action Alert
Last month we asked you to make a bold move in support of peace in the Middle East by signing the ecumenical letter to President Obama encouraging his administration’s efforts to secure peace. Thank you to those who added their names to the letter. For those of you who have not yet made a bold move in support of peace in the Middle East, the letter is still available for you to sign. Please visit the Action Center now for more information.
Encourage your family, friends, school, parish, organization or others to sign it as well.
Here’s a good idea from Father Jacek Orzechoski, OFM at St. Camillus parish in Silver spring, MD. Father Jacek had a graphic poster of the letter to President Obama in support of Peace in the Holy Land made to display at the Archdioceses of Washington’s recent Parish Social Ministry Conference. They received more than 75 signatures for the letter and distributed 150 “action packets” to follow-up within local parishes. Father Jacek is generously offering this poster to others to use.
CRS program manager Burcu Munyas joined CRS’ speaker tour participants Rami Faraj and Mazen Elhanan on the PBS television show “Religion and Ethics Newsweekly” in June. They talked about The Parents Circle-Families Forum— an organization made up of Israeli Jews and Palestinian Muslims who have lost loved ones in their long conflict but have learned to replace hate with reconciliation, even friendship. Rami and Mazen were part of CRS’ Speaker Tour in 2008. Check out a clip from the show.
Papal Encyclical
On Tuesday, July 7th, Pope Benedict’s new Encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate,” (Charity in Truth) was released to the public. CRS President Ken Hackett welcomed the Encyclical: “The Holy Father speaks for us all at CRS when he says that ‘openness to life is at the center of all true development.’ “
This 3rd encyclical written during the pontificate of Benedict XVI provides guidance for Catholics on fiscal responsibility in relationship to society as a whole and addresses global hunger, exploitation of natural resources and protection of the environment. You can read the full text of the encyclical in English or Spanish.
Stephen Colecchi, Director of the Office of International Justice and Peace at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a summary of key points relating to Catholics Confront Global Poverty, the initiative sponsored by CRA and the USCCB that encourages one million Catholics to come to gether to pray, learn and act in defense of the life and dignity of people living in poverty throughout the world and urging our nation to act in response to the many faces of poverty. Become one in a million Catholics and join the campaign today.
Learn more.
Prayer Changes Things
The journey to justice must be rooted in prayer. Pope Benedict XVI echoed this sentiment in his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. Through prayer, we can live in solidarity with the migrant, refugee and others who are suffering. Prayer changes the heart and helps us to express our inherent connection as one human family. More than ever before our nation and our government need our prayers.
CRS’ Prayer with Borders publication is a beautiful testament of inspirational prayers, stories, and reflections from more than 20 countries around the world where CRS works.
For more information visit SERRV International or call 1-800-685-7572. CRS supporters receive a great discount.
Upcoming Events and New Resources
New Advocacy Webcast Available
Natural Resource Extraction: Blessing or Curse? Insights from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Natural resources are fueling the conflict in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This Catholics Confront Global Poverty webcast explores the issues around natural resource extraction such as tin, coltan (used in cell phones), diamonds, gold, oil and other minerals and its effects on the people of the DRC.
Panel features: Steve Hilbert – Foreign Policy Advisor, Africa and Global Development, Office of International Justice and Peace, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Rees Warne – Strategic Issues Advisor – Extractives Industries, Catholic Relief Services
Learn the Church’s position on natural resource extraction, the conflict in the DRC and legislation in Congress that is supposed to address these issues. Hear concrete ways for Catholics to make a real impact in the debate.
Learn More
2009 Advocacy Webcast Calendar
Each month, CRS’ Advocacy team arranges for experts from CRS and USCCB to discuss current aspects of important topics impacting our development and humanitarian work overseas. Panels discuss U.S. policy in the context of current programming needs and how these two aspects play out in creating long-term improvements to improving the lives of the poor overseas.
Get these dates on your calendar today!
The next webcast is scheduled for August 25, 2009, 2-3 p.m. EST and features the following topic: Catholics Confront Global Poverty and Fair Trade: Plan for Fair Trade Month in October and share your strategies for spreading a fair trade attitude in your community.
For more information, please contact Brendan Cavanagh at bcavanag@crs.org. |
