WASHINGTON — The Ninth Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice take place March 25 to 28.
Sponsored by more than 50 interfaith denominations and organizations, including Holy Name Province and the Franciscan Action Network, this year’s event focuses on “Development, Security and Economic Justice: What’s Gender Got to Do With It?”
In addition to lobbying on Capital Hill and meeting legislators, the event includes worship with the Rev. John Nunes of Lutheran World Relief, and the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president of the National Council of Churches in Christ USA. Two plenary sessions focus on “Women and Girls Aren’t the Problem: They’re the Solution,” given by Daisy Machado, dean of Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Workshops are organized around eight geographical regions and issues: Africa, Asia-Pacific, domestic United States, eco-justice, global economic justice, Latin America, Middle East, and peace and global security. Issues pertinent to women, girls and families their main focus this year.
Experts will also train participants on policy issues and advocacy.
Though early registration has ended, there is still time to sign up. HNP has been a long-time sponsor of this event, and many of its ministries take part.
Russell Testa, director of the Province’s Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, said, the Ecumenical Advocacy Days “enable our voice for social change to as effective as possible by amplifying our message. Our message is amplified when we join others in a coordinated manner. Today, as our nation deals with budget cuts, as Franciscans we are some of the few who will be a voice with and on behalf of persons who are poor. If the poor have no voice and no champions, any support for them is likely to be cut.”
According to a recent e-mail distributed by the Franciscan Action Network, people who attend this event will be “inspired and equipped to speak boldly on behalf of people-centered sustainable development and economic justice, physical safety, security and peacemaking, with a particular focus on those most impacted — women, girls and families.”
More information is available on the EAD website as well as on the Justice and Peace page of the HNP website.
— Compiled by Wendy Healy