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VIVAT Workshop Advances JPIC Advocacy in AFRAM
Richard Quadros, SVD (General JPIC Coordinator)
The workshop brought together 21 participants from four VIVAT member congregations. These included the Society of the Divine Word, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, and the former member congregation, the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ). Two interested participants from the Congregation of Holy Rosary Sisters and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary also took part. The topics reflected by the participants, along with the resource persons are as follows:
- Contemporary JPIC Issues in AFRAM and South Africa in specific: Church’s Response
- Anti-Human Trafficking Network
- VIVAT International, its Evolution, Governance, structure and functioning
- Local Voices, Global Impact — UN Advocacy Mechanics
- From Our Mission to the United Nations
- Universal Periodic Report and Timor Leste Case Study
VIVAT WORKSHOP COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Rooted in Christ, the bringer of peace and the ultimate promoter of human dignity, we, the member congregations of VIVAT International, commit ourselves to the sacred mission of serving God, humanity, and the entire creation. Impelled by the love of Christ and guided by Gospel values, we work tirelessly for the fullness of life, especially for the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the forgotten within our regions and the global community.
Having been revitalized by our shared journey of intense reflection and collaboration, we pledge to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and global advocacy. We recognize that every voice is a sacred sign of life yearning for recognition, respect, and attention. Therefore, we commit to establishing local Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) initiatives, creating awareness, and building robust structures that empower local communities. We pledge to listen deeply, to give marginalized voices a rightful space, and to carry their cries to international platforms where they can be heard and addressed with meaningful action.
In a world fractured by inequality and environmental degradation, we stand united to advocate for human rights, social justice, peace, and the protection of our common home. We will actively network and collaborate with like-minded stakeholders, strengthening our collective efforts through synergy and a shared purpose. Together, we strive to build a just world where all life has a place to flourish, and where every individual is heard, understood, and respected.
We entrust our mission, our structures, and our hopes to the One who came that they may have life and have it abundantly. May the Triune God, the ultimate source of life and justice, bless and empower our endeavors to bring hope, healing, and lasting transformation to our world.