Nepal: Update from Maryknoll (October 2015)
Maryknoll missioners have served in Nepal for many years; currently, Fr. Joe Thaler lives and works in Kathmandu. For five months now, Fr. Joe has been helping the people of Nepal recover from devastating earthquakes and aftershocks.
Maryknoll applauds U.S. - China climate agreement, calls on Congress to support the Green Climate Fund
On September 24, Pope Francis said in his address to a joint meeting of Congress, “I call for a courageous and responsible effort to ‘redirect our steps, and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity.’”
Pope Francis' Historic Speech to Congress - Day Three of Papal Visit 2015
September 24, 2015 - Pope Francis made history today by becoming the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress. He spoke of challenges that are complex, grave, and urgent. And he invoked four historical American figures who have shaped our fundamental values.
Pope Francis Pictures – Day Two of Papal Visit 2015
September 23, 2015 - Pope Francis attended four events in what proved to be a non-stop day. Two major themes emerged: climate change and immigration.
Five key quotes from Pope Francis' speech at the White House
September 23, 2015 - Pope Francis gave his first public remarks in the U.S. this morning, during a ceremony at the White House. He focused almost entirely on the need to address climate change and care for the poor and most vulnerable.
Here are five key quotes:
Pope Francis Pictures - Day One of Papal Visit 2015
September 22, 2015 - Pope Francis arrived in Washington, D.C., this afternoon, and the excitement was electric.
Maryknoll leadership statement on Pope Francis' encyclical "On Care for Our Common Home"
On the occasion of his first visit to the United States, the leadership of the Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners offer a warm welcome to Pope Francis.
Africa: Obama offers critique during third visit
President Obama visited Kenya and Ethiopia, probably for the last time as head of state, from July 24-28.
Tanzania: Greater access to electricity
In January, Tanzania published its Draft National Energy Policy 2015, which, despite its length, devoted little attention to the challenge of bringing electricity to the country’s roughly 11 million residents who live in poverty in rural areas.
Human trafficking: U.S. upgrades Malaysia
The U.S. Department of State’s 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report has received more than the usual scrutiny due to ongoing negotiations around the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involving the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim nations, and Malaysia’s changing rank on the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) compliance list, compiled by the State Department.
Trade: Bangladesh’s suspension remains
On August 11, the U.S. announced that it would not reinstate Bangladesh to a list of developing countries that receive trade preferences for lower or zero-duty tariffs due to labor rights and workplace safety issues.
Myanmar: Timber demand fuels illegal logging
The problem of illegal logging in forests in the developing world represents a microcosm of the phenomenon of exploitation of natural resources by corrupt governing elites that wreak environmental damage while simultaneously diverting government revenue away from public goods.