Victory in Digital Trade Negotiations
As international negotiators work out the details of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, key victories in the Digital Trade sphere of negotiations have already been achieved.
As Asia’s population approaches four billion, or more than half of the world’s population, the continent presents startling contrasts of wealth and poverty. While its governments range from the autocratic to the democratic, Asia has the potential for exponential economic growth and significant advances in science, health and technology. But the cost of development must take social justice and environmental values into account. In Asia the U.S. encounters ancient cultures and values from which it could learn much, as well as markets and trade opportunities that could benefit both Asia and the U.S. At the same time, robust Asian economies are potential competitors that could challenge the U.S.’s economic dominance in the world. With the U.S., Europe and giants such as China and India competing for critical natural resources, the globalized economy will demand political considerations – and concessions – of the U.S.
The Office for Global Concerns depends on the experience of Maryknoll missioners in Asia, who are deeply involved in many aspects of their hosts’ lives – religious, social, political and economic. Maryknoll personnel act as partners in diverse apostolates – in parish ministry, health work and education. Missioners work with persons with HIV and AIDS and with special needs. They support those living on the margins – people who are displaced, refugees, foreign workers – as they seek to promote peace, social justice and the integrity of creation.
As international negotiators work out the details of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, key victories in the Digital Trade sphere of negotiations have already been achieved.
The UN Security Council held its first open meeting on Myanmar since 2019 in New York on April 4, 2024.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 40 human rights and faith-centric organizations in a “Thank you” letter to President Biden and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai for withdrawing U.S. support for extreme digital trade proposals in the ongoing negotiations in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.
Maryknoll Father Joseph Thaler asks what we are called to sacrifice in the face of the changes he has witnessed in the Kathmandu Valley.
Maryknoll Affiliate Kathy Morefield sees the fruits of the Kingdom of Heaven in the economic model of collaboratively-run restaurant.
A new book is available about the life of Maryknoll Fr. Gerard Hammond, a missioner with more than 60 years in ministry on the Korean Peninsula.
Fr. John McAuley, MM, considers the call to stewardship in the readings and how they apply to the twenty-first century.
Next week marks the somber anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The death toll from the two bombings has been estimated to be as high as 210,000….
The unresolved state of war is the root cause of tensions and militarism in Korea. Decades of pressure-based tactics — in the form of sanctions, isolation, and military threats — have failed to achieve US goals.
Sr. Janet Hockman, MM, reflects on the unanswered questions of that arise from the Gospel readings.
The Philippines Human Rights Act would withhold security assistance to the country until its government properly reformed its police and military and takes steps to protect targeted civilians.
Seventy years after armistice, Korean Peace Now! Grassroots Network and Women Cross DMZ are working to see the official end to the war.
For the first time in 40 years, the United States will send nuclear submarines to the Korean Peninsula as part of a nuclear weapons deal with South Korea.
President Joe Biden offers a warm welcome to the president of the Philippines, despite vast human rights violations throughout the country, and gets more military access in return.
Sr Teresa Dagdag, MM, reflects on the Christian charity from the Acts of the Apostles
Learn about findings of a recent faith delegation to Mindanao in the Philippines, an island with ongoing armed conflicts and U.S. military installations.
It is urgent that the United States refuse to fund institutions responsible for human rights abuses in the Philippines.
The following excerpt is from an article written by Irish Columban missionary priest Fr. Shay Cullen, published on the Preda website on February 3, 2023.