austraLasia #2708
"You have the passion and networks to spread our messages far and wide"
MELBOURNE: 6 September 2010 -- With words like that it could have been the Rector Major addressing some 1,700 representatives of 350 NGOs from over 70 countries gathered in Melbourne, Australia, August 30 – September 1, 2010. In fact it was Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, speaking at the 63rd Annual Department of Public Information/NGO Conference. Mr Moon went on to say that partnerships between civil society, government and the private sector are critical if the world is to make serious inroads into the number of preventable deaths, particularly of women and children.
The Rector Major, of course, was far away in Malta, but he was well represented, inasmuch as the Salesian formal representation in UN affairs is headed up by Fr Thomas Brennan sdb, who was not only at the Melbourne Conference, but a member of its planning committee and moderator for two of the workshops, one on AIDS prevention, the second on Migration issues, particularly human trafficking and forced migration. These workshops demonstrated, amongst other things, the role of one part of the private sector, namely the close involvement of Religious men and women and their respective Congregations, in advancing global health.
"Healthy societies and individuals are possible when people are freed from want and from fear. Therefore, working for social justice for all, overcoming a sense of powerlessness, and creating a culture of peace were highlighted as some of the most effective means of forming healthy environments", Tom reports.
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
"You have the passion and networks to spread our messages far and wide"
MELBOURNE: 6 September 2010 -- With words like that it could have been the Rector Major addressing some 1,700 representatives of 350 NGOs from over 70 countries gathered in Melbourne, Australia, August 30 – September 1, 2010. In fact it was Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, speaking at the 63rd Annual Department of Public Information/NGO Conference. Mr Moon went on to say that partnerships between civil society, government and the private sector are critical if the world is to make serious inroads into the number of preventable deaths, particularly of women and children.
The Rector Major, of course, was far away in Malta, but he was well represented, inasmuch as the Salesian formal representation in UN affairs is headed up by Fr Thomas Brennan sdb, who was not only at the Melbourne Conference, but a member of its planning committee and moderator for two of the workshops, one on AIDS prevention, the second on Migration issues, particularly human trafficking and forced migration. These workshops demonstrated, amongst other things, the role of one part of the private sector, namely the close involvement of Religious men and women and their respective Congregations, in advancing global health.
"Healthy societies and individuals are possible when people are freed from want and from fear. Therefore, working for social justice for all, overcoming a sense of powerlessness, and creating a culture of peace were highlighted as some of the most effective means of forming healthy environments", Tom reports.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
