September 24, 2010
Mary Stata writes for Third Way Cafe about the ongoing advocacy effort of religious leaders in central Africa to urge a negotiated resolution to the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict.
Last May, Congress passed the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. This bill signals increased US commitment to supporting long term reconstruction for LRA affected communities and requires the Obama administration to develop a strategy to demobilize and disarm the rebels. It is critical that implementation of the bill prioritizes peaceful means to end the conflict and not repeat past failed military operations.
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Posted by Mary Stata
September 3, 2010
Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach reflects for Third Way Cafe on the words of Amos in light of the relaunch of peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel:
Melissa Engle/MCC
Three years ago I stood on a rooftop in the Deheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem. On a hillside a few miles away I could see the distinctive red roofs of Tekoa, one of many Israeli settlements built on occupied land in the West Bank.
Fresh from a course in biblical Hebrew, studying and translating the book of Amos, I could not help but wonder what Amos would think. I knew that the shepherd from Tekoa had much to say about justice.
He is, after all, the one who proclaimed, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (5.24). All throughout the book of Amos are unequivocal calls to address injustice, particularly condemning the wealthy for profiting off the poor.
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Posted by Mary Stata
August 16, 2010
Mark Massey, a MCC Washington Office intern, writes about US policy towards Latin America for Third Way Cafe:
Melissa Engle/MCC
Since mid-2009, the Obama administration’s relations with its Latin American counterparts have become increasingly strained.
After media leaks revealed a secret deal in which Colombia granted U.S. military personnel increased access to seven Colombian military bases, there was an outcry from the general public, as well as government officials in Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador.
A military base agreement of this kind signals a potential buildup of U.S. militarization across the region. This is especially worrisome due to the U.S. military’s close ties with Colombian armed forces, which are hampered by allegations of human rights abuses.
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Posted by Mary Stata
July 23, 2010
Grace Hercyk reflects on her summer internship at the MCC Washington Office in Third Way Cafe:
Jenna Stoltzfus/MCC
My summer has been filled to overflowing in Washington, DC, and marked by several highlights. For a section of the summer, my biggest obsession was undoubtedly football … I mean soccer … I mean World Cup. I love everything about World Cup. I love—for better or for worse—that Africa finally hosted one of the biggest tournaments in the world. I love the hype, the excitement, the crazy fans, the spectacular stories, the drama of red cards, the killer penalty shots, and the joy of players and fans when their dreams come to fruition. World Cup was glorious. World Cup had the world falling before their television sets.
And then there’s my other obsession. My summer has also been filled with politics and advocacy, interning at the MCC Washington Office. I’ve been engrossed in understanding the world of politics, working groups, Hill visits and research on multiple domestic issues. I love the fast pace, the dedication and passion of the faith-based community, the collaboration of faith-based and church advocacy groups, the constant flow of coffee and unquestionably the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with at the office.
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Posted by Mary Stata
July 9, 2010
Theo Sitther writes for Third Way Cafe about Haiti:
Mennonite Central Committee
Two months ago I reported on the dire situation faced by the Haitian population. July 12 will mark the six month anniversary of the earthquake. Unfortunately little has changed in the past two months. As international organizations and governments continue their response with well-meaning plans designed in Washington or in board rooms, most Haitians experience little progress. Hundreds of thousands are living without adequate shelter in the debris-filled city of Port-au-Prince.
On March 31 more than 150 nations gathered at the United Nations and pledged over $9 billion, with $5.3 billion for 2010 and 2011 alone. The United States committed $1.15 billion. Reports from Haiti, however, note that only about two percent of the money has actually been delivered for recovery efforts. As of two weeks ago Brazil is the only country that has fulfilled its pledge. Additionally, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) partners report that Haitian civil society organizations are not being consulted in the planning process for recovery.
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Posted by Mary Stata
July 6, 2010
Mary Stata writes about the resource curse for Third Way Cafe:
Matthew Lester/MCC
In a cruel twist of irony, more than two thirds of the world’s poorest people live in countries that are rich in natural resources. Tragically, these countries’ biggest potential for economic growth and well-being is often its greatest downfall. Rather than making prudent investments, revenue from lucrative extractive industries is often mismanaged, diverted to the military, or swallowed up by corruption. Resource rich countries, such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have experienced long and brutal conflicts that are protracted by the oil and minerals in their soil. While these resources did not start the conflicts, they prolong them. Often referred to as the “resource curse” or “paradox of the plenty,” this phenomenon is widely documented and all too common.
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Posted by Mary Stata
June 7, 2010
Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach writes about Gaza for Third Way Cafe:
Ryan Beiler/MCC
Israel-Palestine has been in the headlines this week, after Israel intercepted a flotilla of ships headed to Gaza with humanitarian supplies.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has been working for peace in Israel-Palestine for more than 60 years. MCC’s work in Gaza has included humanitarian relief, as well as support for children’s programs. Read the letter that Mennonite Central Committee U.S. wrote to President Obama on Gaza here.
Also online is a letter signed by Rolando Santiago of MCC U.S., along with other faith leaders, to President Obama in March. The letter states, “We urge your administration to use America’s unique relationship with Israel to persuade it to lift the closure of its border crossings with Gaza now. It is the right thing to do and is in the best interests of both Palestinians and Israelis who long for a just peace.”
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Posted by Mary Stata
