Conference on “Climate Change: It is happening here, it is happening now”

As a contribution to the 41st ordinary session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, New Humanity co-organized the conference “Climate Change: It’s happening here, It’s happening now” together with the Permanent Representation of the Philippines, the NGO APG23 and other partner organizations of the Forum of Catholic-inspired NGOs in Geneva.

Dr. Jorge M. Dias Ferreira, main representative of New Humanity in Geneva, contributed to the debate with a reflection inspired to Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudatio Si”. It underlined how the deterioration of the environmental heritage is deeply connected to the human and ethical heritage deterioration.

Dr. Ferreira proposed the creation of a regulatory system that effectively respects human life and the living environment, while at the same time setting clear limits aimed at ensuring the protection of eco-systems before new technological and economic models of power may eliminate not only a sound environmental and social policy, but also freedom and justice for all.

L'articolo New Humanity brings up the challenge of climate change at the 41st Human Rights Council proviene da New Humanity.

Prof. Esther Salamanca, a New Humanity expert in the field of Human Rights, presented the experience of “Co-Governance” as a good local practice of sound policies for the promotion and protection of human rights, on the occasion of a seminar on the topic organized by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

Co-Governance. From 17 to 20 January 2019, New Humanity, together with several partner and associated organizations, organized four days of debate and discussion on city governance, networking and on learning models of sustainability and coexistence. In her speech, Prof. Salamanca underlined the innovative strength of the project and the relevance of the “Pact for a new governance: networked cities” that the 400 participants signed at the end of the conference.

Echoes of the speech. Echoing the speech by Dr. Salamanca, some speakers said they shared the idea that the local dimension of good governance is fundamental for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and that, in their view, cities play an essential role in protecting human rights.

Priority towards the “least”. “I also appreciated the fact that the speeches of other speakers, Prof. Salamanca noted, emphasized that the Goals for Sustainable Development propose concepts dear to New Humanity, such as cooperation and dialogue “without leaving anyone behind”, and the priority towards the least and the most marginalized”.

Cooperation with other NGOs. The event was also attended by dr. Jorge M. Dias Ferreira, main representative of New Humanity in Geneva. Several representatives of Catholic-inspired NGOs active at the Human Rights Council also appreciated New Humanity’s intervention and shared their intention to continue collaborating on the subject.

Event site

L'articolo New Humanity proposes “Co-Governance” as a model of local policies for the protection of human rights proviene da New Humanity.

New Humanity shared its vision on the topic of children’s rights in relations to the digital environment, in order to contribute to the General Comment that the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is writing on this topic.

Shared Responsibility. As expressed by prof. Juan Garcia Gutierrez, a New Humanity expert in this area, the NGO of the Focolare Movement believes that the protection and promotion of children’s rights with respect to the digital space should be a shared responsibility among families, educators and public and legislative institutions, and it should follow a human right-based approach.

Priorities. Here are the top priority issues for New Humanity:

•    Considering the right of access to the Internet, including its neutrality, as a right of its own, is particularly valuable to guarantee other rights to children and young people, such as the right to education or freedom of expression;

•    Reflect on the scope of children’s right to play and to free time (as recognized by Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), and its translation into the digital world;

•    Promote a permanent education in the technological field (digital or media literacy, literacy with respect to codes, etc.), as a digital competence that covers in a unified way the various levels of use and meaning.

Download the full text of the contribution offered by New Humanity (Spanish)

L'articolo New Humanity offers its vision on minors and cyber space at the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) proviene da New Humanity.

Read the Report
Read the card of the 9 projects presented by New Humanity

40 Good Practices and Policies. “We believe – the Report reads – that the time is ripe to circulate a compendium of good policies and practices that relate directly to Compact goals and that Member States, Civil Society and other actors have already implemented with shared interest, effort and commitment.”

The Host-Spot Project is presented as an international initiative funded by the European Commission, promoted in 2016-2017, with the purpose of “spreading a culture of understanding and of promoting respect for human rights”. The project engaged “young volunteers from 9 countries volunteering at welcoming centers in Jordan” where they experienced “face-to-face encounters with refugees and what they experienced each day”.

Goal 17. The report also highlights how the documentaries on the stories of migrants produced by the young people involved in the project helped spread real-life stories of refugees at a European and international level, thus contributing to “eliminating all forms of discrimination and promoting a public debate based on factual data in portraying the phenomenon of migration”, as envisaged in Goal 17 of the Global Compacts for Migrants and Refugees.

Contribution to SDGs. The report also highlights how the Host-Spot Project contributes directly to the achievement of Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and it is in agreement with paragraph 8 of the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants (NYD) and paragraph 84 of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR).

The other projects presented by New Humanity although not present in the final version of the report are Back to Africa, Together for a new Africa (Africa, 2018-2021), Interfaith Welcome Coalition (San Antonio, USA, 2014 to today), Sewing Peace (Syria, 2012), Creating a system – Beyond the Initial Welcome (Italy, 2016), The Village of Joy (Seoul, South Korea, 2003-2016), Africa’s Friends (Freiburg, Switzerland, 2002 to today), Maison Notre Dame (Lebanon, 2005 to today), Social Cooperative “Missione Famiglia (Italy, 2018).

L'articolo The HOST SPOT Project of New Humanity Among the Good Practices Promoted by the NGO Committee on Migration (CoM) proviene da New Humanity.

New Humanity is grateful to Dr. Fernandez for having being one of the main architects of the Forum of Catholic-inspired NGOs (CINGO) in Geneva. Through the Summer University for Human Rights, he also contributed – with also great financial support – to the formation of more than 2,000 students from 115 countries over the last twenty years —including about 20 youth from New Humanity.

In this painful circumstance, we are close to his family and to our colleagues at OIDEL. Below are a few of the countless messages of remembrance and condolences received in recent days by representatives of New Humanity and the Focolare Movement who got to know him and collaborate with him over the years.

To follow his wish in honoring his memory, contributions are accepted to CUHD, for the Summer University for Human Rights Foundation (IBAN CH28 0900 0000 6048 0637 9); or to the Mankolé Hospital in Kinshasa (RDC) on the account of the Stiftung Foundation (CH36 0900 0000 8001 0060 3).
Mailing address: Résidence Universitaire de Champel, Avenue de Beau-Séjour 18, 1206 Genève,  info@champel.ch

“I ask God to welcome Alfred into His Kingdom of Love as a reward for the good he bestowed and for his testimony of faithfulness to the Gospel to the end, even in suffering. From heaven, he will continue to follow those who loved him and support those who will continue and bear to fruit his precious legacy, for the benefit of many”
Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement

“I remember him with great affection and esteem. I consider him as one of those “nextdoor” saints and cannot but express deep gratitude for his great support for New Humanity, in particular by offering his availability to form many of our young people during these years. From up there, Alfred’s life will certainly continue to bear fruit.”
Marco Desalvo, President of New Humanity

 
“Alfred was striking because of his vast culture, high effectiveness and competence, his broad humanistic while deeply Christian vision. His great love for the Church and humanity were fascinating, and inspired in him an extraordinary capacity for dialogue with human “peripheries”.
He had the gift of great humility and of being always available and at the service of all, in such a delicate way that it seemed almost like you were serving him.
Although the pain of separation from this true spiritual brother is strong, I feel great joy and gratitude to God for the gift and opportunity to get to know Alfred and grow with him in God’s love. I feel committed to not let his hard work and legacy vanish.”
Jorge M. Dias Ferreira, Chief Representative of New Humanity in Ginevra
 
“With Alfred’s departure, we are losing not only a personality in the field of education and human rights, but also a man whose reserved nature hid remarkable human qualities. We too miss him deeply and share the pain of our friends in Geneva.”
Chantal Grevin, Chief Representative of New Humanity at UNESCO
 

“We have a vivid memory of Alfred as a loving man, gifted with great intellectual rigor and full of a love that is nourished by a source beyond the human level. We pray for him and assure his family and friends of our most sincere affection”
Marie Annick and Pierre Benoit, Associate Experts in Education at UNESCO
 
 
“During these days that bind us more than ever to Paradise, we continue to pray and remember Alfred and thank him for his life and witness to daily sanctity”
Lucia d’Auria, Project Manager

“We remember him as a friend and a person of faith, a great thinker and a person who spent his life for human rights”
Davide Bilardi, Human Rights Representative and former student at the Summer University on Human Rights
 
 
“We had a great relationship with him. Although from now on, given the physical separation, our relationship will be necessarily different, we know by faith that it will be as beautiful and profound as ever.”
Juan Garcia Gutierrez, Associate Expert in Education
 

” As a former student at CUHD, I will never forget the short but very intense moments I had with Alfred and the way he was making everyone feel special and deeply loved.”
Tomaso Comazzi, Communications Officer and former student at the Summer University on Human Rights
 
 
“The ones who leave their mark on earth are the good people. May his light remain alive”
Maria Salas Portas, Associate Expert in Human Rights
 
 
“I only saw him twice, but his strong personality and absolute modesty really impressed me. We lose a true brother; all the Christian components – and more – present at the UN in Geneva lose a great partner and colleague.”
Marigi Lorenz
 
 
“We continue to pray for him, so that he may continue to shine on all the endeavors he committed in“
Jean Besson, Youth of New Humanity
 
 
“I join in prayer and remembrance of a very special person”
Giacomo Fabris, Youth of New Humanity and 2017 student at the Summer University on Human Rights

L'articolo A Tribute to Dr. Alfred Fernandez by New Humanity NGO proviene da New Humanity.

Family and Migration

Jorge M. Dias Ferreira, main representative of New Humanity in Geneva, moderated the seminar on “Family and Migration”, offered by various Catholic-inspired Organizations (CINGO) at the Palace of Nations.

Among the speakers: Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office; Fr. Fabio Baggio, Under Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the Holy See; Msgr. Robert Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC); Dr. Maria Mercedes Rossi, ACG23 main representative in Geneva; Dr. Maria Lia Zervino, WUCWO’s Secretary General.

L'articolo New Humanity Moderates the Debate on Family and Migration proviene da New Humanity.

“Right to Education and New Technologies: a Necessary Dialogue”

Prof. Juan Garcia Gutierrez of National University of Distance Education (UNED) offered his remarks on behalf of New Humanity at the panel discussion organized by OIDEL NGO and the Smart Internet Users project.

Download the Speech (Spanish)

“Where danger grows, safety also grows”. During his speech, prof. Garcia quoted the German poet Hörlderlin, to underline how it is possible to adopt an approach that applies the “spirit of fraternity” contained in the first article of the Universal Declaration. With such approach, a potential risk presented by the introduction of new technologies in the Education field can become a new opportunity to fully enjoy all human rights, including the right to education.

The twofold approach proposed by prof. Garcia foresees, on the one hand, the need to base scientific and technological development on human rights and, on the other, the need for technologies to be at the service of, and promote human values, the “spirit of fraternity” and human solidarity. Internet and digital technologies do not per se constitute a human right, but they are an indispensable means to fulfil other human rights, including the right to education.

A good practice presented in this regard concerns the “Spanish life” project, organized by UNED and the University of Porto-Novo in Benin. It is an innovative virtual learning tool, developed in an educational context at a distance (and therefore based on internet and digital technologies), oriented to the promotion of human values, such as the civic engagement of students, through intercultural dialogue and development of global citizenship.

Knowledge and control. “Mankind has started a new phase of its history – concluded Prof. Garcia – with a growing and rapid development of science and technology, which offer utopian and dystopian possibilities at the same time. In order to fully benefit from them, the essential purpose of education and learning in our century should focus on the knowledge and control of opportunities and risks.”

The event was moderated by dr. Pablo Nuño, First Secretary at Permanent Representation of Spain before the Office of UN in Geneva. Dr. Charo Sébada, Director of Communication for Smart Internet Users and Dr. Renato Opertti of the UNESCO International Education Office also intervened.

L'articolo New Humanity Proposes the “Fraternity Principle” as a Way for Dialogue Between Right to Education and New Technologies proviene da New Humanity.

“International Solidarity and Migration” Seminar

Download New Humanity’s Presentation

Coinciding with the 38th ordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council, New Humanity and other NGOs part of the Forum of Catholic-inspired Organizations (CINGO) present in Geneva organized a seminar on International Solidarity and Migration at the Palace of Nations.

Dr. Obiora C. Okafor, new independent expert on human rights and international solidarity, opened the event presenting the topics on which he will focus his attention during his term. Among them, there will be migratory phenomenon and international solidarity.

The Spirit of Solidarity proposed by Pope Francis on the occasion of the World Refugee Day 2018 was at the center of the debate, as well as the key words proposed by the Pope on migration: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating.

The event was moderated by dr. Jorge M. Dias Ferreira, main representative of New Humanity in Geneva, and was attended by leading experts in the field.

On behalf of New Humanity, prof. Esther Salamanca – professor of international law at the University of Valladolid – presented a study on the theme of solidarity in the European asylum policy by the title “Solidarity in EU’s Asylum Policy: A Difficult but Necessary Pathway”. The study was published on the Sophia review (January – June 2018).

We/They. “The focus should not be placed on “us” – he said at the end of his speech – but on “them”. That is what solidarity really means.”

Three sides of the issue were taken into consideration:

Solidarity in EU’s asylum law. Commonly accepted as one of the cardinal values of the European Union, solidarity in EU’s asylum policy has at least two main components: the respect for the fundamental rights of asylum seekers (human rights-based solidarity) and the fair sharing of responsibilities.

Intra-EU Solidarity. The Dublin system is not an effective structural solidarity mechanism. A reform is needed, capable to address and correct the lack of equality within the Dublin system, which causes the Member States to disregard their personal roles and responsibilities.

EU External Solidarity. Based on the EU policies, the principle of solidarity appears as an “operational principle” and the general objective of the “external solidarity measures” adopted by the EU until now is to increase cooperation with relevant non-EU countries in order to strengthen their asylum and national asylum systems and to ensure compliance with international standards.

Consensus on the principle of solidarity. At the end of her speech, prof. Esther Salamanca launched an appeal aimed at reaching a consensus at national and European level on how to implement the principle of solidarity in a way that human rights of asylum seekers are guaranteed inside and outside the EU (extraterritoriality) while sharing responsibility fairly and equitably between Member States.

The parallel event was co-sponsored by the special procedures for Human Rights Council, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh and the Holy See at the United Nations, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) and the CINGO Forum.

L'articolo New Humanity Elaborates on the Theme of Solidarity in EU’s Asylum Policy proviene da New Humanity.