The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is an annual event bringing together Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, civic leaders, and scholars together with students and other citizens in an effort to engage peacemaking efforts around the world. The 2012 Forum used a variety of mediums and topics, ranging from “The Ethics of Hip Hop” to an address by Nobel Laureate F.W. de Klerk.

I attended the “Business Day” of the forum at the beginning of this month and was pleasantly surprised by the continual emphasis on the need for the private sector to be involved if peace can prevail on earth. The day was filled with a variety of interests from the private sector epresenting the large field it is-- renewable energy, microenterprise and entrepreneurs, agriculture and food industry, chambers of commerce, economics, etc.

I greatly appreciated all the presentations I attended throughout the day, but the final keynote speaker was astonishing. Saki Macozoma served time on Robben Island during Nelson Mandela's imprisonment and was a business leader throughout the ending of apartheid. He spoke of the South African private sector's collective involvement that kept the debating factions at the table during the ending of apartheid, and the business community’s involvement presently to help decrease unemployment. The key to his presentation was that the South African business community recognizes the benefits from social reform and high quality of life. This is a revolutionary concept. If the worldwide business community supported and understood this we could have a radically different world--one where corporate power could be a term of social change, not greed and corruption.

May peacemaking prevail on earth, and may all of us play a role,
Elizabeth Fairbairn, St. Joseph Worker & Justice Office Intern

For a schedule of the Business Day click here.
Please click here for the video archive of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum.

Imagining a Just Economy

Last Wednesday night, the Eliminating Poverty Task Group hosted "Imagining a Just Economy" facilitated by Carol Gariano, CSJ Consociate and Terin Mayer from TakeAction Minnesota.

The event was a success! It was a wonderful collaboration between two organizations, and an exploration into the possibilities of our world. The two hour agenda was full of engaging activities, I found two to be most valuable.

We were given a timeline of past economic policies and recognized different policies that have impacted us. As Terin reminded us several times, the economy is not like the weather--we, as a society, shape and affect our economic future.

The second activity was the actual imagining of a new economy--a just economy. We first discussed our envisioned purpose of the economy: to foster success, for all to recieve bread and roses, to emphasize economic & societal relationships, to name a few.

Next we discussed what needs to change for the proposed economy to exist. We walked through different aspects of society - government, work, banks...we could have gone all night through the different areas. We had both tangible ideas (ending corporate personhood; adjusting current political campaign system; creating a liveable wage; etc) and ideas that truly rock the boat (ending individualism; changing the definition of success; etc).

I left feeling hopeful while skeptical of how immense some of our ideas were. I also felt liberated in the ability to have this conversation and the recognition of our knowledge and power in the situation.

I was pleasantly surprised while reading the newspaper this past Sunday. A few of our proposed changes are already being tried and tested by individuals. There is hope for our society, and a great need for continued imagining.

Star Tribune articles regarding just economic strategies:

"Company Prospers, and so do Workers"

"Serving those with Smaller Nest Eggs"

Interested in continued work on creating a just economy and world? Check out the current events from the Justice Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph

-Elizabeth Fairbairn, St. Joseph Worker & Justice Office Intern

Homeless Memorial March

Last Thursday, the 27th Annual Minnesota Homeless Memorial March was held by Simpson Housing Services. We gathered at the Hennepin County Government Center and each picked up a sign with the name of a person who has died in the past year while experiencing homelessness, experienced homelessness in recent years, or was an advocate for the homeless. I marched for Jessie M. No other information was provided on the sign I chose--no knowledge of Jessie's age, birth place, societal roles, passions, dreams--only a name.

Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater's "Luna" was the leader of the silent march down Nicollette Avenue to 28th Street stretching several blocks long. After over an hour of quiet walking and reflecting down a busy street, we entered Simpson United Methodist Church for a Service of Remembrance.

The signs we carried were laid at the foot of the altar while beautiful music set the tone. The program began with a welcome from the pastor of Simpson Church, then was followed by an address from Sen. Jeff Hayden of District 61. The names of the remembered individuals were read and a candle lit for each person. When Jamie M's name was read and candle lit, my heart fluttered. My only relationship with this person was holding out a name to be remembered, but that was enough of a relationship to feel the loss of life connected to an unjust system.

The most moving part of the service was an open microphone to share a memory. I was struck by the families who mourned the loss of brothers, parents and children. The deep relationships formed between social service workers and the people experiencing homelessness was clear--we are lucky to have such people supporting our community.

For many of the people remembered in the service, this was the only memorial service they would receive. This is not a perfect solution and the need for this type of service points to a deep injustice, but the silent march and Service of Remembrance filled a hole. It provided dignity and honor to a group so often left out.

As one of the organizers stated at the very beginning of the march--tonight is for remembering and reflection, tomorrow is for action. To learn about Simpson Housing's legislative agenda for 2012 and what steps they're taking towards action please click here.

If you're interested in attending in the future, the march occurs on the nearest Thursday before the Winter Solstice.

-Elizabeth Fairbairn, St. Joseph Worker & Justice Office Intern

Go Beyond Your Plate

October 24th was Food Day--a day to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, human way. Movies, food expos, and forums occurred in the Twin Cities on Monday in conjunction with Food Day.

Though this day has passed, the goals of sustainability, affordability and health continue. We have a few opportunities for you to be involved in food justice into November, but encourage you to create an awareness in your own life surrounding food in the year to come.

St. Catherine University students have put together a Food Week for October 31st - November 4th, which is being co-sponsored by the Justice Commission. Close to 20 events will occur in 5 days to raise awareness, educate and create action surrounding issues of food justice. Our very own Earth Partners are involved with 3 events centering on community gardening and food toxicity. Click here for the full schedule.

Another option is being provided through NETWORK. They have posted a Food Stamp Challenge from Fighting Poverty with Faith--attempt to live on a food stamp budget for a week ($31.75 per person/week). Being a St. Joseph Worker this is not out of the realm of normalcy, but from experience can attest to the change in thinking that occurs with such a budget shift. Senators and Representatives have signed onto participate, and you can too. Check out this link to register and find more information.

Food is in a web of many different social justice issues and the saying goes, "You Are What You Eat"
-Elizabeth Fairbairn, St. Joseph Worker and Justice Office Intern