- "Yes to the common good - public water" Photo: Sonia Golemme (flickr)
In a referendum held in Italy on 12-13 June, more than 27 million people expressed their will to repeal a law permitting water to be treated as a commodity, with a participation rate of 54.8% of voters, of whom almost 96% voted in favour. In the same referendum they said “no” to nuclear power plants, confirming the result of the previous referendum which took place in 1987, after Chernobyl.
“There is a strong will to take personal responsibility in the management of common goods” – commented Pastor Letizia Tomassone, vice president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), after the announcement of the results of the referendum. The FCEI had been involved in the Italian initiative that had been promoting “2 Yes for Water as a Common Good.”
“In our churches there is quite a tradition of paying attention to these issues, influenced by the World Council of Churches - Ecumenical Water Network, the ECEN and also the materials prepared by the Commission on Globalisation and Environment (GLAM) of the Protestant Federation in Italy. Also the WCC International Ecumenical Peace Convocation held recently in Kingston, Jamaica, underlined” - Letizia Tomassone added, “that environmental justice is interconnected with economic and social justice and that it was a resource for peace”.
Other senior Italian churchmen had also spoken up for water as a public good. Cardinal Turkson, head of Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, stated that water services should be provided by the government as part of their obligation to protect the common good. Bishop Mariano Crociata, secretary-general of the Italian bishops' conference, had voiced concerns over the consequences of privatizing water services.
Monsignor Giuseppe Fiorini Morosini, Catholic bishop of Locri Gerace in Calabria, had openly encouraged people to support the referendum. He explained his decision for giving such outspoken advise by saying the referendum was “not about siding with one candidate or another; (...) it is about defending the common good.”
According to Antonella Visintin, coordinator of the FCEI’s Commission on Globalisation and Environment, Italians now are confronted with a big challenge: the companies responsible for managing utilities “are to be transformed into public companies that guarantee the real participation of people and have a real accountability and transparency.” Since 2007, a citizen’s proposal for a law on this matter has been before the Parliament promoted by the Italian Forum of Movements for Water and signed by more than 400,000 people.
No privatisation of water, says Italy (ECEN)
Water fight: A new Catholic issue emerges in Italy (Catholic News Service)
Website of the “2 times Yes for Water as a Commons” initiative (in Italian)
- One of the IEPC Bible study groups watering "their" tree with water from their "just water" water bottles.
“Natural resources and common goods such as water must be shared in a just and sustainable manner,” states the closing message of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), at which 1,000 activists from around the world gathered during the week of 17-25 May on the University of the West Indies (Mona) campus near Kingston, Jamaica.
The importance of environmental stewardship for just peace was highlighted throughout the peace convocation. “Peace with the Earth” was one of four daily themes and in more than 40 workshops participants explored how the exploitation and destruction of earth and its creatures is doing violence to both people and the planet.
“Our violence against the earth is also violence against people,” highlighted Adrian Shaw, a project officer for the Church and Society Team of the Church of Scotland who presented the “eco-congregation” movement that originated in Scotland and is now beginning to spread worldwide.
The environmental impact and the carbon footprint of the convocation itself were also addressed. Among other measures that were taken was the provision of refillable water bottles and tap water dispensers which were widely used by the participants. The participants were also encouraged to offset parts of their carbon emissions by donating to a local paper recycling project aiming to reduce youth unemployment and violence in Kingston.
More information:
Photo Gallery: Creation and Just Peace in Jamaica
Video “Water and Just Peace” and other videos by the IEPC Youth Video Team at: iepcstories.com
On 13 April, 33-year-old Andries Tatane died in South Africa after he had been beaten and allegedly shot with rubber bullets during a protest about basic services, including safe drinking water and proper sanitation.
Archbishop of Cape Town Dr Thabo Makgoba was among the many who expressed their shock at what happened. “Andries and his community members were demanding justice to be done. They wanted to be treated with dignity, to have safe drinking water and proper sanitation - not the bucket system toilets,” he wrote in a reflection after having visited Tatane’s family. “They went to present their petition to their elected representative, their Mayor, but were met with water cannons, ironically being attacked with the very thing they don't' have the pleasure of in their daily lives.”
While insisting that those responsible for Andries Tatane’s death must face justice, Archbishop Makgoba also called for a process of forgiveness and expressed his hope “(...) that we may turn our outrage into actions - actions which will lead to better lives for all our sisters and brothers who still suffer from the indignities which failed delivery of basic services imposes on their lives.”
The arrests of several policemen in connection with Andries Tatane’s death were welcomed by government officials. The department responsible for investigating criminal charges against members of the South African police force issued a statement in which they condemned police brutality and expressed condolences to Tatane’s family.
More information:
Reflection on Andries Tatane’s death by Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town (21 April 2011)
A Call for the Retun of Police "Services". Press release and sermon by Archbishop Makgoba (25 April 2011, in English)
Young Christians aged 18-30 years are invited to apply for a programme addressing the links between environmental and socio-economic justice which is jointly organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in the context of United Nations climate negotiations in the latter part of 2011.
“Youth for Eco-Justice” is a transformational training programme for young change-makers in churches, faith-based organizations and networks worldwide.
The programme starts with a two-week training and immersion in the context of the international climate change negotiations (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa. The seminar will take place at the Glenmore Pastoral Centre in Durban from 26 November to 10 December 2011. In the months following the seminar the participants will initiate and implement projects in their home countries on a volunteer basis.
The postmark deadline for applications is 15 August.
The WCC has a long tradition of addressing the links between Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. Today, this approach is applied and updated in regard to some of the most urgent global challenges by the WCC's programmatic work on eco-justice, consisting of the Ecumenical Water Network, the climate justice campaign and the Poverty, Wealth and Ecology project.
The LWF has recently launched an experiment in global online youth exchange called LWF together – the Earth needs You. It brings together more than 100 youth groups in 45 countries that address eco-justice with concrete activities.
“Youth for Eco-Justice” will also link up with other ecumenical youth networks such as the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) and the Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe (EYCE). Both the WSCF and the EYCE have recently launched campaigns focusing on environmental justice.
More information and application form at www.oikoumene.org/eco-justice
- Following an ecumenical prayer supporters expressed their solidarity in a peaceful march accompanying the accused to their hearing.
On 13 April, the charges against eight Guatemalan community activists have been dismissed. They had been summoned to a hearing because of accusations of “threatening behaviour and obstruction” raised against them by one of the landowners from the region.
For the past few years the Lutheran Church and communities of Chiquimula and Zacapa departments in Guatemala have been working to protect the water, forest, land and biodiversity of Las Granadillas Mountain.
In the course of their work, activists and community leaders have regularly been harassed, threatened, and branded as criminals. Already in January 2009, Pastor José Pilar was taken into custody and orders were circulated for the further arrest of two others. The case against them was also later dismissed.
Pastor José Pilar Álvarez Cabrera from the Iglesia Lutherana Guatemalteca (ILUGUA) and other activists have also repeatedly received death threats. In 2009, the premises of the Lutheran Church’s Casa Campesina (rural centre) in La Trementina, Zacapa, were broken into.
More information:
“Protecting Las Granadillas” and more background resources at water.oikoumene.org
"We desire to do your will". Biblical reflection by the Rev. José Pilar Álvarez Cabrera
“The right to water is a basic human right deserving of constitutional protection by virtue of the constitutional right to human dignity,” confirmed the Supreme Court of Israel in a decision on 5 June 2011.
The verdict responded to an appeal by residents of non-recognized Bedouin communities in the Negev. They had been denied connection to the Mekorot national water company’s supply, a decision that had been upheld by the district court in 2006.
The Supreme Court now affirmed that “(in) any case, reasonable access to water sources at a minimal level must be ensured (...)”. The court ordered the Drinking Water Allocation Committee to review the case of three of the appellants. Three other appeals were rejected because the court found that they were sufficiently close to other water sources.
According to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, Attorney Sausan Zahar who represented the appelants recognized the importance of the verdict but thought it “unfortunate that (...) the Supreme Court did not rule that they were entitled to water on an equal footing with other Israeli citizens.”
"Instead, the court ruled that they had a right to 'minimal access to water sources,'" Zahar is quoted in the same article. "In its ruling, the court gave undue weight to the fact that the villages are unrecognized although most of the residents are not squatters and [successive] governments are to blame for the irregularity of their status."
More information:
Court rules water a basic human right (Haaretz, 6.6.2011)
As part of its “Seven Weeks for Water”, the Ecumenical Water Network and its partners have produced a series of new materials that are available for free download on the EWN website:
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Biblical reflections on “Water and Just Peace”
A brochure with the complete biblical reflections from this year’s Seven Weeks for Water is now available for download. -
Water and Land Grabbing
The introductory background brief by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and the Ecumenical Water Network provides an overview of the effects of land and water grabbing on communities. -
Oil, water, and conflict in the Niger Delta
A short overview on “Oil, water, and conflict in the Niger Delta” with links to further information, prepared by the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the EWN. -
Protecting the Las Granadillas in Guatemala
Overview provided by the Lutheran Church of Guatemala (ILUGUA) over the efforts to protect and preserve the forests, water, and biodiversity of the Las Granadillas Mountain and the harassment and criminalization experienced by the church members and their partners. -
Global warming and climate refugees
A short overview on “Global warming and climate refugees” prepared by the World Council of Churches. -
Prayer service on "Just Water"
A prayer service prepared by EWN and the World Student Christian Federation -
Word in Dialogue
A reflection on "Water and Just Peace" by EWN and WSCF
Please use and distribute these materials in your networks. They may be reprinted freely, providing credit is given to the author and/or publisher. We also look forward to your feedback!
Other resources:
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WCC Statement on the Right to Water and Sanitation
The statement issued by the WCC Central Committee earlier this year is available in English, French, Spanish and German at: www.oikoumene.org/?id=8373 -
The Franciscan Special Issue on Climate Change
The May 2011 issue of The Franciscan focuses on climate change. The journal is published by the First Order of the Society of St. Francis (Anglican Communion). To read the issue, visit: http://fore.research.yale.edu/files/The_Franciscan_May2011.pdf
Taking steps towards an ecologically responsible society
3-10 July, Ukraine
An event on the theological and political perspectives of Ecological Justice in the context of EYCE’s "Campaign to Promote Ecological Justice". Find out more at: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141120389291836
2011 World Water Week
21-27 August, Sweden
The 2011 World Water Week in Stockholm will take place August 21-27. The theme is: "Water in an Urbanising World". For more information, please visit the World Water Week website: www.worldwaterweek.org.
“Youth for Eco-Justice”
26 November - 10 December, South Africa
Organized by the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation "Youth for Eco-Justice" is a transformational training program for young change-makers in churches, faith-based organizations and networks worldwide.The program starts with a two-week training and immersion in the context of the international climate change negotiations (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa. The seminar will take place at the Glenmore Pastoral Center in Durban from 26 November to 10 December 2011.
More information and application form: www.oikoumene.org/eco-justice and www.lwfyouth.org
This newsletter has been sent to you by the Secretariat of the Ecumenical Water Network. If you do not wish to receive the newsletter any more, just send a short message to water@wcc-coe.org.
If you would like to stay informed about the EWN, just stay on our list. The EWN Newsletter will reach you about four times a year with information on the EWN itself, new developments concerning the human right to water, international water politics, and local water initiatives. We might also provide additional information by e-mail on special occasions.
The Ecumenical Water Network is a network of churches and church-related organizations that promotes the preservation, responsible management and equitable distribution of water for all, based on the understanding that water is a gift of God and a fundamental human right. The Secretariat of the Ecumenical Water Network is located at the World Council of Churches in Geneva.
You can contact us via e-mail at: water@wcc-coe.org
For previous newsletters and to learn more about the EWN visit our website at http://water.oikoumene.org
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