Change.org Petition: Remove Islamic Republic of Iran from the UN commission on the status of women

As protests continue in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in late September, petition starter Sajad is urging the United Nations to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Join Sajad by signing the petition now.  Remove Islamic Republic of Iran from the UN commission on the status of women 144,042 have signed Sajad Zahedi’s petition. Let’s get to 150,000!

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Islamic republic of Iran has repeatedly undermined human rights, specifically women right, since its establishment in 1979 and continues to do so to this very day. The most recent tragedy that occurred a few days ago was the murder of a 23 year old woman #mahsa_amini by the so called morality police. People took over the street demanding explanation and clarification on the matter but they were brutally cracked down by the police and revolutionary guard. The internet has been shut down and a massacre is taking place as we speak. We need to break our silence and remove Islamic republic of Iran from this committee as its membership is a disgrace to the global community and humans everywhere. Please sign this petition and help us achieve this humane objective.

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At Change.org, we believe in the voice of everyday people. Is there something that you want to change? Start a petition today

WCC NEWS: WCC, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and ACT Alliance commend appointment of women to negotiate Colombian peace agreement

In a letter to Colombian president Gustavo Petro Urrego, and to the high commissioner for peace Danilo Rueda Rodriguéz, the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and ACT Alliance congratulated the government of Colombia for the appointment of four women to the negotiation team for a peace agreement with the National Liberation Army. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Bogotá, officially Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, on Bolivar Square in the Candelaria, the historic centre of Bogota, Colombia. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 29 November 2022 With these appointments, the letter notes, half of the members of the national government delegation in the negotiations with the National Liberation Army will now be women.  “Most approaches to peace negotiations have in the past either ignored or marginalized the role of women,” the letter reads. “They consistently remain a minority of participants in peacebuilding initiatives; they receive less attention than men in peacebuilding policies; and gender analysis rarely informs peacebuilding strategies.”  But women make a difference, the letter goes on to point out.  “We are happy to see that the striking absence of women from most formal peace negotiations is being challenged by your decision to establish a gender equal delegation,” the letter reads. “We congratulate Nigeria Rentería, Mabel Lara, María Jimena Duzan, and Adelaida Jiménez for their new roles, and express our satisfaction in seeing Rev. Adelaida Jiménez part of the delegation.” Jiménez is a pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, a member of all three organizations. “We reaffirm our commitment to accompany the Colombian people in their search for lasting peace in Colombia and in the region,” concludes the letter. “We pray that you will be granted wisdom and strength to reach that goal.” Letter to Colombian president Gustavo Petro Urrego and the high commissioner for peace Danilo Rueda Rodriguéz from the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and ACT Alliance WCC member churches in Colombia See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC invites all to World AIDS Day prayer service

Pray, Praise and Worship: WCC NEWS: WCC invites all to World AIDS Day prayer...: On 1 December, World AIDS Day will mark more than 40 years since the first outbreak of the epidemic; however, in 2021, every two minutes, an...

Change.org Petition: Breaking — Iranian rapper could face death

Overnight, Iranian rap artist Toomaj Salehi was charged with ‘waging war against god’ in Iran which carries a sentence that could be punishable by death. His family is devastated that his life is now at serious risk.  Reports say that he was kidnapped, arrested and charged with these crimes without access to lawyers — all in response to him creating music that speaks up for human rights and against the escalating violence in Iran.  Artists and people all over the world are adding their voices to this petition, asking for the UN to demand the release of Toomaj and all other innocent protest and political prisoners in Iran. Will you add your voice too?

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Over 110,000 people have now signed Dr. Azadeh Taghipour’s petition, which was started weeks ago when the arrest of protestors began.  As you may know, currently, Iranian people are demonstrating according to the motto "Woman, Life, Freedom" and risking their lives in the fight for freedom, human rights and democracy.  Toomaj is just one of many young people facing severe consequences like imprisonment and the possibility of the death sentence for attending or supporting the protests in Iran.  Sign today to show your support for the #FreeToomaj movement.  Thank you.

Change.org Petition: Help Prevent Deadly Ship Strikes on Whales

Speeding ships are killing whales as they migrate along the West Coast. The Center for Biological Diversity started this petition to save whales by establishing safer shipping routes and slowing vessels where whales are present. Will you add your name to help protect whales? Help Prevent Deadly Ship Strikes on Whales: Sign the Petition! 569 have signed Center for Biological Diversity’s petition. Let’s get to 1,000!

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Ship strikes are a leading cause of death and injuries for whales migrating along the West Coast. The only oceangoing entities that rival them in size, commercial ships can kill these majestic animals in an instant as they hurtle through whale habitat. Take action to protect humpback, fin, blue and gray whales from fatal collisions. Right now the Coast Guard is setting routes for ships to West Coast ports. To reduce ship strikes with whales, proposed routes go south of the Channel Islands and outside much of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This is a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough.  The Coast Guard must go further by establishing shipping routes that avoid biologically important areas for whales. It also must consider measures to minimize impacts in critical habitat for whales and all national marine sanctuaries, including slowing vessels to 10 knots when and where whales are likely present. Studies show that slowing down ships can dramatically reduce fatal whale collisions and rerouting them can reduce harmful noise.  Safe waters are needed now. Recently Fran, a well-known and beloved humpback, washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay Area with injuries from a ship strike.  Sign this petition to tell the Coast Guard to do more to fight the deadly impacts of shipping traffic on whales.

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At Change.org, we believe in the voice of everyday people. Is there something that you want to change? Start a petition today

Presbyterians for Earth Care - Called to Make a Difference

Called to Make a Difference for Creation Dear Friends of Creation, Thank you!  You are getting appeals for Giving Tuesday because you have already supported some worthwhile charities and are helping to make a positive difference in the world.  Presbyterians for Earth Care is making positive contributions to both the Church and the world.  We hope that, today, you will prayerfully consider helping us with a special gift.  Our funding in 2022 has come completely from gifts by individuals and congregations.  Here is some of what we have done and will be doing soon:   Thanks to generous givers in 2022 we have presented 15 webinars for free on a wide range of topics from “Eating for a Healthy Climate” to “Spiritual Care of Young People in a Climate Crisis” to “Historic Climate Legislation” (benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act for churches and individuals) to “Electric Vehicles” to “Fossil Fuel Divestment” to “Responding to Growing Disasters” (with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance staff) and more.  You can see the complete list of the webinars on the PEC website with links to their recordings and resources:  https://presbyearthcare.org/events/   Thanks to generous givers, we are planning more free webinars in December and throughout 2023.  We are excited about our upcoming national PEC 2023 conference that will be a combination of an in-person event in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia combined with online presentations there and other live talks and watch parties hosted by churches throughout the USA.  Details for all these events will be posted on our PEC website and social media soon.   Thanks to generous givers, PEC had many strong overture advocates for climate justice at the 2022 PCUSA General Assembly.  We helped to support Presbyterians attending the 2022 World Council of Churches meeting on Climate Change and a PEC Steering Committee member attending the COP27 (2022) meeting in Egypt.   A newspaper headline on the COP26 meeting reported "World has nine years to avert catastrophic warming, study shows.”  Our work of caring for God’s creation is urgently needed now more than ever.   PEC is helping individuals, families, congregations, presbyteries, our denomination and ecumenical groups grow in faithfully caring for God’s world.  Please help our efforts now by giving online through our secure website https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/pecdonations or by mailing your tax-deductible contribution made out to “Presbyterians for Earth Care” to P.O. Box 3851, Allentown, PA 18106.   Please let us know any way we can help you, your church, or others in the work we are called to do together.  Blessings on you, your loved ones and your care of God’s creation.   Grace and Peace, Bruce Gillette Moderator, Presbyterians for Earth Care Pastor, First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego, NY Click Here to Make a Donation

WCC NEWS: Worlds AIDS Day: WCC to hold webinar on Faith communities in the HIV & AIDS response today

In commemoration of World AIDS Day,this online meeting will provide an update of the HIV response in the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its ecumenical partners around the globe, looking at the strategies implemented and the way forward. Photo: Paul Jeffrey 28 November 2022 The HIV epidemic continues to be an important part of the diaconal response of the faith communities. The WCC has a history of 38 years of work in Africa and globally. Given the latest scientific developments and the Global AIDS Strategy, which recommends working in the inequalities that drive the epidemic, WCC is updating its HIV work using the best strategies and lessons learned, and the potential areas of focused work as the new Health and Healing Commission is being constituted. The webinar will be held on 1 December 16 CET. Link to the event with the agenda Click here to register See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland