Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States and Canada for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Lots of resources for reflection and action can be found in the EFJ African American History Month Toolbox. Consider using this daily photo journal and reflecting on these current films.
                           

The theme for this year's day of prayer and reflection " They are just children! Not Slaves" is meant to remind us of the many children in our world today who are not allowed to be children but are forced into situations of heavy work or even sexual slavery. It is estimated that over the past thirty years, about 30 million children have been involved in trafficking.  A new NGO report found that forced labor is now widespread among refugees, and an estimated 60 to 70 percent of refugee children work instead of attend school. Testimonials, vigil of prayer, prayer service, toolkit for action.

Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will make a crucial contribution not only to economic development of the world, but to progress across all the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Unfortunately, women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science. In December of 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming February 11 International Day of Women and Girls in Science with the goal of promoting awareness and progress in this important area.  This year's theme is "Gender, Science and Sustainable Development: The Impact of Media".  Learn more.

There is so much negativity and bullying these days in our public discourse. "This vision of 'might is right' has engendered immense inequality, injustice and acts of violence." ( Laudato Si' 82) "We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world." (229)  Random Act of Kindness Week reminds us that little things do make a difference.  "St. Therese of Lisieux invites us to practice the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness." ( Laudato Si' 230) During this week let us "throw kindness around like confetti" for we will see its effects are truly endless. 102 inspirational ideas.

Recognizing that social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations and that, in turn, social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, the UN established this day in 2007. 

Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. The world has changed dramatically. We are going to need economic systems that respect planetary boundaries, that continue the dependence of human well-being on social relations and fairness, and that recognizes that the ultimate goal is real, sustainable human well-being, not merely the growth of material consumption.  We must recognize that our economy is embedded in a society and culture that are embedded in an ecological life-support system, and that the economy can't grow forever on this finite planet. More. Video reflection.
                      

"Prophetic endurance lasts far beyond its time, makes itself an irritating presence, holds the real up to the ideal until the sight of the contrast hurts...Each of us must speak up, speak out and speak for justice and peace at every bridge club, every town meeting, every private party. We must persist until we become again what we have always wanted to be, until we all stand more for the truths of the gospel than for the goals of the government." -  The Cry of the Prophet,  S. Joan Chittister