{"id":3786,"date":"2019-05-09T13:31:44","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T18:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=3786"},"modified":"2019-05-09T13:31:44","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T18:31:44","slug":"may-update-un-and-state-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/may-update-un-and-state-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"May Update: UN and State Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

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U.N. | <\/span>CALIFORNIA | <\/span>COLORADO |<\/span> NEW MEXICO | <\/span>NORTH CAROLINA | <\/span>OHIO | <\/span>PENNSYLVANIA | <\/span>SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD | <\/span>WASHINGTON | <\/span>WISCONSIN<\/a><\/p>\n

*From April 29 to May 1, the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public-policy offices attended the 2019 ELCA Advocacy Convening in Washington, D.C. The theme of the convening was, \u201cPrepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change\u201d. Over 70 attendees, including ELCA bishops, community leaders, and state public-policy advocates, participated in workshops, trainings, and hill visits with their legislators.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York<\/h3>\n

Dennis Frado, director<\/h4>\n

UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (CPD): <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Photo: CPD; Credits: UN DESA<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The 52nd<\/sup> session<\/a><\/u> of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) took place at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York from April 1 to 5. The theme of this year’s session was: \u201cReview and appraisal of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and its contribution to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\u201d. At the opening session the commission adopted a \u201cdeclaration<\/a><\/u> on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development\u201d. This was the first time ministerial declaration passed by the commission after several years; during this time the commission has been unable to adopt a resolution because some countries (the U.S. included reportedly) oppose any text referring to sexual or reproductive health and rights.<\/p>\n

Among the many side-event that took place was, \u201cFaith-based Approaches to Sexual and Reproductive Health from a Human Rights\u2019 Perspective\u201d organized by ACT Alliance, the World Council of Churches, UN AIDS, Faith to Action Network, Islamic Relief-USA, the Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Permanent Missions of the Philippines and Norway. The event emphasized that religious actors play a crucial role in advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Specific topics included delivery of health and education services and how religious leaders and other religious authorities function as \u201cnorm setters\u201d, and their relationships as advocates with legislators nationally and globally. Watch the event here<\/a><\/u>. Read the full report on the general debate over sexual and reproductive rights during CPD session here<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0EIGHTEENTH<\/strong> SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES (UNPFII) 2019: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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The Rev. Mari Valjakka (second from left), Sami pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and moderator of the World Council of Churches\u2019 reference group on indigenous peoples, visited the Lutheran Office for World Community during the recent UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Lutheran Office for World Community attended the 18th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues<\/a><\/u> (UNPFII) held April 22 \u2013 May 3 the Headquarters of the United Nations. This year indigenous people are sharing invaluable knowledge and information around the theme \u201cTraditional Knowledge: Generation, Transmission and Protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The chair of the forum stated that \u201ctraditional knowledge is at the core of indigenous identity, culture and heritage around the world and must be protected.\u201d Discussion centered on the urgent need to preserve and revitalize indigenous languages in this the International Year of Indigenous Languages<\/a><\/u>. According to the publication Ethnologue:Languages Around the World<\/em>, of the 7000 languages spoken around the world 2,680 are in danger of disappearing, and with them the important culture and practices they articulate.<\/p>\n

During the session on human rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli Corpuz, the UN Special Rapporteur, spoke on attacks on and crimes against indigenous peoples, highlighted in her 2018 report<\/a><\/u> to the Human Rights Council. Her 2019 report will focus on indigenous governance and systems.<\/p>\n

Other side-events during the forum included, the launch of \u201cIndigenous Youth: Through Their Eyes,\u201d a book by the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus and the UN Special Envoy on Youth<\/a><\/u> in collaboration with Columbia University. Fourteen indigenous youth contributed to the book, representing all seven regions of the world. They shared a unique perspective on indigenous issues that are affecting the world today.<\/p>\n

Read more about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples<\/a><\/u>, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

During April, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (second from left) paid her first visit the Lutheran Office for World Community, accompanied by Kathryn Lohre, ELCA executive for ecumenical and interreligious relations (far right).<\/p>\n

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California<\/h3>\n

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 loppca.org<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/h4>\n

ADVOCACY CONVENING<\/strong>: California was well-represented at this year’s Advocacy Convening held April 29 through May 1 in Washington, D.C. The theme of this year’s event was “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change”. The California delegation consisted of Bishop Guy Erwin of the Southwest California Synod, Debi Groon of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, Wylie Cook a seminarian and board member of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California, and Regina Q. Banks, director of LOPP-CA.<\/p>\n

The delegation discussed the ELCA’s commitment to disaster response and preparedness with congressional representative Gilbert Cisneros (CA-39), Doris Matsui (CA-06) and Brad Sherman (CA-30),\u00a0 as well as senators Kamala Harris and Diane Feinstein. All of the meetings went very well and it was decided all of the offices were \"\"<\/a>receptive to the ELCA Advocacy Ask.<\/p>\n

LUTHERAN LOBBY DAY IN SACRAMENTO:<\/strong> Washington was good practice for California’s first statewide advocacy event scheduled for Wednesday May 29th in Sacramento. You can still register for Lutheran Lobby Day at the State Capitol. Participants from D.C. will give an in-depth debrief. Information and a link to register can be found at www.loppca.org<\/a><\/p>\n

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Colorado<\/h3>\n

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry\u2013Colorado \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 lam-co.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

LEGISLATURE CONCLUDES:<\/strong> The Colorado General Assembly adjourned on Friday, May 3, after four months of legislative work in 2019. Major priorities of the Lutheran Advocacy office this session included death penalty abolition, paid family leave, school lunch access, renter\u2019s rights, and climate action. The assembly had not adjourned by our deadline, so consult our June update for a full run-down of how these priorities fared.<\/p>\n

ADVOCACY CONVENING:<\/strong> Colorado was represented at the ELCA Advocacy Convening in Washington, D.C. from April 29 to May 1. Peter Severson, director of LAM-CO, and Jim Gonia, Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod visited with staff of the Colorado congressional delegation on Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ASSEMBLY:<\/strong> The Rocky Mountain Synod convened May 3-5 for its 2019 assembly in Albuquerque, N.M., under the theme \u201cBe Transformed!\u201d The event featured keynote speaker Fr. Richard Rohr and also lifted up the ministries of the RMS that are leading hospitality for migrants in Las Cruces and El Paso.<\/p>\n

CONGREGATION VISIT:<\/strong> Thank you to the people of Our Saviors\u2019 Lutheran Church in Fort Collins for hosting LAM-CO Director Peter Severson, who preached at their Wednesday Lent service on April 3!<\/p>\n

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North Carolina<\/h3>\n

GeoRene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries (SJAM) Advocacy@NCLutheran.org<\/h4>\n

Last month we reported on our March 26 Advocacy Day event, Lutherans at the Legislature 2019, and\"\"<\/a> follow-up efforts by congregations across the state. Our advocacy focus was to raise awareness about the significant number of homeless people in our communities and to ask for increased support from the state for affordable housing initiatives across our 100 counties.<\/p>\n

One week later, on April 2, legislators in the North Carolina House of Representatives introduced House Resolution 564, which would create a North Carolina House of Representatives select committee on homelessness. <\/i><\/p>\n

<\/i>The measure, which passed first reading on April 4, is now under review by the House Com\"\"<\/a>mittee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations, and we are hopeful that the resolution will be allowed to the floor and passed before the end of this year\u2019s legislative session.<\/p>\n

SJAM efforts in this area of advocacy continue, our next event being a pre-assembly educational forum on homelessness and affordable housing.<\/p>\n

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New Mexico<\/h3>\n

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry- New Mexico (LA-MN) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 lutheranadvocacynm.org<\/h4>\n

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM SIGNS BILLS SUPPORTED BY LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY-NM<\/strong>: Eight bills for which LAM-NM advocated during the 2019 legislative session made it to the governor\u2019s desk for consideration and were signed into law:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Workers look on as Gov. Lujan Grisham prepares to sign a bill increasing the<\/p>\n

state minimum wage to $12.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n