Columbans attend COP20

The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are yearly conferences held in the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They serve as the formal meeting of the UNFCCC Parties (Conferences of the Parties) (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change. (Wikipedia,  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Climate_Change_conference)

Columbans world wide have seen the urgency to tackle the issue of dangerous Climate Change as an integral part of our commitment to Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.  So the Columbans in Peru were urged to do everything they could to prepare well for COP20.  It was seen as a unique opportunity to join forces with many other interested networks in an effort to alert the people of Peru in particular about the responsibility to save their part of the endangered planet.   The Columban Centre for Mission Education, directed by Fr Bernie Lane, worked hard all the year making better known and appreciated the issues to be confronted head- on by international leaders at COP20.  They collaborated with many national and international networks of like-minded people who want political leaders clearly informed about several key issues which they might prefer to forget about.
 Columbans attend COP20
With this in mind the Columbans brought several of their most dedicated ecologists to Lima for the occasion, including Fr Sean McDonagh from Ireland, Fr Peter Hughes from Columbia,  Mrs Amy W Echeverria from USA and Mr Cesar  Correa from Chile.   One typical morning involved all four of them, together with local Columbans, at the keynote address given by Dr Jeffrey Sachs, renowned economist, author, and Director of the Earth Institute of Columbia University, USA. He gave a brilliant summary of ways in which the limits our our planet impose corresponding limits on economic development.  

Columbans attend COP20
The Peruvian Columban director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, Laura Vargas, was invited onto the platform to add her comments after the address of Dr Sachs, whom she had collaborated with in Castel Gandolfo (Italy) 15 years earlier concerning "Life before Debt"  in relation to the Jubilee Year 2000.  When the five hundred participants divided into smaller "workshops" to tease out the implications of the main address, both Sean McDonagh and Peter Hughes were asked to help lead the discussions.  

May this serve as one example of how opportunities to influence COP20 are being found by those on the alert.

Fr Chris Baker SSC has been a missionary in Peru since 1977.

Columbans report direct from COP 20 in Peru

Well-known Columban eco-missionary, Fr Sean McDonagh is reporting regularly from the COP 20 negotiations in Lima, Peru, as an observer.