vatican to host meetings on climate change, human trafficking

7/22/2015 VaticantohostmeetingsonClimateChange,HumanTrafficking

http://www.news.va/en/news/vaticantohostmeetingsonclimatechangehumant 1/17

Vatican to host meetingson Climate Change,Human Trafficking20150715VaticanRadio

(Vatican Radio) A press conference washeld in the Holy See Press Office todiscuss two meetings taking place in theVatican next week on climate change,human trafficking, and sustainabledevelopment.

Themeetingswill bring togethermayors fromaround theworld, to discusshowcities can help contribute to the solution of some of these problems facinghumanity.

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences will host the workshop ModernSlaveryandClimateChange: theCommitmentof theCitiesandthesymposiumProsperity,People,andPlanet:AchievingSustainableDevelopmentinOurCitiesin theVaticansCasinaPio IVon21 22July2015, for the first timebringingagroupofinternationalmayorstotheVatican.

The Chancellor of the Academy, Bishop Marcelo Snchez Sorondo, said theclimatecrisisandmodernslaverywereinterconnectedemergencies,statingthatalthough the poor and the excluded have the least effect on climate changetheyarethemostexposedtotheterriblethreatposedbyhumaninducedclimatedisruption.

BishopSnchez said in this fundamentalmoral context, cities and theirmayors



playakeyrole.

Currently, most of humanity is concentrated in formal and informal urbansettlementsandthistrendissettoincrease,hesaid.

Weintendfor themayors tocommit topromotingtheempowermentof thepoorand of those who live in vulnerable conditions in our cities and in our urbansettlements,reducingtheirexposuretoextremeweathereventscausedbyradicalenvironmental, economic and social instabilities,which create fertile ground forforcedmigrationandhumantrafficking,hesaid.

The fullpreparedremarksbyBishopSnchezarebelow, followedbycommentsfromparticipatingmayors

TheremarksbyBishopSnchez

WeareheretodaytotalkaboutthemeetingofJuly21,inwhichthemayorsoftheworldwillexaminetwointerconnectedemergencies:theclimatecrisisandmodernslavery.Ithinkit'sthefirsttimethemayorsareinvitedtotheVatican.

TheMayors

Why the mayors? When the Santa Marta Group was founded by the Pope,CardinalNicholsandafewbishopsacoupleofyearsagoattheheadquartersofthePontificalAcademyofSciences to bring together police chiefs andbishopsfrom all over theworld, the police chiefs stressed the importance of having thebishopssupporttheirmoralcommitmenttowardsthepoorestofthepoor.

However, they also pointed out that they report not to the bishops but to thegovernors,andinmanycasestothemayors.Followingtheiradvice,wehavethustried to bring together the mayors to determine the best practices to mitigate



climatechangeanderadicatemodernslavery.

AnthropicGlobalWarming

As stated in Laudato si, The climate is a common good, belonging to all andmeant for all. At the global level, it is a complex system linked tomany of theessentialconditionsforhumanlife(23).ThePopeaddsthatthereisaverysolidscientific consensus indicating that we are presently witnessing a disturbingwarmingoftheclimaticsystem.AsthePontificalAcademyofScienceshasshowninseveral studies,availableas freedownloadsonourwebsitewww.pas.va, thiswarminghasbeenaccompaniedbyaconstantriseinthesealevel.Moreover,itsdifficultnottolinkittoextremeweathereventssuchasprolongeddrought,heatwavesanddestructivestorms,whicharebecomingmoreandmorefrequent.

Humanity, therefore, is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle,production and consumption, in order to combat this warming or at least thehumancauses,whichproduceoraggravate it.As thePopesays inLaudatosi,"Theproblem isaggravatedbyamodelofdevelopment basedon the intensiveuseoffossilfuels,whichisattheheartoftheworldwideenergysystem"(23).

Relativism:TheOtherAsaMereObject

According to Laudato si, these humaninduced climaterelated phenomena,coupledwiththecultureofrelativism,encourageindividualstotakeadvantageofotherindividualsasmereobjects,usingthemforforcedlabourorenslavingthem.PopeFrancisbelievesthisisthesamelogicthatleadstothesexualexploitationofchildrenandabandonmentoftheelderlywhonolongerserveourinterests.

LinksBetweentheClimateCrisisandSocialExclusion

ThePontificalAcademyofSciencesagreeswith theHolyFather that there isaclear linkbetween the twohumaninducedemergenciesof theclimatecrisisandthesocialcrisis.FollowingtheEncyclical,ourcommitmentistomakethewholeof



society aware of these phenomena and of the human responsibilities of thesecrisesandtoreactfirmly,asanewmoralimperativeforallofhumanityinfavourofthecommongood.

In this fundamental moral context, cities and their mayors play a key role.Currently, most of humanity is concentrated in formal and informal urbansettlementsand this trend is set to increase.Eachofour cultural traditionsalsoaffirms the inherent dignity and the social responsibility of each individual inrelationtothecommongood.Theyemphasizetheimportanceoflivingtogetherinthe polis for the fulfilment of the social, cultural and religious identity of everyhuman being and for the beauty, wonder and inherent goodness of the world,recognizing it as a precious gift that supports life and is entrusted to ourstewardship.Itisnotamatterofpreservingitasinamuseum,butofdevelopingitaccording to its potential, following the very laws of nature. Respecting anddevelopingourcommonhomeratherthandevastatingitisamoralimperative.

ThePoorandtheExcludedAretheMostExposed

As thePontifical Academy of Social Sciences has remarked, although the poorand the excluded have the least effect on climate change and often live on theoutskirts of the city, they are the most exposed to the terrible threat posed byhumaninducedclimatedisruption.However,theworldnowhaswithinreachthescientific knowledge, technological tools and financial means to reverseanthropogenic climate change, while ending extreme poverty at the same timethrough solutions that include renewable and low carbon emission energysources.

Wethereforehopetoachievethat"integralecology"proposedbyLaudatosi' "torecoverasereneharmonywithcreation,reflectingonourlifestyleandourideals,and contemplating theCreator who lives among us and surrounds us (225),particularlyinthecitiesinwhichweleadoursociallife.

Financing the initiative in favour of this "integral ecology", including thedecisivecontainment of human induced climate change, could also be based on the



relentlesspursuitofpeace,whichwouldallowaredistributionofpublicspendingfrom military expenditure towards urgent investments for the benefit of socialinclusionandtheeffectivemonitoringofcarbonemissions,particularlyinthecities.

TheMayorsCommitment

We intend for themayors tocommit topromoting theempowermentof thepoorand of those who live in vulnerable conditions in our cities and in our urbansettlements,reducingtheirexposuretoextremeweathereventscausedbyradicalenvironmental, economic and social instabilities,which create fertile ground forforcedmigrationandhumantrafficking.

At the same time,wewould like themayors to commit to put anend to abuse,exploitation, human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery within theircommunities.Thesetragicoccurrences,whichPopeBenedictandPopeFrancistermedcrimesagainsthumanity,also includeforcedlabour, prostitution,organtraffickinganddomesticservitude.

Wewouldalso like themayors to commit to developing resettlement and socialintegrationprogrammesforthevictims,atthenationalandlocallevels,inordertoavoidtheirinvoluntaryrepatriation(cfr.ThePASSrevisionoftheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals,no.16.2).

Inshort,wewould likeourcitiesandurbansettlementstobecomemoresociallyinclusive, safe, resilient and ecologically integrated (cfr. UN SustainableDevelopmentGoals,no.11).

WorkshopModernSlaveryandClimateChange:theCommitmentoftheCities

Symposium Prosperity,PeopleandPlanet:AchievingSustainableDevelopmentinOurCities



(VaticanCity,CasinaPioIV,21to22July2015)

QuotesfromMayors,Governors,StateSecretaries(alphabeticalorder):

BeloHorizonteMayorandPresidentofNationalFrontofMayorMarcioLacerda:"We'll bring the Pope a successful strategy to overcome poverty [and promote]social and productive inclusion. We, Brazilian mayors, are promoting training,microcredit and entrepreneurship to generate employment and income,guaranteeingdignity to thepoor.Wehaveshown thatweareable to implementeffective public policies that are inclusive and have been rescuing millions ofBraziliansoutofextremepoverty.

BerlinSenatePermanentSecretaryChristianGaebler:Roughly60percentoftheglobalpopulationlivesincities.These60percentareresponsibleforabout7080percentofglobalenergyproductionand,atthesametimearemostvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechange.Thereareanumberofchallengesthatwearefacingandtrytokeepupwith.Tomakeupthechallenges,theBerlinSenatesetthegoalfor thecity tobecomeclimateneutralby2050. ThecityofBerlinwillpresent itsclimate and energy policy, being aware of our responsibility as an Europeancapital and openly aim at being a frontrunner in climate protection and energypolicy.

BirminghamMayor,andHumanRightsFirstAmbassador,TheHonorableWilliamA.Bell: "Eradicatinghuman trafficking, the fastest growing criminal enterprise inthe world, will require a coordinated effort from faith leaders, business leaders,governments,and lawenforcement fromaround theworld. I look forward to thisimportantopportunitytobuildpartnershipswiththeVaticanandothergovernmentleaderstodevelopsolutionstoaddressthishorrifichumanrightsproblem."



BogotMayorGustavo Petro Urrego: "Today we have a deep conflict betweenhumanity and the market, for that reason we will see increasing socialmobilization,seekingtodefendlifeinaterritoryaffectedbyinequalityandclimatechange. I inviteyoutoexperience inSeptember2015from20to23, theBogotClimateSummit."

BostonMayorMartinJ.Walsh:"IamhonoredtohavetheopportunitytorepresenttheCityofBostonat theVatican todiscuss thevital issuesofhuman traffickingandprotectingourenvironment.Ilookforwardtojoiningmypeersfromaroundtheworldtocollaborateonhowwecanprepareourcitiesforthefuture."

BoulderMayorMatthewAppelbaum:BoulderishonoredtojoinindiscussionwithPopeFrancisand thisgroupofglobalcities thathaveshown leadership throughtheiractionstoaddresstheclimatecrisis.TheCityofBoulderhaslongprioritizedenvironmentalstewardshipandsustainabilitythroughpartnershipswithourfederallabs, the University of Colorado, local businesses, nonprofits, and our verysupportive citizens. Boulder and all local governments have essential roles indeveloping and implementing policies and technical solutions to mitigate, andadaptto,climatechange,andworkingtogethertofindinnovativeandresponsibleenvironmentalactionsthatcanbeadoptedglobally.

CaliforniaGovernorEdmundG.BrownJr.: "In the spirit of thepope's encyclicalthisunprecedentedgatheringofgloballeadersisawakeupcalltofaceuptothecommon threats of climate change and human exploitation. This is about thefutureofhumanityandhowweashumanbeings liveand treatoneanotherandthenaturalworldaroundus."

Gudiawaye Mayor and President of the National Association of Mayors ofSenegal (AMS) MrAliouSALL: "Development is amatter of harmony, balanceandbalancebetweentheneedsandconcernsofthepopulationononehandandthe available resources available and on the other, respect for human dignity,respectingofnature,andincompliancewiththeprinciplesofpeace,forajustandsustainableworld.



Kingston Mayor, Senator, Councilor Dr. Angela Brown Burke, J.P.: Here inJamaica we are constantly reminded of our contribution to and the effects ofhumaninduced climate change as we experience hotter days and nights, lessrainfall and longer periods of drought. And even as global and economicdevelopmentare topof theagenda,wearemindfulofoursymbiotic relationshipwith the environment the oxygen that is produced by plants is vital to ourcontinued existence and plants cannot survive without the carbon dioxide weexhale. I am grateful that we (Jamaica) have been afforded the opportunity toparticipate in thesemeetingswherewecanexploreandshare ideasonhowwecanliveuptoourGodgivenmandateasordainedcustodiansoftheearth.

KochiMayorTonyChammany:"Thethreatofclimatechangeisloominglargeoverourplanetanditsaftermathcertainlyisgoingchangetheworldorderandsystem.Weallneedtoworktogethertoaddresstheissueonaglobal,nationalandlocallevel. TheVatican summit on the subject, we hope, would change theway ournations and cities are going to address the issue. We hope nations and citieswould ensure their commitment. Let us all work together towards making ourplanetmoreresilientthroughcooperationbetweeninstitutionsandindividuals,andscienceandgovernance."

LubumbashiMayorJeanOscarSanguzaMutunda:"Lubumbashi,cityofpeace,isworking alongside other cities in the fight against poverty and environmentaldegradation,andsupportsthesearchforlastingsolutionsagainstclimatechange.

MexicoCityMayorMiguel ngelMancera Espinosa: Mayors of cities have theresponsibility to ensure the enhancement of social fabric recognizing the closerelationship between environmental degradation and poverty. The policiesimplemented from cities aimed to protect the environment will help thedevelopment of vulnerable populations, social harmony, social inclusionand theintegrityandsafetyofallcitizens.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges: I am deeply thankful that Pope Francis istacklingissuesofsuchgraveimportancenotonlytomycityofMinneapolisbuttotheworld.Itsanhonortohavebeenaskedtojointheupcominggatheringatthe



Vatican.IlookforwardtolearninghowMinneapoliscanjoinhandsinglobaleffortsaroundclimatechangeandendingthefactorsthatcontributeto21stcenturytradeinhumanbeings,andtosharethesuccesseswethatweasacityhaveachieved.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu: It is an honor and privilege to join HisHolinessPopeFrancisashebringstogetherthisgroupofinternationalleadersforan actionoriented gathering about opportunities and challenges facing localgovernments. This type of honest, proactive collaboration will help createmorepeaceful,prosperousandresilientcommunitiesaroundtheworld.

OsloMayor Stian Berger Rsland: "I am verymuch looking forward to discusssustainable development of our cities to reduce global climate change and byarrangingthissymposiums,TheVaticaniscontributingtofindtheviablelongtermsolutionsweallwork towards.Whenwesayhumansmust,andcan, reduceourclimategasemissions,peopledonotenvisionagoodpublic transportsystemorresponsible building legislation. But when cities emit 70% of the worlds CO2,clearly,wedohavegamechangingtools."

ParisMayorAnneHidalgo:"Modernslaveryandclimatedisruptionaretwomajorand intertwined issues for our capital cities. We shall face these challengescollectively,engagingthepoliticalandspiritualforcesofourlocalcommunities.

PortlandMayorCharlieHales: Wearegoing to theVatican to listen,of course,butalso to tell thePortlandstory:Wehavemadegreatstrides inprotectingourenvironment.Portlandwasactingoncarbonreductionbeforemanycities,statesand countries started talking about carbon. I want to hear from the otherparticipants,butIwantthemtohearourstory,too.

PortoAlegreMayorJosFortunati:"Theworldischangingquicklyand,inthisnewcontext,citiesincreasinglygainprominentrolesnotonlyintheimplementation,butalsointhedefinitionofpoliciesinmattersofglobal interest,suchastheissueofclimatechange,environmentalprotectionandsustainabledevelopment.ThecallofPopeFrancisforcitiestodebateandpresenteffectiveproposalsforthesolutionof thesemodernproblems isvery important inorder toestablishacommonand



sharedglobalagenda,focusingonreducingemissionsofgreenhousegasesandfightingpovertyandsocialinequalities.Municipalitieshaveanextremelyimportantprotagonisminmobilizingthepopulationtotheappropriationofpublicspacesandto the sense of belonging. That is, the city is our home and we all haveresponsibilitiesandcommitmentstoitandtotheplanet.TheCapitalofRioGrandedoSul, forexample, isa reference in theempowermentofcitizens,whichhelpsthegovernmenttosetprioritiesthroughtheparticipatorybudget."

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes: "Pope Francis has been an example ofinspiringleadership,andIcommendHisHolinessforplacingtheurgentmatterofsustainability in thecenterof theuniversaldiscussion. By2050,more thantwothirdsof theworld'spopulation isexpectedto live incities,so tostimulateurbansustainabilityiskeytocontainconsumptionofnaturalresourceswhilediminishingtheimpactsofclimatechangeonpeople'sdaily livesandsocialconditions.C40cities have the potential to reduce their annual cumulative greenhouse gasemissionsby1billion tonsby2020,whichshows that togetherandcoordinated,leadershavethepowertoprotectthecities,ourcommonhome.

Rome Mayor Ignazio R. Marino: "Addressing climate change and its effectspresents a double and global challenge: the first priority is "mitigation," that islimitingfurtherclimatechangebyreducingtheproductionofgreenhousegas.Thesecondis"adaptation,"thatmeanspreparingtheimpactofclimatechangethatisnowinevitabletosaveplanetEarth.Itisessentialthatclimatechangebetackledinanintegratedway.Choosingbetweenmitigationandadaptationiscomparabletothechoicebetweenrepairingdefectivebrakesofabicycleandbuyingahelmetinstead. Functioning brakes help prevent accidents, whereas the helmet isintended topreventdisaster.Rome iscommitted tocreateapermanentnetworkbetween cities wishing to engage in the fight against climate change thanks togoodenergysavingpractices.Becauseclimatechange isa terrificchallenge forthefutureandamajorneedtoshapethecityalsoforthenextgenerations.

Rosario Mayor Mnica Fein: The cities have the opportunity to buildtransformations that allow equal opportunities to those who are less fortunate.Theycanalsotakecareofthecommonhousewithintegratedpolicies,whichwillensure a better future for generations to come. I am sure that this meeting,



organizedbyPopeFrancis,willhelpuscomeupwithnewideasonhowto takeaction regarding these twodramaticemergencies,whichare theclimatechangecrisisandthenewsformsofslavery.Webelievethatoneofthemaintopicsinthisdiscussion should be how could a common citizen get involved andaid uswiththeseideas.Wethinkitisimportantthateverycitizenhastherighttotakepartinthese transformationsso that theycanmaintaina stableenvironmentwherewecan incorporate new policies regarding waste management, alternative energy,sustainablemobility,inclusionandequalrights.

SanFranciscoMayorEdwinLee:Wemustacturgentlytocombatclimatechangeandendhumansuffering,andIamhonoredtojoinPopeFrancisinaglobalcalltoaction. I am eager to join this historic gathering of national and internationalleaders,includingGovernorJerryBrown,tosharehowSanFranciscohasreachedandexceededaggressiveclimatechangegoalsevenwhilegrowingtheeconomyand seeing increases in our population. We can and will act locally to makemeaningfulchangeglobally."

SoPauloMayorFernandoHaddad:"Contemporarycitieshavebeensuffocatedbytheprivatizationofpublicspaces,individualismandconsumerism.Thisprocesshasverystrongimpactsontheenvironmentalandsocioeconomicbalance,riskinghumansurvival.Theroleofmayorsistogivepriorityattentiontothisissue.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray: Seattle is an innovative leader in sustainability andcarbon reduction, but too often the benefits of our progress are not equitablyshared.Ourmost atrisk communities, lowincome families, and communities ofcolor are disproportionally impacted by climate change. Seattle is committed tochangingthisthroughourEquityandEnvironmentInitiativetoensurestrongsocialjusticeoutcomesinourenvironmentalpolicy.ImhumbledtohavetheopportunitytosharethisexperiencewithgloballeadersasweheedthePopescallforaction.

UK Independent AntiSlavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland: "Climate change isdramaticallyincreasingthefrequencyandseverityofnaturaldisastersaroundtheworld.Thisinturniscontributingtotheeverincreasingdisplacementofvulnerablepeople,manyofwhomhavebecomeeasy targets forhuman traffickers.There



emergence of slavery is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime and wecruciallyneedapost2015UNdevelopmentagendathatlocatesthefightagainstmodernslaveryattheheartofbothhumanitarianresponseeffortsandthestrategyto promote sustainable and longterm development. Pope Francis and thePontifical Academies are giving us the leadership andmoral authority to realizethisessentialobjective."

StockholmMayorKarinWanngrd:Intercitycooperationisvitaltoaddressmanyof the social, economic and ecological challenges facing the internationalcommunity. This meeting is a crucial step on the path towards sustainabledevelopment.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson: Climate change is the most urgentchallenge facing humanity today, and it is a remarkable honor to be invited byPopeFrancistodiscusshowcitiesandtheglobalcommunitycanandmustactinconcert todrastically reduceclimatepollution.PopeFrancis' leadershipwillbuildon the resounding unity of big cities worldwide in calling for meaningful andbinding emissions targets, and for a climate agreement signed in Paris thatrespectstheneedsofourcities,ourplanetandthegenerationstocome.

Listofparticipants

Mr.EdmundG.BrownJr.,GovernorofCalifornia

Ms.BetsyHodges(Minneapolis)

Mr.EdMurray(Seattle)

Mr.CharlieHales(Portland)



Mr.MartyWalsh(Boston)

Mr.MitchLandrieu(NewOrleans)

Ms.AnneHidalgo(Paris)

Mr.StianBergerRsland(Oslo)

Mr.IgnazioMarino(Rome)

Mr.DarioNardella(Florence)

Mr.LuigideMagistris(Naples)

Ms.GiusiNicolini(Lampedusa,Italy)

Mr.PieroFassino(PresidentoftheItalianMunicipalitiesAssociationandMayorofTurin,Italy)

Mr.AntonioDecaro(Bari,Italy)

Mr.GregorRobertson(Vancouver,CA)

Mr.EduardoPaes(RiodeJaneiro)

Mr.EduardoAccastello(VillaMaria,Argentina)

Mr.TonyChammany(Kochi,India)

Dr.MohammadBagherGhalibaf(Tehran,Iran)



Prof.JuliusIhonvbere(EdoState,Nigeria)

MrMamb(GovernoroftheAutonomusDistrictdAbidjan)

MadameRoseChristianeOssoukaRaponda(Libreville,Gabon)

Mr.AliouSall,MayorofGudiawayeandPresidentoftheNationalAssociationofMayorsofSenegal

Mr.JarosawJwiak(DeputyMayorofWarsaw)

Ms.YelgiLaviniaVerleyKnight(Siquirres,CostaRica)

Hon.AlfredMartinAruo(Soroti,Uganda)

Ms.KarinWanngrd(Stockholm)

Ms.AngelaBrownBurke(Kingston,Jamaica)

Mr.MatthewAppelbaum(Boulder,Colorado)

Mr.Witoldmiaek(AdvisortotheMayorofKrakow)

Mr.MarcioLacerda(BeloHorizonte)

Mr.FernandoHaddad(SaoPaulo)

Ms.MnicaFein(Rosario)

Mr.GustavoPetro(Bogot)



Mr.MiguelngelManceraEspinosa(MexicoCity)

Mr.GeorgeFerguson(Bristol)

Mr.JosFortunati(PortoAlegre)

Mr.ChristianGaebler(StateSecretaryforTransportandEnvironment,Berlin)

Mr.WilliamA.Bell(Birmingham,Alabama)

Mr.MilanBandic(Zagreb)

Mr.EnzoBianco(Catania)

Mr.EdwinLee(SanFrancisco)

Mr.LeolucaOrlando(Palermo)

Mr.MassimoZedda(Cagliari)

Mr.SamLiccardo(SanJos,California)

Mr.MphoParksTau(Johannesburg)

HonorableMrKagisoThutlwe(Gaborone,Botswana)

Mr.PauloGarcia(Goinia)

Mr.GustavoFruet(Curitiba)

Mr.AlfredOkoeVanderpuije(Accra)



Mr.TonyLloyd(Manchester)

Ms.ManuelaCarmena(Madrid)

Mr.MahamudoAmurane(Nampula)

Mr.GiulianoPisapia(Milan)

Mr.AntnioCarlosMagalhesNeto(Salvador)

Mr.NasereddineZenasni(Algiers)

Mr.VirginioMerola(Bologna)

Mr.GiorgioGori(Bergamo)

Mr.JeanOscarSanguzaMutunda(Lubumbashi)

Mr.FedericoPizzarotti(Parma)

(fromVaticanRadio)

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