From April through to September 2020 I led a series of webinar on the Good Shepherd Position Papers. These were supplemented by Theresa Symons, Director, MDO Office, Asia Pacific with application of the paper to ministry realities throughout the region. We have brought all the material together – the Powerpoints and the video recordings and uploaded them here for your use and convenience.
October 11, 2020 Day of the Girl – Asia Pacific Forum
The International Day of the Girl, IDG2020, with its Good Shepherd Asia Pacific Forum Panel was a historic groundbreaking event, a festival proclaiming girls’ rights with girls and for girls throughout the 19 countries of Asia Pacific. It was a truly global virtual experience. This event and its ongoing activities for 9 more weeks reach the epitome of collaboration and it was a privilege for the GSIJP Office in New York – Alexis and Winifred – to be actively engaged and participating. The event showcased girls’ voices, girls’ art work, girls’ music, girls’ poetry girls’ drama and girls’ dreams. While containing many elements of fun and creativity the message was
very clear – ‘we have experienced discrimination as girls.’ We must say no to every and all forms of violence perpetrated against girls whether in the name of religion, tradition or culture. The highlight for me was being the moderator of the panel with four eminent girl activists –
Their presentations were clarion calls as to what needs to be done in four distinct areas of discrimination, abuse and violence against girls – migration, girl activism, LGBTQI+ sensitivity and child early and forced marriage. In their very persons they demonstrated integrity, resilience and action for their cause.
The words of the theme song echo in my mind and heart even a week after the event: “We raise our voices… being feminine is a pride… empowered with vision for the future…with joy and power we claim our equal rights…resilience is our name…we break the silence… we are willing… we are ready… with vision and inspiration we claim our equal rights.” The logo and art work were inspirational reaching the stars and beyond!
And the message from it all – to quote Maya Angelou, an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, – “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” This light I saw shining clearly within the many girls from Asia Pacific who contributed to IDG2020. It was brightly shining in our
4 girl/youth advocate panelists and it shone brightly in Deepthi and Deeprka, showing us that it is never too early to be engaged! And the light has not dimmed in the many who collaborated to bring the event to fruition, technicians, videographers, teachers, mentors, administrators, and
our fearless leader, Theresa Symons!
Theme Song ‘Break the Silence”. Here is a second version “Break the Silence” which featured in the WGG Girls’ Speak Out on October 11 shown across multiply timezones.
Webinar October 13, 2020 RIMOA – Sorelle e Fratelli Tuti and the United Nations
October 15, 2020. Webinar on Migration – Mission Effectiveness USA
Panel Presentation on October 27 “RELIGIOUS WORKING IN INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING”
Webinar November 27, 2020 by invitation of Camarines Norte State College, in the Philippines
Webinar with Asia Pacific November 30, 2020
NEW January 3, 2021
Video Reording and PowerPoint slides on:
- Exploring programs/projects on LGBTQ+ issues
- LGBTIQ Inclusivity at Good Shepherd by GS Australia New Zealand
- Sharing of Experiences with LGBTQ Families by GS Philippines Japan
Supplementarty Material
UNANIMA International’s Webinar series on Family Homelessness/ Displacement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 3 parts ended on 10, December 2120. All the material is uploaded and availabe. If you are interested in homeslessness this is an excellent series
All Presentations:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uJlCcszpOIR8rrfzi6HJ1gGcjewYw9Xq?usp=sharing
Webinar One: Family Homelessness and the “Planet” SDGs – Webinar
Full recording – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWF09Bmc45I&t=594s
Webinar Two: Family Homelessness and the “People” SDGs
Full recording – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIpy2xvPDw0
Webinar Three: Family Homelessness and the “Peace,” “Prosperity,” and “Partnership” SDGs
Full recording – https://youtu.be/3z1mBlDuvGI
