Dear Friends,

Despite the uncertain future after this illegal invasion of Iraq by the USA, UK and Australia, we need to continue to carry out our planned activities. Like previous years, various programes - global and regional - are now under way.

Below and attached is the E-Update No 17 for your participation and contribution.

I wish you all the best and much success.

Anselmo Lee
Secretary General

Main News

• ICMICA Global Activities in 2003
• Human Rights Internship Program
• (Geneva, March 10 to April 25, 2003)
• Southern African Lay Leadership Training
• (Harare, Aug. 23 to 28, 2003)
• Asia/Pacific Catholic Social Forum (Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 21 to 27, 2003)
• European Conferences
  • Prepatory – Vilnius, Lithuania May 30 to June 1
  • Main – Luxembourg, Sept. 3 to 6, 2003
• Latin America
• International Council Meeting
• (Metz, France, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2003)

Human Rights Internship Program (Geneva, Switzerland, March 10 to April 25, 2003)

The annual human rights internship program began on March 10, a week before the opening of the 59th Session of the UN Commission for Human Rights (CHR) in Geneva. Six interns are presently participating in the program and several more are expected to join. Like in the previous years, the program which ends on April 25, 2003 is conducted by ICMICA senior advisor Mr Joseph Rajkumar.

The second human rights internship program will be in Geneva from July 21 to Aug. 16, 2003 (four weeks) in conjunction with the 55th Session of the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights (July 28 to Aug. 15, 2003). Deadline for application is May 1, 2003.

African Lay Leadership Training (Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 23 to 28, 2003)

The Harare lay leadership advocacy training workshop is to bring some 50 participants, mainly from the Southern African countries, who are involved in justice and peace, human rights and sustainable development advocacy. This joint program with the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishop of Southern Africa (IMBISA) Justice and Peace Desk aims to empower the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Contents of the workshop include current issues in human rights and sustainable development in relation to UN, the emerging global issues such as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

Asia/Pacific Catholic Social Forum (Kuala Limpur, Oct. 21 to 27, 2003)

The Kuala Lumpur Catholic Social Forum in October will serve as a regional plattform for socially-engaged Catholics in Asia and the Pacific on ways to work more effectively with the Church and the civil society. About 50 including clergy and religious are expected to participate in the Forum. During the Forum, the outcome and impact of the 1998 Manila Forum on the Asian Synod will be reviewed in light of the forthcoming 8th FABC Plenary Assembly (South Korea, August 2004). An inter-religious dialogue on Palestine in conjunction with the annual summit of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will also be held in partnership with Muslim NGOs. In terms of future strategic action, it will discuss the participation in the 2004 World Social Forum IV in India, called "Asian Synod + 5", which is a follow-up to the Manila Forum on the Asian Synod.

European Conferences (Vilnius, May 30 to June 1, 2003 / Luxembourg, Sept. 3 to 6, 2003)

The European Conference themed, "Which Europe? – Ethical and Constitutional Challenge to the European Project will take place in Luxembourg from Sept. 3 to 6, 2003. The Conference organized by ICMICA European Europe in cooperation with the local federation, ALUC (Association Luxembourgeoise des Universitaries) is expected to gather about 100 participants from Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

As part of the preparation to the conference, ICMICA Europe is planning to organize a preparatory meeting themed, the European Construction Process and Eastern Europe in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania from May 30 to June 1, 2003.

Latin America

An informal meeting among ICMICA members from Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay was held in Porto Alegre during the World Social Forum III. Participants shared their experiences from various contexts as ICMICA members. Patricio Rode, International President and Javier Iguiniz, Vice-President for Latin America updated the group on the movement’s activities at the continental and global levels respectively. The next WSF IV will take place in India.

International Council Meeting (Metz, France, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2003)

The 90th Session of the ICMICA Annual International Council meeting will be held in Metz, France from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2003. It was initially planned to take palce in West Africa in July. Those who will be attending the Luxembourg European Conference and wish to attend the Council meeting can travel together to Metz which an hours’ drive from Luxembourg. The forthcoming Council is expected to decide the venue, date and theme of the next 29th Plenary Assembly in 2004.

News in Brief

Patricio Rode met with Mr Raimon Ribera, new director of UNESCO Centre in Barcelona and signed an agreement of cooperation between the centre and Pax Romana ICMICA. Mr Felix Marti retired as the centre’s director in February

Patricio Rode attended the European Liaison Committee (ELC) meeting in Tirana, Albania. The group has applied for a full membership in ICMICA

Anselmo Lee and Kevin Ahern, Pax Romana Representative to UN in New York, and Chair of The Conference of NGOs in consultative relationship with the United Nations (CONGO) Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) attended the CONGO Board Meeting in New York from March 13 to 14

Anselmo Lee, during his stay in Louvain-la-Neuve, with Mr Lucien Morren and Ana Maria de Serrano, member of ICMICA federation in Belgium, paid his respect to the late Ms Helene Morren