The IHM Commitment to Justice, Peace and Sustainability |
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Since its founding in 1845, the IHM community has been committed to issues of justice, peace and sustainability. The original mission to educate young women was a matter of justice. Education provides opportunities and privileges not easily available to those without it. Since the 1960s, the focus on social justice and peace became a more conscious choice for congregational decisions. Sisters joined urban and civil rights groups to become informed on social issues and to influence decision-making. In 1972, the community affirmed a commitment to channel the resources of the congregation, to eradicate the causes of injustice and oppression and to create and promote structures to correct inequities in society. In 1976, the community began its work in socially responsible investing through stock portfolio screening, proxy voting, alternative community investments, shareholder actions and collaborations within the corporate responsibility movement. The IHM community continues to promote peace and non-violence, solidarity with the materially poor, economic justice and the development of an ecological consciousness in order to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. The community currently sponsors the IHM Justice, Peace and Sustainability Office (JPSO), staffed by Nancy Seubert and Sarah Nash. JPSO helps to facilitate and coordinate the community's work in justice, peace and sustainability. Recognizing the many interconnected needs of the world, the work is focused around ecological integrity, social justice, economic justice and peacemaking and global solidarity. These issues correspond with the IHM community's congregational priorities and with the fundamental principles outlined in The Earth Charter. The internet is emerging as a powerful tool for communication, education and activism. We encourage visitors to our justice, peace and sustainability pages to avoid emotional overload by becoming informed and tracking one or two issues within these interrelated sections.
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