IRTF News

Join International Allies for an update on the current situation of the anti’mining struggle in El Salvador and the fight to have the Santa Marta Five water defenders exonerated from all charges.

In December 2024, the Salvadorean legislature overturned the historic metallic mining ban that protected the country´s scarce water supply from the predatory practices of multinational mining corporations. As a response, a national anti-mining movement has emerged once again to remind politicians that the mining industry would exacerbate the multiple environmental challenges the country already faces; such as water scarcity, contamination, deforestation and the impacts of climate change. The continued criminalization of the Santa Marta Five water defenders, who have a court hearing on April 9, and the recent incarceration of human rights activists for providing legal advice to families fighting expropriations could be signs that more detentions are coming.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYX5-HCUoPMAlzSpwjm2a2iryR2Lg87PMBCtv334YBnmIkgg/viewform

“Climate change is the defining issue of our time and now is the defining moment to do something about it.” (António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations).

War and the Environment is a six-week online course that features six core modules, three interactive Zoom sessions, and a strong emphasis on reflective practice, collaborative learning, and community building throughout. As the world races to prevent climate collapse, finding solutions to today’s unprecedented socio-ecological challenges has never been more urgent. While discussions on climate change continue, it is crucial to address the elephant in the room—war. The call to end war is not just about peace and security: it is essential for the survival and flourishing of humanity and the planet.

As wars, preparations for wars, and environmental destruction escalate—and much of the focus remains on human conflict—it is vital to better understand and respond to the far-reaching impacts of war and militarism on people, all living beings, and the planet. This course empowers you to do just that. By doing so, it also addresses a question of central importance to everyone—how can we live together in more sustainable and peaceful ways? This is the most pressing challenge of our time; everything else is secondary.

Equal Exchange invites you to their Book Club Meet-ups: Apr 16 and May 7

The Racial Equity Buddies of Greater Cleveland organizes a powerful community gathering honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through music, discussion, and action. The program includes live gospel music, a panel on Dr. King’s unfinished work, interactive breakout sessions, and a closing drum circle to inspire collective action.

Register here: https://sites.google.com/view/racialequitybuddiesofgreatercl/home

The public is invited to the Don Shula Spring Lecture titled “Anarchism, Catholicism, and Love” by Laurie Johnson on Thursday, April 3rd co-organized and co-funded by the Don Shula Chair in Philosophy, Institute of Catholic Studies, and Raymond and Eleanor Smiley Chair in Business Ethics. Special thanks to Nathan Jun, Paul Murphy, and Bernard Prusak for their efforts to help organize this event.

The two lines of reflection Fr. Pedro Arrupe emphasizes in his 1973 address— “to deepen our understanding of the idea of justice,” and “to determine the character and quality of the type of people we want to form”—are still highly relevant, especially for a mission oriented Jesuit institution like John Carroll. In this lecture, Dr. Johnson will help us continue these lines of reflections by asking the following questions: Christians aspire to love other people and come to their aid, but what is the best way to do those things? Is it through supporting the best political party and government programs? Is it primarily accomplished by supporting charitable aid through donating to their churches and aid organizations? Is it better to engage in direct action unmediated by either government or charitable organization?

Dr. Johnson will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach through the example of the Catholic Worker movement