In It for the Long Haul
Inter Pares staff members are often asked how we maintain hope for peace and justice in an increasingly militarized and violent world. Along with drawing strength from the courageous work of our counterparts in different countries, we are continually inspired by our community of supporters in Canada. With every gift, letter or telephone call we receive, our work is reaffirmed. Despite geographic distances and varying backgrounds, our supporters make it clear: solidarity for a better world exists.
One such supporter, the Sœurs de la Congrégation de Notre Dame from Montreal, shares this sentiment with us. Underpinning each financial contribution to Inter Pares are their politics for social change, and their vision that social action can lead to the dignity of all human beings. As Sister Jauvin puts it, "We are not looking to temporarily bail out those in need; instead we want to transform the conditions which create injustice...for us the most important thing is that every human being have autonomy and be a valued member of their community, however long this takes."
One of the guiding principles for the Sisters’ social justice work is eliminating violence against women. As Sister Jauvin recounts, “Women are the heart of the community; if they suffer injustice, the entire community cracks…everything is linked, one injustice leads to another.”
For this reason, the Sisters have generously supported Inter Pares’ work in Guatemala. Seeking to promote women’s human rights and deepen their political participation, this work recently brought 65 women survivors of sexual violence to pursue their goals for justice, reparations and healing in the wake of decades of armed conflict.
The Sisters recognize that transforming deeply entrenched injustices is a long-term commitment from which they may not see immediate outcomes – an inspiring task they are willing to take on, like many Inter Pares supporters. The dynamic relationships Inter Pares forges with communities around the world are fuelled at the source by individual donors and organizations that provide social, political, and financial support. The activism of these essential actors may often go unnoticed – however it is their long-term commitment that allows the work for justice to be sustained.
| Reviewed February 02, 2009 |  |
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