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The Medical Mission Sisters are among many religious groups participating in an "Unhappy Birthday" gathering on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Washington, D.C., on April 21. On April 22, a Prayer Vigil sponsored by the Religious Working Group on the World Bank and IMF will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., between 18th and 19th Streets. Its theme is: "Cry of the People, Cry of the Earth: Will the World Bank and IMF Respond?" For a complete schedule of events, please visit www.jubileeusa.org. One reason for the "unhappy birthday" is that life expectancy in the least developed countries has not improved in 50 years, while in the developed countries it has risen to 80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sister Philo Morris reports on a March meeting of the Economic and Social Council High-Level Segment Preparatory Meeting at the United Nations in New York. "Implementing global anti-poverty goals topped the agenda," she said. Needs for increased foreign direct investment, debt cancellation, and trade opportunities were discussed. Jeffrey Sachs, Secretary-General Kofi Anna's Special Advisor on the Millenium Development Goals, also spoke about the thousands who are dying in Africa from HIV/AIDS, and the 30,000 children worldwide who die every day from preventable diseases. "He asked to focus the attention on the dying, rather than on budgetary constraints," Sister Philo explained. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 22 is Earth Day. 34 years ago, in the largest demonstration of its kind, millions of people came together to draw attention to their concern for the environment. "Building a sustainable society is the critical challenge of this century. Everything depends on it," says Senator Gaylord Nelson, the Founder of Earth Day. In every nation in which we are in mission, Medical Mission Sisters are now more conscious of the ecological dimension of health and healing, and more aware of the impact of our choices and decisions on the well-being of the community of life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medical Mission Sisters' gift cards have just been printed. Pictured here, these cards can be used to honor the memory of someone special to you, or a notable event such as a birthday or anniversary. For a brochure/order form, please contact us at mmsorg@medicalmissionsisters.org.
April 15,
2004
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