Our Effect

Texas United Methodists hope to take 500 people to the U.S. capital to demonstrate for comprehensive immigration reform.

Nationwide effort presses for 2010 passage of immigration reform.

Women, girls particularly at risk in humanitarian crises, including natural disasters.

Supreme Court ruling increases urgency to reform campaign financing laws.

Recognition accompanies annual Justice Sunday observance.

With only 5% of world’s population, U.S. has 25% of incarcerated.

Diverse coalition sponsors vigil in Senate Upper Park across from U.S. Capitol, speakers include members of Congress.

Authentic health-care reform must not be denied in favor of grotesque profits or thwarted by demagoguery.

Candlelight vigil in U.S. capital to urge Congress to pass legislation now.

Document answers some of the most frequent, egregious statements of reform opponents.

Faithful Reform in Health Care has prepared a prayer to share with members of Congress.

Social justice agency believes bill will expand coverage to vulnerable citizens.

GBCS issues action alert to stop Senators from unfairly penalizing women in their bill.

Legislation makes it illegal to punish employees because of sexual orientation or gender identity.

6th annual event to familiarize clergy, ages 35 and under, with United Methodist Social Principles and legislative advocacy priorities.

Faith-based alliance seeks just legislation on greenhouse emissions, U.S. presence at Copenhagen.

More than decade passed since act first introduced.

Faith community expresses ‘strong support,’ says public option would reflect U.S.’s moral and ethical character.

United Methodist social justice agency says legislation would make life-saving difference.

Sen. Durbin cites efforts of United Methodist Church in announcing legislation.

There is much that needs to be done to arrest global hunger and poverty, and realize economic and social development. Collective and multilateral action must demonstrate its effectiveness "to perfect the triangle of development, freedom and peace," to quote Kofi Annan in his earlier Millennium Report, "We the peoples" (A/54/2000). The Millennium Development Goals are one such collective and multilateral document in which Heads of States, having galvanized their resolve to address global hunger and poverty, accepted to a set of benchmarks by which to measure their time-bound targets, datelined 2015, of halving extreme poverty, putting all children into primary school, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and developing a global partnership for development that harness the resources and potentials of governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups and the private sector.

Human rights are global values that are at the foundational core of international law and practice. Enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations is this fundamental belief in human rights. The Charter says, "We the people of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom..."

Humanitarian affairs deal with issues that could mean life and death for specific populations. Such populations could include refugees fleeing war and conflict from their homelands. It could be internally displaced peoples arising from both natural disasters (like floods, droughts, storms and earthquakes) and human-made catastrophes (like landmines, nuclear explosions, oil spills). Many times, humanitarian action means coordinating humanitarian activities and the provision of assistance and protection for affected and vulnerable populations, but also in building up the capacities of entire communities so that not only can they cope with ongoing humanitarian challenges but eventually rise up to be sustainable and stable societies again.

International law, or more precisely public international law, governs and concerns the relations between and among sovereign nations, including other international bodies of standing. International norms and laws are developed mainly from multilateral conventions, especially those that find support and meaning from conventional and customary laws. The United Nations, including the International Labor Organization, which predates the founding of the UN but is now part of the UN system, are primary venues for the codification of international laws. There are many other sources of international law, including the international agreements that arise from international organizations like the World Health Organization, UNESCO, UNICEF, IMF and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"The world must advance the causes of security, development and human rights together; otherwise, none will succeed. Humanity will not enjoy security without development, it will not enjoy development without security, and it will not enjoy either without respect for human rights. In a world of interconnected threats and opportunities, it is in each country's self-interest that all of these challenges are addressed effectively." (Introduction to the Report of the Secretary General (Kofi Annan) to the United Nations, "In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All")

• Overcome global poverty
  GBCS supports legislation that helps to end global poverty. Foreign aid reform, fair trade, debt cancellation, and major reform of international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, are instrumental ways the United States can lead to end poverty on God’s world.
• End the war in Afghanistan and promote a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine
• Senate ratification of the ‘Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty’ and a nuclear weapons reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia

Related topics: Global Poverty and Hunger, Middle East, Nuclear Weapons, Peace with Justice, United Nations

Contact: Mark Harrison or Levi Bautista

National Council of Churches expresses ‘extreme alarm’ over arrests.

Women, girls particularly at risk in humanitarian crises, including natural disasters.

Is there anything anyone can do to bring this country out of its extreme poverty?

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's 7 priorities, include Millennium Development Goals, climate change agreement.

Advent Bible study expands awareness of obstetric fistula to more than 23 conferences.

International family-planning initiative funded by U.N. Foundation also involves General Board of Global Ministries.

Religious leaders say U.S. has responsibility to commitment toward reducing carbon emissions.

World Council of Churches calls for ‘chain of bells and prayers’ around the world.

Winkler calls for end to immoral practice.

Last year 117 million people stood up demanding end to poverty and inequality.

Long-standing collaboration helps improve lives of children around the world.

Fact sheet breaks government reports into digestible bites.

Just as the boy gave his 2 fish to feed the 5,000, United Methodist Sunday school children have been making a difference around the world.

Attending annual meeting of U.N. Commission on Status of Women leads to disquieting questions and self-assessment.

Youths must seize the moment to begin now shaping the world they want.

Bautista calls for human rights-based approach to health.

Return of ousted president urged.

Settlement may open door to multinational corporations being accountable for their environmental and social actions.

Civil society forum is needed at next month’s U.N. event in Geneva.

Statement emphasizes that ‘silence and inaction’ are not how to engage racism.

Workshop will feature parent affected by murder and best-selling author.

Defendants charged with criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse during peaceful demonstration at casino site.

Conference solicited accounts of experiences from Civil Rights Movement 'to inspire others to keep pressing toward the Promised Land.'

'Shocking’ statistics prompt project to engage United Methodists in dialogue.

Participants will learn ways to better take care of the planet.

A message of peace in three languages marked the beginning of a long-term effort to stop violence plaguing a South Florida community.

Faith communities in 24 states, Puerto Rico, Kenya and Iraq pray to change U.S. system.

Is there anything anyone can do to bring this country out of its extreme poverty?

Tough economic times stimulate unChristian ideas on how to deal with the poor.

With only 5% of world’s population, U.S. has 25% of incarcerated.

Advent Bible study expands awareness of obstetric fistula to more than 23 conferences.

Workshops offered in Spanish and English will explore what Bible says about immigrants.

International family-planning initiative funded by U.N. Foundation also involves General Board of Global Ministries.

United Methodist Ministries, Omaha, Neb., invites jr. and sr. high youth groups to take part in service projects.

Appeal for unification of families, protection of fundamental rights and fixing broken system.

Network began as Hispanic ministries outreach of First United Methodist Church, Stephenville.

Event will feature internationally renowned speakers and focus within a larger criminal justice context.

General Board of Church & Society chief executive's presentation touted as ‘Christmas gift to community.’

6th annual event to familiarize clergy, ages 35 and under, with United Methodist Social Principles and legislative advocacy priorities.