Human Rights Training in Solomon Islands
– a Franciscan-Dominican initiative.
A Human Rights Training workshop was held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, 23-29 October 2022
A brief report-back on this initiative was held at Rosary Lodge, Sydney on 2nd March, 2023, with three Solomon Island Sisters sharing their experiences of this event.
Franciscans-International and Dominicans for Justice and Peace have a combined office in Geneva where they work with the Human Rights section of the United Nations. Regular zoom training sessions on Human Rights occurred for 18 months with Franciscan and Dominican family members in the Solomon Islands. Sr Teresa OP and Br Christopher SSF (Minister General of the Anglican Franciscans), were the main presenters. Sr Rose Mary OP and Fr Kevin OP joined in the zoom sessions, preparing for the 6-day intensive training workshop in Honiara. There were 30 Solomon Island participants. Four members came from Geneva and two from Australia.
Climate change is an ever-present threat to human rights – to clean water, to growing food, to having access to education, health, housing, and basic needs. Climate change is a major problem for island nations. Logging has worsened its effects.
Some senior students from Santa Sabina College joined for the second half of the report-back at Rosary Lodge, which focused on the role of the United Nations in Human Rights.
Br Chris outlined United Nations (UN) Human Rights procedures and how the UN carries out Universal Periodic Reviews (UPRs) of the human rights situations in countries. Franciscan-Dominican family members contributed to the UPR of the Solomon Islands delivered in 2021
Sr Marie OP spoke of her experience and that of families living in Solomon villages affected by logging. She witnessed how important human rights are for local communities. Sr Rose spoke briefly about political and civil rights; the imbalance of power between large and small countries; and the role of Transparency International Solomons.
The Franciscans and Dominicans in Solomon Islands are planning further education on human rights to help others in local communities find justice and peace. Solomon Islands people are community-centred. They work and pray together. We can learn from each other. The future of both of our countries will be shaped by those who are students now.