Former JRS/USA Outreach Coordinator Joins Ignatian Solidarity Network

Kim Miller

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OHIO – Kim Miller has joined the staff of the Ignatian Solidarity Network, assuming the role of program director on August 8, 2011.  The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) is a national social justice organization connecting members of Jesuit universities, high schools, parishes, current and former Jesuit volunteers, and many others, committed to working for justice inspired by faith in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Kim Miller graduated from Gonzaga University in 2009, earning a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Marketing and a minor in Broadcast Studies and Electronic Media.  Miller spent the next two years serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. During her first year, she worked with teens with developmental disabilities and provided programming and marketing services for STRIVE in South Portland, Maine.  In her second year, Kim served as an outreach coordinator for Jesuit Refugee Service/USA based in Washington, D.C. While at JRS/USA Miller created interactive refugee awareness programs and spoke to campus groups across the country.  In coming to work at ISN, she said this, “I am inspired by the Ignatian family members I meet, and look forward to continuing to empower students and parishioners to promote justice within their local and global communities.”

Haiti braces for Tropical Storm Emily

(UNITED NATIONS) August 3, 2011 — Nearly 12,000 United Nations peacekeepers are on emergency standby in Haiti as tropical storm Emily barrels towards the impoverished Caribbean country, which is still struggling to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and displaced 2.3 million others.

Some contingents of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which comprises 8,500 troops and 3,000 police, have already been deployed as a precautionary measure in regions that are most at risk from the storm, which is expected to hit the country overnight.

Treaty banning cluster bombs marks one year anniversary

(London) August 1, 2011 — Campaigners are calling on all countries to join the treaty banning cluster bombs, marking one year after it became binding international law.

“The best way to stop cluster bombs from being used is to join this treaty and do so now,” said Laura Cheeseman, director of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC). “We are winning the battle against cluster bombs, but need all states to join the team against these deadly weapons.”

A total of 109 countries are now on board the Convention on Cluster Munitions. In the 12 months since it  entered into force internationally, 21 countries that previously signed the treaty have ratified it, and one country has acceded (a one-step process of signing and ratifying).

“An impressive amount has been achieved in the cluster bomb ban treaty’s first year of life,” said Laura Cheeseman, director of the Cluster Muition Coalition (CMC).“Stockpiles are being destroyed and contaminated land is being cleared, preventing thousands more lives being lost as a result of these weapons,” she added.