News February 2008

Unpleasant Valentine Truths at the UN

Dr Jonathan Gallagher at the UN

New York, NY, USA… A briefing at the United Nations headquarters in New York on February 14 highlighted some unpleasant truths regarding Valentine’s Day products, reports Jonathan Gallagher, UN representative for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“It was both fascinating and disturbing to learn about workers involved in supplying the huge demand in the West for chocolates and flowers for Valentine’s Day,” Gallagher notes. “The fact that it takes thirty cargo flights a day for two weeks before the day just to supply the cut flowers for bouquets was astounding. But what’s even more astounding are the conditions for workers in the industry, mainly based in Colombia and Ecuador. Similarly, labor situations in the production of chocolate came in for criticism. As one panelist noted, most people lining up for such items at Grand Central Station probably had no idea how what they were buying was produced.”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has long been an advocate of human dignity, and has consistently defended human rights around the world. “We value human beings as sons and daughters of God,” Gallagher commented, “and we want to ensure that each one is treated fairly and well, recognizing that ‘the laborer is worthy of his hire.’ Exploitation and abuse should have no part in the way we treat our fellow human beings.” [PARL News]

Germany: Church UN Office Looks for Web Development

Jonathan Gallagher with translator Rolf Pohler speaking at the 2008 staonline forum in Germany

Muhlenrahmede, Germany... UN Representative for the Seventh-day Adventist Church Dr Jonathan Gallagher used the opportunity as guest speaker for the staonline conference in Germany to seek opportunities for web development.

"This group has already made highly significant contributions to the Church's online presence," comments Gallagher. "It was a privilege to return and speak to this group and to encourage them to continue this high level support of vital Internet activities. Over the past several years the participants have really made sure that the Church, especially in Europe, has a high profile online. We appreciate this work by dedicated professionals working together with church representatives."

Gallgher also pointed to possibilities that came out of the meeting for greater involvement in the web development of sites for the UN and PARL work. The conference which ran from February 22-24 had as its theme "HotBlogMission--writing online for God.".

The staonline group has held annual forum meetings for the last thirteen years, working in close collaboration with church officials. The group is led by Martin Haase and Stephan Brass. [PARL News]

Meeting in progress

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