fi annual report eng 2017 - franciscans international

Annual Report 2017Franciscans International

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Cover photo: © UNHCR/Markel Redondo Genesis A. Cerrato, 16, with her one-year old son in the room they are renting in Tenosique, Mexico. Genesis, along with her whole family, fled Honduras escaping the increasing violence in her home country.

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Franciscans International Annual Report 2017

IntroductionLetterfromthePresident 4LetterfromtheExecutiveDirector 5AboutFranciscans International 7

GlobalEngagement 9

RegionalprogramsAfricaProgram 13AmericasProgram 17Asia-PacificProgram 21

FinancesFinancialReport2017 24

HelpusprotectHumanRights 25

DonorAcknowledgment 25

Staff 26

InternationalBoardofDirectors 26

4 / Annual Report 2017

/ Letter from the President /

AsPresidentoftheInternationalBoardofDirectorsofFranciscansInternational,IampleasedtoofferyoutheAnnualReportfor2017.Thispublicationpresentsthemainactivitiesofourorganization.Ithighlights

thebreadth,depthandimpactofourwork,andprovidesanentrypointintoouradvocacyworkatbothlocalandinternationallevels.

In2016,followinganevaluationoftheorganization,FranciscansInternationaldevelopedafour-yearinstitutionalstrategy;2017hasbeenitsfirstyearofimplementation.Itsetsgoalsforbothadvocacyworkandorganizationaldevelopment.

Withinthisframework,FranciscansInternationaldecidedtostrengthenitscapacitytohaveanimpactonmultiplelevels.TogetherwiththemanagementteamandinlinewiththeStrategicPlan2017-2020,wehiredapersoninNewYorktorepresentusattheUnitedNations,thusreinforcingouradvocacypresencethere.

Further,wedevelopedanoutreachprogramgearedtotheFranciscanFamily,includinganinternshipopportunityforFranciscanfriarsandsisters.ItaimstoprovidetheinternabetterunderstandingoftheworkofFranciscansInternationalandenableshimorhertoeffectivelycommunicatethecloserelationshipbetweentheFranciscancharismandhumanrights.

OnbehalfoftheInternationalBoardofDirectorsofFranciscansInternationalandoftheConferenceoftheFranciscanFamily,Iwanttothankallwhohavecontributedtomakingourworkpossible.IwouldespeciallyliketoremembertheFranciscanOrdersandCongregationswhocontinuetosupportthiscommonministryoftheFranciscanFamily,thefundingagenciesandfoundations,ourpartners,andallthosewhohavecollaboratedwithFranciscansInternational.InparticularIwanttothankthestaffandmanagementfortheirexcellentworkanddedication.

MayGodcontinuetoblessourimportantmission!

Joseph Rozansky, OFMPresident, Franciscans International Board of Directors

5 Annual Report 2017 /

/ Letter from the Executive Director /

Throughout2017,humandignity,equalityandrightshavebeenunderrelentlessassaultinamultitudeofplaces.FromJapantothePhilippines,fromtheMexicanbordertotheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,politicalviolenceandhumanrightsabuseshavepersistentlymadeheadlines.

Formanyyears,FranciscansInternationalhasbeenattheforefrontofhumanandenvironmentalrightsprotectionadvocatingattheUnitedNationswithkeynationalandinternationalstakeholdersonbehalfofaffectedcommunities.

WiththeadditiontotheteamofaRepresentativetotheUnitedNationsinNewYork,FranciscansInternationalisincreasingitspresence,profile,andadvocacyengagementinkeyinternationalpolicy-makingprocesses,liketheUNGlobalCompactforMigrationandtheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Atthesametime,thankstotheeffortsofaFranciscaninternfocusingonoutreach,weintensifiedourcommunicationtotheFranciscanFamilyworldwide.

2017hasalsobeentheyearinwhichFranciscansInternational’sstafftravelledtoAssisitohonetheirunderstandingoftheoriginoftheFranciscancharism.There,togetherwiththeInternationalBoardofDirectorsstaffmembershadtheopportunitytobeinspiredbythelivesandactionsofFrancisandClaretocarryouttheirhumanrightswork.

Finally,astheExecutiveDirector,andonbehalfofallstaff,Iwishtoexpressmysinceregratitudetoallthosewhocontributedtomakethisimportantworkpossible.Inparticular,theFranciscanOrdersandCongregations,thefundingagencies,ourpartners,andallourcollaborators.Withoutthissupport,FranciscansInternationalwouldnotbeinthepositionofworkingtocreateaglobalcommunitywherethedignityofeverypersonisrespected,resourcesaresharedequitably,theenvironmentissustained,andnationsandpeoplesliveinpeace.

Markus Heinze, OFMExecutive Director, Franciscans International

Franciscans International in Numbers

Facebook live viewers

External speaking events Franciscans Family members reached in 11 Franciscan gatherings

Newsletter subscribers

FI recommendations included in United Nations reports

Advocacy events and conferences

International networks FI works with

Advocacy interventions and submissions at the United Nations

Field partners advocating at the United Nations

Media mentions across 11 countries

4.0008.000

66

13 38

19

18

42

1.100

62 %

Influence Impact

7 Annual Report 2017 /

/ About Franciscans International /Foralmost30years,FranciscansInternationalhasworkedtirelesslytobringtotheattentionofpolicymakersthehumanrightsissuesthatFranciscansandourlaypartnersexperienceatthegrassrootslevel.Workingwithcivilsocietyinover30countriesacrossfourcontinents,FranciscansInternationaltacklessomeofthemostpressinghumanrightsissuesofourtimes.

AtthecoreofFranciscansInternational’smissionisabeliefinthedignityofallpeople,whichislivedoutinacommitmenttoprotectingandpreservinghumanrightsandtheenvironment.Weuseadvocacyasatooltocombatandcurbhumanrightsabuses,andtoreclaimthecentralroleofhumanrightsintheformulationandframingofnationalandinternationalpublicpolicies.Webelievethathumanrightsmustbeattheheartofallpoliticalprocesses,inparticularthosethatarerelatedtointernationaldevelopment,theenvironment,andsecurity.

WithofficesinGenevaandNewYork,FranciscansInternationalhasasignificantroletoplayindenouncinghumanrightsviolationsandinsupportinghumanrightsdefendersinaneffectiveway.Throughevidence-basedadvocacy,discussionandcapacitybuilding,andbyprovidingourpartnerswiththeopportunitytoaddressthehumanrightsviolationsoccurringintheircommunitiesdirectlyattheUnitedNations,weareabletoengageandfulfillourmissionofpromotingsocialandenvironmentaljustice,andpeace.

FranciscansInternationaloperatesunderthesponsorshipoftheConferenceoftheFranciscanFamily(CFF),composedoftheMinistersGeneraloftheConventuals(OFMConv.),theCapuchins(OFMCap.),theOrderofFriarsMinor(OFM),theThirdOrderRegular(TOR),theSecularFranciscans(OFS),andthePresidentoftheInternationalFranciscanConferenceoftheSistersandBrothersoftheThirdOrderRegular(IFC-TOR).TheInternationalBoardofDirectors,whichincludesrepresentativesfromeachbranchoftheCFFandonefromtheSocietyofSaintFrancis(anAnglicanFranciscancommunity),andthemanagementteamofFranciscansInternationaloverseetheactivitiesofFranciscansInternationaltoensurethattheorganizationsupportsandmaintainstheFranciscanFamily’scommitmenttojusticeandpeacethroughouttheworld.

FranciscansInternationalisanon-profitwhichoperatesonlythankstogenerousdonationsfrompublic,privateandFranciscansources.

©UNPhoto/CiaPakGeneralAssemblyattheUNinNewYorkholdingabriefspecialsegmenttomark

thefirstanniversaryoftheadoptionofthe2030AgendaandtheSustainable

DevelopmentGoals.

©UNPhoto/ManuelEliasAviewoftheUnitedNationsflagflyinginasummerday.

8 / Annual Report 2017

Franciscans International offices

9 Annual Report 2017 /

Global EngagementThe2017-2020StrategicPlanoutlinesclearoverarchingthematicprioritiesandhighlightsthehumanrightsissuesforwhichglobalprocesseswithintheUnitedNationsarehighlyrelevant.

ThecoreobjectivesthathavebeenpursuedbyFranciscansInternationalinthesevariousprocessesaretoupholdandintegratehumanrightsinStates’policiesandtoadvocateforincreasedprotection,especiallyofmarginalizedanddisadvantagedindividualsandgroups.

Human rights in global debates Toachievetheseobjectives,inadditiontothecontinuousengagementinGeneva,FranciscansInternationalhasstrengtheneditscapacityintheNewYorkofficetofollowandcontributetothevariousglobalprocessestakingplaceattheUNHeadquarters.

Togetherwithpartners,FranciscansInternationalhasworkedtopromotetheintegrationofhumanrightsintotheimplementationoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).Specifically,weinitiatedworktodocumentandcriticallyassessthelinkbetweenStates’existinghumanrightsobligationsandtheirimplementationoftheSDGs.WehavealsobeenadvocatingwithStatesandotheractorsinGenevaandinNewYorkforamoreactiveroleofhumanrightsprotectionmechanismsinthefollow-upandmonitoringoftheSDGs.

In2017,FranciscansInternationalalsopursueditsengagementwithinternationaldebatesontherelationbetweenclimatechangeandhumanrightsatboththeUNClimateChangeConferenceCOP23,inBonn,andattheUNHumanRightsCouncil.FranciscansInternationalfocuseditseffortswithinthisrealmspecificallyontheissuesarounddisplacementandmigrationduetotheimpactofclimatechangeandtheslowonsetofenvironmentalcrisis.

Ourengagementwithglobalprocessesincludedquestioningtherepressiveresponsestoglobalchallengessuchasmigration,thecriminalizationofsocialprotestsandpoverty.

It was an educative training with empowering trainers on issues such as poverty eradication and SDGs. I will make sure to transfer the training experience to my community in the Mukuru slum.

EvansOmondi,Communityleader

MukuruinformalsettlementNairobi,Kenya

©FI/ChristianSenoExternalviewoftheUnitedNationsOfficeatGeneva.

New York

Geneva

10 / Annual Report 2017

Local voicesTomaketheseglobalprocessesmorerelevantforaffectedcommunities,FranciscansInternationalensuredthedirectparticipationintheinternationalforadealingwithsustainabledevelopmentforpeoplelivinginextremepoverty.Wealsoensuredtheparticipationofnationalpartnerswithintheinternationaldebateonbusinessaccountability.

Mr.EvansOmondi,arepresentativeoftheresidentsoftheMukuruinformalsettlementinNairobi,Kenya,joinedFranciscansInternationalattheHighLevelPoliticalForumonSustainableDevelopmentinNewYork,inJuly2017.

Mr.Omondi’sengagementwastheresultoftheworkthatFranciscansInternational’sfieldpartnershavedoneinKenyausingtheHandbookonExtremePoverty–publishedbytheInternationalMovementATDFourthWorldandFranciscansInternationalin2015–asaninstrumentofchange.CommunitiesinMukurudevelopedtheirstrategyandengagedindirectadvocacywithlocalauthoritiestoimprovetheirsituationintermsofaccesstoinfrastructuresandsecurityoflandtenure.

AsaMukurucommunitymemberandrepresentative,Mr.OmondiattendedtheHighLevelPoliticalForumandwasabletoobservehowKenyapresentedtotheinternationalcommunityitseffortsagainstextremepoverty.Havingaccesstothisprocess,hesaid,empoweredhimtoadvocatefurtherwithlocalauthorities.

Supporting partners in increasing their capacitiesFranciscansInternationalbelievesitiscrucialtobringlocalvoicestoglobalprocesses,assistingaffectedpeopletospeakforthemselves,andtobedirectlyinvolvedinsupportingtheinternationalpolicy-makingprocessesthataffectthem.Forthesereasonsweassistpartnerstodeveloptheirskillsinadvocacyandorganizingforsocialchangeandinexchangingexperienceswithothers.InSeptember2017,elevenparticipantsfromtencountriesacrosstheglobegatheredatFranciscansInternational’sofficeinGenevatoparticipateinatrainingfocusingonhumanrights,SDGs,andclimatechange.Theparticipantssharedtheirexperiencesaroundextremepoverty,landgrabbing,waterandsanitation,andbusinessabuses.Theydiscussedtheseissueswithinternationalexperts;andidentifiedstrategicwaystoengagewiththeUNinNewYorkandGeneva.Toputtheoryintopractice,someparticipantstooktheopportunityofbeinginGenevatolobbydiplomaticmissions,andtomeetUNspecialrapporteurs’teams.

Ourpartnersleftthetraininghavinghonedtheirtechnicalknowledge,butalsohavingfleshedoutmoreconcreteactionplans.Severaloftheprojectsdiscussedduringthevarioussessionsarealreadyunderway–includingafollow-upregionalseminarthattookplaceinUganda,inDecember2017.

Documenting specific human rights violationsInthepastyear,FranciscansInternationalhasalsocontinueddocumentinganddenouncinghumanrightsviolationsaffectingspecificcommunities.Wehaverecordedandspokenoutagainstattacksonhumanrightsdefenderscarriedoutinthecontextofnationaleconomicgrowthanddevelopmentstrategies–e.g.megaprojectsformining,dams,andindustrialcomplexes.

Inparticular,FranciscansInternational,togetherwithpartners,haspublishedtwocasestudiesfocusingonminingprojectsintheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongoandinPeru.

Thank you FI for focusing on assisting us at the grassroots and facilitating our work at the UN level. Keep up the excellent work.

FI's work at the UN is a great source of pride and encouragement for me and my brothers.

Sr.AnneCelestineAchieng,FSSJ,Boardmember

Justice,PeaceandIntegrityofCreationFranciscansAfrica

Kenya

ClarkBerge,SSF,MemberoftheInternational

BoardofDirectors

11 Annual Report 2017 /

Thesecasestudies,whichdenouncedhumanrightsviolationsandenvironmentaldamagecausedbyextractiveindustries,wereanimportantelementofourengagementattheUNOpen-endedIntergovernmentalWorkingGrouponTransnationalCorporationsandotherBusinessEnterpriseswithrespecttoHumanRights(IGWG),whichtookplaceinGeneva,inOctober2017.There,togetherwithlongstandingpartnersweadvocatedfortheelaborationoffuturebindinginternationalrulesforincreasedbusinessaccountabilityforhumanrightsabuses.

©Unsplash/JonnyCaspariHeavymachineryatworkinamine.

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/ Africa Program /

FranciscansInternational’sengagementintheAfricaregioninthepastyearhasfocusedmainlyontheissuesofsecurity,environmentalrights,extremepovertyandontheprotectionoftherightsofwomenandchildren.

Democratic Republic of the CongoThepoliticalcrisisintheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo(DRC),wheredemocracyisunderthreatandviolenceandhumanrightsviolationsarerecurrent,hasbeentheobjectofclosescrutinyandadvocacywork.

OfparticularconcernwasthesituationintheKasairegion,wherepeopleweremassacredbythethousandsand1.4millionpeoplewereinternallydisplaced.PartneringwiththeNationalEpiscopalConferenceoftheCongo(CENCO),FranciscansInternationalworkedtobringthiscrisistotheforefrontoftheinternationaldebate.

Duringthe35thSessionoftheUNHumanRightsCouncil(HRC),FranciscansInternationalorganizedaconferencewiththeparticipationofMsgr.FridolinAmbongoBesungu,thevice-presidentofCENCO.HegavehisperspectiveonthepoliticalsituationinthecountryandadvocatedforanindependentinternationalinvestigationontheatrocitiescommittedintheKasairegion.Attheendofthe35thsession,theHRCdecidedtosendateamofinternationalexpertstotheDRCtoconductaninvestigationintotheallegationsofhumanrightsviolationsandabusescommittedintheKasairegion.

Focus countries

Benin

Cameroon

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Zambia

Uganda

KenyaBenin

Cameroon

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Zambia

UgandaUganda

Kenya

13 Annual Report 2017 /

©MSF/MartaSoszynskaWomenandchildrenawaitmalnutritionconsultationattheMayiMuneneHealthCentre(DRC).

©FI/ChristianSenoMsgr.FridolinAmbongoBesungu,thevice-presidentofNationalEpiscopalConferenceof theCongo(CENCO).

Regional Programs

ZambiaFranciscansInternationalisalsoengagedinZambia,whereithaspartneredwiththeRuralWomen’sAssemblytoadvocatefortherespectofbasichumanrightsforthepopulationaffectedbymining.

Zambiaisacountryrichinnaturalresources,historicallytheireconomyhasreliedheavilyonmining.However,thewealthproducedbythissectorhasnotbeenredistributedequitablyamongstthepopulation.Zambia,infact,isacountrywherealargepartofthepopulationlivesinextremepovertyandwhereinequalitylevelsarehigh.

Evidencegatheredatthegrassrootsleveldemonstrateshow,inthepastdecades,communitieshavebeenforciblydisplacedfromtheirancestrallandstopavethewayforminingprojects.Thedisplacedcommunities,someevictedfromtheirhousesasearlyas2005,havenotreceivedpropercompensationandarestillstrugglingtosecuretheirbasicrights.

Miningalsohasanegativeimpactontheenvironmentintheareasofcurrentandpastoperations.Inthemajorityofaffectedcommunities,thewastefromlarge-scalemininghaspollutedlocalaquifersmakingwaterunsafetodrinkandtheirrigationoffieldsalmostimpossible.ThepollutionfromextractiveindustriesinZambiahassevererepercussionsontherighttohealth,waterandadequatefoodofthelocalpopulation,inparticular,small-scalefarmersandwomen.

FranciscansInternationalanditspartnershaveadvocatedforpolicychangeandfortheintroductionofenvironmentalsafeguardsattheinternationallevel.ThiseffortculminatedinthesubmissionofareporttotheUniversalPeriodicReview(UPR)ofZambiahighlightingtheissuesrelatingtomining.AsaresultofthisadvocacyactionStatesrecommendedZambiaensureeffectiveparticipationofaffectedcommunitiesindecisionmakingprocesseshavinganimpactonthem.

BeninChildren’srightsareanotherissueFranciscansInternationalhasbeenheavilyengagedinthroughout2017.Inparticular,wecontinuedworkingwiththeissueofritualinfanticideinNorthernBenin,thekillingofso-called‘witchchildren’.Theseareinfantswhoexperiencedan‘abnormal’birth,whichincludesamongothers:physicaldefects,thedeathofthemotherfollowingbirthing,oranonstandardpositionoftheinfantwhilebeingdelivered.

Todrawtheattentionoftheinternationalcommunitytothispractice,FranciscansInternationalfocuseditsadvocacyeffortsontheUPRofBenin.Withinthisframework,itprovidedtechnicalassistancetofieldpartnersfortheorganizationofthefirstUPRpre-sessionatthenationallevelinCotonou,Benin,whichgatheredcivilsocietyactorsanddiplomaticrepresentatives.Similarly,FranciscansInternationalfacilitatedtheparticipationofFranciscains-BénininlobbyingactivitiespriortothereviewaswellastheirparticipationtotheUPRsessionattheUnitedNationsinGeneva.TheseeffortscontributedtothecommitmentfromtheGovernmentofBenintotakeaction,ensuringeffectiveimplementationofthenewChildCode,includingtheprotectionofallchildrenfromharm.

14 / Annual Report 2017

FI has the ability to put us in contact with relevant bodies at the United Nations and to support us in the drafting of our advocacy material. Thanks to this, our advocacy is now echoed at the UN.

CyrilleEbotokoLongomo,JusticeandPeaceCommissionfor

theNationalEpiscopalConferenceofCongo,DRC(CENCO)

The collaboration with FI made a positive difference by ensuring that, during the CEDAW Committee in Geneva, I could draw attention to the sexual and gender-based violence that my community is facing in the informal settlement of Mukuru.

AnastasiaWakonyo,Representative

WangukanjaFoundationMukuruinformalsettlement

Nairobi,Kenya

15 Annual Report 2017 /

Mukuru, Nairobi, KenyaManywomenandgirlsfacegender-basedviolenceonadailybasis,especiallyiftheyliveincontextsofextremepovertywherebasicservicesarelacking.Mukuruisanexampleofthis:aninformalsettlementinNairobi,Kenya,whereaccesstosanitation,cleanwater,andhealthfacilitiesisadailystruggle.

Ms.AnastasiaWakonyo,aparalegalfortheWangukanjaFoundation,anorganizationbasedinMukuruthatfocusesonsupportingsurvivorsofsexualviolenceandapartnerofFranciscansInternational,explains:“InMukuru,ifyouneedtousethebathroomatnightthereisnolightandtherearenoservicesnearby,soyouhavetogotoaprivateplaceinthedark.That’swheremanyofthesexualviolenceoccur”.

Despitethehighincidenceofgender-basedviolenceininformalsettlements,theGovernmentofKenyahasnotyetrespondedeffectivelytothisproblem.Theweightoflegally,psychologicallyandmedicallysupportingthesurvivorsofsexualviolencerestsontheshouldersofcommunity-runsheltersliketheonewhereMs.Wakonyoworks.

FranciscansInternationalhasworkedtobringthevoiceofaffectedcommunitiestothecentreoftheinternationaldebatetoadvocateforpolicychangeatthenationallevel.ItiswithinthiscontextthatMs.WakonyotravelledtoGenevatoattendthereviewofKenyabytheUNCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen(CEDAW).

AsaresultoftheadvocacyworkfromFranciscansInternationalandothers,CEDAWrecommendedtheGovernmentofKenyaadoptmeasuresensuringthattheformsnecessarytodenouncetheviolenceareavailablefreeofcharge.Inaddition,theCommitteerecommendedthatKenyaprovideadequatetrainingonwomen’srightstolawenforcementofficialsandincreasethenumberofsheltersprovidingassistancetosurvivorsofsexualviolence.

“Iamsoproudtohaverepresentedmycommunityasawomanhumanrightsdefender,andIamespeciallyhappytoseetheviolencethatwomenfaceininformalsettlementsbeingpartofthe[CEDAW]report.IhopethegovernmentwilltakemeasuresandensurethatwhathasbeenputdownbyCEDAWwillberespected,”saidMs.Wakonyo.

©UNHCR/JohnWesselsSisterGodelieveisoneofmanyreligiouswhohelpservefoodtointernally

displacedchildrenfromKasaiinKananga,KasaiCentralProvince.

16 / Annual Report 2017

/ Americas Program /

FranciscansInternational’sengagementintheAmericashasfocusedonsomeofthemostpressinghumanrightsissuesoccurringinthecontinent.Inthepastyear,theAmericasdeskworkedpredominantlyontheprotectionofpopulationsatrisk,includingmigrants,refugees,indigenouspeoplesandcommunitiesaffectedbyextractiveindustries,aswellasonissuesrelatedtoenvironmentalrights.

HaitiLongstandinghumanrightsissuesaffectthelivesofHaitiansondailybasis.Theseincludethefailiuretorecognizeeconomic,socialandculturalrights,aswellastheimportantdegradationoftheenvironmentandthecountry’svulnerabilitytoclimatechangeandnaturaldisasters.

Withinthiscontext,FranciscansInternationalhasworkedin2017tostrengthenitspartnershipwithHaiti’sNationalEpiscopalCommissionforJusticeandPeace(CE-JILAP)andwiththeFranciscanFamilyofHaiti.Thisworktookplacethroughaconcertedefforttoprotecttherightsofpopulationsatrisk,specificallypersonsdeprivedoflibertyandpersonsaffectedbynaturaldisasters.Theadvocacyeffortinthisdirectionhasbeendividedintwoworkstreams:afirstoneonthegroundandasecondonewithininternationalhumanrightsorganizations.

FranciscansInternationalvisitedHaiti,wheretherewastheopportunitytocollectevidenceandtomeetdirectlywithaffectedpeopleandwithpartners.ThedramaticsituationoftheNationalPenitentiary(PénitencierNational)inPort-au-Prince,where42peoplediedwhileindetentionintheweeksleadingtothevisit,epitomizedthegravityoftheissueandthenecessityofimmediateaction.

Focus countries

Canada

Mexico

El Salvador

Peru

Guatemala

Haiti

Colombia

Venezuela

Brazil

Canada

Mexico

El Salvador

Peru

Guatemala

Haiti

Colombia

Venezuela

Brazil

17 Annual Report 2017 /

Franciscans International, as part of our allies, accompanies us in all the steps we take to achieve a just world where the right to migrate and not to migrate in conditions of dignity is respected.

©FI/PaoloCraveroRodrigoPeret,OFM,talkingataside-eventtotheHumanRightsCouncil.

TomásGonzálezCastillo,OFM,Founder

La72HogarRefugioParaPersonasMigrantesTenosique,Mexico

FranciscansInternationalalsodenouncedthesituationtointernationalhumanrightsorganizations,includingtheUnitedNations.Inparticular,wedeliveredoralstatementsatthe34thSessionoftheUNHumanRightsCouncilandsubmittedreportsbasedontheviolencewitnessedintheNationalPenitentiarytovariousUNSpecialRapporteurs.Finally,takingtheopportunityofhisvisittoHaiti,theRegionalCoordinatorcontributedtoacapacitytrainingwheremorethan20peoplefromalloverHaitiparticipated.

MexicoTherightsofmigrantsandrefugeesisanotherissuethathasbeenoneofthemainareasofconcernofFranciscansInternationalintheAmericas.

FranciscansInternationalhascontinuedtoworktosecuretherightofthehundredsofthousandsfleeingviolenceandpovertyinHonduras,ElSalvadorandGuatemalatomigrateandseekrefugeinMexico.Withinthatcontext,wesupportedtheadvocacyconductedbyLa72HogarRefugioParaPersonasMigrantes(La72),aFranciscanprojectbasedinTenosique,Mexico.La72isoneofthebiggestsheltersformigrantsandrefugeesinMexicoandprovideslegal,healthandpsychologicalsupporttopeopleonthemove.

TheinformationgatheredintheirdailyactivitieshasbeenkeyinadvocatingfortherightsofmigrantsandrefugeesattheUNlevelinGeneva.TogetherwithLa72,FranciscansInternationalorganizedaside-eventtothe35thSessionoftheUNHumanRightsCounciltoraiseawarenessofthesituationofmigrantsandrefugeesintheNorthernTriangleofCentralAmerica.Further,FranciscansInternationalsubmittedarequestforanurgentappealtotheSpecialRapporteuronadequatehousingandoninternallydisplacedpeople.WithLa72andotherGeneva-basedpartners,wesubmittedareportfocusingonHumanRightsDefendersworkingwithmigrantstotheUNCommitteeonMigrantWorkersinthecontextofMexico’sreview.

El SalvadorTheAmericashavealsoexperiencedtheviolationofhumanrightsrelatedtotheenvironment,suchastherighttowaterandtherighttoahealthyenvironment.AmongothercasesthatFranciscansInternationalbroughttotheattentionoftheinternationalcommunitytheoneofElSalvadorstandsout.

MetalmininginElSalvador,hasveryseriousimplicationsforthecountry.Althoughnotpracticedonanindustrialscalefordecades,morethan90%ofthesurfacewatersareheavilypollutedanddeforestationisthemostwidespreadintheAmericas,afterHaiti.Since2004,popularmovements–includingtheFranciscanFamily–areactiveinElSalvadortoprohibitmetalmining.Inearly2017,afteralongadvocacyworkatthegrassrootslevel,alawprohibitingmetalminingwasadoptedbythenationalcongress.

FranciscansInternational,togetherwithitsFranciscanSalvadorianpartners,hasadvocatedattheUNleveltopressuretheGovernmentofElSalvadortoimplementthislaw.Withthisaim,FranciscansInternationalhasalsoorganizedaside-eventtothe36thSessionoftheUNHumanRightsCouncilfocusingontheimpactofminingintermsofenvironmental,waterandhumanrights,sustainability,andcross-borderwatersresources.

18 / Annual Report 2017

The invitation to participate to an event at the UN in Geneva focusing on Venezuelan migration [to Brazil] allowed us to give visibility to what is happening in Roraima and made us understand the need to register, with more care, all the work that had been done. […] With [Franciscans International’s] help, it was possible to organize ourselves better. [...] Thanks to the visibility [FI] gave us, we also developed a partnership with the IOM, with the UNHCR and with the Brazilian Labour Ministry.

Sr.TelmaLage,MissionáriasdeNossaSenhoradasDores

CoordinatorCenterforMigrationandHumanRights

DioceseofRoraima,Brazil

Roraima, BrazilTheAmericasdeskhasworkedhardtoraiseawarenessaboutmigrantsfromVenezuelagoingintonorthernBrazilandprotecttheirhumanrights.Withthehelpofpartnersontheground,manyissuesrelatedtotheprotectionofmigrantsandtherightsofindigenouspeoplehavebeenaddressed.

ThemigrationcrisisinRoraima,Brazil,isadirectconsequenceofthepoliticalandeconomiccrisisofVenezuela.ThelargestmajorityofthepeopleleavingVenezuelaforBrazilarelookingtosecuretheirbasicrightsandafutureforthemselvesandtheirchildren.

FranciscansInternationaltogetherwithSisterTelmaLageoftheCentreforMigrationandHumanRightsoftheDioceseofRoraima,oneofourBrazilianpartners,advocatedfortherightsandprotectionsofmigrantsattheUNinGeneva.Thisincludedaside-eventtothe35thSessionoftheUNHumanRightsCouncil,asubmissiontotheSpecialRapporteursonthehumanrights

ofmigrantsandontherightsofindigenouspeoples,andtargetedcommunicationwithrepresentativesofUNMemberStatesinGeneva.ThenationalandinternationalpressureresultedintheBrazilianFederalMinisterofHealthannouncingthatthefederalgovernmentwouldtransfer12millionReais(3.7millionUSD)tohelptheStateofRoraimacopewiththeinfluxofmigrantsfromVenezuela.Aswell,theBrazilianMinisterofJusticeannouncedthattheFederalPolicewouldincreaseitspresenceneartheborderwithVenezuelatoimprovetheservicesitprovidestomigrants.

Finally,asaresultofitsadvocacyworkwithFranciscansInternational,theCentreforMigrationandHumanRightsofthedioceseofRoraimareceived40.000USDfromtheInternationalOrganizationforMigration(IOM),whichwillbeusedtoprovidedirectservicestomigrants.ItalsosignedanagreementwiththeUNHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)andapartnershipwiththeBrazilianLaborMinistry.

19 Annual Report 2017 /

©MSF/AnnaSurinyachCentralAmericanmigrantstravelingbytraininMexico.

20 / Annual Report 2017

/ Asia-Pacific Program /

Inthepastyear,FranciscansInternationalhasengagedwithlong-standing,aswellasnewlyemerging,issuesintheAsia-Pacificregion.Theseincludeextrajudicialkillings,transitionaljustice,freedomofexpression,therightsofindigenouspeoples,andtherightsofasylumseekersandrefugees.

PhilippinesThePhilippinesislivinginaperiodofintenseGovernment-sanctionedviolenceagainstitsownpeople.Shortlyaftertakingpowerin2016,PresidentDuterteinitiatedaso-called“warondrugs”,asetofdraconianpoliciesaimedatfreeingthecountryfromdrugs,drugdealers,anddrugusers.Sofar,thisviolencehasclaimedthousandsoflives,alargepartofwhichiscausedbyextrajudicialkillingsperformedinthecontextofinstitutionalizedimpunity.Thevictimsoftheseexecutionsarelargelypoorurbandwellers,drugaddicts,smalldealers,andinnocentbystanderscaughtinthecrossfire–includingchildren.

FranciscansInternationalhasworkedwithlocalandinternationalpartnerstobringtheissueoftheextrajudicialkillingstointernationalattention,especiallytotheUnitedNations(UN),andtoadvocateforinternationalpressureontheGovernmentofthePhilippinestohaltthismassacre.

TheseeffortsresultedinajointstatementattheUNHumanRightsCouncil(HRC)by39UNMemberStatescallingfortherespectofhumanrightsandinover50recommendationsonextrajudicialkillingsduringtheUNUniversalPeriodicReview(UPR)ofthePhilippines.Additionally,FranciscansInternationalsupportedtheappealfromtheConferenceoftheCatholicBishopsofthePhilippinesthatjoinedthecallforanimmediatestoptothekillingsandtherestorationofhumanrightsinthecountry.

Australia

Sri Lanka

India

Philippines

West Papua

Nauru

Papua New Guinea

Japan

Indonesia

Focus countries

Australia

Philippines

West Papua

Nauru

Papua New Guinea

Japan

Indonesia

Focus countries

21 Annual Report 2017 /

[Franciscans International] provided me with a voice to speak on the behalf of refugees and for them to also have a voice.

CarolHucker,formerMentalHealthWorker

ManusIslandProcessingCenterPapuaNewGuinea

©CourtesyofRaffyLermaManila,Philippines.

©PaoloCraveroWomaninIndonesia.

DespitesomecosmeticpolicychangesbytheGovernmentofthePhilippines–resultoftheinternationalpressureregardingextrajudicialkillings–theoverallhumanrightssituationinthecountryisstilldire.

AustraliaIn2017,FranciscansInternationalwasactivelyengagedinadvocacyactivitiestoensuretherightsofasylumseekersandrefugeesintendingtoreachAustralia.

Forthepastfiveyears,Australiahasavoideditsinternationalobligationsbyrefusingtoprotectrefugeesandasylumseekerscomingbyboattoitsshores.Underacontroversialpolicy,AustraliahasdetainedasylumseekersarrivingbyboatincentersonManusIsland,inPapuaNewGuineaandinNauru.Therationalebehindthispolicyistodiscouragehumantraffickinganddeathsatsea.

TheManusIslandOffshoreProcessingCentre,whichholdsonlymen,hasbeenatthecenterofthediscussiononthispolicy.Humanrightsabuses,suchasarbitrarydetention,havebeenrepeatedlyreported.Furthermore,therighttofood;waterandsanitation;andhealth,bothphysicalandpsychological,appeartobeinadequate.Theprocessforrefugeeclaimshasshowntobeunclearandconfusing.

AfterPapuaNewGuinea’sSupremeCourtheld,in2016,thattheManusIslandOffshoreProcessingCentrewasunconstitutional,AustraliaclosedthecampbylateOctober2017.Duringthisprocessfurtherabusesandhumanrightsviolations–inparticulartherighttohealthandwellbeingofrefugeesandasylumseekers–werereportedbylocalandinternationalmedia.

Togetherwithitspartners,FranciscansInternationalhasengagedinadvocacyactivitiesattheUNinGenevatopressuretheGovernmentofAustraliatorespectandupholdthehumanrightsofasylumseekersandrefugees.TheconcludingobservationsofthesixthperiodicreportofAustraliabytheHumanRightsCommitteeincludedproposalsputforwardbyFranciscansInternationalregardingtheprincipleofnon-refoulementandprotection.

Sri Lanka ThestatusoftransitionaljusticeinSriLankaisanotherthemethattheAsia-Pacificdeskfocusedoninthepastyear.

DespitethecommitmentsoftheGovernmentofSriLankatotheUNsince2015,thereareseriousconcernsregardingtheinadequacyoftheimplementationoftheseobligationsonthepromotionofreconciliation,accountability,andhumanrights.

Partnersonthegroundhavehighlightedhowvictims’grievanceshavenotbeenaddressedbytheGovernment,andhowthewidespreadprotestsbyfamiliesofdisappeared,landless,unemployed,workers,etc.havenotbeenheard.

FranciscansInternationalfocuseditsadvocacyengagementbothnationallyandinternationally.InSriLanka,wesupportedanationalconsultationofecumenicalorganizationstoprepareasubmissiontotheUPRofSriLanka.AttheUNinGeneva,weengagedwiththeUPRprocess–emphasizingtheimpactoftheheavypresenceofthemilitaryinthenorthernpartofthecountyontransitionaljustice–andwiththeCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen(CEDAW).Furthermore,FranciscansInternationalanditspartnersorganizedaside-eventtothe34thsessionoftheHumanRightsCouncil,focusingonissuessuchasextrajudicialexecutions;enforceddisappearances;landreturn;ethnic,linguisticandreligiousdiscrimination;andsexualviolenceagainstwomenandgirls.

22 / Annual Report 2017

[Working with FI] gave me a kind of self-confidence. Before I always felt rather ‘minor’ when dealing with out advocacy network here in Papua, and felt I was looked at as a negligible thing. Feeling backed by an international network, I started speaking up and creating ways for our partners to reach out internationally.

YulianaLangowuyo,Director

Justice,PeaceandIntegrityofCreationFranciscansPapua

23 Annual Report 2017 /

Okinawa, JapanOkinawaisoneofthesouthernmostislandsofJapan.ThepopulationhasadistinctivelanguagewhichisdifferentfromJapanese.TheislandisinhabitedmainlybytheRyukyuanindigenouspeoplesandJapanesesettlers.Almost30percentofitslandisusedforUSmilitarybasesandithostsmorethanhalfoftheUSmilitarypersonnelinJapan.Okinawahasfacedseveralhumanrightschallenges,mainlyconcentratingaroundthepresenceofUSmilitaryfacilities,andparticularlyinrelationtoindigenouspeoples’rightsandfreedomofexpression.

InformedbythetestimonyoflocalpartnersandreinforcedbythereportoftheUNSpecialRapporteuronthepromotionandprotectionoftherighttofreedomofopinionandexpression,FranciscansInternationalworkedintenselytobringthesituationofOkinawatointernationalattention.

Withthisaimandtogetherwithourpartners,wedocumentedtheincidentsinvolvingjournalists,peacefulprotesters,andthesystematicdiscriminationagainstthepeopleofRyukyu.Inparticular,FranciscansInternationalcloselyfollowedthecase

ofthehumanrightsdefenderandactivist,Mr.HirojiYamashiro,aleaderofthenon-violentprotestmovementagainstaUSmilitarybase.ArrestedinOctober2016,Mr.Yamashirospentfivemonthsindetentionandwasreleasedduetonationalandinternationalpressure.

FranciscansInternationaladvocatedforfreedomofexpressionandtherightsofindigenouspeoplesduringthepre-UPRandUPRsessions.Wepresentedtwofollow-upreportstotheUNSpecialRapporteuronthepromotionandprotectionoftherighttofreedomofopinionandexpressionanddeliveredstatementsontheseissuesattheUNHumanRightsCouncil.TogetherwithrepresentativesoftheOkinawancivilsociety,wealsoorganizedaside-eventtothe35thHumanRightsCouncilinJune,wherefieldpartners,includingMr.Yamashiro,reflectedonthechallengesfacedbythepeopleofOkinawa.Asresult,severalproposalsfromFranciscans International were reflected in the UPRrecommendationstoJapan,especiallythoseonfreedomofexpressionandtherightsofRyukyuan/Okinawanindigenouspeople.

©FI/PaoloCraveroSide-eventtotheHumanRightsCouncilfocusingon

theissueofReligiousFreedominSriLanka.

CHFIncomeFranciscan Orders and Congregations (unrestricted) 275'912

Franciscan Funds (restricted) 217'474

Funding Agencies and Foundations 430'098

Other Donations 130

Total income 923'614

ExpensesAdvocacy 661'080

Communications, Animation and Fundraising 156'782

Administration 238'771

Total operating expenses 1'056'633

Non-operating income 27'222

Result of the year -105'797*

*In 2017 Franciscans International could not cover all expenses with the year’s income alone. The 105'797 CHF deficit was covered by the contingency fund built in previous years for this purpose.

Expenses

Advocacy 62,6 %

Administration 22,6 %

Communications, Animation and Fundraising 14,8 %

Franciscan Orders and Congregations (unrestricted) 29,87 %

Franciscan Funds (restricted) 23,55 %

Funding Agencies and Foundations 46,57 %

Other Donations 0,01 %

Income

Financial Report 2017 Reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

25 Annual Report 2017 /

/ Donor Acknowledgement / Franciscans International wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the Franciscan orders and congregations, individual donors as well as the following funding entities for their generous funding in 2017: Adoff (Netherlands), Adveniat (Germany), Brot für die Welt (Germany), Fastenopfer (Switzerland), Franciscan Foundation (USA), Franziskaner Mission (Germany), Misean Cara (Ireland), Misereor (Germany), Missionszentrale der Franziskaner (Germany), Rose Marie Khoo Foundation (Singapore- Switzerland), Trócaire (Ireland).

Help us protect human rights

SwitzerlandNameofaccountholder:FranciscansInternational/Addressofaccountholder:RuedeVermont37–39,CH1202Geneva/BankName:UBSSA/Address:RoutedeFlorissant59,CH1206Geneva/SWIFT/BIC:UBSWCHZH80A/ClearingNo.240/CHFAccountNo:240-357384.01F/

IBAN:CH690024024035738401F/ EURAccountNo:240-357384.61W/IBAN:CH850024024035738461W

USANameofaccountholder:FranciscansInternational/Addressofaccountholder:246E.46thSt.,/Apt.1F,NewYork,NY10017-2937/BankName:JPMorganChaseBank/AddressofBank:1UnitedNationsPlaza,/NewYorkNY10017USA/AccountNumber:292500458265/ABANumber:021000021/CurrencyofAccount:USD

FranciscansInternationalisentirelydependentondonationsfromFranciscanordersandcongregations,fundingagenciesandinstitutions,parishes,andpeoplesensitivetoFranciscanvaluesofsolidarity,peace,socialjustice,andrespectfortheenvironment.Makeadifferencewithyourdonationandhelpusprotecthumanrights.

©FI/EtienneChénier-LaflècheStreetartcallingforhope,justiceandhospitalityinBrazil.

26 / Annual Report 2017

Franciscans International Staff

International Board of Directors

Joseph Rozansky, OFM RepresentativeoftheOrderofFriarsMinor(President)

Markus Heinze, OFM ExecutiveDirector

Kevin Queally, TORRepresentativeoftheThirdOrder

RegularofSt.Francis

Ruth Marcus, OSFRepresentativeoftheSecular

FranciscanOrder

Budi Tjahjono Asia-PacificProgramCoordinator

Lourdes Briones HumanResourcesandFinanceOfficer

Marina El Khoury RepresentativeattheUnitedNations

(NewYork)

Jude Winkler, OFM Conv.RepresentativeoftheOrderof

FriarsMinorConventual

Sandra Ratjen InternationalAdvocacyDirector

DeputyExecutiveDirector

Clark Berge, SSFRepresentativeoftheSocietyof

SaintFrancis

Markus Heinze, OFM (ExecutiveDirectorof

FranciscansInternational)

Etienne Chénier-Laflèche AmericasProgramCoordinator

Paolo Cravero CommunicationsOfficer

Christian Leo Seno, OFMAdvocacyandOutreachAssistant

(NewYork)

Benedict Ayodi, OFM Cap.RepresentativeoftheOrderofFriars

MinorCapuchin

Enkeleda Papa AfricaProgramCoordinator

Carla Casadei, SFPRepresentativeoftheInternational

FranciscanConferenceoftheSistersandBrothersoftheThirdOrderRegularof

SaintFrancis

Cédric Chatelanat ProjectManager

Odile Coirier, FMMLiaisonOfficer

(NewYork)

27 Annual Report 2017 /

Franciscans International Staff

Our VisionAglobalcommunityinwhichthedignityofeverypersonisrespected,

resourcesaresharedequitably,theenvironmentissustained,andnationsandpeoplesliveinpeace.

Our Mission WeareaFranciscanvoiceattheUNprotectingthevulnerable,

theforgotten,andthewoundedearth.

Geneva: 37-39ruedeVermont,P.O.Box104,CH-1211Geneva20,Switzerland,

T+41227794010,F+41227794012,geneva@fiop.org

New York: 246East46thStreet#1,NewYork,NY10017-2937,UnitedStates,

T+1(917)6751075,newyork@fiop.org

www.franciscansinternational.org