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The leadership of the Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation is in a five-month transition process between Br Jaime Campos, OFM (outgoing director) and Br Daniel Rodríguez, OFM (incoming director). In this context, on May 24, 25 and 26, both had a meeting with Franciscans International to evaluate cooperation and collaboration over the last years and work and plan for the future.

Franciscans International (FI) is an international non-governmental human rights organisation, established in 1989, with general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. FI belongs to the Franciscan Family and seeks to promote and protect human rights and environmental justice. If you want to know more about FI, visit the website

Br Markus Heinze OFM, Executive Director of FI, and the staff received the friars of JPIC-Rome in their offices located in Geneva, Switzerland, the seat of the UN. The hosts presented FI’s structure and programmes in Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. They also shared the strategic lines that will guide them from 2021, reflected in three pillars: equal dignity, a path to peace through human rights and care for the planet.

When evaluating the activities between JPIC-OFM and FI, the collaboration on the themes of Laudato si’ Revolution, Migrants and human rights, both in advocacy and in formation, was valued. Likewise, the accompaniment, follow-up and advice on advocacy by FI to the Franciscan Network for Migrants (RFM) in Latin America were also noted. It was also mentioned that FI’s presence at the international meetings of JPIC animators has been vital.

Among the strategic collaboration agreements for the coming years were a closer relationship between the FI team and the JPIC Animation Committee, the consolidation of the RFM Advocacy Committee, the sharing of the database, news and publications between the offices, the integration of the issue of divestment from fossil fuels in Laudato si’ Revolution and, finally, the signing of a letter of understanding between JPIC-Rome and FI that will reflect inter-institutional collaboration.

Fr. Daniel Rodríguez, OFM
JPIC Office – Rome