Sunday, July 6, is International Day of Cooperatives and World Rural Development Day.
At Canadian Jesuits International (CJI), we affirm commitment to international solidarity and to supporting initiatives that address rural poverty while promoting economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
We are proud to highlight the work of our partner, Comparte (meaning “to share”) — a network of 16 Jesuit social justice organizations across 11 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Comparte offers real alternatives to dominant economic models that often harm people and our common home. Its members work together to promote inclusive, sustainable development that uplifts the most marginalized, especially women of African and Indigenous descent in rural communities.
Comparte’s current goal is to support more than 49,000 people through grassroots efforts rooted in justice, equity, and shared knowledge.
CJI’s support for Comparte is rooted in the Catholic Social Teaching, specifically the principle of working for the common good. This principle asserts that “Every person should have access to the goods and resources of society so that they can live fulfilling lives.”
World Rural Development Day draws attention to those who till the soil, harvest the seas, and care for our Earth — yet continue to bear the brunt of poverty, hunger, and exclusion.
Did you know?
- 80% of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas on less than $USD2.15/day.
- Over half of the 1 billion+ people in multidimensional poverty are children.
- Women make up 43% of the agricultural workforce but still face major barriers to land, credit, and technology.
- Family farms produce 80% of the world’s food.
Sources: UNDP, FAO, UN
Let us stand in solidarity with rural communities and cooperatives working for a just and sustainable world. Learn more and support Comparte: https://bit.ly/40C4mlX
