Reaffirming Global Solidarity Workshop

Casina Pio IV, Vatican City—The Blue Chip Foundation, represented by founderJennifer Stengaard Gross, participated in the Reaffirming Global Solidarity, Restoring Humanity workshop in Vatican City’s Casina Pio IV on Feb. 22, committing to assist in the war against extreme poverty.

“At least 125 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance right now,” says Gross. “Sixty million are displaced by conflict and natural disasters. There were 880 major natural disasters over the past year, driven by climate change. It’s very clear to see what’s needed. However, the UN High Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing identified the funding gap: It’s at least $15 billion. This workshop addressed that issue and, as a result, we were able to come up with several actionable points that can help mobilize resources to help defend the identity and dignity of all people.”

The group, which included a number of Catholic and other religious leaders, as well as several representatives from non-governmental organizations, such as UNICEF, Oxfam International, and World Vision International, issued a statement recognizing that 75 percent of humanitarian needs result from war.

“The greatest humanitarian solution on the planet is the end of today’s wars and the prevention of future conflicts,” read the group’s statement, which you can read here. “Wars result from many causes: injustice, deprivation, greed and the unbridled pursuit of gain, the pathological pursuit of power, secret diplomacy, and distrust across the lines of culture, religion, class and race. Yet for all of these causes, honesty, love, mutual dialogue, restraint, and the pursuit of international law and justice can provide a solution. Ending wars saves lives, avoids humanitarian crises, obviates mass refugee movements, and saves money. It is without question the least costly and most practical form of humanitarian assistance available in the world.”

The most fragile and vulnerable communities—namely, those living in extreme poverty—are the most likely to suffer the consequences of war and climate change.

“We all share the responsibility to help our brothers and sisters,” says Gross, who also signed the declaration. “Those who are comparatively wealthy have an obligation to help others, including those whose lives have been destroyed by disasters and man-made conflicts. Our world is teeming with wealth, and there is no reason for anyone to be left behind without help. Each and every one of us can do something—anything—to help reduce suffering. I’m really not sure how we can hold dignity within ourselves if we don’t respect and foster the dignity in others.”

The workshop followed the theme of “sustainable humanity,” and had the ultimate goal of inspiring communities, civil society groups, individuals, and private companies to take action to reduce human suffering. Attendees included Ahmet Davutoglu, Prime Minster of Turkey; Antony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF; Winnie Bvanvima, Executive Director of Oxfam International; Dr. Mohamed Ashmawev, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide; and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The Vatican’s representatives included Margaret S. Archer, President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences of the Vatican and Monsignor Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

“Out of the 123 million people who needed humanitarian assistance in 2014, less than 75 percent were able to receive help. The system we have now isn’t working; it’s not able to respond to all the needs, and those needs are growing,” says Gross. “The supply and demand gap is growing, as well, despite the fact that global humanitarian financing has increased to nearly $25 billion per year. UN appeals are about 40 percent underfunded, and food rations have been cut down in the Middle East and Africa, and that’s why we’re working together. This needs to change, and we’re facilitating that.”