Two years before his death, Francis of Assisi wrote the ‘Canticle of the Creation’, praying tribute to the diversity yet interconnectedness he had come to see in the world around him. This song, which would inspire Pope Francis’ Laudato Si, praises water as “so useful, lowly, precious and pure.” In this contradiction he recognized water as a resource that is both a daily commodity and fundamental to sustain all life which must be protected...

Throughout the session, we’ll publish our statements as they become available. So far, Franciscans International has delivered statements on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Brazil, and El Salvador as well as on climate change and business and human rights.

FI stands in solidarity with victims in Brazil as they continue to advocate for accountability at the one-year commemoration of dam collapse.  

In 8 years, the Franciscan “La 72” shelter in Mexico has welcomed over 90,000 migrant feet. Fr René, OFM reflects on the uniqueness of all those who visited to find reprieve and a safe haven.

After events in Geneva and Rome, the International Board of Directors of Franciscans International came together in New York, where the organization was first established.

The International Board of Directors (IBD) of Franciscans International and representatives of our staff recently met with Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, marking 30 years since the organization was officially recognized by the United Nations.

The need to hold businesses accountable when they infringe human rights, and to ensure that victims can obtain justice, was again at the center of our work in the past weeks. 

• November 8th, 2019 • 11am onward • Manhattan, New York
• Guest of honor: H.E. Ambassador Luis Gallegos, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York

Advocating for the right to water in the context of megaprojects

Franciscans International is very proud that two of its partners have been elevated to Cardinals by Pope Francis.