Governance of Natural and Mineral Resources Network

Natural and mineral resources provide abundance, providence, and the means with which to enhance our wellbeing and dignity. However, the negative impacts of exploitation of resources are borne mostly by the poor and vulnerable. There are also broader consequences for all of us.
Poor governance of resources results in environmental degradation, loss of forests, the deterioration of soil and biodiversity, and in water and air pollution. It leads to disease and destroys the livelihoods of communities, especially those that have traditionally developed a culture of sustainable resource management. It also produces interdependent consequences across localities, countries and globally, including conflicts, migration and displacement, human rights abuses, and economic exploitation.
We know these impacts, and we also know that with advocacy and commitment it is possible to reduce the harm currently being inflicted on land and communities around the world through mining activity. General Congregation 35 of the Society of Jesus (GC 35) recognised the fundamental relationship between people and creation and called for a deepening of this relationship. The Governance of Natural and Mineral Resources (GNMR) Network, one of five global Ignatian advocacy networks established after GC35, supports and advocates on behalf of local communities affected by mining activities, and lobbies on human rights issues where appropriate.
[pullquote align=”right”]The Governance of Natural and Mineral Resources (GNMR) Network aims to ensure that issues of equity and sustainability are addressed in the governance of resources.[/pullquote] In recent months, the GNMR Core Group has been considering how the Jesuit community can best contribute in this field. A two-year action plan has been developed, based on the following goals:

1. Raise awareness among Jesuits, partners and the communities we serve, of the importance of good governance and management of natural and mineral resources and sustainable lifestyles.
2. Build capacity among Jesuits, partners and the communities we serve, to enable them to understand, address and provide leadership in matters regarding the governance of natural and mineral resources.
3.  Support and advocate with and for people and communities affected by mining.

In order to fulfil these goals, it is time to grow the GNMR Network: the GNMR Core Group is keen to hear from those within the Jesuit community who have an interest in addressing issues of equity and sustainability in the exploitation of natural and mineral resources.
Network members will play a key role in linking the Core Group with individuals and communities in need of support in relation to GNMR issues. Network members will:

• Share information with the Core Group on GNMR-related matters from their region
• Disseminate relevant information from the Core Group amongst local communities and contacts.

Initially, the GNMR Network will focus on the extractive industries (ie mining rather than, for example, timber logging), and a number of specific advocacy projects have already been identified. For example, the Environmental Justice for Central America project aims to build local capacity to undertake environmental health monitoring, community education, and effective advocacy in the Caribbean, especially Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. The Conflict Minerals project focuses on advocacy regarding conflict minerals, as well as research and education.
The GNMR Network is led by Julie Edwards, chief executive of Jesuit Social Services, an Australian social change organization. Jesuit Networking readers who would like to learn more about the Network or participate as Network members should contact Julie at [email protected].
This post is a contribution from Julie Edwards and Carolyn Ryan of Jesuit Social Services in Australia. The photo is of the GNMR Core Group- Fernando Serrano, Ferdinand Muhigirwa, Julie Edwards, Sergio Coronado, Xavier Jeyaraj, Alicia Alemán and Kirsti Tasala.