Signs of hope in schools

Catholic New Times, Nov 3, 2002 by Marika Ince

I sometimes feel that the Catholic education system is like a boat drifting on a vast sea. Those of us on board, who believe in its potential and deeply care about its well-being, spread much of our time scanning the horizon for signs of hope.

We find ourselves peering through fog banks of indifference, shading our eyes from the blinding glare of materialism or staring into cynical darkness. Somewhere out there, we know there are beacons of hope, vessels driven on the winds of Gospel values, their holds bursting with grace. Inspiration often lies closer than we realize.

A wonderful example of this can be found in one Ontario school where students are quietly putting their faith into action.

Two students in the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) have planted seeds that will hopefully germinate into a board-wide "No Sweat" purchasing policy.

The goal of Andrea Zeffiro and Chris Longtin is to ensure that school and athletic uniforms worn in all board schools are not produced in sweatshops or by child labour, overseas or at home, in June 2002, the school board responded positively to the students' proposal and passed a resolution to "develop a policy to support the purchase of school apparel manufactured only under safe, fair and healthy conditions of work, and to preclude the purchasing of goods produced in sweatshops."

If implemented, the HWCDSB would be the first school board in Canada to adopt a "No Sweat" purchasing policy.

Zeffiro, a former HWCDSB student now studying at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont., used her involvement with the Catholic Youth Organization to form a diocesan World Youth Day "No Sweat" committee. The group included students, parents, and teachers, along with representatives from the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. For Zeffiro it was an obvious step. "The `No Sweat' initiative is essentially a reminder of our call to duty as Catholics post World Youth' Day," she said. "Our call to faith does not begin with preparations for WYD, nor does it end when the celebration ends. It's an ongoing process."

"Andrea saw a problem and set about to fix it," said Longtin, an OAC student who now also sits on the official board committee responsible for drafting a policy. "It's a student-based initiative because the students provide the voice. They wear the uniforms and don't want them to be manufactured through the exploitation of others."

The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN), an organization committed to ending sweatshop abuses and promoting labour rights and ethical trade, has provided guidance and support throughout the process. According to MSN, a purchasing policy should require suppliers to disclose their manufacturing locations, abide by local and international labour standards and agree to independent monitoring.

Disclosure is of primary importance since it allows public investigators to link the manufacturers with specific factories. Even a "made-in-Canada" label is no guarantee of a "sweat-free" product. According to MSN there are more than 40,000 home workers in the Canadian garment industry, some making as little as $2.00 an hour.

Sonia Singh of MSN is inspired by workers in Latin America and Asia who struggle for their rights despite enormous risks and by people here in North America who support campaigns and join in solidarity. Singh recognizes that "People have a sense of what's happening out there and are frustrated by what they can proactively do. We've been told by governments that it is possible to make these changes, but they need grassroots pressure," she said.

Our Catholic school system should be fertile soil for these types of grassroots movements. Catholic social teaching requires us to work for justice, to act in solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Zeffiro and Longtin have obviously heard the message.

"During my time in high school," says Zeffiro, "I learned that all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, age or economic standing, are human. We all deserve respect, care, love, attention, freedom and justice."

Longtin agrees. "The whole concept of social justice has been present in my education. The leadership of teachers and staff in this area helped me to get involved, not to mention the incredible number of amazing people that I share the halls with. My high-school experience has allowed me to appreciate the gifts of others and the power a small group of people really does have. I'm also able to recognize my own strengths and use them to make a difference."

The work of these committed young people should inspire and challenge all of us who believe in Catholic education. They reflect what is good about our system. Zeffiro describes her work as a "call of faith" and goes on to say that "for the longest time I looked for an outlet to channel my beliefs, and through this committee I have found it."

We need to heed those words and consider the outlets and channels we are providing, or not providing, for our youth. There is no doubt they need the example of visionary role directory role model whose daily lives reflect grace, compassion and justice.