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Symposium 2008 brought together nearly 200 women and men to reflect on the interplay and ability of systems to keep people poor and marginalized, especially women. The process employed was different and, from the evaluations, very well received. Desiring to engage participants in a more feminine approach to the topic and wishing to use theological reflection, the planning committee asked each of the presenters to share their knowledge and experience in relation to systems and their impact on women and children. They were to The keynote address was given by Sister Catherine Ferguson, SNJM, the founder and coordinator of UNANIMA International, a coalition of 16 congregations of women religious with special consultative status at the Economic and Social Commission of the United Nations. In her address, Catherine spoke briefly about the UN Millennium Development Goals, reminding those present of the 2015 desired outcomes.
St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Kathleen Kelly facilitated a session on poverty and encouraged women “to be politically active and take steps with our Congress people” to make them aware of the Millennium Development Goals. The United States has not completed its commitment in providing essential financing to developing countries striving to achieve the goals, she said.
“The changing global economy as well as war, political turmoil and environmental crisis, have increased migration. Currently,
For comprehensive immigration policy reform to be realized, she said, more people will need to care about the intersection of poverty, migration and human rights. Sadhwani encouraged participants to initiate difficult conversations with neighbors and friends. “Try to understand their perspective and what it is they care about and try to have a conversation about it,” she said. “At least try to have those conversations and open up the lines of dialogue, because I think that’s the only way we’re going to actually progress.” - Reprinted with permission of THE TIDINGS
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Symposium 2008
engage the participants in a conversation around the issue, resulting in the raising of two significant questions and in identifyin one concrete step which could be taken to make a positive difference in a specific area. The questions posed were addressed by the panel of the presenters at the end of the program. The presenters were also asked to put a "human face" on the issue by inviting someone who has been impacted by the particular system to share their story. 
Each of the interest sessions addressed a system related to the MDGs (poverty, education, immigration, gender equality and the empowerment of women, economic development, environmental sustainability), as well as the trafficking of human persons and immigration - a particular focus of Southern California Partners for Global Justice, a group in which the Western American Province plays a leadership role. 
We were pleased to welcome Mary Heyser and a friend, Joan Dawber, from the East to share the day with us. Mary and Joan were able to stay for a few days to visit with Sisters in several congregations and with CAST personnel who provide shelter and services for victims of human trafficking.
...read the headline of THE TIDINGS, the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Newspaper, in an article on Symposium 2008, written by SHM Extended Family member and social justice advocate, Ellie Hidalgo. Ellie interviewed some of the presenters and made her way to several interest sessions. She highlighted some of the content of the day in the following excerpts: 
Holy Names Sister Susan Maloney led a session on gender equality and observed that during this dynamic presidential campaign season, women have a unique opportunity to be heard. She encouraged women to contact their legislators and let them know “you want the poverty of women and children on the agenda.” The presidential candidates “are looking every single hour to see where people’s interests are,” said Sister Maloney. “This is the time they are going to listen to you.” 
200 million people worldwide are living outside their country of origin,” said Sara Sadhwani, director of the Immigrant Rights project of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles. “While immigrants to the U.S. serve in critical agricultural and service industries, many discover that they are not fully accepted,” she said. “The migrant’s paradox is that your presence is not wanted, but your labor is,” observed Sadhwani, who facilitated a session on immigration. 
