CIDSE marks 60 years with call to confront ‘global crises’

A statement from the aid agency alliance called 2025 ‘a decisive moment for collective efforts in the face of interconnected global crises’.

The directors of CIDSE, an alliance of 18 Catholic aid and development agencies in Europe and Canada, urged political, economic, and social leaders to confront “the interconnected crises that affect our common home and the most vulnerable among us” in a message on 20 February, the United Nations World Day for Social Justice.  

Signatories to the statement, marking 60 years since CIDSE’s foundation, included Christine Allen of Cafod, Lorraine Currie of SCIAF, and Caoimhe de Barra of Trócaire in Ireland. 

“As we celebrate our sixtieth anniversary in this Jubilee year of hope, we are reminded of the Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching that have guided our work so far,” it said. “They continue to inspire a deeper commitment to justice and solidarity, supporting our mission to stand with those most affected by the current interconnected crises.”

The statement called 2025 “a decisive moment for collective efforts in the face of interconnected global crises”. The directors highlighted the tenth anniversary of the Laudato si’ encyclical in May and COP30, the UN’s thirtieth climate conference, in Brazil in November.

“The Paris Agreement must be implemented with stronger national pledges to avert the climate crisis,” the directors said. “Similarly, the international community must take decisive steps toward debt justice,” they added. Thirdly, they called for “increasing development aid to support climate adaptation and poverty alleviation in the global south.”

The statement said that “despite the shrinking space for civil society and the erosion of democratic processes, the pursuit of justice remains critical but possible”. It highlighted the “remarkable resilience” of global partners, saying “their spirit and determination in the face of significant challenges due to environmental and financial exploitation are a source of inspiration, encouraging us to stand in solidarity with them.”

“As we celebrate CIDSE’s 60-year legacy, let us take bold steps to ensure justice, peace, and the care of our common home, for this generation and the next ones.”

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