Dozens of technologists and Catholics gathered at Microsoft in Redmond for a conversation about ethics in artificial intelligence between an “unlikely pair,” as they were introduced: a papal adviser and the head of Microsoft. Father Paolo Benanti, a member of the United Nations’ advisory body on AI and adviser to Pope Francis on ethics and Read more
Posts Tagged ‘United nations’
Israel-Palestine tragedy has simple solution
Thursday, November 23rd, 2023
Nothing will ever be the same in the Holy Land after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel – and after Israel’s apocalyptic response. So said Francesca Albanese to a Catholic audience in Wellington recently. Albanese is the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. But the Israel-Palestine issue has a simple solution, she Read more
Vatican urges pause on lethal autonomous weapons
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
The Holy See’s foreign minister addressed the UN General Assembly, calling for a halt to the deployment of lethal autonomous weapons systems. Archbishop Paul Gallagher joined a chorus of concerns raised by various speakers regarding artificial intelligence (AI). “It is imperative to ensure adequate, meaningful and consistent human oversight of weapon systems,” Gallagher said. “Only Read more
Human Rights Commission gives NZ mixed report card on indigenous rights at United Nations
Thursday, July 27th, 2023The Human Rights Commission has filed a mixed report card to the United Nations on New Zealand’s commitment to indigenous rights. Addressing a UN expert group in Geneva the commission’s Kaitahutahu Rangatahi, Waimihia Maniapoto-Love said there have been periods of good progress towards tino rangatiratanga alongside periods of inactivity. The Government, the National Iwi Chairs Read more
Vatican State news supports gender equality in Afghanistan
Monday, July 24th, 2023
The Vatican state newspaper, Osservatore Romano, has come out in favour of gender equality in Afghanistan. On 20 July, the newspaper dedicated its front page to condemning the Taliban’s decree that all Afghanistan’s beauty centres must close down. The beauty centre closure is a complete shutdown. The Taliban decree is likely to negatively affect thousands Read more
Down syndrome triathlete tells UN that faith inspires him
Thursday, March 23rd, 2023
Just before his first speaking engagement at the UN, a young Catholic triathlete spoke to a television news outlet about his faith. “I am Gabriel, God’s messenger,” 22-year old Gabriel Cobb told OSV News. Cobb, pictured with his parents just before going into the UN New York conference hall added: “My faith is the most Read more
Pope supports global target to eradicate female genital mutilation
Thursday, February 16th, 2023
Female genital mutilation must stop, Pope Francis told reporters on the plane when returning from a four-day trip to Bahrain on Sunday. Defending women’s rights, Francis specifically condemned as a “criminal act” female genital mutilation (FGM) and trafficking women for prostitution. Both these crimes are “humiliating affronts to women’s dignity” he said, urging officials to Read more
30,000 and counting … Myanmar’s troops burn homes, churches, villages
Thursday, September 1st, 2022
Myanmar’s military junta has burned nearly 30,000 homes, churches and villages during the past 19 months. That’s how long it is since the junta overthrew Myanmar’s democratically elected government. Domestic research group Data for Myanmar says troops had torched 28,434 houses since the military seized power on 1 February 2021. This year in May and Read more
Abductions and dehumanising treatment of women and children reported
Monday, July 25th, 2022
Abductions and dehumanising treatment of women and children has become commonplace in Mozambique during the country’s war against terror. The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) says that in the Cabo Delgado region this includes sexploitation for “free” food rations. “It is prevalent. Since 2020 we have been receiving reports of women and children from Read more
An apology to the Afghan girl
Monday, October 18th, 2021
Oct. 11 was the International Day of the Girl Child, a day to empower young girls and promise them a better future. However, today, I am sorry to say to girls that I do not have good news for you. You have grown up with the promise of a better future. Throughout your life, you Read more