MGA Emerging Leaders Fellows Group 3 Research Presentations, 2024

As a core component of their program, Cohort Three of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellows (2023-2024) prepared extensive research presentations on various justice issues from a Mercy lens. These research presentations were delivered during a hybrid event at Mercy International Centre and via Zoom on July 10 and 11, 2024.

The program below includes names of the presenting Fellows and a description of each research project. 

Presenter: Jo Thompson (United Kingdom)

Title: The Journey to Abolition

In her research paper and presentation, Jo Thompson seeks to inform the Mercy World and beyond about the abolition of prostitution and why it is needed globally, highlighting the work of the Sisters of Mercy in this journey as they fund, campaign, research and provide direct services.

Jo explores how different models of legislation impact women and girls who experience sexual exploitation and human trafficking, championing the abolitionist model as best practice and the only way to stop exploitation and abuse. She also delves into language around the sex trade and how abuse and exploitation can be cleverly sanitized.

Lastly, Jo explores Mercy and justice and how the Sisters of Mercy have ensured that women entrapped in the sex trade have a voice on all platforms, from local policy to internationally.

Presenter: Hilda Cruz (United States)

Title: Called to Welcome & Accompany Asylum Seekers

Today, comprehending the myriad forces that compel individuals to abandon their homes is of utmost urgency. Equally crucial is our collective responsibility to engage and respond compassionately to displaced people who often seek refuge where they have family or friends to assist them in starting a new life.

In her research project, ‘Called to Welcome and Accompany Asylum Seekers', Hilda Cruz highlights the profound dedication of a faith network encompassing organizations, congregations, and churches at the U.S. California border. The study’s primary focus is California's border with Mexico, a region where millions of people seek asylum, and where faith institutions have been responding in various ways for years.

As the main outcome of her research, Hilda provides an easy-to-navigate toolkit with resource links to help readers understand how complicated migration is. The toolkit also includes an invitation to host a dialogue leading to collective discernment in responding to the call to help asylum seekers.

Presenter: Cynthia Mulholland (Australia)

Title: Free & Equal: An Australian Conversation on Human Rights

Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world that does not have a charter of rights or a national act that explains what people’s basic rights are and how they can be protected. Anti-discrimination laws protect people’s right to live free from discrimination, but if you’re denied rights such as healthcare or education, there is no framework to challenge the system.

In her research project, 'Free & Equal: An Australian Conversation on Human Rights', Cynthia Mulholland highlights that, although some states have a Human Rights Act, without one enshrined in federal law, there is no way to challenge injustice when human rights violations occur. She contends that the Australian government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens in accordance with international law.

Through an advocacy video, Cynthia advocates for the implementation of an Australian Human Rights Act, which would ensure that values we all share – like fairness, respect, dignity and compassion – are always at the heart of all government decisions, laws and policies in Australia.

Presenter: Andrea Haller (United States)

Title: Embracing Tension to Build Bridges of Understanding

Polarization around the world is growing and becoming more hostile, preventing the development of a more just world. As we avoid the discomfort of tense conversations that can evoke strong emotions and opinions, our circles of discussing justice shrink and become similar to our own, continuing a cycle of greater polarization. Andrea Haller believes that members of the Mercy World have the opportunity to embrace these tense conversations to build bridges of compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Rooted in the wisdom of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, principles and practices of Nonviolent Communication and Courageous Conversation, and the advocacy model of Revolutionary Love, Andrea's research aims to provide an approach to informal, tense or polarizing conversations with people we encounter in our everyday lives. Based on her research, Andrea provides a conversation and reflection guide to encourage and support intentional conversations so that we may continue to learn and grow as better listeners and storytellers.

Presenter: Dinah Mwendwah (Kenya)

Title: The Impact of Teenage Pregnancies on Girls’ Education in Mercy Schools in Mukuru Slums

Mukuru Slum, home to over 700,000 people, is faced by many different challenges, including floods, fire breakouts, demolitions, forceful displacements, illegal power connectivity, child labor, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancies. Through Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC), the Sisters of Mercy have established learning institutions to provide access to education to the poor.

Teenage pregnancy is a recurring challenge, as reported every year in MPC annual reports. Between January 2020 and May 2024, 104 cases of teenage pregnancies were reported. This has affected the education attainment of these teenage mothers.

In her research project, Dinah Mwendwa seeks to examine the impacts of teenage pregnancies on girls’ education at Mercy Schools in Mukuru Slums, by conducting a focus group and direct interview with 20 girls/mothers from the settlement. Based on her research, she provides culturally–specific preventative programs to reduce teenage pregnancies, including a ‘know your body’ program, pre-pregnancy sessions, the promotion of delayed marriages, and back to school initiatives.

Presenter: Maria Pearson (Argentina)

Title: Development with Dignity

In her research project, Maria Pearson analyses the conditions necessary for the development of Argentina; a development with dignity, and a development that leaves no one behind.

Presenter: Virgencita (Jen Jen) Alegado (Philippines)

Title: Laudato si’: Claiming the Cultural identity of the Subanen People in Mount Ranges

The Subanen people are the largest ethnic group in Mindanao, Philippines. They live in four provinces of Mindanao: Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In her research project, Virgencita (Jen Jen) Alegado examines the significant impact of ecological devastation on the Subanen people in the Mount Malindang Ranges, revealing how it has not only contributed to the erosion of their lands, but also their cultural identity. Jen Jen goes beyond this analysis to explore ways in which the Subanen people can reclaim and preserve their cultural identity. She also makes connections with Pope Francis' encyclical letter, 'Laudato si'', on 'care for our common home'.

Presenter: Sarah Dwan (New Zealand)

Title: Sparks, Drips and the Power of Young People

Young people have a huge passion for social justice, the environment, and causes around them. Sarah Dwan's research project, 'Sparks, Drips and the Power of Young people', looks at ways in which Mercy publications and wider work can be integrated into the New Zealand Curriculum and other aspects of education.

Sarah's research falls into two main areas: 'Sparks' – the use of Mercy Global Action's publication, 'From Sparks to Fire', as the basis for a Year 13 Social Studies Course, and 'drips' – how SDG6, 'Clean Water and Sanitation', can be investigated, learnt and actioned by young people, both in the classroom and through co-curricular activities, particularly an Enviro Group.

Presenter: Y. Alexis Stephens (Guyana)

Title: A Citizen’s Guide to Oil and Gas Extractivism: Impacts and Advocacy

In her research project, ‘A Citizen’s Guide to Oil and Gas Extractivism: Impacts and Advocacy’, Alexis Stephens draws upon a literature review of the historical context and various types of extractivism, as well as case studies on the diverse consequences of extractivism, particularly in the Global South.

The primary outcome of her research is a primer on extractivism tailored to Guyanese citizens. This guide aims to raise awareness of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of extractivism. It also offers practical tools and strategies for activism, specifically designed for local communities and civic groups, to combat exploitation and environmental destruction.