Baroness Cox and the work of HART
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Baroness Cox visited Stonyhurst shortly before half term to talk about the work of her charity, the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART). Many people were very moved and interested by what they heard; she spoke of many horrifying situations where Christians are bravely standing up for their faith in the face of enormous suffering.
HART is committed to serving people in need, especially those who are or have been suffering from oppressional persecution. Its remit is two-fold and combines aid and advocacy.
The people with whom it works are often off the radar, not served by international aid organisations, neglected by international media and unable to communicate with the wider world. They may be people
- in active conflict zones (Burma)
- in post-conflict areas still devastated by war (East Timor, Southern Sudan, Northern Uganda)
- oppressed for social and political reasons (orphaned and abandoned children in Russia; Dalits and Temple prostitutes in India)
- caught in inter-communal violence (Northern Nigeria).
HART believes that working with local people in partnership is the most sustainable and culturally sensitive method of engaging in humanitarian action, promoting sustainable development.
Baroness Cox said we cannot do everything but we must not do nothing. Pupils and staff are now considering how Stonyhurst might support the work of HART.