UNITED NATIONS
Why does it matter to us?
The presence of Sisters of St. Joseph in over 50 countries around the world moves us to a heightened global consciousness with one another and Earth. In 1979 the Congregations of St. Joseph established a presence at the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO). As an NGO, we bring our voice to UN issues related to those we serve at the grass roots around the world.
The preamble of the United Nations Charter, signed in 1945, speaks of our hopes for a better world.
"We the people of the United Nations determined:
- to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
- to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
- to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
- to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom."
Why should it matter to you?
"In the face of (global) challenges, we see divergent paths. One path is that of indifference, even hostility to global engagement. Another path views the world as simply a global market for the goods and services of the United States. Our faith calls us to a different road—a path of global responsibility and solidarity."
– Called to Global Solidarity–U.S. Catholic Bishops
What are we doing?
We maintain an office in New York City that serves as the locus of global coordinating efforts. As an UN-NGO, we are in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council Committee at the United Nations. Our presence at the United Nations allows us to contribute to the creation of a world of unity, peace, justice, reconciliation, and hope.
What can you do?
Learn about the UN Millennium Development Goals at www.un.org/millenniumgoals. The focus of Goal 8 is to develop global partnership for development. The deal makes clear that the primary responsibility of poor countries is to work towards achieving the first 7 goals. To do this it is critical for the rich countries deliver on Goal 8 which focuses on aid, trade and debt. Find out how we are doing?
Links to United Nations Sites:
The Congregations of St. Joseph – Non-Governmental Organization
United Nations
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
Commission on Social Development
Commission on Sustainable Development
Commission on Human Rights
Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
UN AIDS
UNICEF
International Day of Peace — September 21
International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. Each year the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mount Gallitzin Academy students, local officials and members of the community join together to observe the International Day of Peace.
Surrounded by flags from different countries, songs and prayers, participants pledge to become peacemakers in their schools, homes and communities.
Sister Jeanette Bussen, coordinator of the peace and justice ministry, said the day reminds students and families that we live in a world without borders, and is just one way in which the Sisters share their commitment to live non-violently and affirm the dignity of all people.
International Day of Peace
Stand Up Against Poverty — October 16–17
October 16–17, 2008, over 43 million people in 127 countries stood up and spoke out “to demand a more urgent political response to the growing crisis of global poverty and inequality.” Each year we call on global leaders to make decisions that will advance the Millennium Development Goals and cut poverty in half by 2015.
Stand Up and Take Action againt Poverty and for the
Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
The MDGs were adopted by the United Nations Summit in the year 2000 with the goal to reduce by half the number of people in the world whose income is less than a dollar a day and to restore to them dignity and a basic quality of life. The desire and hope is summed up in these words of Eveline Herfkens, "We are the first generation that can eradicate poverty and we refuse to miss this opportunity." Sisters of St. Joseph around the world are collaborating to implement the Millennium Development Goals.
Millennium Development Goals
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Sisters of St Joseph - Baden
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