In our often divided world, one place where all of humankind is invited to come together to work for the common good is the United Nations. Despite its limitations, the UN system is our most effective tool for uniting with others in order to create and implement policies that secure a life of dignity for all of God’s children.
Article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations reads: “The Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC] may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence.”
Based on this article, two of the Maryknoll branches (the Maryknoll Sisters and the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers) have Consultative Status with ECOSOC, and the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns carries out the work of implementing this status. Our work with the UN aims to influence its agenda and is done by:
Maryknoll missioners serve as NGO representatives to the United Nations in New York where they bring the Maryknoll mission experience to important conversations with policymakers and civil society members from around the world.
The UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the goals. The SDGs focus global efforts on lifting people out of extreme poverty, while also addressing the challenges of ensuring more equitable development and environmental sustainability, especially the key goal of curbing the dangers of human-induced climate change. Today, progress is being made in many places, but, overall, action to meet the goals is not yet advancing at the speed or scale required. At the core of the 2020-2030 decade is the need for action to tackle growing poverty, empower women and girls, and address the climate emergency.
Maryknoll representatives to the UN work to promote peace, social justice and the integrity of creation by organizing their UN participation around the following topics:
Time: 12:30pm Eastern Time Can agrarian ways teach us about God, the nature of humanity, and the place of human beings in the world? What does an agrarian spirituality look like in an increasingly urban world? Register here In this public lecture, Professor Norman Wirzba, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, looks…
Time: 3pm – 4pm Eastern Time Have the past two years impacted the way we think about the future? This public lecture is sponsored by the Laudato Si Research Institute for theologians, ethicists, philosophers, and anyone interested in critical analysis of contemporary social theory. Register here In this lecture, Dr Emmanuel Nathan will analyze how and…
Climate change is our ‘fierce urgency of now’ and the Glasgow Climate Pact does not rise to the moment. Just as Dr. King said in 1963, there is such a thing as being too late.
A variation of a Jewish prayer for renewal traditionally recited in the light of the waxing moon.
Now, in 2021, we have reached a decisive moment. We must reach an agreement in Glasgow that sets a clear and ambitious timeline for a just transition away from harmful fossil fuels.
For an update on what’s happening at the UN Climate Talks: Tune in to a webinar featuring Chloe Noel of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at 1pm Eastern. Register now! Register to watch live and to receive the link to the recording to watch later.
Two recent UN reports offer the most detailed descriptions to date of the technology, investment and policy choices necessary to achieve a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
U.S. farm, food and trade justice advocates call on Pres. Biden to end the pro-corporate agriculture agenda in U.S. international policy and work more collaboratively with partners at UN food agencies.
Pope Francis gathered religious leaders and scientists at the Vatican to issue an appeal to world leaders for urgent action at the COP26 UN Climate Talks.
Maryknoll missioners took actions to respond to the cry of the Earth leading up to the UN Climate Talks (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, 2021.
Hosted by Pax Christi International. Join a great conversation with a mix of policymakers in celebration of their latest publication. Thursday, October 21, 2021 10AM Eastern Time CLICK HERE for more information and to register!
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns issued the following statement on September 23, 2021, in response to President Biden’s recent announcements regarding climate finance and vaccine equity.
Join us for a virtual side event of the UN ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum. This event is being organized by Sr. Marvie Misolas, NGO Representative of the Maryknoll Sisters at the UN. Please register here by April 13: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtdeivqj0oHNUanU1pp-BR6ZWusqPkaCd9 When: Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 1:15pm Eastern Time Introduction/Welcome – Marvie L. Misolas, Lead Organizer Moderator…
Flávio José Rocha, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Brazil, highlights the role Maryknoll Fr. Miguel d’Escoto played in the passage of the UN resolution naming water as a human right in 2010.
A new report highlights the international community’s perspective on the United States’ human rights record.
President Biden has several critical opportunities to address the threat of nuclear weapons.
We can create a world free of nuclear weapons.
Maryknoll missioners serve as NGO representatives to the United Nations in New York.
