Mercy Global Concern - 2003
Reflections from the Mercy participants at the recent
DPI conference
At the 56 DPI/NGO conference held
at the United Nations in New York,
"Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations",
there were 8 Mercy Women present, including myself. Below is a brief overview
of what they said...
Magdala Thompson RSM Mobile, USA
" At the 56th annual conference of the Department of
Public Information- Non- Governmental Organizations, held at
the United Nations in
New York, I learned the important role of NGO members in bringing
information and problems to the UN in New York. Impressive to
me was the number of religious women in attendance and their
participation in many of the discussions.
I will share my experience with the Mercy women in Mobile -ninety
Sisters from different communities - and with QUEST a social
justice group of which I am a board member. I have invited the
Director of MGC to come to Mobile to further explain the work
of Mercy Global Concern at the United Nations.
Mary De Largy RSM N. Ireland " I was privileged to attend the 56th DPI/NGO conference
at the UN entitled
"Human Security and Dignity: fulfilling the promise of the United Nations.
In the three short and very full days I moved from feeling an observer, overwhelmed
by the impact of standing in the UN building to being a part of a global community
focused on building partnerships and strategies, which would help see the realization
of the Millennium Development Goals. Truly, I felt the UN was my organization
with Mercy Global Concern in there making our voice and concerns heard in the
corridors of influence.
Two thoughts struck me as I write this initial reflection on
the experience; one was the vulnerability of the UN community
as several speakers referred to the recent loss of colleagues
in Iraq and the pending second anniversary of the 11th of September.
Secondly, was the renewed determination on the part of those
present to strengthen alliances, share good practice and challenge
the prevailing abuse of economic and political power especially
in relation to the allocation of resources. We were reminded
for example that President George Bush had asked for $87 billion
for Iraq and only $200 million for the Global fund to fight HIV/AID,
TB and malaria. A different world is possible and the international
cooperation modeled at the UN keeps the vision alive.
Opportunities for sharing at greater length will be forthcoming
in Provincial newsletters and briefings. The Irish Antennae of
the European Faith and Justice Network has invited me to speak
at their next meeting and there is talk of inter-provincial gatherings
which would help spread the good news of international global
and local cooperation."
Joan Mc Keon RSM, New Jersey, USA
"
It really spurs one on to be in the presence of eight sisters
of Mercy and 2,500 NGO's from all over the globe who are
working in harmony with the UN and are involved and dedicated
to making a lasting difference in people's lives. I was especially interested in the workshop, "Best Practices
for Protecting Victims of Child Trafficking: a Coordinated Response
in Three New York City Ethnic Communities", since part
of my work in Refugee Resettlement includes placing unaccompanied
refugee minors for the USCCB/MRS in Washington, DC.
I was heartened by Kofi Annan's message to the conference
participants. He stated that collective security is ultimately
founded on the well being of the individual and that universal
human security is at the heart of the UN Millennium Development
Goals, embraced by Member States as a blueprint for building
a better world in the 21st century.
The work of the UN really connects the world and I am most grateful
and filled with hope because the organization exists. Its task
is daunting but I am reminded of the wisdom and fortitude of
Lao Tzu: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step." The UN is taking giant steps in the areas of peace,
women, children, environment and so many others.
Marie Teresa Mc Loughlin RSM, Lebanon, Middle East " I learned again that the earth and its resources belong
to all of us and it is our responsibility to care for it and
each other.
Education is the key to going forward, in promoting peace; non-violence
and the dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing
environmental devastation.
The depletion of resources and the extinction of species mean
that many indigenous communities are being undermined. The benefits
of resources are not shared equitably. A new value system needs
to be sown, so that once we have enough, we do not need more.
I hope to use my experience to network on the ground.
Carol Rittner RSM Dallas, USA
"
I learned just how intricate is the web of NGO's affiliated
with the United Nations and also how valuable. Without the NGO
presence, both in NYC at the UN, agitating, educating, and encouraging
various national delegations, UN staff, and UN ambassadors, as
well as NGO presence "on the ground" all around the
world, much less would be accomplished by the United Nations.
I also learned just how well other NGO staff respects Mercy Global
Concern (MGC). MGC is known, respected, and welcomed in many
NGO and UN offices, and that is something that made me very proud.
You and your predecessors have done and are doing a great job
in representing Mercy interests at the United Nations. I intend to invite the Director of MGC to lecture at The Richard
Stockton College of New Jersey about the work of MGC and how
it is vital to the work of the UN, and vice versa.
I intend to work with the Director of MGC so that I can invite
3-4 Catholic (nuns and priests) NGO's on a "Journey
of Understanding" to further Peace efforts In Israel and
with Palestine (January 2004)
I intend to continue to volunteer my time to help the Director
of MGC to further the goals and objectives and, support the work
of the United Nations in whatever way I can.
Marilee Howard, RSM, PhD. Washington, USA " A great deal of Information was shared at the DPI/NGO
Conference: "Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the
Promise of the United Nations."
The conference included information about the basic concepts
of human security and dignity; that human security cannot be
assured without considering all aspects of human rights, economic,
social and cultural as well as political and civil. Since all
human rights are inseparable, it is not adequate to protect the
political and civil rights of persons, and the security of national
boundaries. It is necessary to attend to the whole range of rights,
to the needs and concerns of rights, to the needs and concerns
of human persons, to what persons need to live well.
The conference also provided information on many ways that human
security and dignity are being threatened. Security is threatened
as surely by lack of food security and a consistent source of
clean water as it are by the violence of our world today. It
is threatened as much by the degradation of the environment and
by devastating epidemics (such as HIV/AIDS in Africa) as by repressive
regimes. In some way the picture painted could be one of great
challenge and discouragement given the nature and scope of the
threats to human security and dignity that exists in our world
today.
However, the conference also provided a great deal of hope,
for there are many ways that the needs and threats are being
addressed effectively. There are many ways that persons are being
engaged in the effort to improve conditions in which we live.
This is in small local projects, and in educational efforts to
help new generations develop attitudes, beliefs and skills conducive
to peace.
But it is perhaps some of the simplest of ideas that will be
most important to me in my ongoing work for Mercy and justice.
Judy Gaspard, principal of the Grand Caillou Middle School in
Louisiana shared simple principles that are applied to her school.
Among these simple beliefs and attitudes are the following, as
I might translate them from middle school to anyone's life.
- It is important to let each person find his or her own strengths,
and to give each person a chance.
- Each of us needs to do the best we can.
- We do have choices, and making excuses are not helpful
- It is possible to find good in any situation and it is
very important to give recognition to each person for
the good that
they do, and for the person they are.
- When we know our strengths, we can appreciate and
accept the differences among us more readily.
In addition to all this content specific information, I also
gained a greater appreciation for the organization, structure
and operations of the United Nations. It was wonderful to share
these days with so many dedicated persons from around the world
and with seven other Sisters of Mercy who participated.
I will be sharing some information from this conference in our
Institute newsletter, VITA, and in the Justice Newsletter that
is sent to each regional community on a regular basis. I also
know that aspects of this conference will enlighten and enliven
my ongoing work of promoting the justice efforts of the Institute
of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Philomena Bowers RSM, London, England
The Statue of Liberty is probably one of the best-known symbols
of freedom in the world. "Lady Liberty" stands at
the entrance to New York and would have been clearly seen by
the millions of immigrants who spent time on Ellis Island, undergoing
the process of admission to the U. S. These millions of people
came seeking freedom:
- Freedom of worship
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom from hunger and disease
- Freedom from political oppression
All were following the dream of a better life for themselves
and their families. The voices on Ellis Island speak of unimaginable
courage by young women and men who took their few belongings
and set out into the unknown. The exhibits in the gallery are
the treasures of peoples' lives that would connect the
immigrants to the old world while they made their way in the
new.
I watched the Labour Day parade in New York and I asked the
question about labour relations and regulations. The answer was
that given in many developed nations - the workers would
ask for more money so the industry/business shuts down and relocates
to a country where wages are lower. The consequences are inevitable - unemployment
at home, exploitation of workers abroad. It seems an established
cycle.
Both experiences - the visit to Ellis Island and attending
the Labour Day parade - were a good preparation for the
conference at the United Nations. People everywhere continue
to dream of a better world, a better life for themselves and
their families, and the prospect of living in security and dignity.
Security and dignity for many people is about having access to
clean water, being free from starvation and disease, being able
to support their family, living without fear, being free from
exploitation. It does not seem much to ask in a world of such
resources and riches. Yet the vast majority of the world's
population, as we know, lives in poverty. And so the migration
of millions of people continues.
Those who addressed the conference brought a worldview of the
desires of people. Hearing the story was a reminder that our
desire to live in peace and harmony could supersede our religious,
ethnic, social and political differences if we have the will
to allow that to happen. The presence of so many delegates, representing
so many thousands more, was a reminder that the majority of people
are of one mind and have good will towards others. They believe
there is a better way. Together we can make a difference.
I have come away with some memorable quotes:
- Security has no meaning if people starve
- Without human dignity for all, we will not have human security
- People empowered can make better choices
- A great nation is a compassionate nation
- We need not just a sustainable life but a sustaining
life
- We need to be the living models of the values we
proclaim
A thought that has been with me since my return concerns our
witness as Christians. A number of speakers at the plenary sessions
and the workshops said they were Muslim and indicated that their
faith had an influence of their actions. I did not hear any speaker
say they were Christian. Are Christians unwilling to be a witness
to the faith? Are we feeling too defensive? Are we too unsure
of the answers to the questions we might be asked? And I have
asked myself the question - does my faith influence my
actions?
Attendance at the conference was a real experience of the global
vision of the world. I believe I will be drawing on that experience
for a long time to come and, in doing so, I hope it will bring
about change for me. My first responsibility is to share the
story of the experience with others through the written word,
the spoken word and in encouraging positive action in our own
context.
Submitted by Deirdre Mullan RSM
Director
Mercy Global Concern
Representing the Sisters of Mercy at the UN
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