SIMN

Religious Congregations at the United Nations: Speaking with a Strong Voice.

With SIMN becoming increasingly involved in the proceedings of the United Nations and making its presence ever more visible among the various participants at different forums and conferences, we came to the realization that we were newcomers into a well organized community.

A large number of Religious Congregations are already registered and have been active within the United Nations for quite a few years. Also, in order to make their presence more relevant, several Congregations have joined forces by coming together under the umbrella of an associations or a federation.

One of them called “RUN” (Religious at the United Nations) brings together about 50 congregations-see list at the end of article.

Another association under the title “The Religious Orders Partnership: A Global Network Creating a Just World Order” expresses its mission with these words: “United in our sense of mission as religious congregations at a time of transition to a global society, we are called to place the history, tradition, gifts and resources of religious life at the service of the global community. We commit ourselves to leadership within the movements of our time with other religious Congregations present at the United Nations”

We at SIMN are now visiting all these organizations; building connections with other Congregations; taking advantage of their experience while promoting our charism and purpose. A strong partnership with other Religious Congregations will provide us with a stronger voice in the international field.

We as Pious Society of the Missionaries of St. Charles-Scalabrinians were already present at the UN through the Center for Migration Studies of New York. But this presence, though important, was somehow limited to the field of research and study. Now through SIMN we have the possibility of being involved, together with other Religious Congregations, in the international debate especially on people on the move.

It is quite an eye-opener to see how frequently forums, conferences, meeting and seminars on the topic of migration are held. Now we will have the possibility of bringing our voice to this dialogue and, as a result, better serve the migrants and refugees in our missions by bring their voice to the international table.

RUN (Religious at United Nations)

1. International Presentation Sisters
2. School Sisters of Notre Dame
3. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary
4. Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame
5. Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
6. Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
7. Salesian Missions
8. Loretto Community
9. Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
10. Edmund Rice Christian Brothers
11. Daughters of Wisdom
12. Elizabeth Seton Federation
13. Passionists International
14. Dominican Leadership Conference & Partnership for Global Justice
15. VIVAT International
16. International Catholic Organizations Information Center
17. UNANIMA International (A federation of 10 Congregations)
18. Vincentians
19. Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace
20. Augustinian Fathers
21. International Public Policy Institute
22. Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
23. Temple of Understanding
24. Ursuline of Mount St. Joseph
25. Oblates of Mary Immaculate
26. Sisters of St. Joseph
27. Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
28. Grail International Secretariat
29. Leadership Conference of Women Religious
30. Franciscans International
31. Society of the Sacred Heart
32. Medical Mission Sisters
33. Mercy Global Concerns Sisters of Mercy
34. Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
35. Sisters of the Holy Child
36. Marianists International
37. Congregation of the Mission
38. Ursulines of Tildonk
39. Sisters of Charity, NY
40. Congregation of St. Joseph
41. Order of Discalced Carmelites
42. International Federation of Catholic Universities
43. Fraternite Notre Dame
44. Catholic International Education Office