On January 1, 2025, Sandy Figueroa and I became the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s newest representatives to the UN Working Group to End Homelessness (WGEH), and members of the Famvin family.
United Nations
The Hidden Victims: Human Trafficking and the Migration Crisis
As we commemorate this month the Feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita, our thoughts turn to the plight of human trafficking victims and migrants.
2025, a Year of Great Hope
In November 2025, two major events—the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year focusing on homelessness and the UN’s Second World Social Summit—will renew global commitments to social justice and inclusion. The Civil Society Declaration 2025 urges bold action for systemic change, emphasizing solidarity, resilience, and prioritizing human dignity over profit to address persistent inequalities and foster a better future for all.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Advocacy of Peace, Empathy and Fraternity
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul advocates peace, fraternity and empathy in its worldwide action, especially at the United Nations. Guided by the motto “Serving in hope”, it seeks to build a more just and united world.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: A Governance Approach Whose Time Has Come
Working on a variety of important issues through UN NGO committees has taught me several critical lessons, the most instructive of which is how addressing problems from a multi-stakeholder perspective can yield more positive outcomes. Why is this, and how is it particularly Vincentian?
An Urgent Crisis Requiring Global Unity
Every year, climate discussions at the UN grow more urgent as temperatures rise, extreme weather worsens, and vulnerable communities suffer disproportionately.
Make Room…Here Come The Young
The United Nations on September 20th had a very different feeling. Or vibe, as the younger generation would say.
UN Mission Visit with Ambassador Krzysztof Szczerski and Malgorzata Benson
The focus of our meeting was ending homelessness (no easy task). Last month, in our newsletter, I raised the challenge of remaining hopeful in this advocacy work.
Summit of the Future
The WORKING GROUP TO END HOMELESSNESS (WGEH) Statement on the Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future
The Future of the Multilateralism: Insights from the Upcoming Summit
In September 22-23 2024, world leaders will gather in New York for the United Nations’ Summit of the Future, an event intended to revive a multilateral system built for a different era.
It’s Called Fairness
A three-year-old screams “It’s not fair” when she thinks her brother gets something she doesn’t. Another child cries out the same when told it’s time for bed while an older sibling stays up.
Ending Poverty and Ensuring Dignity for All
Over the past three years, the number of individuals living on less than $3.65 USD-a-day increased by 165 million. Today, nearly 700 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty, on less than $2.15 a day.
