Joseph Foley, CM, Congregation of the Mission Representative at the UN writes of the Social Agenda of the Congregation at the UN 2004-2005″Playing one’s role in the United Nations (as a member of civil society and as a representative of a non-governmental organization) need not blind one to the glaring weaknesses of the organization. While a great strength of the UN is that it is the only international institution in which the most powerful nations are held accountable to the least powerful ones, a perennial problem of the UN is that it is too weak, not that it is too strong. The great danger lies in the self-interest of its member states, which allow only what suits their national agenda. As supporters of the UN, NGOs advocate alternatives to domination and self-interest as the basis of world order.
“As a religious Community working in 79 countries around the world, the Congregation of the Mission has its own impressive record of promoting better standards of living for people, especially those who live in conditions of poverty. From the earliest days of our Institute, our members, too, ministered to victims of war in various European countries. And, our record shows that we have a long history of protecting and defending human dignity and the integral human development of those we serve. It is only logical, then, that Vincentians partner, and at times challenge, another global institution committed to: saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war, promoting fundamental human rights, ending poverty and establishing the conditions under which justice can be maintained. Each of these is fully consistent with what we believe to be God’s will for this world.
“In 2004-2005, the NGO Office of the Congregation has selected the following areas as its primary focus:
1. The Issue of War and Peace
2. Children and HIV/AIDS
3. Social Development
