Given by Fr. Kevin Dance CP -
REPORT TO THE GENERAL SYNOD, OCTOBER 2002
****
Passion
of Jesus, Passion for Life:
Our
last General Chapter had for its theme "Passion of Jesus Christ, passion
for life.
'That
life, born from the cross, was me key for understanding all of the Chapter's
work under the dual aspect of "memory" and "prophecy". As
memory, it drew our eyes to the cross, from which new life flows, and as
prophecy, it asked us to look at the tasks of the new millennium with the eyes
of Jesus Crucified.' [44th General
Chapter p 10]
So
I see the work I am engaged in at the United Nations as an attempt to be
faithful to the vision of our Charism that was given a fresh expression in
A
Brief Outline: From
>
>
Arrival in
>
Welcome by Passionists
>
Openness of other Religious NGOs
>
Great Learning experience
>
Support of Solidarity Commission I see my work as fitting within the Chapter's
call to 'solidarity' as a new way of being together as Passionists-in-
mission- for- the- life- of- the- world.
The
Solidarity Commission is setting up a network of contacts throughout the
Congregation to assist this growing sense of interconnectedness and
interdependence. I am a member of the Solidarity Commission I see my task of
having the Passionist Family become an NGO as another expression of solidarity.
As the chapter said 'New realities call for new responses in faith'.
I
started in
"Passion
for Life at the United Nations"
Getting to know the UN
System
1
Involvement in Conferences, Commissions and meetings of the various UN
Organs.
I
decided the best way to enter this new ministry on behalf of the Passionist
Family was to make myself familiar with the UN system and how it works in
practice.
Fortunately at the
beginning of 2002 there were several meetings to prepare for World Conferences.
Each Conference is preceded by a number of preparatory meetings. Each of these
is called a "Preparatory Committee" composed of all the member States
of the UN
plus "civil
society" which includes all parties which are neither Governments nor UN
organisations. In the jargon of the UN such a meeting is called a PREPCOM. So in
the deep end. The meetings I've attended covered such areas as:
>Finance:
how to reorganize the financial architecture of the International
Financial
Institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund etc) to
favour the
poor.
>Trying
to address the eradication of world poverty
>
Reversing the damage done to the environment
>
The international community and its responsibility for children
>
Aging and its impact on the world community
>
Hearing the voices of Indigenous peoples
>
Addressing the continuing plight of the Palestinian people
PREPCOMS
AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED
14
-25 January: PrepCom 4 for UN Conference on Financing for
Development. (Held in
28
Jan - 8. Feb: PrepCom 2 for World Summit on Sustainable
Development
[W55D]
25
Feb -5 March Commission on Social Development acting as the Final
PrepCom for
World
25 March - 5 April: PrepCom
3 for WSSD.
23
April. Special High level meeting between Economic and Social
Council and
the Bretton Wood Institutions
[World Bank, International
Monetary
Fund]
24
May: Inaugural Session of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
24 May - 7
June: PrepCom 4 for W.S.S.D., Denpasar.
1-
26 July, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Substantive Session
24 August - 4
September. WSSD,
9-11 September, Department of
Public Information [DPI]/NGO Conference.
Rebuilding Societies after
Conflict - a Shared Responsibility,
23-24 September, Conference
organised by Committee on the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian
People. "End the Occupation".
To
be effective in UN Conferences, Preparatory Meetings etc, it is important to:
1. study the draft documents prepared by the Secretariate
2.
familiarise oneself
with the positions of key players - Group of 77
(677)
which is the group of developing or Third World countries and
includes
133 countries plus
alliances
such as JUSCANZ Group; etc.
3.
work with others to
prepare 'Talking Points' with which to advocate
governments
at conferences
4. prepare Position Papers
5. brief and prepare delegates for conferences.
6.
learn how to advocate for issues /lobby government delegations
and
then do it.
2
NGO Committees : Working with other to influence decisions:
NGO Social Development Committee
NGO
Human Rights Committee
-NGO Working Group
against Racism
NGO
Israel-Palestine Working Group
NGO
Indigenous Peoples Committee
NGO
Committee on
Religious at the UN
Involvement with the Ecumenical Team of WCC
Other
activities:
TV programme on Racism
and Discrimination
Invitations to speak to
parish groups.
3
Stages in creating 'Passionists International' as an NGO in Consultative
Status
with the Economic and Social Council of the UN:
Current Status:
We are not
registered in our own name.
Officially we do not exist, so
I cannot
officially act, speak or sign as Passionist representative.
I work in
association with the Sisters of Mercy
Benefits
of being accredited in our own name:
When we
are accredited in our own name we will be able to have our Passionist
men and
women attend UN conferences and make a contribution as part of 'civil
society'.
I could have others work for a time with me as an 'intern'. At present I
am
included on the ticket of another NGO, so I am unable to invite or bring other
Passionists
to share in the Conferences etc.
I need your help and
cooperation if this is to happen.
Information needed to
proceed with Application to DPI
Preparing Statutes
& Constitution for 'Passionists International.'
Incorporating
Passionists International as a legal body
Process of
Accreditation as an 'NGO in consultative status with ECOSOC.'
BUDGET and
FINANCE
The
headquarters of the UN is situated in
the
to
actually work out a budget. The community at
me
as an office. The biggest costs will be office rental, travel. Thus far I have
done
without
a mobile phone and office space on
if
I am to do my work effectively.
Office Space needed in
This
new ministry, I have come to see, is based on building relationships. If we are
to
have
influence, we must become known, make connections, establish networks. To do
this
a small space near to UN headquarters is needed. It has become clear to me that
it is
important
to also have a working space on
Religious
find it more economical to share office space, as rental is not cheap. By a
stroke
of providence it looks as though I will be able to share an office in a
wonderful
position
- across the street from UN headquarters. I have started initial negotiations.
It
simply
involves having a desk, a phone and a space to work in between working sessions
at
the UN and somewhere to invite people to meet with them.
INTEREST FROM AND
COMMUNICATION ROUND CONGREGATION:
o
Individual Religious
o
Inter-provincial Conference Mexico/USA
o
2 Congregations of Passionist Sisters
o
Stauros
o
Eight Day Center for Justice, Chicago
o
Compassion Magazine.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION FOR PASSIONISTS INTERNATIONAL
Obviously
it is not possible for one person to follow every strand of the United Nations.
I have noticed that Religious Congregations tend to specialize in 2 or 3 or a
maximum of 4
areas. I will need to
take advice from the people I represent. You will need to give some direction as
to what you wish me to pursue eventually.
HOW THIS PASSIONIST ACTION IS PERCEIVED:
"Often
you and those you -work-with must seem such a small voice in the face of this
crucified
-world. There are such strident and powerful voices raised against all you stand
for.
At times it must feel overwhelming and disheartening and difficult to remain
hopeful.
The
old ways are not working and -we have reached a critical point. Maybe the powers
that
be will have to be dragged kicking and screaming to rethinking a new paradigm
for
the
world. In the meantime we pray for and support you who work for a new Earth. It
seems
that where you are at the moment is a good place for Passionist ministry. The
memory
of the Passion surrounds you." (Comment from
a Passionist Associate)
Young man, an intern in
the Office of the Secretary General, was intrigued to learn that we, as a group
of religious, wanted to be able to take part in the life and decision making of
the UN. The next day I received an email from him and the correspondence has
continued. He sees our action as a small sign of hope.
Faith groups and
religious would be seen as having the task of keeping the issues of ethics and
values as part of the agenda of the UN. At the recent World Summit in
MANNER OF REPORTING TO
MEMBERSHIP
My fervent
hope is that this will become something that is owned by us all. When we
start to
say not "He's at the UN" but "We're at the UN" I
believe we will be making
progress.
I will report to the Congregation [and eventually the Passionist Family]
>
Through Fr. Jeff (General Consultor) link with Council
>
Keeping Fr Ottaviano informed
>
I would hope to use the communication structure of Arthur
Carrillo to inform and to brief the
Congregation
THIS IS A WORK IN
PROGRESS:
I
remember Fr. Ottaviano's words when I met with him and his Council in
because
this is a new reality in the Congregation, we must give it the space to evolve.
I
think
I have now learned enough to start regular communication with you all. I hope
and
pray
that it will become a two way street, a genuine dialogue.
I see this ministry as a
service to each of my Brothers and Sisters in the Passionist family.
I've been surprised how
often people - even those who are not Catholics - have heard of the Passionists.
Very positive influence of Louis Dolan at the UN.
LET'S
TALK ABOUT IT
Do you have some ideas of questions as
to how this UN ministry
you
achieve the vision of the General Chapter in your own area responsibility?
How can we stimulate an ongoing
conversation and dialogue throughout our membership to engage them with this
project?
What
are the critical Creation, Justice, Peace issues with which your brethren are
grappling that could be supported by this UN ministry?
How do we get a consensus on what
issues our UN representative should follow on our behalf?
From
your experience, what can we do to make this venture one that is truly shared by
the entire Passionist Family ?...............
Thank you for your trust in me to
establish this new and vital venture in the name of our worldwide Passionist
family. I look forward to working with each of you. I hope to be able to
organise the necessary formalities; to create a simple structure that can carry
our Passionist vision as a passion for life; and, when that is done, hand it
over to someone with youth and enthusiasm.
Kevin
Dance, C.P. October 2002