News Archives » United Nations
Oblate Missionaries at the United Nations: Advocating for Justice, Peace and Human Dignity January 8th, 2025
By Br. Benoît DOSQUET, OMI
The Missionary Oblates advocate for the human rights and well-being of the most vulnerable through collaborations with organizations such as VIVAT International and the Coalition of Religious for Justice. In this article, Benedict reflects on the work of the Missionary Oblates at the UN and their commitment to the most vulnerable, justice and peace.
 |
 |
The journey of the Oblate Missionaries at the UN and with VIVAT International
In 2004, the Superior General sent Father Daniel LeBlanc on a mission to the UN, where the Missionary Oblates were incorporated as an NGO. Initially, Father Daniel worked with the organization “Franciscan International”, whose mission was to advocate at the United Nations for respect for human dignity and for environmental justice, using a human rights-based approach.
Very quickly, the Missionary Oblates joined the NGO VIVAT International, founded in November 2000. The name of the organization, derived from the Latin word “VIVERE” (meaning “TO LIVE”), symbolizes a commitment to life for all. VIVAT International will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. Today, two Missionary Oblates work directly with VIVAT: Father Daniel LeBlanc, who speaks at the UN on behalf of VIVAT and the Missionary Oblates, and Father Daquin Iyo, who represents the organization in Nairobi, where the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is located.
VIVAT International: A global commitment to human rights and justice
VIVAT International now has over 17,000 members from 12 Catholic religious congregations and works in 121 countries to promote human rights through both international and local advocacy. In 2017, the Missionary Oblates, along with 22 other NGOs, formed the Coalition of Religious for Justice (JCoR), strengthening the capacity of Catholic religious congregations on the ground and their representatives at the United Nations.
Religious NGOs are recognized at the UN for their moral presence, adopting a preferential option in favor of poor and marginalized people. They address the root causes of poverty, injustice, discrimination, violence and unsustainable development in the world.
READ THE FULL STORY AT OMIWORLD.COM
UN Actions on Climate Change: Fr. Iyo Danquin, OMI Reports March 20th, 2024
Reports By Fr. Iyo Danquin, OMI, Nairobi, Kenya
Civil Society Unites to Address Triple Planetary Crisis
During UNEA6’s second day on February 27th, a pivotal event titled “Civil Society Unites to Address Triple Planetary Crisis” convened at UNEP headquarters. Stakeholders recognized the urgent need to combat biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. Panelists, representing both Brooke and World Animal Protection, emphasized innovative solutions, urging collective action.
READ MORE
United Nations Environment Assembly-6 (UNEA-6) Echo Report
Background
The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) convened from February 26 to March 1, 2024, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The session’s main theme was “Effective, Inclusive, and Sustainable Multilateral Actions to tackle the triple planetary crisis Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Pollution, and Waste.
READ MORE
Upcoming Webinar: Faith Speaks to UN75 October 15th, 2020
In observance of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, join Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and members of the Committee of Religious NGOs in a webinar, Faith Speaks to UN75, scheduled to take place onWednesday October 21, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.(New York time) and facilitated via Zoom. Discussions will center on the need to continue working together through partnerships and strengthened collaboration among faith-based organizations and civil society in general, national governments, the international community, the private sector and other actors.
Please register by October 20th via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpcu2uqD4uEtWStFEaMfMn1TeZJaAes3vZ.
UN@75: A Prayer for the United Nations September 23rd, 2020
The United Nations rose out of the ashes of World War II. The 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN is an occasion for the celebration of its achievements – ‘save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, promote “fundamental human rights”, establish conditions for the respect of “justice and international law” and “promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”
The anniversary provides us an opportunity to envision a United Nations fit for our times, to better serve a world very different from that of 1945.
Religious working at the UN have prepared a prayer service to mark the 75th anniversary of the UN. We are encouraged to gather with our family and community to pray for a good future for our world.
Join in and download the prayer here.
NGO Declaration on the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations September 9th, 2020
COVID-19 Recovery: Building Back Better
Fr. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI Reports
The Conference of Non-governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO) is an independent, international association facilitating the participation of NGOs at the United Nations. Fr. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI represents Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at the United Nations.
Fearing attention is focused on the global health crisis, while efforts to address the ongoing climate crisis, achieve sustainable development and gender equality, protect human rights and promote peace are being neglected, CoNGO recently issued a statement on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the UN.
