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NEW UPDATES AND
CURRENT EVENTS
School Parade - 1
What's New - 2
DECEMBER 2019, ISSUE NO. 07
.com/unanimaintl/
info@UNANIMA-International.org
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Whats Happening at the
UN
2. UNANIMA International's
Symposium on Women and
Children Experiencing
Homelessness
3. Intern Update and
Introductions
4. Grassroots Stories
5. Regional News
6. New Look
• Carmelite Sisters of Charity-Vedruna • Congregation of Bon Secours of Paris • Marist Sisters • Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal •
Congregation of Our Lady of Sion • Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes • Congregation of St. Brigid • Daughters of Wisdom • Handmaids of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus • Holy Union Sisters • Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart • Religious of Jesus and Mary• Religious Sisters of Charity
(Ireland and Australia) • Sisters of Notre Dame • Sisters of Providence • Sisters of St. Anne • Sisters of the Divine Savior • Sisters of the Holy
Names of Jesus & Mary • Society of the Holy Child Jesus • Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin • Ursuline Charism Group • Ursuline
Sisters of Mount St. Joseph •
News from the UN & Around the World
V
A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Jean
@UNANIMAIntl
@unanimainternational
As we come to the end of another year at UNANIMA International, with its many joys
and challenges, we continue our efforts to highlight homelessness. Homelessness will
be addressed at the United Nations for the first time in history, at the 58th Session of
the Commission for Social Development, in February 2020. Thus, it is a unique and
opportune time to push for progress, action, and a paradigm shift on the issue.
Homelessness is a painful reality for many women, children, and girls, and it is
particularly highlighted at Christmas time, when families gather to celebrate. The fact
that homelessness persists and is increasing, is a challenge to what we honor and
value in our world. Walking through the streets in New York these days, and
experiencing the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city, I often find my eyes turned
away from the glitter and dazzling lights as I stand on street corners, shocked by the
never ending number of homeless people bedding down for the night on the street.
And so my friends, wherever you are in the world, as you take time to celebrate
Christmas, let’s think of the deeper meaning, and how the great meaning of the Christ
child can be manifested in the lives of those in need. Perhaps this a time to ask
ourselves how can we become instruments of joy in our world now, and welcome the
homeless family, the refugee, and the migrant, sharing with them the joy in your life.
As I wish each of you a blessed Christmas, I ask you to join with UNANIMA
International in fighting homelessness in our world. On behalf of the team in New York
—Molly, Eliza, Kirin, Alina, Xishi, and Stacy—I wish you a joyous Christmas, and a
blessed 2020.
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World Children
'
s Day
NGO Major Group - Migration (MG)
The NGO Committee on Migration is currently working
on the follow up and implementation of the Global
Compact for Migration. in celebration of the 30th
Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
the monthly meeting in November had a number of
guests speak on the rights of children in relation to
Migration. For more information you can visit their
website https://ngo-migration.org
Working Group to End Homelessness (WGEH) and the
Commission for Social Development (CSocD)
WGEH and NGO CSocD are working together in
preparation for the upcoming 58th Commission for Social
Development. With the theme “Affordable housing and
social protection systems for all to address homelessness,”
the joint effort of these groups is ensuring the voice of Civil
Society gets heard. The committees have been working
together on a number of documents and strategies,
including but not limited to: the civil society declaration,
talking points, and an advocacy strategy. The social media
team has recently launched a social media campaign for
the remainder of 2019 and 2020 in the lead up to the
Commission. Please keep an eye out for this and like, share
and repost across your social media platforms. Let’s make
this issue go viral!
NGO Committee Updates
WHATS HAPPENING AT THE UN
Each year on the 20th of November World Children’s
Day is celebrated across the globe. Established in 1954,
it is celebrated to promote international togetherness,
awareness among children worldwide, and the
continued improvement of children's welfare. It gives us
all an inspirational platform to advocate, celebrate and
promote the rights of children and push dialogues that
build a better future and a better world for children.
November 20th is a special date for Children for many
reasons as on this date in 1959 the UN General Assembly
adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and
in 1989 the UN General Assembly adopted the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention
on the Rights of the Child is a monumental document
for each of us! Not only does it establish the rights of a
vulnerable group each and every one of us has been
part of, but it is also the most ratified document in UN
history.
This year we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. Among the
numerous events held globally, the United Nations had a
wonderful celebration with a wide range of speakers
and advocates including UNICEF ambassadors David
Beckham and Millie Bobby Brown. With a “Kids Take
Over” portion of the event we heard from Children all
over the world about the issues they face, and the
successes they have achieved. If you would like to watch
the event you can visit: http://webtv.un.org
/search/part-1-of-4-high-level-meeting-on-the-30th- anniversary-of-the-adoption-of-the-convention-on-the- rights-of-the-child-1-general-assembly-31st-plenary- meeting-74th-session-2-interactive- segment/6106802319001/?term=2019-11-20&sort=date
Did you celebrate World Children’s Day? If you did, send
us a story about how you celebrated!
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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Each year on the 17th of October the United Nations
and people all around the world celebrate
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This
day is an opportunity to celebrate and promote a
dialogue and understanding between people living in
poverty, their communities, and society as a whole. “It
represents an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts
and struggles of people living in poverty, a chance for
them to make their concerns heard and a moment to
recognize that poor people are in the forefront in the
fight against poverty.” (United Nations, Report of the
Secretary General, A/61/308, para. 58). As we know,
poverty is not solely an economic issue, it is a
multidimensional issue that incorporates a lack of both
income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity.
This is why it is important that we all get involved in
addressing it.
This year the theme of the day was “Acting Together
to Empower Children, their Families and Communities
to End Poverty”. This theme was chosen as a
celebration of 2019 marking the 30th anniversary of
the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child (UNCRC). In New York, we celebrated at the
United Nations at an event organised by, ADT4th
World, UNICEF, UNDESA, the NGO Committee for
Social Development, and Burkina Faso and French
Missions. The event reflected on the rights that this
landmark human rights treaty sets outs to achieve
including: the civil, political, economic, social and
cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race,
religion or abilities. Unlike previous years, the United
Nations welcomed a large number of
children to take part and attend the event, giving the
room an atmosphere like no other.
As part of the planning committee, UNANIMA
International was involved with the organization of this
event. We were delighted that Elizabeth (Liz) Madden
was able to represent UNANIMA International,
speaking to her lived experience and the Rights and
Empowerment of Children from a Parent’s
perspective. Liz spoke eloquently, moving the hearts
of many in the room. Along with much recognition and
congratulations, she received a heartfelt thank you
and mention from the French Ambassador who closed
the event. If you would like to watch the event and
listen to Liz and many other wonderful speakers
addresses you can watch it here:
http://webtv.un.org/meetings- events/watch/international-day-for-the-eradication-of- poverty-2019-theme-acting-together-to-empower- children-their-families-and-communities-to-end- poverty/6095666629001/?term=
In the evening UNANIMA International also had the
opportunity to co-sponsor an event hosted by Mercy
International Association at the United Nations Church
Centre. In celebration of the day we were all treated
with an uplifting musical performance by well known
Liturgical singer and songwriter, David Hass.
Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy and join in the
performance, as well as attend a meet and greet at a
reception afterwards.
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UNANIMA International hosted a “Symposium on Women and Children/Girls Experiencing
Homelessness/Displacement” at the Baha’i International Community Center, in New York, on October 17th,
2019. The event comprised presentations by thematic experts in the area of Homelessness, as well as an
individual with a “lived experience.” The symposium was hosted in preparation for the 58th Session of the
Commission for Social Development, which will take place in February 2020. This Commission will be a landmark
occasion, as for the first time in the history of the United Nations, Homelessness will be discussed as part of the
priority theme: "Affordable Housing and Social Protection Systems for all to Address Homelessness". The goal of
the symposium was to lay the groundwork for the paradigm shift that is needed in understanding homelessness,
highlight the particular plight of homeless women and children/girls, and focus on how to best advocate for them
during this upcoming Commission and into the future.
The event was moderated by Sr Angela Reed, of Mercy Global Action. She introduced Fr Guillermo (Memo)
Campuzno, C.M. from the Congregation of the Mission and The Working Group to End Homelessness, who gave
an overview of the issue. He emphasised the role of civil society to advocate for affordable housing and social
protection systems for women and children, who are systematically “left behind.” Delegate from the Irish Mission,
Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir, echoed this sentiment when she said that civil society must make governments
accountable.
The next speaker on the panel was Leilani Farha, the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing,
Homelessness, and Human Rights. According to Leilani, there needs to be a paradigm shift in the way we view
homelessness. Instead of criminalizing homeless people when they try to do the things required to survive as a
human being, we need to see homeless people as “rights holders” who have been failed by the State. Thus, this
shift requires a human rights framework, and an understanding that homelessess results from the failure of the
government to effectively implement the right to housing.
Renata Kaczmarska from the UN Focal Point on the Family, spoke of homelessness being a socio-economic
issue, and having largely resulted from the financialization of the housing market, whereby housing has become
a commodity. Chris Williams, Director of UN Habitat, spoke about the need for social protections in policy making
in order to prevent people from falling through the cracks due to issues such as a failed prison system, drug
abuse, addiction, economic detriment, and other causes. He urged members of coalitions to support other
coalitions, as they are all connected to the same goal of achieving Human Rights and helping the furthest left
behind.
UNANIMA International'
s Symposium on Women and Children/Girls
Experiencing Homelessness/Displacement
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The next panelist was Elizabeth Madden, who is a community activist, and works for the Cork anti-poverty agency
in Ireland. She shared her “lived experience of family homelessness,'' and her experience with Sophia Housing
(an Irish housing and support agency founded by Executive Director of UNANIMA International, Jean Quinn). She
emphasized the importance of service providers providing support that empowers the individual. Sophia Housing
Projects Manager, John McEvoy, followed with his presentation on “Family Homelessness/Displacement from the
Perspective of NGO Service Providers.” He spoke about the serious lack of affordable and adequate housing, and
the situation in Ireland, whereby the government relies on the private sector to deliver social housing solutions,
and relies almost exclusively on the NGO sector to provide homeless services.
The final panelist was UNANIMA International Research Fellow, Kirin Taylor, who presented UNANIMA’s
"Research on Family Homelessness/Displacement." Kirin described the goals of this research as the identification
of good practices in how to serve the homeless; data estimates for family homelessness across eight case study
countries; the documentation of lived experiences which will be shared within the UN and used for educational
campaigns; and a preliminary analysis of Family Homelessness, which will be organized thematically, in response
to the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
This concluded the symposium, which presented varied perspectives on the issue of homelessness, urged a
paradigm shift that views homelessness as a violation of human rights, and helped to focus on the goals and
advocacy needed for the upcoming 2030 Commission for Social Development.
To add
Symposium Continued...
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Autumn
INTERN UPDATE & INTRODUCTIONS
Research Volunteer - Alina Tiphagne
Graduate Data Science Intern - Xishi Chen
Alina Tiphagne was born in Madurai, India. Growing up in
household with two social activists, she started
photographing stories on land rights, bonded labor, caste
discrimination, tribal settlements, political demonstrations,
and development programs. Alina’s work has been published
by Amnesty International, The News Minute, and Telepolis
(Germany). Additionally, she has mobilized support for, and
helped organize several social justice campaigns; she has
traveled throughout India, and elsewhere addressing social
issues ranging from female infanticide to protection of the
environment. She is a recent graduate from the International
Center of Photography in New York and continues to work
on stories about conflict, gender, humanitarian crisis, and
immigration rights. She joined UNANIMA International as a
volunteer for Family Homelessness/Displacement and
Trauma research, contributing an international lens and
wonderful, ethics and justice-based ethnographic skills.
Xishi grew up in China. She is currently pursuing her
master's degree in Statistics at Columbia University. Xishi
has a passion for volunteer work, and she has experience
working as a data analyst and a data scientist for several
different companies. Recently, Xishi joined UNANIMA
International as a data scientist intern, combining data
analysis and research about homelessness.
The Hidden Faces of Homelessness
We are reaching out to everyone in your community and
beyond to send us videos, stories, voice recordings, art or
other multimedia for contribution. We are especially
interested in hearing the voices of Women and Children/
Girls who have a lived experience of Homelessness/
Displacement and Trauma. If you have any questions or
would like to contribute something please contact
info@unanima-international.org.
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REGIONAL NEWS
BON SECOURS - USA - Welcoming the Future with Audacious Hope
The theme of the General Chapter of the Congregation
of Bon Secours called us to be both bold and hopeful
in the midst of a reality that can engender timidity and
fear. As our Sisters, Ministry Volunteer, Associate and
Young Adult representatives gathered for two weeks at
our Retreat and Conference Center in Marriottsville,
Maryland, we prayed, laughed, danced, and dreamed
a new future together. Assisting, nudging and
challenging us forward and inward were our speakers
and facilitators: Anne Hayden, MM, Jesuit Cardinal
Barreto of Huancayo, Peru, Carol Zinn, SSJ from
LCWR, Shannon Curran, Director of Ministry
Volunteers for CBS, Vincentian Father Jose Cristo Rey
from Spain, and our very own Jean Quinn, DW, from
UNANIMA International.
Jean shed light on one of the thoughts from Carol
Zinn: “We are women with hearts big enough to hold
both boldness and fear.” Jean invited us to image
Wisdom setting her table, welcoming all to dine as we
are all wrapped and enveloped in God. Therein lies our
strength and our fear – the stranger is our table mate,
sitting at our elbow – what is it that s/he is asking of us,
how will listening and responding effect the way I live,
the choices I make? We were invited to make room for
houses of welcome, to get out of our comfort zones, to
be truly audacious, to be conscious of the displaced
persons in our midst and in our global village. Shannon
Curran shared that ministry volunteers living in the
community really experience the move from a driven
life to a called life. This is not easy for any of us, as the
needs are so great and our resources seem to be so
few. But again, Jean Quinn shared with us that true,
lasting change is slow and painful at times, requiring
patience and courage.
Specifically with regard to the environment and climate
change, Cardinal Barreto reminded us that the G-7 has
pledged 100 billion dollars for weapons, and a mere 20
million for the Amazon. This represents their hypocrisy.
We must have the courage to call them out, but also to
direct our own energy toward the environment and not
toward negativity. Jose Cristo Rey, CMF challenged us
with these words: “A congregation without on-going
formation does not deserve initial formation, because we
will be leading others into deformation.”
Jean’s presence and message gave us great hope in
recalling that the NGO’s at the UN are a living sign of
interculturality and inter congregational impact as
together we both dine at and serve Wisdom’s table
where need and abundance meet. Carol Zinn shared
Albert Camus’ reflection that “the only way to deal with
an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that our
very existence is an act of rebellion.” May our rebellion
become a force for wholeness in a world so broken by
greed, suffering, fear, and violence. May we all be
women who dare to welcome, indeed to midwife, the
future with audacious hope!
Fran Gorsuch, CBS
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Don't forget to Like and Follow UNANIMA International's Social Medias
December 1st - World Aids Day
December 2nd - International Day for the
Abolition of Slavery
December 3rd - International Day of
Persons with Disabilities
December 5th - International Volunteer Day
for Economic and Social
Development
December 10th - Human Rights Day
December 18th - International Migrants Day
December 20th - International Human
Solidarity Day
Important Upcoming Dates
UNANIMA International'
s
New Look
The staff at UNANIMA
International would like to
wish you and your loved
ones a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy
New Year. May this period
be filled with joy
December 2019 marks a year of UNANIMA International News from the UN and Around the World. If you have
feedback on the newsletter's content or design please send your comments to info@unanima-international.org
In December 2019 UNANIMA International will be
launching our New Look! You might have seen our new
logo across our social media pages and in this edition of
UNANIMA International's News form the UN and around
the World. In the coming days we will be launching our
new website where you will find updates from the UN,
information on our programs, stories from the grassroots,
information and links to our coalition partners, our Women
of Courage and all you need to know about UNANIMA
International. Stay tuned to our social media's for an
official notification when our new Website goes live!