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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!