Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

What did we hear?

On Wednesday, September 7, the first day of the 58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, the gospel reading proclaimed at the Liturgy for that day was the Beatitudes!! How appropriate!

IPA Participants at the DPI/NGO Conference: Marlette Black, Emma Rooney, Fatima Rodrigo, Pegge Boehm and Sharon Altendorf

Five Presentation Sisters from throughout the world - Sharon Altendorf (IPA NGO Representative at the UN), Marlette Black (IPA Networker from Australia), Pegge Boehm (Aberdeen SD), Fatima Rodrigo (IPA Intern from India) and Emma Rooney (Newfoundland CA) - gathered on that first morning in the General Assembly with 1,784 like-minded people from 124 countries. Needless to say, we experienced much energy and passion. The presenters addressed the title of the Conference, Our Challenge: Voices for Peace, Partnerships and Renewal, in many different ways. We experienced the largest gathering of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in the history of the United Nations. We were called to be “Partners for a Culture of Peace”.

We heard many words from United Nations leaders to people who are working for change in the poorest of countries! We heard challenges like: “Rise up to Poverty”. All were invited to wear a white band to show their solidarity with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which we seek to achieve by 2015. See www.whiteband.org to order a white band and see www.millenniumcampaign.org to become more familiar with the MDGs. The MDGs are primarily “people centered”. They are about development, about focusing on the development and needs of the weakest, poorest and most vulnerable in the world. There are 50 countries that have been identified in this category – 34 in Africa including Zambia, 14 in Asia and 2 in South America including Bolivia. However, the MDGs are not limited to these countries. “Blessed are the poor” challenges us to seek justice wherever and whenever we are! One of the presenters reminded us, “It would be a failure if religious communities were not part of the MDG action”.

"Wake Up to Poverty" Rally held during the DPI/NGO Conference

To influence the Heads of State and the work of the 2005 UN World Summit (September 14-16), we assisted Fatima and Sharon in the writing of a statement from IPA which challenged our leaders to “provide sufficient resources to address world poverty by meeting and going beyond the MDGs by 2015”. We were compelled to write because while the Conference unfolded, we were informed that a small group of Member States were attempting to negotiate a document for the World Summit. Echoes of their attempts were woven through our sessions like course unwanted strands. The fundamental differences between the Member States and NGOs became all too apparent. The former operating from their national interests; the latter seeking a global vision of human rights, development and security for all peoples.

Some speakers helped us understand the role of NGOs. They said, “You are needed as actors in the field, as advocates – as the voice of the poor, as watchdogs as much as ever, as campaigners for the MDGs.” In regards to our partnership with governments and decision-makers they said, “Decision-makers need decision-shapers when making difficult choices. Decision-makers need strong allies who speak up for the poor.”

We heard about the need for security in a new paradigm where security, human rights and development are advanced together. So many Nation States are still operating from the old paradigm where security is the absence of war. The poorest countries in the world are in need of basic human needs, like water! Nigeria currently is struggling with a government who wants to privatize water. The speaker said, “Access to water is a right, not an economic commodity. Privatization disproportionately affects the poor.”

Other speakers reminded us about the inequity in the world: “A parking meter earns more per hour than 70% of the world’s population.” “Over 900 billion is spent on arms each year. It would take only 6 billion to eradicate world hunger.” “If the poor of the world are to be empowered, others must lose power.” And one of our favorite quotes of the Conference was, “Vision without implementation is hallucination.”

We all attended various workshops. One of us attended a workshop on youth and peacemaking. At one point, we knew we weren’t in “Kansas” anymore when the speaker concluded his presentation with the following blessing: “May the compassion of the Buddha always be with you.” A young youth peace activist from Japan spoke about a “Peaceboat” in which 600 passengers voyaged together learning about disarmament and listening to stories from Nagasaki survivors. It was he who said, “Militarism undermines true development.”

The young and the old were represented both as speakers and presenters. We saw several participants with “walker.” Never too old or physically challenged to have a voice!

How were we challenged?

Emma Rooney and Pegge Boehm attending a session of the DPI/NGO Conference

We both were challenged to be more vigilant about how our own countries promote or hinder efforts to advance the MDGs. We seek to be the change we want for the world. We were challenged by the Conference challenge on the first day, “Rise up to poverty”. The symbolism behind standing up or rising up in our liturgical tradition speaks to witnessing to the Paschal Mystery – entering into the partnership with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which leads us amidst those with whom we minister.

And of course, we will more actively take responsibility to be well informed of the MDGs and other issues that affect those made poor. We will support and encourage others, partner with others who wish to be involved in justice issues, especially in the advancement of the MDGs. We both made a renewed commitment to be faithful to the IPA, to Chapter decisions and to the poor around us. One of the speakers challenged us this way: “Be professional at schizophrenia – act locally and think globally!" She continued, “We need governments to think like NGOs and we need NGOs to think like governments.” In the final speech of the conference, Kofi Annan reminded the NGOs, “You can see what is not seen by governments.”

So what?

One cannot have an experience such as this and not be somehow changed, somehow affected! We have grown to appreciate the leadership of Sharon Altendorf at the UN. She is highly respected by other NGOs. This experience draws us closer to her efforts and her invitations to us to influence our world leaders. She continually challenges us to remember that “we are ALL IPA.” We have gained a deeper awareness of global issues in general. We feel a solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are oppressed as well as with NGOs around the world. And finally, we need to pray for renewal at the UN and for all Member States. We both were grateful for this opportunity to partner with other Presentation Sisters.