Areas of work
The Presbyterian U.N. Office represents the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) at the United Nations. Staff members help to equip Presbyterians
for discipleship by training them to put their faith into action in the global
arena. The Presbyterian U.N. Office also bears witness to Jesus Christ by advocating
the concerns of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assemblies to the United
Nations. The Presbyterian U.N. Office is one way in which the church responds
to Christ’s call to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the
captives and to let the oppressed go free.
Advocates for women the world over
Presbyterians meet at U.N. on the status of women
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) met in New York March 2–13. Once again, Presbyterians were there.
For the fourth year, Presbyterian Women participated in the UNCSW. Seventeen individuals from Presbyterian Women joined staff and members of Racial Ethnic Young Women Together and the National Network of Presbyterian College Women at this 53rd annual UNCSW meeting. Presbyterian United Nations Office staff hosted the Presbyterians as they engaged in the UNCSW process.
This year's UNCSW theme is "The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS."
In an article posted by the Presbyterian News Service, Louise Davidson, vice-moderator for justice and peace of the PC(USA)’s churchwide coordinating team of Presbyterian Women, stated that the goal for Presbyterian participants “is to become informed advocates for women the world over.”
Sixty Years of Hope
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Human Rights Day, December 10, 2008, marked the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Sixty years ago, men and women gathered for the signing of a document that declared all people have rights — that there is inherent worth and dignity in every human person.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a secular document that shares some of the deepest convictions of our faith. In theological terms, the declaration is rooted in the belief that people everywhere deserve to live the abundant and full life proclaimed by Jesus. As the Rev. Bob Smylie, former Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations notes, Jesus’ “self-described calling included release of the captives, sight for the blind and liberty for the oppressed. These signaled Jesus’ unique concern for human rights — what is ours by virtue of the fact that we are created as children of God. The phrase ‘human rights’ is not biblical. The biblical message uses the language of justice, freedom, peace and security. These concepts are woven into the biblical fabric: the historical narratives, the books of the law, the prophetic teachings, wisdom in proverbs and the psalms. Jesus knew them as vital requirements for human fulfillment. They resonate throughout Jesus’ teachings, the writings of the disciples and in Revelation.”
During Advent, we join the world in longing for the day the promise of abundant, full life for all will be realized and in working in Christ’s name for that day. Worship resources are available for Human Rights Day.
Rights of passage
United
Nations General Assembly adopts Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on
Thursday, September 13, 2008. This milestone acknowledges respect for indigenous communities
that have been marginalized, discriminated against, and oppressed throughout
history and in our present reality. Read more about the Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Trick or Treat for UNICEF
For children all over the country, Halloween means dressing up as the latest in a long line of popular children's characters and collecting enough candy to rot out their teeth and give them the stomach ache of a lifetime.
But for a growing number of American children, it also marks a time they can help other children all around the world through a great program called Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Around Halloween, churches, schools and civic groups from all over hand out bright orange trick-or-treat boxes, with a little slit for coins in the top, explaining how each child could help children around the world by collecting coins for this great thing called UNICEF. Even though not all of the kids understand what great work UNICEF does, it gives them a connection to something bigger than they are and a chance to help out kids they'll never even meet. Even more importantly than that, being involved with Trick-or-Treat as children makes them even more interested in the work of UNICEF when they get older. Read more about Trick or Treat for UNICEF.
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