WELCOME!

To the Dominicans at the United Nations in New York.

The Dominican Leadership Conference represents the worldwide Dominican Family, at the United Nations in New York, USA. Dominicans for Justice and Peace represents our Family at the United Nations in Geneva, Dominican sisters and brothers, men and women living in over 101 countries gives us an wonderful opportunity to bring their experience to the United Nations, to share their stories, their realities, their hopes and dreams for their people with the United Nations missions and Secretariat.

To speak truth to power is our responsibility and our privilege; to be Dominican means no less.

Our goal includes bringing the perspective of the United Nations to our Dominican Family and to support global action for justice and peace nationally.

These are goals which we share with the 192 nation member United Nations in its efforts to promote human rights and sustainable development in a world where justice will ensure human security and dignity for all.

Why should Dominicans (and other religious organizations) be at the UN? According to Noel Brown, former Executive Director of UNEP, religious communities have a significant place at the United Nations because they are all over the world, including some very difficult places; they do a lot with a little in terms of resources; when the situation gets difficult, they do not leave the place or the people; they have a long history of being with those who are poor; and they come to the international policy table with interests not their own.

Our areas of focus at the United Nations in New York are based on The International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace Call from Fanjeaux and the North American Call to Justice.

All of issues are interrelated. For example, people who migrate are often poor, often searching for employment, or escaping from conditions caused by war and natural disaster. The challenge is to see the connections and to be aware that policy decisions and advocacy must be multi-dimensional. There is a clear focus for each of the committees on which we are members, but there is also the realization that the work of one is closely connected to the work of the other.

I hope you find these pages useful and compel you to join this effort for peace and justice.

You are most welcome to come to New York and see Dominican preaching in action.

Margaret Mayce, OP (DLC/Amityville)
NGO representative to the United Nations in New York