Sisters of Notre Dame seek NGO status at the United Nations
The Sisters of Notre Dame are currently applying for
NGO (non-governmental organization) status at the
United Nations. Sisters Carol Brandt and Mary Jo Toll
began this work at the United Nations on January 6, 2007 with mentoring from another religious congregation—the Sisters of Notre Dame
de Namur.
The focus of our congregation's efforts will be advocacy for women and children in need.
During this initial stage Sisters Mary Jo and Carol are participating in a variety of NGO commissions and committees. They are using advocacy skills in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations to explore and advance the global causes of social development, women’s rights, migrants, financing for development, indigenous peoples, sustainable development, and poverty eradication.
In addition there is opportunity to converse with member states who welcome the freedom of NGOs to challenge existing conditions which allow many to remain in dire situations of hunger and poverty.
The sisters are energized by the welcome and inclusion they have experienced from religious community NGO groups and other NGO organizations which focus attention on the world's underserved peoples.
