Madam World President
Madam World Vice President
Members of the Executive Committee
It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I greet you in the marvelous and matchless name of one whom we call The Christ. It is with deep humility and appreciation that I continue to serve as the NGO Representative to the United Nations, and have enjoyed the privilege of sharing with other NGOs the work of the WFMUCW.
As NGO Representative, my responsibility is to learn about the UN System and the main organs of which it is comprised: Secretariat, the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC with which we have consultative status), the International Court of Justice and the Trusteeship Council. We are also in consultative status with the Department of Public Information (DPI). These organs are comprised of various commissions, agencies and departments. For more information, interested organizations may refer to wwwun.org. As a Representative, I also have the opportunity to see what role NGOs play within the ECOSOC organization and also the DPI. I regularly visit the NGO Resource Center to see what committees in which we should become involved that support the mission, goals and beliefs that we, the WFMUCW, hold near and dear – “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known.” NGO committees act as doorways to becoming involved with advocacy for the various commissions in ECOSOC. NGO Committees work together, share best practices regarding the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), toward education, awareness and outreach. NGO Representatives act as the key liaisons to civil society in bringing in the organization and public’s opinions and concerns to the UN System.
Since becoming an NGO Representative, I have been asked to chair various committees and serve in numerous capacities. Several NGOs have offices in the Church Center for the UN. Since we do not have an office, I have had to find other NGOs who are kind enough to let me sit at one of their desks, if vacant, in between the various meetings, since these meetings are held at different times during the day. I am usually at the UN three to four days per week. During the Conference on Social Development, the Commission on the Status of Women, the International Slave Trade and the Conference of NGOs, I commute to the UN daily during the one- to two-week conferences.
Immediately upon my return from the 12th World Assembly in Johannesburg, SA, I attended and participated in programs at the Church Center for the United Nations and the UN Headquarters sponsored by Religions for Peace, the National Council of Women of the United States, Sister to Sister International, Inc., Ecumenical Women, UN Women, the UN Association and with other NGOs. The focus of these meetings centered on the needs of women and girls, gender equality, the work of the UN Women toward empowering women, girls and children, the sharing of best practices toward the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and what communions can do to improve conditions throughout the world and in their own backyards.
It is important to note that the WFMUCW is in full compliance with ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) and DPI (Department of Public Information), as we have filed comprehensive reports to maintain our status and to attain our badges for the 2012 year. Both our World President and World Vice President are listed among the representatives of the WFMUCW who can attend meetings at the United Nations. We also work diligently to ensure that our organization as representation at the briefings that are held every Thursday at the UN or Salvation Army.
While I am not at all disappointed with the work, there are times when I really have to decide on our level of involvement. We are regularly asked to be involved in programs with numerous NGOs, to attend programs on critical topics that impact women, girls, and civil society. All of these issues are significant. Last year, Mia, Rosangela and I were able to represent the WFMUCW by attending different meetings. This year, Mia continues to assist by attending Ecumenical Women and others pertaining to ECOSOC, which has been of great help to me. I have been asked to sit on several committees again this year—Religions for Peace North American Women of Faith Network, the position held by Dr. Barbara Shaw during her tenure, as well as several other programs being sponsored by the UNA-USA and other NGOs. While I am delighted that we have been involved and are being asked to become even more involved, this is both a sweet and bitter sweet opportunity, as it requires a great deal of time and commitment. I am in the process of evaluating the effect our involvement has or has had in a number of these initiatives and will work toward a resolution to this “wonderful” problem.
There must be more involvement and attendance at meetings at the UN that are open to the public. I am appreciative of some of the A.M.E. Zion women who attend a number of these programs. However, I am in need of suggestions as to how to spread the word so that more members of WFMUCW can attend. Meetings held at the Church Center for the United Nations are open to the public. Individuals interested in attending may contact me via my email address bsmith0825@aol.com. Also, members of the Executive Committee who may visit New York on occasion should contact me so that I can arrange to meet them and take them on a tour of the UN.
The WFMUCW has been called upon to submit oral and written statements to the NGO Branch of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs for the 2012 ECOSOC High Level Segment (HLS) for NGOs in ECOSOC consultative status. The HLS will include sessions on the Annual Ministerial Review (AMR) and the Development Cooperation forum. The theme this year will focus on “Promoting productive capacity, employment and decent work to eradicate poverty in the context of inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth at all levels for achieving the MDGS. The HLS will be held on 2-9 July 2012 at the UN Headquarters in New York.
This is, indeed, a tremendous opportunity for the WFMUCW to go on record and make its presence known by writing a statement on how to achieve employment-related goals and commitment, highlight positive synergies between employment, poverty reduction and the achievement of MDGS/AID. Mia Adjali and I will work together with the World Vice President to prepare a written statement. Upon completion and before submittal, the report will be forwarded for review and approval.
A more detailed report will be submitted on or before June 30, 2012.
Brenda L. G. Smith, Ed.D., UN Representative