UNESCO NGO Meeting

The ERI Geneva Team and Kevin Cawley from New York attended the 61st UN NGO meeting in Paris recently. There were over 300 NGOs represented. Edmund Rice International does not yet have UN status so the team members present were facilitated by Franciscans International and the International Presentation association. Debates and discussions covered a wide range of issues: biodiversity, poverty questions, education, migration issues, and conflict resolution. While the quality of the presentations was unevent, there were enough stimulating events to prompt reflection and action. Above all, the opportunity to meet other like-minded groups and persons was in itself a worthwhile experience. The presence of so many faith-based organisations reinforced a sense of a common engagement in the project of realising God’s dream of a better world for all. There were also opportunities for serious inter-religious dialogue and prayer. The meeting took place in the UNESCO building in Paris, not far from the Tour Eiffel.