Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur is an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations since 2001.
Sister Grace Amarachi Ezeonu, main representative of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at the UN, follows issues related to poverty eradication, migration, rights of women and girls, sustainable development, financing for development, education, and eradication of human trafficking.
SND at UN NGO Office
777 UN Plaza
Concourse, Suite C
New York, NY 10017-3521
1-646-683-6559
Posted on September 26, 2023 by Sister Isabelle Izika
Marie Josephine Ibanda, SNDdeN
Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, explained it as follows: “Today, we hold the future in our hands. Together, we must ensure that our grandchildren never have to ask us why we didn’t do the right thing and let them suffer the consequences of our inaction.” In short, sustainable development is a call to present generations to take action today so as to bequeath a world fit to live to future generations.
Since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000, and even more so in 2015 with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, education is recognized as an indispensable means for each individual to realize his or her potential, and for the international community to promote global progress.
As a congregation of women religious committed to education in all its forms and for all ages, while the chances of influencing educational policies at national level may be less, it is still possible to take concrete action based on the Sustainable Development Goals in our various educational contexts (schools, health centers, Christian movements, etc.). In the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in other countries where the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur serve, it is possible to organize discussions on climate change based on the consequences of human activities on the environment, including reduced agricultural production and the consequent deterioration in the health of rural populations. It is also possible to remedy the destruction of the environment by initiating reforestation activities with any group. Education is essential if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in our living environment.
For more thought
Are you aware if your ministry might be promoting the SDGs?
Which of the SDGs have you worked on the most?
What was your mode of action to achieve the SDGs?
In your work are you aware of the importance to “not leave anyone behind”?
Posted on September 19, 2023 by Sister Isabelle Izika
SNDdeN have a long tradition of engagement in addressing poverty (SDG 1), health (SDG 3) education (SDG 4), and More recently they have developed a project aimed at SDG 6 (access to potable water) and SDG 7 (renewable energy) through mobilizing a global north-south project of collaboration (SDG 17) to bring water and electricity to parts of rural Africa. The photo-voltaic project called “The Power of the SUN”, was piloted first at the Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center in Ipswich, MA (USA) before being installed in communities in both the DR Congo and Nigeria providing electricity, technology for communications, water purification and sanitation. The project serves the SNDdeN communities as well as their health and educational institutions, other convents and the population.
Additionally, today a “pure water project” of the SNDdeN in the Ohio Province, with the help of their Mission Partners, now provides clean water for Notre Dame sites in Zimbabwe and Kenya, as well as Brazil and Peru.
In these ways, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are partnering with others (SDG 17) to expand the reach of the SDGs.
Posted on September 12, 2023 by Sister Isabelle Izika
The United Nations will organize the SDGs summit. on 18-19 September 2023 at its Headquarters in New York, during the General Assembly. This high-level meeting will bring Member States together with non-governmental actors from both the private sector and civil society, women, youth. They will carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the SDGs, respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the target year of 2030 for achieving the way forward to achieve the SDGs within the remaining seven years. This will be formalized in a public declaration.
Posted on September 5, 2023 by Sister Isabelle Izika
” Human rights-based approaches to development are powerful tools that build our security and resilience. They focus on those most at risk of discrimination. They are the best way to reduce inequalities and get us back on track to achieve the 2030 Agenda. ” —Michelle Bachelet
TAKING STOCK AT MID-POINT
When the Member States agreed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, they committed to work to realize them in their own countries by 2030. Goal 17 asks for a “Revitalization of global partnerships for sustainable development”. (i.e., to facilitate the ambitious SDGs agenda). The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) is the principal global forum for the follow-up and review of the 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development by monitoring the progress of member States in realizing the SDGs. This year marks the half-way point for the achievement of the UN Agenda against the target year of 2030. The HLPF was convened in July from 10 to 17th under the sponsorship of the Council on Economic and Social Development (ECOSOC) with the specific purpose of reviewing the progress made by named governments in achieving the SDGs 6, 7,9,11, and 17.
Many governments were found lacking despite the United Nations’ adoption of them in 2015. With the launching of the SDGs, the overarching theme on UN deliberations became “Leave no one behind”. Progress report
WHERE ARE GOVERNMENTS IN THEIR MEETING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS TODAY?
The halfway review revealed little progress has been made in achieving the SDGs. Progress has been hampered by climate change, conflicts, food and economic crises, as well as the still lingering effect of the Covid-19 pandemic around the world. Governments also complained that promises of needed financial resources have not been honored. The lack of substantial progress puts every country and population at risk. Member States recommitted at the Forum to making greater efforts to implement the SDGs in the next seven years. They also gave their support to the SDG Summit that the General Assembly is convening to take place in New York in September 2023.
Each year a number of Member States choose to give a report of their country’s progress on the SDGs. Listening to these reports was very enriching. They helped understand how each government organizes itself, its strengths and weaknesses, and how they drew encouragement for their own efforts after hearing about the effective practices of other states. Among the thirty-nine countries that presented national assessments of their implementation of the SDGs, were two countries where Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur serve, namely Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These voluntary review countries offer citizens an opportunity to listen to what their governments say they have done and compare it with their own experience. They are then in a position to chide their governments to do more and take their commitments seriously. The review demonstrates how the United Nations monitors Member States and encourages them to move forward.
GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS
The halfway review revealed little progress has been made in achieving the SDGs. Hampering progress has been climate change, conflicts, food and economic crises, as well as the still lingering effect of the Covid-19 pandemic around the world. Governments also complained that promises of needed financial resources have not been honored. The lack of substantial progress puts every country and population at risk. Member States recommitted at the Forum to making greater efforts to implement the SDGs in the next seven years. They also gave their support to the SDG Level Summit the General Assembly is convening to take place in New York in September 2023.
Voluntary review of the DRCongo
“The Democratic Republic of Congo is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Progress is slow across all the SDGs due to Covid 19 and the war impacting the whole country. However, the country has improved its economy, thanks to mineral resources. In addition, the government has made structural changes in the education sectors by introducing free basic education, along with free health care for pregnant women and children under five; as well, it is working to improve the water system, electricity, roads and the whole transport sector both in cities and the rural areas.”
Voluntary Review of Belgium
“The Belgian government has made progress in achieving the SDGs, but these are not yet sufficient. The authorities are aware of the challenges and are working to overcome them. They were pleased to have worked on this report with all the stakeholders, namely: local governments, civil society, women and young people. It strives to make different investments, each contributing to the SDGs.”
Posted on August 30, 2021 by Sister Isabelle Izika
“Don’t talk about us without us” is a familiar maxim among NGO representatives at the United Nations to illustrate the importance of the inclusion of voices from the grassroots, especially the population they represent as stakeholders in the negotiation of policies that directly impact these individuals. It implies that real experts on an issue are those who have lived the experience.
The theme for the 2021 World Day against Trafficking in Persons (30 July), “Victims’ Voices Leads the Way,” highlights the key message that survivors of human trafficking are key actors in the fight against this scourge. A special event to commemorate the World Day organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Permanent Mission of Belarus, on behalf of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, addresses this theme. The event highlighted the importance of listening to and learning from victims and survivors of human trafficking. It drew attention to victims and survivors as key actors in the fight against human trafficking and addresses their crucial role in counter-trafficking conversations and responses; including establishing effective measures to prevent this crime, identifying and rescuing victims and survivors, and supporting them on their road to rehabilitation. Survivor-advocates, Member States representatives, and other stakeholders were among the speakers at the event. Watch the event HERE
Learn more:
“Victims’ Voices Lead the Way”: A Special Event on World Day against Trafficking in Persons: https://bit.ly/3fwcpsW
Posted on August 23, 2021 by Sister Isabelle Izika
Impacts of climate change continue to be felt by communities in almost every corner of the globe. Record high temperature is being recorded in every continent. During the last days of June 2021, Pacific northwest areas of the US and Canada experienced temperatures never previously observed, with records broken by several degrees Celsius in many places. (World Weather Attribution). Hundreds of lives and property worth billions of dollars are being lost due to unprecedented extreme weather events such as flooding in some parts of Europe, China, India, Bangladesh, to name a few. Extreme high temperature has also sparked wildfires in Australia, Greece, the United States, Turkey, Siberia, etc. Time is of the essence in tackling climate change. It is now time for governments to act decisively to limit the rate of global warming to save humanity and our beautiful Earth Planet.
For over two and half decades, the UN has brought countries together for the global climate summits – COPs (Conference of the Parties). On 12 December 2015, for the first time, every government agreed to work together to limit global warming well below 2 degrees, preferably to 1.5 degrees, to adapt to the impacts of climate change. In the legally binding international treaty (the Paris Agreement) adopted by 196 Parties, countries committed to producing national plans setting out how much they would reduce their emissions – known as Nationally Determined Contributions or ‘NDCs.’ They also agreed that every five years, they would come back with an updated plan that would reflect their highest possible ambition at the time. This will be the crux of the upcoming COP26 which will take place from 31 October to 12 November 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland (delayed for a year due to the pandemic).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released an alarming report on 9 August, warning that human activity is unequivocally and indisputably warming the planet. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, describes the report as ‘nothing less than a red code for humanity.’ A former Secretary-General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, in his remarks at the adoption of the 2030 Global Agenda, cautioned that “we are the first generation to be able to end poverty and the last generation that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.” He then noted that ‘future generations would judge us harshly if we fail to uphold our moral and historical responsibilities.’ Climate change is increasingly becoming an existential threat to the human race and the planet. COP26 has a particular urgency, and we hope that world leaders will arrive in Glasgow prepared to make some tough decisions to save our beautiful planet – our Common Home.
Read more:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment report: https://bit.ly/3lNJjJQ
Posted on August 16, 2021 by Sister Isabelle Izika
“Building back better” has become a very commonly used phrase at many United Nations (UN) and other international, regional, and national discourses since after the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. But what does building back better look like? And how can it be done with sensitivity to the needs of people often left at the margins of society? These same groups of people bore the brunt of the pandemic – women and children, minority groups, the youth, people with disabilities, to name a few.
Increased poverty rate and hunger, decreased number of children in school, job losses, increased debt burdens, growing inequalities, and increased human rights violations were some of the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 highlighted by many participants at the just-concluded High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (HLPF). The HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.” As many have acknowledged, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the socio-economic disparities within and among countries around the globe.
Some of the solutions to ‘building back better’ proffered by several stakeholders at the HLPF 2021 focused on the importance of social protection systems, sustainable agriculture, digitization, creating new debt relief, financing architecture, and more robust partnership between civil society, the private sector, government, and the international community and many more. The Ministerial Declaration at the end of the HLPF 2021 underscored the need for a resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that can, over the long term, reinforce, stimulate, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. To build back better, governments must consider the needs of every member of the society while respecting the human rights of all. No one must be left behind.
As part of an effort to turn around the trajectory on the devastation of our biodiversity, the UN General Assembly, in a resolution adopted on 1 March 2019, declared 2021 -2031 as a “decade on ecosystems restoration.” Clear evidence from the Amazonia in Latin America to the Congo Basin in Central Africa and other regions of the world indicates that our precious ecosystems are being depleted at an alarming rate. This trend spells doom for humanity because ecosystems support all life on Earth. And the healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. As Sister Dorothy Stang had often warned, “the death of the forest is the end of our life.”
We can become part of the solution by doing something (no matter how little) to remedy the situation. So, take action by clicking on this link https://bit.ly/3xK6tUc to pledge to “Restore the Planet.”
What is child labour? Not all work done by children is considered child labour. The International Labour Organization defines child labour ” as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.
What does child labour look like? Globally, 152 million children (this number has now increased to 160 million, according to the recent UNICEF/ILO report) aged 5 to 17 are in child labour. About half of the children (72.5 million) perform hazardous work that places their health, safety, or moral development at risk.
One in five children in Africa is involved in child labour, making it the region where the risk of child labour is greatest
Half of the affected children live in lower-middle and upper-middle-income countries
The problem is more prevalent in countries experiencing conflict and disaster
70% of children in child labour work in agriculture, mainly in subsistence and commercial farming and herding livestock
A third of children in child labour are entirely outside the education system, and those that do attend school perform poorly
How can we end child labour? With the right policy approaches and practical responses, the end is in sight. Here’s what we need to do:
Advance the legal commitment to ending child labour
Promote decent work for adults and young people of legal working age
Build and extend social protection systems, including floors, to help low-income families
Expand access to free, quality public education as the logical alternative to child labour
Address child labour in supply chains
Protect children in situations of fragility and crisis
Antonio Guteress (right) takes the oath of office for his 2nd term as UNSG administered by Volkan Bozkir, Presedent of the 75th session of the UNGA – UN photo/Eskinder Debebe
The United Nations General Assembly, on 18 June 2021, re-elected Antonio Guterres for a second five-year term as the UN Secretary-General. In his speech on taking the oath of office administered by Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly, Mr. Guterres acknowledged the immense responsibilities bestowed on him at this critical moment in history as the UN Secretary-General. He outlined some of the challenges as the ongoing pandemic, climate change, lawlessness in cyberspace, and geopolitical divide. Mr. Guterres, however, pledged to use his second term to “ensure the blossoming of trust between and among nations large and small, to build bridges and to engage relentlessly in confidence-building … and to “seek to inspire hope that we can turn things around, that the impossible is possible.”
It is easier said, but in a very polarized world with a multitude of challenges, Mr. Guterres will need all possible support from every angle of the globe to pilot the affairs of the 193-nation body in the coming five years. We wish him and his deputy, Ms. Amina Mohammed, wisdom, courage, and strength in their very vital role at this crucial moment in history.
SNDatUN's Blog 