Franciscans International
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Franciscans International is the presence of the Franciscan Family at the United Nations.
External Link
More information is available on their web site: http://www.franciscansinternational.org/
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What We Do
We bring local concerns to the committees and council meetings of the United Nations and other international organizations, to influence the economic and political decisions of world leaders. Franciscans work around the world in schools, hospitals, shelters, and specialize in many services for the poor. Franciscans International’s advocacy themes are designed in direct response to grassroots needs.
Mission Statement
Franciscans International works at the UN and international organisations to influence decision makers on behalf of the most vulnerable.
Vision Statement
We are men and women who are committed to the ideals of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.
As St. Francis once addressed the social leaders of his time with the challenge of peace, so today we are called to engage policy makers and world leaders at the United Nations for the work of justice, peace, the care of creation, and the promotion of human rights.
Programmes
The Africa Programme is the foundation for a comprehensive formation, advocacy, capacity building and a process of social transformation strategy deeply rooted in Franciscan spirituality, regional and international human rights standards and social development instruments. The programme serves five regions (West Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, Madagascar and the Islands) of sub-Saharan Africa.
Since its creation in 2005, Africa Programme provides tools and formation to enhance the efforts and capacities of grassroots Franciscans in Africa working for social change and strengthens the witness of Franciscans to justice, peace and human rights at the local, national, continental and international levels - particularly international institutions. A progressive strategy of a leadership formation is provided over a course of three years (2007-2009).
In each region, 35 - 50 selected participants are involved in the mobilisation and training of members of the Franciscan Family in order to ensure the consolidation, ownership and sustainability of the programme and its long-term vision. At the end of each leadership training seminar, participants develop a year-long "plan of action" to organise local activities, advocacy initiatives and human rights campaigns in their region. These plans of action are revised and renewed during following sessions. The programme focuses on key priorities including reconciliation and peacebuilding, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, poverty, responsible stewardship and Franciscan spirituality applied to social engagement.
The primary role of the new FI office in Bangkok is the strengthening of capacity building activities for human rights and environmental advocacy. Activities centered on training grassroots Franciscans, thereby complementing the focus on advocacy of FI Geneva, and the networking activities at the UN of FI New York.
In March 2008, the official inauguration of the office was presided over by His Excellency, Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, the Papal Nuncio to Thailand, Fr John Celichowski, President of the International Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008 and Sr Denise Boyle FMDM, the new Executive Director of FI. The opening ceremony was also attended by the participants from the first human rights training offered by the new office.
The first year of operations for an NGO office is often characterized by exciting highpoints and challenges. This statement is certainly true of the first year of FI Bangkok. FI Bangkok was able to offer and run all the trainings, advocacy workshops and animation activities because of the generosity of many Franciscan communities throughout the region, whose generosity enabled the infrastructure upon which the programmes were built and launched.
Franciscans International advocates for the integrity of the environment to take high priority. Countries have a responsibility to uphold the environmental treaties and conventions (such as the Kyoto Protocol) they have signed. Without a healthy environment, the earth will not be able to sustain future societies and economies. Uncontrolled use of natural resources such as forests, land, water and fisheries have caused distressing changes and unnecessary pressure on the global ecosystem. Unfortunately, this profound impact on natural resources is primarily due to over-consumption and over-production by a powerful minority. Dwindling supplies of fresh water, pollution, ozone depletion, deforestation, global warming, degradation of agricultural land, the impact of militarization on the environment - all are the result of unsustainable overuse or abuse of resources. Moreover, though these environmental changes are a result of overuse by rich countries, they often have a stronger and more severe effect on poorer developing countries.
Current consumption and production patterns are deteriorating the earth's ecosystems, depleting the earth's resources, proliferating inequality, poverty and conflict. Current economic trends and social exclusion continue to perpetuate economic disparities between and within nations. Sustainable development would ensure that resources were used in a manner that addresses the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs - reinforcing the indivisibility of human dignity and the collective responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life and to future generations. Economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development. Poverty eradication, changing consumption and production patterns and protecting and managing the natural resource base for economic and social development are overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development. Increasing the productive capacity of poor people increases both their well-being and that of their communities and societies, facilitates their participation in resource conservation and environmental protection, and facilitates a partnership of all humanity.
This would include improving access to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurial opportunities and productive resources, including land, water, credit, technical and administrative training, and appropriate technology; strengthening efforts to broaden the human capital of societies through universal access to basic social services including education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. Increasing the productive capacity of poor people and the eradication of poverty depend on the full integration of people living in poverty into economic, social and political life, with particular emphasis on the empowerment of women. Integration of environmental and developmental concerns will lead to the fulfilment of basic needs. Fulfilment of basic needs is a prerequisite of improved standards of living, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future for all.
Franciscans International’s West Papua programme developed from an initial urgent action on the violation of human rights in West Papua that was brought to our attention by OFMs working in this troubled region. This opened the opportunity for FI to work with OFMs at the Office for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Diocese of Jayapura, or the Sekretariat Keadilan dan Perdamaian (SKP) in Bahasa Indonesia; to a permanent advocacy program a number of years later.
FI and SKP have been working together for more than seven years, strengthening advocacy initiatives at the local, national and international level. In 2007, FI established a permanent West Papua desk. This was a major step forward: it has enabled us to better represent Franciscan concerns for human rights in West Papua at the United Nations in Geneva.
In 2007 and 2008, our advocacy has highlighted the widespread occurrence of torture and ill-treatment, caused by the abuse and impunity of the security services (military, police, intelligence and special units) present in West Papua. The impact of their presence on the lives of indigenous Papuans is a constant concern for our partners, SKP, and thus remains a large part of our advocacy work in Geneva.
History
The seedlings of Franciscans International (FI) sprouted in 1982 when two Franciscans, a sister from the United States and a brother from Malta, saw the potential for effective Franciscan input at the United Nations (UN). Aware of the indispensable role of NGOs in UN decision-making, the two suggested the idea to their respective Justice and Peace Committees. The idea of Franciscans at the UN was met with approval and excitement. It quickly grew into a common project of the Franciscan Family and an interfamilial Preparatory Committee was organized for this future ministry. This Committee prepared the FI Vision Statement centered on three main goals:
1. Raising awareness of the interconnectedness of all creation, and thus stressing the need to care for creation – both human and environmental;
2. Promoting peace;
3. Voicing concern for the world’s poor.
While gathering strength and momentum within the Franciscan Family between 1982 and 1989, Franciscans International was officially recognized as a non-governmental organization (NGO) by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) in 1989. After further organizational work, smoothing out a membership plan, and opening an office in New York, FI was approved for NGO Category 1 Status. This was a major step for Franciscans International.
Having General Consultative Status (Category 1) with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) enables FI to participate in all activities of the Council through written and oral statements. This means that FI is able to be present at UN World Conferences and their Preparatory Committees, General Assembly special sessions, the UN Commission and Sub-Commission on Human Rights, and the committees that monitor States’ compliance with specific international treaties. Furthermore, this status gives FI a critical responsibility to provide technical expertise and advise to governments and the UN Secretariat. Thus, FI was challenged to strengthen ties with Franciscan brothers and sisters in the field, often in developing countries, to enable meaningful contributions to UN forums.
In 1997, FI expanded to Geneva, Switzerland, where the concentration is on the promotion and protection of human rights and their civil, cultural, economic, political, and social manifestations.
A key shift in FI's short history took place in 1999 when the Conference of Franciscan Family (CFF) redefined the notion of membership for FI. As opposed to maintaining select membership in which individuals or groups choose to become members of FI through contributions, the CFF approved a more inclusive membership policy. All Franciscans within the jurisdiction of the CFF are automatically members of FI. Therefore, FI provides a service to all Franciscans based on their need for access to the international community, research, or advocacy to address a local challenge. This membership change has implications for funding – we are funded by voluntary contributions from members of the Franciscan Family. Often, those who need our services the most cannot help support us financially. Contributions from Franciscan communities in the developed world enable us to serve the friars and sister from poverty stricken areas of the world.
Though our history remains brief, we have made great strides in the growth of FI and are reaching a peak of effectiveness, attaining a strong reputation both in NY and Geneva, and strengthening our visibility as a service within the Franciscan Family.
Timeline
1982
Two Franciscans, a sister from the United States and a friar from Malta, suggest to their respective Justice and Peace Committees the possibilities of having a Franciscan presence at the United Nations.
1984-88
The idea of Franciscans at the UN grows into a common project for members of the Franciscan Family and an interfamilial Preparatory Committee is organized for this future ministry within the United Nations. The Committee prepares a Vision Statement, focusing on three areas of Franciscan work: peacemaking, concern for the poor and care of creation. The Vision Statement is circulated among major superiors in Rome for their endorsement.
1989
The UN Department of Public Information (DPI) officially recognizes Franciscans International as an NGO.
1990
FI opens an office in New York and the Committee further develops FI statutes, an organizational structure and a plan for membership.
1991
The Preparatory Committee now serves as the Executive Committee for FI and it begins the process of application for consultative status (Category 1) with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN.
1995
FI is approved for NGO Category 1 Status (later called General Consultative Status) with ECOSOC, allowing it to participate through oral interventions and written statements in the activities of ECOSOC. These include: UN World Conferences and their Preparatory Committees, General Assembly special sessions, the UN Commission and Sub-Commission on Human Rights and the committees that monitor states’ compliance with specific international treaties. This status gives FI the responsibility to serve as technical experts, advisors and consultants to governments and the UN Secretariat.
1996
To clarify the structures, membership and fundraising of FI, the Conference of the Franciscan Family (CFF) in Rome, including the Ministers General of Friar Minors, Capuchins, Conventuals, Third Order Regular and Secular Franciscan Order and the President of the Inter-Franciscan Conference Third Order Regular, appoints a Working Group to prepare a new organizational “Charter” for FI.
1997
FI, with Dominicans for Justice and Peace, opens an office at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to focus on the promotion and protection of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.
1999
The Conference of the Franciscan Family approves the new “FI Charter” and assumes its role as Sponsor. The CFF appoints thirteen men and women to the new FI Board of Directors.
2000
The FI Board meets twice, in January and November, and it begins to align FI with its new “FI Charter."
2001
The CFF writes a letter to the international Franciscan Family, asking them to participate in and to contribute to the support of FI.
2004
In November, John Quigley, OFM is appointed Executive Director with Michael Joyce as Chief Financial Officer. The two offices in New York and Geneva are thus brought under a single management structure.
2005
FI establishes an Africa Desk, working under the direction of Mike Perry, OFM with Yao Agbetse of Togo, to address issues of HIV and AIDS, peacemaking and conflict resolution.
A partnership with the Marist Brothers is established, and the First and Third Order Anglican Franciscans formally join the CFF as FI sponsors.
2007
FI launches its Asia-Pacific Programme, co-ordinated from Geneva. Ms. Julie Morgan is appointed as the Programme Coordinator.
In October, FI becomes partners with Edmund Rice International (ERI). Edmund Rice International works at the international level to promote and protect the rights of the child, the right to education and to engage in ecological advocacy through the promotion of ecological sustainability.
2008
FI opens its third office in Bangkok, Thailand. The primary role of the office is to strengthen capacity-building activities for human rights and environmental advocacy.
FI establishes a “Franciscans Urgent Action Network” in order to respond to requests for immediate action at the UN from Franciscans at grassroots. This Network addresses serious human rights violations.
