Mission Statement

Partnership for Global Justice is a network of religious congregations, other groups and individuals grounded in gospel values. We stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed, foster justice for earth, and reverence the diversity of world cultures. Therefore we commit to develop a global consciousness through educational programs, advocacy and participation with the United Nations.

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The Partnership for Global Justice is a network creating a just world order by collaborating for global systemic change.

The Challenge:

As the world shifts.

From:
Global governance as inter-state relations

Global security focused on national security

Sovereignty as the supreme authority of nation-states

Non-Governmental organizations as advocates to influence government and UN Policymaking

To:
Global governance as public and private sectors managing their common affairs

Global security focused on human and planetary security

Sovereignty as people organizing for decision-making at local, national and international levels

NGOs as partners in global governance with governments and the UN


As religious life broadens.

From:
Direct service

Lobbying for rights of the underserved

Mainstreaming immigrants

Teaching appreciation for nature

Serving in congregational ministries

Developing persons


To:
Systemic change

Acting with governments for more equitable global governance systems

Solidarity with the world 1.3 billion people in dire poverty

Teaching kinship with nature

Serving in partnership ministries

Developing community


.the most critical need of the human family is to create the moral and political will to develop global governance systems that support political security, social integration, economic equity and environmental protection. Because national governments are not designed to serve global priorities, they cannot lead the way. Today, civil society organizations are uniquely positioned for leadership. In particular, religious orders, with their global networks of people and institutions and their professed commitment to a just world order, can take the lead in the creation of the next phase of civilization. Will we rise to the challenge?


Our Response

Since 1979, religious orders have supported the mission of Global Education Associates. In 1991, religious orders formalized their relationship with GEA and each other in the GEA-Religious Orders Partnership. During this time, programs of education flourished which promoted global citizenship and global spirituality, providing many groups with resources to expand their vision of the universe and promote justice issues in collaboration with other religious.

In 2003, the Religious Orders Partnership has developed into a new entity emerging from a history and tradition of promoting world order and justice. In 2004 we changed our name to Partnership for Global Justice. Our mission statement follows:

Partnership for Global Justice is a network of religious congregations, other groups and individuals grounded in gospel values. We stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed, foster justice for earth, and reverence the diversity of world cultures. Therefore we commit to develop a global consciousness through educational programs, advocacy and participation with the United Nations.

We commit ourselves:

. To stand in solidarity with the suffering of those on the underside of history by joining oppressed peoples in their struggle for justice and working for equitable global systems;

. To live in kinship with nature by promoting earth literacy and working for ecological sustainability;

. To promote the wisdom of all cultures and traditions by educating for global citizenship and providing basic education for all;

. To participate in a movement from separation to communion by facilitating communion among the world's faith traditions and developing and fostering a global spirituality.


How the Partnership Works
The Partnership for Global Justice interfaces with other groups to promote global consciousness and a shared global ethic, and achieve global systemic change. The Partners share resources to engage collaboratively in global systemic change ministries. Based on its mission statement, the Partnership adopts Platforms for Action, developed during the Annual Meeting in order to focus and direct its work of bringing the spirituality, resources and gifts of religious life to the global arena.

The Partnership has emerged from Global Education Associates as an operational base and has shared a history and programs. In the summer of 2003, the ROP Council voted to become a separate entity in order to provide the partners with a greater focus on the issues that are related to the congregations who are members. The religious orders who are members commit to the mission of the ROP and the Platform for Action and provide financial support for the Partnership through an annual donation (generally $300-$1500) and contributed services.

The Partnership serves those who already have NGO status at the United Nations as well as those who do not and would like to connect with the United Nations through the DPI status as an NGO. We have applied for ECOSOC statues as well. Programs are designed to provide resources to assist NGOs in participating more fully in global issues and by offering UN orientation programs for their members. For those who do not have NGO status at the UN, the Director serves as a full participant in UN issues and offers opportunities for partners to participant in UN/NGO programs and committees and yearly commission meetings.

In addition, the Partnership hosts an annual meeting which provides opportunities for discussion on issues of concern for global justice. The annual meeting features keynote speakers of international status who provide resources and vision to our understanding of the issues. The entire membership of the Partnership is invited to the Annual Meeting every spring to discuss the platform for action and to evaluate the current focus of the programs.

The Partnership has a full-time director and is governed by an elected board of 5-20 members with three-year once-renewable terms. In consultation with member congregations, the board serves the Partnership and exercises decision-making responsibility for the Partnership and its Platform for Action. The election of the board takes place during the annual meeting each spring. The Board meets every fall and spring to:

. Discern forums and processes by which religious orders help shape global values and structures for the 21st century.

. Advise the Partnership staff in its work with supportive networks

. Collaborate with other religious and secular partners


Partnership Resources

A variety of resources are available to the Partners to assist in furthering the work:

. Website that provides members with a rich source of material that focuses on the current issues that emerge on the world scene. In particular, the members have a direct connection with NGOs who are working full time on issues of the UN agenda.

. Annual Meetings of the Partnership provide members of religious orders an opportunity to develop an integrated framework of analysis that offers hope, vision, energy, avenues of action and a context in which to live out their charism in response to today's needs.

. Orientation Days to the United Nations providing basic information regarding the UN system including the participation of the Secretariat, the Nation States, and the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other groups that form the UN community. This orientation also includes an overview of the current UN agenda and a reflection of how your congregation or organization might be able to participate in UN activities.

. UN/NGO representation to the United Nations especially for those congregations who do not have an NGO rep. The Partnership invites input on current issues before the UN committees and commissions. Opportunities are available for participation in UN commissions that are held throughout the year.

. Courses focusing on issues that support the NGO and Justice ministries such as Global Economics, Earth Literacy and Human Rights. The courses identify the current issues that are being discussed within the UN agenda are address the complex levels of each subject area. The participants are able to formulate challenges and responses to the UN agenda as is fitting with their congregational agenda.

. Monthly alerts providing information and actions on global issues and practical ways in which members can participate in promoting justice within their own locale.
. Sabbaticals/internships with the Partnership provide opportunities that would include access to the UN and its agencies, interaction with the Partnership network and a variety of workshops and conferences.