While it is well known that the Vatican is a member state of the U.N. it may come as a surprise that many religious orders also form a part of the body of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their role is advocacy. The representative of the Dominican Leadership Conference of the U.S. at the United Nations, Sr. Margaret Mayce was a guest speaker of the Dominican family in Ireland recently. Sister Margaret is a
Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville, NY.

R/L Srs. Fionnuala Quinn, Margaret Mayce, Marie McHugh and Eileen O’Connell

In her address Sister Margaret spoke to the important global agenda for the current refugee and migration crisis. She highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially targeted at transforming our world. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a set of 17 “Global Goals” with 169 targets between them. They cover such critical areas as,
I. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well- Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Intra-structure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for The Goals.

The areas aim at ending the poverty round the agenda items to leave on one behind, and reach the farthest behind, first, as well as the absolute importance of empowering women.

Sr. Margaret encouraged all to act, saying, ‘any one act done with great intention, ripples out and affects the whole’. She emphasised the interconnection of all that is and that the global village is a present-day reality.

In summary it could be said, that all of us are called, to building relationships and collaborating in the mission of preaching the Gospel for the sake of a more just world order.
The time is now!

Sr. Margaret was a guest speaker with the Dominican Sisters, the Dominican Justice Office, Lumen Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, the Ennismore Retreat Centre in Cork and the annual Conference for Young Religious held at the Emmaus Retreat Centre in Swords, Co. Dublin.

By Fionnuala Quinn O.P.
Dominican Vocations Team
Blackrock, Co. Dublin