Talk by Sister Rita Arthur on the RSHM Institute as an NGO, June 16, 2007

Since January 200, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary are a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) associated with the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations.

Sister Rita Arthur has been named the Institute RSHM Representative to the United Nations. Sister Rita very clearly pointed out that her role is a ministry of the RSHM at the Institute level to the United Nations. As the main representative of the RSHM, Sister Rita takes part in the monthly meetings of the NGO's and works in collaboration with many other members of religious congregations which are also NGO's. She expressed her gratitude to Sisters Rosamond Blanchet, Mary Heyser and Margaret Ellen Flannelly who worked with her in helping our institute to have NGO status.

As an NGO representative, Sister Rita has the ability to work with subcommittees of the United Nations to bring about change in our troubled world and to help further the UN's Millenium Development goals. Further, she is able to obtain passes for people to visit the United Nations, to assist with her in her NGO work, or to apply for internships to the United Nations.

Diagrams of the structure of the United Nations, the NGO Community, the commitment of the RSHM/RSCM as an NGO, and a profile of Religious Congregations in the NGO community were given to the attendees. This diagram and a description of the Milllenium Development Goals (MDGs) are included in the following document:

Transcending Global Boundaries...RSHM Ministry at the UN

The above document is in .PDF format which requires the use of Adobe Reader.  If Adobe reader is not installed on your computer, you may download it by clicking on the image below and reading the instructions on the web site.

Following Sister Rita's presentation, there was a question and answer period in which international issues and our role as an NGO were discussed.

Sister Margaret Morrissey (left) with Sister Rita Arthur

An article on Sister Rita's role as the RSHM NGO representative may be found on our Generalate Web site. You will find contact information there so that you may find out more about her UN role and perhaps volunteer your services to help with research or other activities.