The Congregation of Jesus (CJ), formerly Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Loreto, is present at the United Nations (UN) as a prophetic voice to promote a more humane, just and sustainable world.
Our Vision
A Mary Ward Family actively engaged in advocacy with their local and global communities to address systemic injustices, transforming our world where every person – especially women and girls – enjoys full and equal access to their rights and fundamental freedoms while also caring for our planet.
Unser Ziel
We are a faith-based organization working in collaboration with other civil society organizations (CSOs/NGOs), United Nations (UN) agencies and member states to challenge injustices and unjust structures by bringing the insights of the people with whom we work and live, especially the most marginalized, to the UN, to amplify a prophetic voice and drive systemic change for justice and transformation. Our focus is mainly on Women and Girls within the context of Social Development, Sustainable Development and Human Rights.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a cohesive framework for our ministry and we focus our energies on education, awareness raising and advocacy.
Specific areas of involvement are:
- Gleichberechtigung
- Beseitigung von geschlechtsspezifischer Gewalt
- Beseitigung der Armut
- Zugang zu hochwertiger Bildung und Gesundheit
- Beseitigung des Menschenhandels
- Sorge für die Umwelt
- Finanzierung der Entwicklung
Verwandelt durch das Evangelium und geleitet von der Vision unserer Gründerin Mary Ward, untermauern die Katholische Soziallehre und unsere Grundwerte Gerechtigkeit, Wahrheit, Freiheit, Aufrichtigkeit und Glück unsere Arbeit.
Our Goals (2025 – 2030)
Goal 1: Building our relationships at the United Nations
Foster and sustain strong relationships with key member states, NGO coalitions—especially the Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR) and other faith-based organisations—and critical stakeholders, particularly marginalised communities with whom we live and work, to strengthen and enrich our advocacy efforts and ensure they are informed by those most affected. We will:
a. Create strategic opportunities to engage with Member States and global leaders, advocating for the critical issues raised by our network.
b. Enhance collaboration with NGO Major Groups and Coalitions, to advocate on our priority justice issues, ensuring our network’s concerns and recommendations are integrated.
c. Encourage our network to engage and develop relationships with local and regional stakeholders (governments, academia, civil society organisations) to advocate for systemic change and the full implementation of all Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Goal 2: Strengthening Advocacy
Enhance our advocacy at the UN, in partnership with our Congregation of Jesus (CJ) network, to defend the rights of all people and planet by identifying the root causes of injustices and advocating for a transformative and sustainable change. We will:
a. Build the capacity of our network to research and critically analyse the structural and systemic causes of social justice issues in their countries by providing orientation, training and resources.
b. Strengthen the understanding and capacity of our network to effectively engage with the UN systems and mechanisms by providing training and resources.
c. Engage our network to actively collect, analyse, and share data, insights, and best practices related to the SDGs, Human Trafficking, and other critical justice issues, ensuring that the voices of the most marginalised are included and prioritised in our formal submissions (Written and Oral interventions and report) and other advocacy actions at the UN.
d. Encourage participation in virtual and in-person Immersion Program of UN Province Representatives, members and other collaborators.
Goal 3: Building our Network
Build stronger, more integrated connections and collaborations among the Province UN Representatives, educational institutions, social ministries, and the wider CJ network, strengthening our collective advocacy at the UN, in particular, the realisation of the SDGs as we near 2030. We will:
a. Create meaningful opportunities for the Province UN Representatives and the broader network to connect, share insights, and collaborate on advocacy efforts, fostering collective action to drive change within their communities and regions.
b. Provide opportunities for meaningful engagement through in-person and virtual participation at UN conferences, summits, forums and other events at a global and regional level.
c. Engage Institute Leadership at all levels to support and encourage participation by Province UN Representatives, their Sisters and communities.
Goal 4: Strengthening our Youth Engagement
Strengthen engagement and foster stronger collaboration with the CJ youth network including Sisters, allowing them to take a leading role in UN advocacy efforts and harness their energy and insights to drive meaningful change on global justice issues. We will:
a. Strengthen the training, preparation, and ongoing support for CJ Advocates Programme, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to engage meaningfully in UN advocacy and drive impactful change on global justice issues.
b. Create a more structured and purposeful Youth Volunteer/Internship Program that offers meaningful hands-on experience, fosters professional growth, and provides them with the skills and insights needed to contribute effectively to advocacy and justice initiatives.
c. Create and share UN youth engagement resources and in-person and virtual engagement opportunities.
Goal 5: Enhancing our Communication
Enhance the communication and visibility of the UNNGO office, ensuring its work and impact are widely recognized and effectively communicated across diverse platforms. We will:
a. Create a dynamic digital platform for UN Province Representatives to share information, exchange infights, and collaborate on knowledge-building, fostering a stronger sense of community and collective action within the network.
b. Improve the UN Update to effectively share updates on both collective advocacy efforts at the UN and local level initiatives, ensuring that key actions, insights, and outcomes are communicated clearly, fostering greater visibility and alignment across all levels of advocacy work.
c. Encourage the UN Province Representatives to disseminate social media UN information and advocacy materials across the network.
