The MMS and the United Nations
MMS Status at the UN
The United Nations (UN), being the only international institution where policies are made, has a direct impact on vulnerable and marginalised communities - including planet Earth.
Medical Mission Sisters have:
- Special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - the only main entry point in the UN system;
- Association with the Department of Global Communications (DGC); and
- Accreditation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This status allows us to participate in the work of the UN.
Our Vision, Our Mission
Our Vision
Medical Mission Sisters, Associates and partners in mission, present at the heart of the wounded world, raising one voice at the UN for peace, social and environmental justice and healing of the nations.
Our Mission
Together with civil society organisations, we commit to bring the voices of marginalised people and the vulnerable through the different UN platforms to contribute to the aim and agenda of the UN; and influence the UN in making its policies and declarations towards systemic change and just implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the grassroots level.
Our Priorities
Based on the three focus areas: Healing of People and Planet, Healing of Unjust Socio-economic System, and Generation Equality, we prioritise the following global issues: climate crisis, poverty, systemic injustice and inequalities among migrants and refugees, women and children and indigenous peoples.
- Healing of People and Planet: the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth go hand in hand. Mega migration, growing numbers of refugees and homeless, increasing violence are the result of lack of respect for the community of life. It is the sick, the vulnerable and marginalised sections of society, who have less access to healthcare and resources, who suffer the most. This also includes the indigenous peoples, victims of caste and race and those trafficked;
- Healing of the Unjust Socio-economic System: the current model of development only increases inequality and widens the gap between the rich and the poor within countries and among countries. Advocacy and lobbying for a just economic system that works for all within the planetary boundary is crucial to combat climate crisis and other social issues affecting the poor and the marginalised; and
- Generation Equality: Escalating violence against women, girls and children calls our attention for creation of generation equality to protect the rights of women and respect all generations.
What we do
- Advocating and lobbying at local, national and international level;
- Organising and co-sponsoring parallel events during conferences at the UN;
- Making written or oral statements;
- Promoting UN goals, campaigns and projects; and
- Participating in meetings of NGO committees, working groups, and Religious at the UN (RUN).
Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR)
MMS is one of the board members of the Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR)
With justice and human rights at its core, JCoR is a group of 22 non-governmental organisations representing over 200 congregations of Catholic women and men religious at the UN. Through its representation at the UN since 2017, JCoR has strengthened the capacity of its members at the grassroots to call on local, national and global leaders for equitable and rights-based development through a just implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Follow us on Facebook: MedicalMissionSisters@UN
We, Medical Mission Sisters, support the Sustainable Development Goals
Our main representative at the UN is Sister Mary Jane C. Caspillo MMS.
Follow us on Facebook: Medical Mission Sisters at the UN
