From June 2011 – June 2012 Mercy International Association (MIA) Global Action engaged with preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20.

This engagement involved MIA Global Action co-ordinator at the UN, MIA Global Action office in Dublin, Mercy Global Action Network personnel (MGAN) and members of the MIA working group on Cosmology and Eco Justice from the Mercy Congregations, Institutes and Federation throughout the world. MIA has undertaken a review of Mercy involvement in the Rio process to see what lessons can be learned for our work in the future.

The process of engagement involved raising awareness of Rio+20, clarifying Mercy areas of concern within the context of the Mercy Eco-Justice theme, and engaging with related issues at the UN. This broad canvas informed the work of Mercy Global Action Network (MGAN) personnel who took the action to the Mercy Congregations, linking with sisters in related ministries on the ground. In this way the circle of sisters involved continued to expand.

MGAN and members of the MIA Eco Justice working group engaged with others in advocacy and lobbying. Through a Letter writing campaign they approached decision makers in Governments and advocated on the critical issues identified by Mercy with negotiators at the UN and representatives of the country’s delegations to Rio+20 Conference. These actions were taken in order to effect change and help bring about a positive and ambitious outcome at Rio+20

The sign of the times highlights the fact that few people can go it alone. The call is for collaboration, co-operation and partnership. This is true of our Mercy family too. The global event of Rio+20 was the rallying point for many religious Congregations, Civil Society organisations and others. Through their energy and enthusiasm they brought their concerns and influenced the power holders in Governments and their delegations.

The global interest in the event from Mercy Congregations was above and beyond expectation.
Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, can awaken us anew to a commitment to live sustainably both at an individual level and collectively as Mercy Congregations. In doing so we help contribute constructively to building a more just, a more peaceful and a more compassionate world, enabling our Universe to sustain the gift of life in all its forms.

Catherine Gibbons rsm

The Review of MIA Global Action Engagement with Rio+20 is available to Mercy sisters who were involved in the Rio process and will be presented to the MIA Board. For more info Contact: Catherine Gibbons rsm