Celebrating 25 Years of Advocacy and Impact at the United Nations

By Sister Isabelle Izika, SNDdeN,  Congregational UN NGO Representative

In 2026, the Sisters mark the 25th anniversary of the SNDdeN presence at the UN. Pictured: Sisters Marie Delaney (in black) and Isabelle Izika, SNDdeN

Nearly 25 years ago, Sister Ellen Gielty, SNDdeN, then General Superior of the SNDdeN, met with leaders of several congregations recognized as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the United Nations. Being designated an NGO offered them a way to extend their advocacy for justice and peace to a larger audience. Sister Ellen began to imagine how Notre Dame could similarly amplify its voice to deepen our service of those to whom we minister, especially people living in poverty in the most abandoned places.

Her efforts in 2001 led to the Congregation obtaining ngo accreditation with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Department of Public Information (DPI), now known as the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). The SNDdeN Congregational Leadership Team named Sister Joan Burke, SNDdeN as the first official NGO representative of the Congregation and tasked her with setting up the office in New York. The SNDdeN joined a growing network of women and men religious advocating within the UN’s intergovernmental body for human dignity, sustainable development and systemic change.

This year, as we mark the 25th anniversary of our presence at the UN and our access to global advocacy, I am humbled to represent the Sisters as our UN NGO Congregational Office representative. Through this presence, our focus on the most forgotten and vulnerable has led us to take initiatives to address poverty eradication, gender equality, education, human trafficking, migration, climate action and peacebuilding. Our office has also frequently contributed to ongoing, high-level dialogues among MUN member States on relevant issues.

Our active commitment as an NGO at the UN aims to give voice to the lived experiences of communities worldwide, promoting a more just social order for all people. Whether advocating for the eradication of poverty, gender equality, girls’ access to education in developing regions or fostering ecological justice in response to the climate crisis, our work continues to embody the Notre Dame mission: making known God’s goodness in compassionate and courageous action. Our 25th anniversary celebrates our achievements and our collaboration with other religious, civil society, donors, lay partners, coworkers and students who share our mission for a more just and humane world.