Compassion: Johannesburg, 2002

World Summit on Sustainable Development: Johannesburg, page 3

Impressions of the Johannesburg Summit

At Johannesburg I saw the Magnificat unfolding before my eyes as some less powerful and poorer states spoke out for justice and prophecy. I heard nations with few people and little bargaining power "speak the truth to power."

I saw civil society and, in particular, the NGO community, work tirelessly behind the scenes, by lobbying representatives of powerful countries when all seemed lost, by letting the power-brokers know that they were being watched and by encouraging the poorest nations to speak out.

I saw NGOs and civil society help to save the Summit from going backwards. I saw nations without power take on the powerful nations and carry the day. Against a rising mood of meanness by the wealthy nations, I saw a counter movement of generosity from the non-governmental community to share resources, to stand with the poor and to speak out fearlessly in their interests right: Marc Chagall, stained glass at the United Nations

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also in this issue:
The Catholic Church and the United Nations
The U.N. at a Glance • Passionists at the United Nations
Security at the Security Council, 1947 • Meet Fr David Cinquegrani

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