Histoire

The seedlings of Franciscans International (FI) sprouted in 1982 when two Franciscans, a sister from the United States and a brother from Malta, saw the potential for effective Franciscan input at the United Nations (UN). Aware of the indispensable role of NGOs in UN decision-making, the two suggested the idea to their respective Justice and Peace Committees. The idea of Franciscans at the UN was met with approval and excitement. It quickly grew into a common project of the Franciscan Family and an interfamilial Preparatory Committee was organized for this future ministry. This Committee prepared the FI Vision Statement centered on three main goals:

1. raising awareness of the interconnectedness of all creation, and thus stressing the need to care for creation – both human and environmental;
2. promoting peace;
3. voicing concern for the world’s poor.

While gathering strength and momentum within the Franciscan Family between 1982 and 1989, Franciscans International was officially recognized as a non-governmental organization (NGO) by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) in 1989. After further organizational work, smoothing out a membership plan, and opening an office in New York, FI was approved for NGO Category 1 Status. This was a major step for Franciscans International.

Having General Consultative Status (Category 1) with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) enables FI to participate in all activities of the Council through written and oral statements. This means that FI is able to be present at UN World Conferences and their Preparatory Committees, General Assembly special sessions, the UN Commission and Sub-Commission on Human Rights, and the committees that monitor States’ compliance with specific international treaties. Furthermore, this status gives FI a critical responsibility to provide technical expertise and advise to governments and the UN Secretariat. Thus, FI was challenged to strengthen ties with Franciscan brothers and sisters in the field, often in developing countries, to enable meaningful contributions to UN forums.

In 1997, FI expanded to Geneva, Switzerland, where the concentration is on the promotion and protection of human rights and their civil, cultural, economic, political, and social manifestations.

A key shift in FI's short history took place in 1999 when the Conference of Franciscan Family (CFF) redefined the notion of membership for FI. As opposed to maintaining select membership in which individuals or groups choose to become members of FI through contributions, the CFF approved a more inclusive membership policy. All Franciscans within the jurisdiction of the CFF are automatically members of FI. Therefore, FI provides a service to all Franciscans based on their need for access to the international community, research, or advocacy to address a local challenge. This membership change has implications for funding – we are funded by voluntary contributions from members of the Franciscan Family. Often, those who need our services the most cannot help support us financially. Contributions from Franciscan communities in the developed world enable us to serve the friars and sister from poverty stricken areas of the world.

Though our history remains brief, we have made great strides in the growth of FI and are reaching a peak of effectiveness, attaining a strong reputation both in NY and Geneva, and strengthening our visibility as a service within the Franciscan Family.

TIMELINE

1982

Two Franciscans, a sister from the United States and a friar from Malta, suggest to their respective Justice and Peace Committees the possibilities of having a Franciscan presence at the United Nations.

1984-88

The idea of Franciscans at the UN grows into a common project for members of the Franciscan Family and an interfamilial Preparatory Committee is organized for this future ministry within the United Nations. The Committee prepares a Vision Statement, focusing on three areas of Franciscan work: peacemaking, concern for the poor and care of creation. The Vision Statement is circulated among major superiors in Rome for their endorsement.

1989

The UN Department of Public Information (DPI) officially recognizes Franciscans International as an NGO.

1990

FI opens an office in New York and the Committee further develops FI statutes, an organizational structure and a plan for membership.

1991

The Preparatory Committee now serves as the Executive Committee for FI and it begins the process of application for consultative status (Category 1) with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN.

1995

FI is approved for NGO Category 1 Status (later called General Consultative Status) with ECOSOC, allowing it to participate through oral interventions and written statements in the activities of ECOSOC. These include: UN World Conferences and their Preparatory Committees, General Assembly special sessions, the UN Commission and Sub-Commission on Human Rights and the committees that monitor states’ compliance with specific international treaties. This status gives FI the responsibility to serve as technical experts, advisors and consultants to governments and the UN Secretariat.

1996

To clarify the structures, membership and fundraising of FI, the Conference of the Franciscan Family (CFF) in Rome, including the Ministers General of Friar Minors, Capuchins, Conventuals, Third Order Regular and Secular Franciscan Order and the President of the Inter-Franciscan Conference Third Order Regular, appoints a Working Group to prepare a new organizational “Charter” for FI.

1997

FI, with Dominicans for Justice and Peace, opens an office at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to focus on the promotion and protection of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.

1999

The Conference of the Franciscan Family approves the new “FI Charter” and assumes its role as Sponsor. The CFF appoints thirteen men and women to the new FI Board of Directors.

2000

The FI Board meets twice, in January and November, and it begins to align FI with its new “FI Charter."

2001

The CFF writes a letter to the international Franciscan Family, asking them to participate in and to contribute to the support of FI.

2004

In November, John Quigley, OFM is appointed Executive Director with Michael Joyce as Chief Financial Officer. The two offices in New York and Geneva are thus brought under a single management structure.

2005

FI establishes an Africa Desk, working under the direction of Mike Perry, OFM with Yao Agbetse of Togo, to address issues of HIV and AIDS, peacemaking and conflict resolution.

A partnership with the Marist Brothers is established, and the First and Third Order Anglican Franciscans formally join the CFF as FI sponsors.

2007

FI launches its Asia-Pacific Programme, co-ordinated from Geneva. Ms. Julie Morgan is appointed as the Programme Coordinator.
 
In October, FI becomes partners with Edmund Rice International (ERI). Edmund Rice International works at the international level to promote and protect the rights of the child, the right to education and to engage in ecological advocacy through the promotion of ecological sustainability.

2008

FI opens its third office in Bangkok, Thailand.  The primary role of the office is to strengthen capacity-building activities for human rights and environmental advocacy.
 
FI establishes a “Franciscans Urgent Action Network” in order to respond to requests for immediate action at the UN from Franciscans at grassroots. This Network addresses serious human rights violations.