Since 1996, Franciscans International has worked actively at the annual
session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, both advocating for
the rights of the poor and marginalized and forming our Franciscan
brothers and sisters in human rights mechanisms.
The strength of Franciscans International’s advocacy at the
Commission on Human Rights is the testimony of Franciscans that come
annually to Geneva to testify on behalf of the poor and marginalized
with whom they work. During the past six sessions of the Commission,
FI has built its credibility from reliable, accurate, firsthand information
from grassroots Franciscans.
Most of FI's work is based upon projects, which incorporate advocacy
and research. During the Commission, we influence outcomes by:
Voicing our concerns in the text of resolutions, on issues
important to Franciscans (such as the 2002 Resolution on Trafficking
in Human Beings);
Providing credible, firsthand, up-to-date information to decision-makers
from our brothers and sisters who live with the poor and marginalized
whose human rights are too often violated; and
Raising the awareness of the international community about
human rights issues important to Franciscans.
Formation
For the brothers and sisters that come to the Commission, as experts
on the issues of their own work, but perhaps not with experience lobbying
at the international (or domestic) level, FI seeks to contribute to
their ongoing formation. Since the FI team is present year-round in
Geneva not only for the Commission, but also for the meetings of the
six Treaty Bodies (such as the Committee against Torture) and other
human rights forums (such as the Working Group on Contemporary Forms
of Slavery), it is able to work with brothers and sisters to help
articulate their concerns to the UN system. We like to think of ourselves
as a service for the entire Franciscan Family, which any Franciscan
can utilize.
We explain the UN human rights system, including the Commission.
We provide other formalized training and a great deal of original,
useful, annually updated information such as our Human Rights
Handbook.
We stage meetings with representatives of other NGOs, diplomats,
UN officials and the international media to provide them with
an opportunity to share knowledge and experience.
New Horizons Franciscans International inaugurates its third office in Bangkok, Thailand. The office will serve the needs of the Franciscan Family working at the grassroots in the Asia-Pacific.
P.O. Box 104 • 1211 Geneva
20 •
Switzerland • TEL +41 (22) 919-4010 • geneve@fiop.org
211 East 43rd St., Room 1100 • New York, NY 10017-4707 • USA • TEL
+1 (212) 490-4624 • newyork@fiop.org
