The motto of this committee is "Turn your passion into action for change." The topic for this gathering was ​The Global Impact of Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development." ​There were eleven speakers and all spoke passionately about partnerships.  However, the person that most impressed me was Dr. Chantal Lime Carpentier, Chief, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - New York Office, Office of the Secretary General. She had specific examples of partnerships and noted that we must not go to the private sector just for money, but we must bring them to the table to help build new models.  As the next speaker, Dr. Mariarosa Cutillo said, we have gone from philanthropy, to corporate social accountability to sustainability.

​Do you know members of the private sector with whom PGJ might partner?

Yesterday I went with Eleanor Krebs to a Peace Zone Rally at Hofstra University.  It preceded the Presidential Debate by about 4 hours.  Consequently, the campus was quite quiet and we met few demonstrators. The most memorable moment for me was being interviewed by the Editor-at-Large of Blick-Gruppe from Switzerland. 

​Here are a few pictures from the afternoon Peace Rally.

Thursday continued to be a full day at the United Nations as the General Assembly continues its General Debate, the security Council meets on serious topics. the Human Rights Council meets,  and side events abound. Activities also continue at the PGJ office so I attended a couple of meetings via webcast rather than spend the time traveling to the UN -- and going through all the security.

​The two meetings I noted were the Security Council on Aviation Security and the Side Event on Pathways to Zero Hunger. The Security Council signed a resolution regarding Aviation Security and the Side Event provided input from Heads of Government, the Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) and many others. Speakers emphasized the need to increase sustainable food production, the need to decrease food waste, and the need to use technology effectively, and spoke of programs in place to meet these needs.

It has been a rather busy week.  On Tuesday, September 13, the General assembly began its fall meeting. An interfaith prayer was held that evening for the leaders. I decided to pray at home rather than spend hours traveling to and from the city.

​On Wednesday I did go in to the monthly meeting of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York. The meeting focused on migrants and refugees in preparation for the Sept. 19 Summit on Migrants and Refugees. We were also reminded that CSW61 is scheduled for March 13-24.  Consultation day will take place on March 12.

​On Friday I attended the RUN Annual Retreat day.  It took place at Mariandale Center and focused on Saints and Stories.  It was a relaxing and worthwhile day except for the 2 hour drive in heavy traffic each way. However, the river vista compensated for the drive.

Pope Francis announced that caring for the environment should be added to the traditional Catholic works of mercy drawn from the Gospels and Christian tradition, such as feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. In a message released on Thursday (September 1), the pontiff noted that it is refugees and the poor who are most impacted by global warming. (from Pope Francis and the Environment webpage)

​What will you do for the environment during this month dedicated to care of the earth?