New Humanity Presents Two Joint Statements at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council

New Humanity continues to collaborate at the international level to advance the values of dialogue, fraternity, and human dignity. 

Jorge Dias Ferreira and Esther Salamanca, representatives of New Humanity in Geneva, composed two joint statements in light of the ongoing 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The statements were co-signed by a number of other Catholic-Inspired NGOs; IIMA, Edmund Rice International, VIDES Internazionale, and Communità Papa Giovanni XXIII, to name a few. 

The statements were composed as a response to the annual reports presented to the Human Rights Council by UN-appointed Independent Experts on the themes of: The Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable Order, and the Care of Older Persons. 

NGOs with UN Consultative Status are given the opportunity to provide brief feedback, underscore certain points, or pose questions to the Independent Expert during sessions called Interactive Dialogues (ID), following the presentation of each report.

These moments are essential before each report becomes more widely distributed, and eventually, put into action.

During the Interactive Dialogue (ID) session on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, Jorge Dias Ferreira was able to present a statement on behalf of New Humanity and the co-signing NGOs. 

On the occasion of the Interactive Dialogue session on the Care of Older Persons, New Humanity sent the joint statement to the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.  

A summary of each statement can be found below:

Joint Statement on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order

The statement called for:

• Not simply more centers of power – or greater international inclusion – but also a new relationship among these centers of influence and actors; founded on reciprocity, mutual listening, and dialogue.
• The statement was co-signed by Vides Internazionale, Edmund Rice International, IIMA, and Communità Papa Giovanni XXIII.

Highlight:

“Humanity needs not only a new balance of power, but also a new quality of relationships. We must move from competition among powers to fraternity among peoples, and from unavoidable interdependence to consciously chosen solidarity.”

To read the statement, click here

To watch the statement, click here

Joint Statement on the Care of Older Persons

The statement highlighted: 

• Cognitive decline does not diminish a person’s dignity or status.
• States should provide the training, support and resources necessary for families and caregivers to care properly for older persons – instead of relying solely on their goodwill. 
• Before cognitive decline is determined in an older person, hearing and visual impairment accommodations must be made, so that proper assessment can take place. 
• Communities and networks can take steps to ensure older persons are connected and included.
• The statement was co-signed by Communità Papa Giovanni XXIII, FAFCE, and the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Highlight: “Human dignity is protected not only when a person receives care, but when they continue to be listened to, recognized and treated as a full member of the community.”

To read the statement, click here