Ready. Set. Go.
Leaders of the United Nations say the global body's ambitious agenda to eliminate global poverty and other ills is off to a good start but are reiterating the need for common efforts involving governments, non-governmental groups, business and others — including religious bodies in which Catholic sisters play a prominent role.
"We have embarked on a monumental and historic journey," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said July 19 during the U.N.'s July 11-20 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, called to assess the first bit of progress on the U.N.'s 15-year effort, called Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
Catholic sisters who work at the United Nations and have long been active in efforts to promote the cause of poverty reduction and environmental protection, were a strong and visible presence at the 10-day event.
They were not quiet. The sisters pushed the U.N. and governments not to ignore the work already being done at the grassroots to fight poverty and related problems.