The Augustinian non-governmental organisation at the United Nations has existed since 1996.
It has had a full-time person in charge, however, only more recently than that.
Since that time, the NGO has been increasingly active.
In September 2001, the NGO offered a statement from the Order of Saint Augustine in support to the UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance gathered in Durban, South Africa.
This statement of support was a declaration of commitment signed by Augustinians from all over the world and was formulated as a sign of our concern for this UN human rights priority.
In May 2002, the Augustinian Order provided consultation to the Holy See Observer Mission to the UN concerning issues related to the World Summit on Sustainable Development which gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This service, part of the commitment of the Order of Saint Augustine to work with the Vatican observers at the UN, makes use of a network of Augustinians skilled in theology, ethics, social sciences and other related areas.
Between September 2001 and 2002, Jesús Guzman O.S.A. (then the full-time director of the Augustinian NGO) and other NGO team members met with representatives of several Catholic and other religious NGOs to become familiar with their varied approaches and to explore collaboration.
These NGOs include Bread for the World,
Carmelites, Centre of Concern, 8th Day Center, Franciscans International, the Hague Appeal for Peace, International Catholic Organizations Information Center (ICOIC), Lutherans, Maryknoll, Methodists, Pax Romana, Pax Christi, Presbyterians, Quakers, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of Loreto and Sisters of Mercy.
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