News & Events »

News Flashes

YWAM England has been approved for consultative status at the United Nations (UN) - a momentous event in itself, allowing YWAM England to influence UN policy-making, but even more so given the incredible way it happened. After an extraordinary series of events, YWAM England's representatives Graham Fawcett and Nanci Hogan, co-chairs of YWAM's Centre for International Justice and Reconciliation (CIJR), were left amazed as YWAM England's application leapfrogged past 1,600 other organisations. Graham and Nanci tell the story.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

On arrival we were both struck by the intense lobbying of delegates by some agencies. Despite this, we felt a peace about not lobbying - and were called before the committee on our first day! Questions were asked by representatives from China, Turkey, Pakistan, Germany and Romania, which we answered orally. Graham assured delegates about our ability to speak to a range of UN issues and our credibility given that YWAM is a religious organisation. Nanci addressed concerns about the biblical basis of our work. Both then fielded probing supplementary questions. Although YWAM was not immediately approved, we sensed it was right to begin meeting the delegates. We answered further written questions over the next few days.

With help from UN civil servants we were prepared for any extra questions on our final day in the meeting. YWAM was considered again, but a key delegate had been unable to meet with us and our application was deferred. We were told our application would not be considered again before we had to leave; there followed a bleak few hours. A chance meeting with a senior UN figure after lunch encouraged us that God was in the process. Moments later the key delegate met with us and, during a brief but intense conversation, clarified some points and assured us of his country's support. Extraordinarily, he offered to ask the chair to put us back on the agenda for that afternoon, which the chair, equally extraordinarily, agreed to. Less than ten minutes later YWAM's application was considered again (some applicants had still not been considered once) and approved.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS

YWAM England now has permanent passes for the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna. YWAM England can also accredit delegates to attend most meetings of the UN, recommend further individuals for accreditation at UN conferences, submit written statements and, by invitation, make short speeches. We can also pray and seek to affect international law as it is being formed, hold delegates accountable by our presence, network, lobby and join coalitions of other agencies adopting particular positions.

Critically, YWAM staff can also join the committee processes - the real workhorses of the UN process, where policies and ideas are formed and where YWAM can have the greatest influence for good. In particular, the CIJR will follow issues relating to child trafficking and female genital cutting as part of its work on behalf of YWAM.

For more information, or to support the CIJR in its work through prayer or financial help, contact: CIJR, Highfield Oval, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4BX, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1582 463251 E-mail: cijr@oval.com Website: www.cijr.org