Salvation Army representatives play significant part at United Nations conference
03 April 2008
SALVATION Army representatives took part in the 52nd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, USA. The theme of the event was 'Financing for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women'.
During the first week of the conference The Salvation Army presented a session on human trafficking. Lisa Thompson, Trafficking Coordinator at USA National Headquarters, was the presenter for the event, along with Major Kathleen Calvo (USA Eastern). Lisa gave an overview of the all-encompassing aspects of trafficking. The audience was reminded that trafficking is not only done for the sex industry, but people are trafficked for multiple reasons, like slavery, organ replacement, arranged marriage and economic challenges within families. The presentation was an educational tool highlighting how The Salvation Army is developing a response in interventions worldwide.
Major Kathleen Calvo also shared the interventions in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with a city-wide effort to get girls who had been trafficked returned to their homes. The major explained how girls are brought to The Salvation Army, and how the Army is able to work with the police force and the Anti-Trafficking Taskforce of Atlantic City. The attendance at this session was more than 90, with standing room only.
In the second week of the conference Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan (International Director for Social Justice) and Lisa Thompson presented a session on the theme 'Why Women Weep'. The commissioner introduced the theme with an historical overview of Salvation Army intervention and Lisa gave a presentation on reasons why women are weeping today.
She talked about 'missing girl' phenomenon, female genital mutilation, abuses in marriage, child marriage, polygamy, physical suffering, fistula, breast ironing, physical assaults, self-injury/cutting, acid burning, domestic violence and rape. The session included reminders that the media still practices dehumanisation/objectification using the female body as a commodity. Room for discussion brought a spirit of interaction with an opportunity for the International Social Justice Commission to develop next steps. More than 60 people attended this session.
The presentation also demonstrated what initiatives The Salvation Army is taking in combating trafficking and becoming a voice for 'women who weep'. One notable conclusion was in reference to men becoming spokespersons on this issue.
Commissioner MacMillan also had the opportunity to lead devotions on 6 March 2008, which included the celebration of International Women’s Day at the United Nations. The team composed of Commissioner MacMillan, Major Victoria Edmonds, Dorothy Gates, Lorena Lance, Captain Michelle Dressler, Captain Margaret Davis, Captain Soo Kim, Captain Lori Laidlaw, Major Kathleen Calvo and Lisa Thompson gathered for prayer and rehearsal the night before.
The theme of the devotions was water, a core issue of the UN agenda. Commissioner MacMillan spoke about the woman at the well. The group contributed to the devotions by use of a women’s brass ensemble, women’s music selections, a vocal solo by Captain Margaret Davis and sacred dance presented by Captain Soo Kim. It was a diverse presentation of the gospel and was well received. Next year, the request is for The Salvation Army to conduct devotions in the first week of the conference for a greater profile.
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SALVATION Army representatives took part in the 52nd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, USA. The theme of the event was 'Financing for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women'.
During the first week of the conference The Salvation Army presented a session on human trafficking. Lisa Thompson, Trafficking Coordinator at USA National Headquarters, was the presenter for the event, along with Major Kathleen Calvo (USA Eastern). Lisa gave an overview of the all-encompassing aspects of trafficking. The audience was reminded that trafficking is not only done for the sex industry, but people are trafficked for multiple reasons, like slavery, organ replacement, arranged marriage and economic challenges within families. The presentation was an educational tool highlighting how The Salvation Army is developing a response in interventions worldwide.
Major Kathleen Calvo also shared the interventions in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with a city-wide effort to get girls who had been trafficked returned to their homes. The major explained how girls are brought to The Salvation Army, and how the Army is able to work with the police force and the Anti-Trafficking Taskforce of Atlantic City. The attendance at this session was more than 90, with standing room only.
In the second week of the conference Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan (International Director for Social Justice) and Lisa Thompson presented a session on the theme 'Why Women Weep'. The commissioner introduced the theme with an historical overview of Salvation Army intervention and Lisa gave a presentation on reasons why women are weeping today.
 Conference delegates: (from right) Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, Lisa Thompson, Major Kathleen Calvo and Major Victoria Edmonds |
 Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan (left) and Captain Soo Kim in conference with a delegate |
The presentation also demonstrated what initiatives The Salvation Army is taking in combating trafficking and becoming a voice for 'women who weep'. One notable conclusion was in reference to men becoming spokespersons on this issue.
Commissioner MacMillan also had the opportunity to lead devotions on 6 March 2008, which included the celebration of International Women’s Day at the United Nations. The team composed of Commissioner MacMillan, Major Victoria Edmonds, Dorothy Gates, Lorena Lance, Captain Michelle Dressler, Captain Margaret Davis, Captain Soo Kim, Captain Lori Laidlaw, Major Kathleen Calvo and Lisa Thompson gathered for prayer and rehearsal the night before.
The theme of the devotions was water, a core issue of the UN agenda. Commissioner MacMillan spoke about the woman at the well. The group contributed to the devotions by use of a women’s brass ensemble, women’s music selections, a vocal solo by Captain Margaret Davis and sacred dance presented by Captain Soo Kim. It was a diverse presentation of the gospel and was well received. Next year, the request is for The Salvation Army to conduct devotions in the first week of the conference for a greater profile.
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