‘We love because he first loved us.’
1 John 4:19 NIVThe Salvation Army has active ministry and programmes in more than two-thirds of the countries represented at the United Nations.
The Salvation Army has been a partner with the United Nations (UN) since 1948 when it was a founding member of Religious at the UN.
In addition to this, The Salvation Army is an accredited NGO and holds ‘consultative status’ at the UN and may formally contribute to its work in conjunction with other non-governmental, non-profit, public or voluntary organisations, and faith-based organisations with similar status.
Since its formation in 2007, the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) has been The Salvation Army’s official representative at the UN.
ISJC participates in meetings of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and its subsidiary bodies, including the functional commissions at the UN. ECOSOC consists of member countries, or ‘states’ and representatives from ‘Civil Society’ that assist the General Assembly to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals.
Engagement with the United Nations is one way the ISJC, on behalf of International Headquarters, commits itself to amplifying the voices of the poor and marginalised in order to translate their real-life insights into policies, practices and life-giving opportunities.
The Salvation Army is committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals function as a roadmap to ending economic, social and environmental injustice across the world by the year 2030.
