SALVATION ARMY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DELEGATION WELCOMED AT UNITED NATIONS

COMMISSIONER Margaret Taylor, The Salvation Army's International Secretary for Programme Resources, received a warm welcome at the United Nations offices in Geneva, Switzerland. She was accompanied by members of the International Community Development Consultancy Group which was meeting in the city. The group, chaired by the commissioner, advises The Salvation Army on community development issues.

The first UN office visited was that of the International Labour Organisation. The ILO adviser for socio-religious affairs, Dominique Peccoud, who welcomed the group, said he knew of The Salvation Army’s work and considered that there was a place for such groups to assist in the formation of policy at the UN. Traditionally, the ILO has been involved in formulating labour policy by bringing together governments, employers and trade unions. Recently, the ILO has started looking at the informal sector of employment in which many of the world’s poorest peoples make their living. In this context groups like The Salvation Army, which are closely involved with such people, have a great deal to contribute.

The International Development Consultancy Group will explore ways in which it may be possible to utilise this opportunity at the UN on behalf of the world’s poorest people.

At the offices of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGO) the group was welcomed by the President, Renate Bloem, who spent some time addressing issues affecting NGOs working in community development.