By Sr. Joan Burke, SND

In September Sr. Joan Burke will orient Sr. Jean Stoner as the second representative of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations. These are her closing thoughts before she hands over this position.

Sr. Jean Stoner and Sr. Joan Burke

I grew in my appreciation of how we Sisters of Notre Dame, by our very lives, witness that it is possible for people of many different cultures, traditions and political persuasions to come together and find a way forward in the service of the larger common good. It is this that informed the founding of the United Nations and the dream that still needs be realized. Clearly, the U.N. is a place where St. Julie Billiart would want to see her daughters.

I now welcome the opportunity to help Sr. Jean "learn the ropes" and understand the seemingly convoluted process of developing policy on an intergovernmental level. Key to the work is building relationships, strengthening trust and confidence to see one another as partners in building up a global society that respects the needs of all.  I know Sr. Jean is up to this challenge!

The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to the work that Sr. Joan has done at the U.N. Her personal experience with those living in extreme poverty and of the conditions of women and girls in developing nations, have given her an added insight and passion in helping to make a difference in the world.

Sister looks forward to returning to California for a time and then will spend a year as a volunteer with the International Fourth World Movement in France. Long-term plans include returning to serve in Africa again.