Applications are being accepted for a provincial delegate and up to 20 churchwide delegates to represent the Episcopal Church at the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, NY, March 12-23, 2018.

The provincial delegate and the churchwide delegates will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the United Nations and will represent the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion in their advocacy at the UN, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women.

The 2018 UNCSW Priority Theme is “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.” See more here.

Applications are open to an adult or youth (ages 15-18) of any gender who can speak to the Priority Theme and are willing to participate in advocacy at UNSCW.  Youth must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, preferably a parent or legal guardian. Women and girls from rural communities or with experience living in or working with rural communities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants should have a relevant role at the parish, diocesan and/or provincial level, be accountable to a diocesan or provincial authority, and have a process for reporting back to the local community after participating in UNCSW.

Delegates will be expected to be present in New York City for the UNSCW meeting  between March 9 – 23 or as close to the entire stay as possible. Delegates will be responsible for their own travel, housing, program expenses and fundraising.

Following a review of the applications, the delegates will be chosen by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.  All applicants will be notified by the end of October.

Application is available here. Deadline is Friday, September 15.

For more information contact Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Representative to the United Nations.