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Applications accepted for Episcopal delegates to March 2020 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

September 26, 2019
Office of Public Affairs

Applications are being accepted for Episcopal delegates to represent the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church at the 64th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, March 9th – 20th, 2020.

The Episcopal delegation will consist of one delegate from each province of The Episcopal Church and one delegate from the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. The Episcopal delegation aims to be representative of the entire Episcopal Church. Priority will be given to church leaders who have used the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as a platform for their ministry, or plan to do so in future ministry.

Episcopal delegates will observe the official UNCSW meetings at United Nations headquarters and will represent the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church through their advocacy at the United Nations. They will be expected to participate in conference calls prior to UNCSW and evaluations, reports and follow-up actions once back home.

The 2020 UNCSW session will focus on Beijing +25, the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The session will review and appraise its implementation and will assess current challenges affecting the implementation of the Platform for Action, the achievement of gender equality, the empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. See more here: https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw64-2020.

Applicants of any gender must be at least 19 years old, able to speak to the theme, and willing to participate in advocacy at UNCSW. Youth (ages 15-18) also may apply to be youth delegates, but must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, preferably a parent or legal guardian.

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 6 – 20 or as close to the entire stay as possible. Delegates will be responsible for their own travel, housing, program expenses and fundraising. A limited amount of scholarship funding may be available to support candidates who might not otherwise be able to attend due to financial constraints.

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

Application is available in English and in Spanish here. Deadline is October 25th.      

For more information contact Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church representative to the United Nations, lmain@episcopalchurch.org.