wfn.org | Adventist Church Open Representation to UN in Geneva

["Christian B. Schäffler (APD Schweiz)" <APD@stanet.ch>]

January 4, 2004
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Adventist Church To Open Permanent Representation to 
the UN in Geneva

Geneva, 03.01.2004/APD	  The opening of a Permanent 
Representation to the UN in Geneva in January 2004 marks a 
historical development for the UN Liaison office of the worldwide 
Seventh-day Adventist Church. This month an internship program 
starts at the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. Until 
now the activities of the UN Liaison Office in New York and 
Geneva were mainly directed from the New York office. Its 
mandate is to provide a channel of communication and influence 
at the United Nations, working with the main organization and it 
48 different subsidiaries such as the World Health Organization 
(WHO), the High Commission for Human Rights, UNESCO, 
UNICEF, UNCTAD, and many more.

Selected to help represent the Church at such an important level 
is Juan Perla, a 2003 graduate of US-based Andrews University. 
Born in El Salvador, Juan speaks Spanish, English and French, and 
came highly recommended by professors from Andrews University 
(Berrien Spring, MI/USA) and Saleve Adventist University 
(Collonges-sous-Salhve/France).  

"I lived several summers in Costa Rica," said Juan," and visited 
many countries in that region. While studying at Collonges, which 
is close to Geneva, I travelled to more than 15 European 
countries. These experiences abroad have shaped my vision in 
life. Now, people have become my passion, and this passion has 
become my life mission:' to help the least of these.'"

"It is vital for the Church to have permanent representation to the 
UN in Geneva," states Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director 
for the Adventist Church. "We need to speak out on issues at the 
Commission on Human Rights, to liaise with the WHO and 
UNAIDS, and to influence the many permanent missions of the 
191 nations that are based in Geneva. I am delighted Juan will be 
able to progress our work in this important new direction." The 
UN Liaison Office also runs an internship program at the UN in 
New York City. The internships run from 8-10 months.
 
The UN Liaison Office works since 1980 as part of the Public 
Affairs and Religious Liberty department, and as such is also in 
contact with not only UN organizations and agencies, but also 
such bodies as the European Union (EU), the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), other international 
governmental organizations, as well as non-government 
organizations.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has held consultative status 
with the Economic and Social Committee of the UN (ECOSOC) for 
a number of years, and is consulted on a wide range of different 
subjects including religious freedom, human rights, health and 
medical work, education etc. 

In this way the Church is represented on a number of different 
committees of substance, participates in international conferences 
and conventions, and informs the representatives of the 
permanent missions to the UN of Church programs and activities. 
Much of the work of the Church is appreciated and endorsed since 
it parallels the aims and objectives of the UN as outlined in the UN 
Charter. 

Also the Church benefits from such representation and 
recommendations, and seeks to partner where appropriate in UN-
sponsored activities such a literacy development, humanitarian 
aid, human rights education, anti-narcotic drug programs, and 
conventions and declarations of mutual interest such as trafficking 
in people, children's issues, preventive health, AIDS programs, 
pollution control, combating intolerance etc. 

UN materials of direct use to the Church and its program are 
channelled to the appropriate departments for their consideration 
and implementation. Direct contacts between Church experts and 
UN representative are facilitated through Seventh-day Adventist 
UN Liaison. It also provides a mechanism to contact country 
representatives on matters of interest and concern to the 
Adventist Church.

More information on the work of the United Nations Liaison Office 
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is available on the Web site: 
http://un.adventist.org/

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