Mercy International Association - Global Action

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Mercy International Association - Global Action

Justice arm of Mercy International Association, advocating for people & planet

03/22/2026

Happy World Water Day! The theme for this year's World Water Day is "Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows."

Around the world, Mercy Sisters, Associates, and partners continue to implement projects and advocate to advance water justice and sustainability for all. Ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in December and as a continuation of the work of the Mercy Water Justice Coalition, MGA is mapping Mercy's contributions to water justice.

To have a voice in our upcoming publication, please take the time to fill out our survey on behalf of your organisation or ministry, or personally. All the responses will inform our understanding of Mercy Water Justice worldwide, and will feed into our advocacy for the UN Water Conference.

Click the link in our bio to take the survey today! The deadline for responses is Friday, 1 May 2026.

03/17/2026

Cohort 5 of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, visiting staff from Mercy International Centre, and Mercy Global Action staff have been actively participating in . The Commission on the Status of Women continues to be a highlight of the MGA calendar and a wonderful opportunity to connect with incredible women and advocates from all over the world on a wide range of issues facing women and girls today.

Fellows Tatiana Diaz (Colombia/United States) and Josie Ruawhare (Aotearoa New Zealand) share reflections with us on their experience attending the CSW as strong women of Mercy.

As Josie says, “Mercy calls us not only to respond to suffering, but to stand with communities as they reclaim their dignity and shape their own futures.”

03/16/2026

During their New York Immersion, Cohort 5 of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship explored the city and reflected on the theme of 'Leading with Dignity'. Aura Matalines, rsm, from the Philippines, reflects on women as leaders and the strength of women to continue to lead with compassion, resilience, and hope.

Today, many of the Fellows are traveling home. We are grateful for their time in New York and wish them blessings on their journeys. Cohort 5 will be reunited online and at their final immersion in Dublin later this year.

03/09/2026

Happy International Women's Day from the Mercy Global Action Office! Since 2020, we have been so fortunate to celebrate International Women's Day with our Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellows, women from across the global Mercy community who are leading positive change in their communities. Today, and every day, we commemorate the amazing women in our lives - past and present - and commit to advancing gender equality for future generations.

03/05/2026

As we approach the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women next week, we reflect on the official written statement prepared by the Mercy Global Action office. This year's CSW priority theme focuses on access to justice for women and girls, and Mercy people and ministries strive to ensure that all vulnerable people can access the justice and dignity they deserve.

As the statement concludes, "In solidarity with global partners, survivors, advocates, and rights defenders, Mercy pledges to continue advancing comprehensive, intersectional approaches to justice, rooted in the dignity and worth of every person. We urge the Commission and all Member States to accelerate coordinated solutions, remove barriers, and work toward a world in which every woman and girl, everywhere, can claim and exercise justice, voice, and leadership."

03/02/2026

On 1st March, we celebrate Zero Discrimination Day, highlighting the right of everyone to live a full and productive life and live it with dignity, no matter who they are or where they come from. Zero Discrimination Day encourages us to reflect on systems of privilege and power, and to promote inclusion, compassion, peace, reconciliation, and, above all, a movement for change. This day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.

Tatiana Diaz from MELF Cohort 5, shares a reflection on the right of a person to be free from discrimination. Mercy responses are always led with a focus on dignity, inclusion and compassion, so that no one is discriminated against.

02/25/2026

In preparation for their New York immersion and the Commission on the Status of Women, MELF Cohort 5 have been holding webinars to better understand the UN processes related to gender equality.

Aura Matalines, RSM, one of the Fellows from the Philippines, shares her reflection on one of these webinars. She says, "I am especially grateful to our speaker, Winifred Doherty, RGS, for paving the way for us as we prepare for CSW70. Her guidance was both practical and inspiring. She encouraged us to discern our passion, to be intentional about the sessions we attend, and to be fully present where the conversations are taking place."

We look forward to hosting the Cohort 5 Fellows in New York very soon, and wish them safe travels!

02/20/2026

Following the Second World Summit for Social Development and the Doha Political Declaration, the World Day for Social Justice 2026 is commemorated with the theme "Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice".

For the 64th Session of the Commission on Social Development, which focused on advancing social justice, Mercy's written statement highlighted the importance of real, positive impacts at the grassroots and international levels. You can read Mercy's full written statement at the link in our bio.

02/19/2026

February had an interesting start for intern Katelin, as she jetted off to Rome for Talitha Kum's conference for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. Youth Ambassadors came from all around the world, including Botswana, Lebanon, Japan, France and more to inspire and be inspired in the fight against human trafficking.

The week started with an audience with Pope Leo, where he reinvigorated Pope Francis' enthusiasm for Talitha Kum's work. Each of the Youth Ambassadors were able to give a presentation about human trafficking in their country and what youth all over the world are doing to combat the issues. They also took part in a candlelight vigil, where a survivor of human trafficking spoke about her experience. On Sunday Feb 8, the Feast Day of St Bakhita, herself a former slave, a crowd of committed advocates marched in protest against human trafficking.

It was an incredible week, empowering the Youth Ambassadors to continue their incredible work and take up the responsibility of being Hope in this time.

02/12/2026

Hilda Cruz, a graduate of MELF Cohort 3, has published a digital book on immigrant justice. Hilda brings her own experience as a first-generation immigrant to her research and advocacy, and her work bridges faith and action, grounded in a lifelong commitment to dignity, healing and systemic change.

Hilda shares, "I recently authored a digital book called 'The Urgency of Immigrant Justice.' The book is rooted in community experience. It offers a grassroots perspective, sharing personal stories, reflections, and lived insights into the United States’ profoundly broken immigration system that has led to today’s aggressive immigration enforcement in the U.S. While not an academic publication, it includes links to reports, articles, and data for readers who want to dig deeper into research and action. I hope the stories in it will invite us all toward greater moral clarity and collective responsibility."

You can access her publication at the link in our bio.

02/10/2026

The 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development closed today, after over a week of discussions focused on the Priority Theme "Advancing Social Development and Social Justice Through Coordinated, Equitable, and Inclusive Policies," and the Emerging Theme "Eradicating Poverty and Ensuring Dignity through Resilient Care and Support Systems."

Only three months after the adoption of the Doha Declaration at the Second World Social Summit, marked an important moment mobilize action towards the implementation and follow up of social development commitments.

Cecilie Kern, MGA's Global Policy and Research Advocate, moderated the closing panel of the CSocD Civil Society Forum, and delivered a statement to the Commission as Chair of the NGO Committee on Migration. In her closing remarks during the Civil Society Forum, she emphasized the importance of vibrant civil society engagement:

"At a time of rising polarization and weakened institutions, as even limited spaces for civil society engagement are narrowing, it is more critical than ever to protect and expand them. The Civil Society Forum stands as a model - a practice that makes our collective work more inclusive, more responsive, and ultimately more effective."

Next year, the Commission for Social Development will explore the Priority Theme "Strengthening social development through intergenerational approaches for achieving sustainable development and the implementation of the Copenhagen and Doha commitments towards 2030 and beyond.” How do you see intergenerational approaches in the work of the global Mercy community? Let us know!

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