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Justice & Peace

At the United Nations

U.S. Dominican Leadership Conference is an organization that unites and supports elected leaders of the Dominican Sisters Conference who are committed to building relationships and collaborating in the mission of preaching the Gospel for the sake of a more just world order.

A Legacy of Justice

Dominicans have a long history of advancing the understanding of human rights and the economic, social, and political systems that influence and shape the lives of people. In the early 13th century, the young theology student Dominic de Guzman sold his school books to help those who were starving and destitute during a time of famine. His subsequent impassioned preaching helped to form others in the Truth of the Gospel and led to the founding of the Dominican Order of Preachers. 16th century Dominican missionaries shared their experiences of accompanying native peoples with the Dominicans at the University at Salamanca, Spain. Those Dominicans then reflected, wrote, and called for justice for the native people oppressed by the system of colonialism. In 1511, Fr. Antonio Montesinos, OP, preached against the oppression and enslavement of the native peoples of Hispaniola, modern day Dominican Republic and Haiti. “Tell me, by what right or by what interpretation of justice do you keep these Indians in such a cruel and horrible servitude? By what authority have you waged such detestable wars against people who were once living so quietly and peacefully in their own land?”

Dominicans, 800 years later, continue that work, recommitted to the promotion and defense of human rights and protection and care of Creation.

Download Brochure - GOSPEL CALL TO JUSTICE

Our Focus

Woven through the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, ministry, and community is the quest for TRUTH. A passion for truth has been core to the Order of Preachers from its beginning. The recovery of a good understanding of what it means to seek truth, speak truth and live truth is the most pressing issue of justice and peace at this time. Truth is objective; there is reality and it is separate from us. Our naming reality differently does not make it different. Truth is bigger than each of us; what we perceive of reality is always less than reality itself. The human person is capable, by the light of reason, of penetrating beyond appearances to the deep-down truth of things...The common reference to truth, which is objective and universal, makes authentic dialogue possible between human persons. (The International Theological Commission). This respect for truth and ensuing dialogue allows us to work together and make wise decisions for the good of all.

Seek Truth
Recognize that truth is objective and is an objective we value and strive for • Commit to valuing truth and learning additional facts about issues of justice • Listen to those who are oppressed, economically poor, and impacted by environmental degradation. • Understand the interconnected realities that are the roots of injustice and conflict

Speak Truth
Commit to honesty, that whatever we say is grounded in reality • Address injustice in a spirit of respect, compassion, and solidarity

Be Truthful
Witness to integrity and truthfulness in our dealings with others • Look for common ground and focus energy there • Work with others to challenge and change systems that perpetuate harm

Our Process

A passion for truth has been core to the Order of Preachers from its beginning. The recovery of a good understanding of what it means to seek truth, speak truth and live truth is the most pressing issue of justice and peace at this time. Truth is objective; there is reality and it is separate from us. Our naming reality differently doesn’t make it different. Truth is bigger than each of us; what we perceive of reality is always less than reality itself. The human person is capable, by the light of reason, of penetrating beyond appearances to the deep-down truth of things...The common reference to truth, which is objective and universal, makes authentic dialogue possible between human persons. (The International Theological Commission). This respect for truth and ensuing dialogue allows us to work together and make wise decisions for the good of all. We commit to the following interwoven priorities.

Our Priorities

We commit to the following interwoven priorities:

Climate Crisis
Peace & Security of All Life
Migration & Immigration
Human Trafficking
Economic Justice

Climate Crisis

Vulnerable species and those living in poverty bear the heaviest burden of climate crisis. Pope Leo recognizes climate crisis as a moral issue which threatens all of creation. He states, “In a world where the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters are the first to suffer the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation, and pollution, care of creation becomes an expression of our faith and humanity.” Public policy to mitigate this threat must encompass the common good and respect the dignity of all life.

“We are at a crucial turning point. A crucial fork in the road, where we can take the right path.” Veerabhadran Ramanathan (Pontifical Academy of Sciences)

Peace & Security of All Life

In the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Leo reminds us that we are “Seeds of Peace and Hope.” Responding to this call, we affirm the dignity of all life and embrace the tenets of nonviolence as essential to peace and security. The book of Genesis emphasizes the fact that we all are made in the image and likeness of God. This requires us to actively promote the life and dignity of all God’s creatures, especially those who are living in poverty and are most vulnerable.

“By working with love and perseverance, we can sow many seeds of justice and thus contribute to the growth of peace and the renewal of hope. It may well take years for this plant to bear its first fruits, years that, for their part, involve an entire ecosystem made up of continuity, fidelity, cooperation and love, especially if that love mirrors the Lord’s own self-sacrificing Love.” Pope Leo XIV, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2025.

Migration & Immigration

According to the UN Refugee Agency, by the end of 2024 123.2 million people had been forced to flee their homes globally due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. Since Pope Leo XIII (1891), the Church worldwide has defended the right of peoples to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families.

“In a world darkened by war and injustice, even when all seems lost, migrants and refugees stand as messengers of hope. Their courage and tenacity bear heroic testimony to a faith that sees beyond what our eyes can see and gives them the strength to defy death on the various contemporary migration routes.” Leo XIV World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2025 Gospel Call to Justice Updated Sept. 2025

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion. Despite increased awareness of human trafficking, it remains a worldwide crisis. Outlawed in every nation, it is one of the fastest-growing criminal industries. According to the United Nations’ International Labor Organization, an estimated 27.5 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, subjected to both labor and sex Trafficking.

“It is a call to take action, to mobilize all our resources in combatting trafficking and restoring full dignity to those who have been its victims...If we close our eyes and ears, if we do nothing, we will be guilty of complicity.” Pope Francis, Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking 2024

Economic Justice

God’s desire is for everyone to live the fullness of life. Economic justice provides opportunities for persons to enjoy dignified, productive, and creative lives. Issues of economic injustice encompass income and wealth inequality, lack of a living wage, housing discrimination.

What advocacy or action could I be involved in to address one or more of these issues?

Racism impacts all of these issues and is deeply embedded in the policies, practices, and institutions that structure daily life. Our commitment to justice calls us to work to dismantle racism.

In the News - Justice & Peace Updates

Statement by the International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace on the situation in Iran https://www.op.org/statement-by-the-international-dominican-commission-for-justice-and-peace-on-the-situation-in-iran/

Or download the PDF - English - Spanish - French

Let's Connect


Fr. Brendan A. Curran, O.P.
North American Dominican Co-Promoter for Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation
International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace
brendancurranop@gmail.com


Sr. Reg McKillip, O.P.
North American Dominican Co-Promoter for Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation
International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace
Promoter of Peace and Justice – Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
opjustice@sinsinawa.org

Dominicans at the United Nations

The Dominican Family has been present at the United Nations since 1998, using this global platform to advocate for justice, peace, and the dignity of all people. A Dominican Sister is appointed to serve as the NGO representative at the UN in New York, continuing the work of speaking truth to power and promoting Gospel values on the world stage.

A Global Presence for Justice

Dominicans are engaged not only in New York, but also in Geneva, where human rights violations are addressed through the Human Rights Council, and in Vienna and Nairobi, where international concerns such as environmental sustainability, nuclear disarmament, and development are at the forefront. Across all sites, Dominicans advocate for both people and planet through collaborative, faith-rooted action.

We ask:

What can we do to serve both people and planet?
What is Earth asking of the Order?

Key Advocacy Areas

In partnership with over 30 faith-based NGOs at the UN, Dominicans are active in several key working groups and advocacy areas:

  • Poverty eradication and social protection, including decent work for all (NGO Committee for Social Development)
  • Human rights of women and girls, including full participation in all aspects of society (NGO Committee on the Status of Women & Working Group on Girls)
  • Ending human trafficking and supporting victims (NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons)
  • Promoting a fair, sustainable global food system (NGO Working Group on Food and Hunger)
  • Advocating for Earth and human rights in extractive industries (NGO Mining Working Group, including leadership in the Amazon Subcommittee)

A Dominican Vision for Global Solidarity

Since its founding in 1945, the United Nations has provided a unique forum for resolving global crises and promoting peace, development, and human rights. For Dominicans, this space offers a vital opportunity to influence international policy, grounded in our deep commitment to justice, the common good, and care for creation.

As Margaret Mayce, OP, former UN Representative, wrote:

“It is a privilege and a grace to be a presence at the UN in the name of the worldwide Dominican Family… working for a world in which all people can enjoy their rights and dignity.”

To Learn more about the work being done at the the UN NGO Please visit the Dominican Leadership Conference in support of the United Nations website at dominicanleadershipconference.org or click the quick links below.

United Nations Updates
United Nations Issues
Secret Link