PATH TO PEACE FOUNDATION

The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations was officially established on April 6, 1964 and has since then taken an active role toward the advancement of peace and justice in the international community, through sharing with the nations the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Increasing interest in the works of the Papal Mission at the United Nations underlined the need to spread greater awareness of the teachings of the Holy Father on important international questions of ethics, development and human rights, in order to provoke discussion and formulate humanitarian action. Due to the need for expanded humanitarian and peacemaking activities that go beyond the strictly diplomatic parameters of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations, The Path to Peace Foundation was established in 1991, by Cardinal Renato R. Martino, then Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. The Foundation, legally independent from but integrally united to the Holy See Mission, tax-exempt under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code, directs its activities primarily to the international stage of the United Nations. Its principal purpose is to support the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See at the United Nations and to spread the message of peace by which the Catholic Church, through the words and activities of the Pope and of the Holy See, strives to "guide our steps into the path of peace" (Lk 1:79). The mission of the Foundation is to disseminate information and documentation on statements and initiatives of the Holy Father, the Holy See and Catholic organizations directed toward building a world of justice, charity and peace, to host conferences, seminars and lectures to study the social teachings of the Church in action, to promote cultural initiatives touching on Christian heritage in art, music and the humanities, and to foster religious and humanitarian projects with a view to promoting fundamental human rights by calling attention to specific emergency needs that arise in different parts of the world. Funds raised have allowed the Path to Peace Foundation to sponsor at the United Nations 71 different conferences in the last three years, including on the scourge of human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery, the persecution and sufferings of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the impact of good parents on children and society, women and work, protection for migrants and refugees in vulnerable situations, the protection of indigenous peoples and lands, peace and reconciliation in Colombia, ideological colonization in Africa, the best practices for maternal healthcare in Africa, on protecting and valuing those with Down Syndrome, on the integral education of girls and women, on the link between development and human rights in the eradication of poverty, on the Right to Protect and the prevention of violence that can lead to atrocity crimes, the role of the Holy See at the United Nations, St. Teresa of Calcutta's enduring message of peace for the international community, the colorful history and present reality of the Pontifical Swiss Guard protecting the Pope, the human person in the art of Raphael, Pope Francis' summons to nonviolence as a style of politics for peace, overcoming barriers to women's economic empowerment and property rights due to HIV/AIDS in Africa, the distinctiveness of women's work and her promotion, the role of faith based organizations in accompanying indigenous communities, the centenary of Fatima and the enduring relevance of its message of peace, Raphael's art and Christian humanism and more. Everything from paying for rooms, live and on-demand webcasts, UN security fees, to speaker travel and accommodations, is picked up by the generosity of people to the Path to Peace Foundation, and these conferences allow us to shine the light of Catholic Social Teaching on current issues far more than very short official interventions permit. Funds raised have also allowed us to underwrite the United Nations Prayer Service the Mission holds for the United Nations Community each September at the Church of the Holy Family, make many repairs and upgrades at our Mission headquarters, underwrite various aspects of our vibrant internship program, increase the permanent staff of the Mission, and give grants to humanitarian projects in developing countries.