tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537417784964181376.post-70943543833966440342008-02-26T00:48:00.000-05:002008-02-26T00:48:00.000-05:00Thinking about my participation in CSW 51 as a member of the staff, it is hard to believe that it has been an entire year already since we gathered for a historic moment in both UN and SSND history. Not only did we bring together a delegation of high school ladies and their teachers from across the globe, but many other organizations did the same.<BR/><BR/>So many young voices sharing a common experience despite the differences in culture, language, beliefs, etc. was an amazing event to witness. It did not matter so much what was said or done, just that the future generation was given the opportunity to unify around a common cause--the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child. <BR/><BR/>I was also proud to be a part of this delegation because I met so many amazing women who despite all of the problems in their countries have hope and the courage to work for change. As a graduate of an SSND high school and now attending an SSND college, Notre Dame High and Mount Mary College respectively, I am excited to see that there are SSND schools across the globe that are also getting their students to think about their place in the world and what they can do to make a difference. The young ladies I met during our experience made me all the more proud of my own SSND education and the impact this education is having on our world. <BR/><BR/>Last year's delegation was an amazing step for SSND in utilizing the networks we already have established across the globe to begin the increasingly important process of international dialogue and understanding. It will only be when we see people in all parts of the world as our sisters and brothers that we will find true peace. Bringing people together to simply know each other and share stories of life is a beautiful example of how ordinary people can begin to "transform the world" and "bring all to the oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent." I thank God and the SSNDs who welcomed me for this wonderful experience and for the frienships that continue to blossom from it.Beth Hugginsnoreply@blogger.com