LORETO SISTERS AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 3 FEBRUARY 2010

Australian Loreto Sister appointed as IBVM UN NGO Rep

Australian Loreto Sister, Anne Kelly ibvm, has been appointed IBVM NGO Representative at theUnited Nations. This is a three year term commencing in May 2010. Anne is currently working in adulteducation in Dili, Timor Leste and has a background in education, social justice and international relations. Marian Moriarty ibvm, General Superior Loreto Sisters said, “We thank Anne for generously responding to this call. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Australian Province for releasing Anne for this role at the UN. We know that there are hopes and dreams for the IBVM presence and ministry in Timor which will be significantly affected by this decision. It is always difficult to choose between two “goods”.”

Anne went to Timor Leste early in 2006 to take up a position with a local agency teaching literacy to women in rural villages, however her time was cut short by the sudden outbreak of violence in May, which brought the country close to collapse. She returned later that year and worked as the Education Advisor for a local non government organisation that had a particular focus on improving the health of women and children. A subsequent breakdown in law and order led to her second evacuation from the capital Dili in March 2007. In 2008 she returned to Timor and for the past year has been teaching English to the staff of several government organisations, including the Ministry for Water and Sanitation and the Secretary of State for Infrastructure and local NGOs such as Community Housing and Vocational Education.

Previously she worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Adjumani, Northern Uganda as an advisor to secondary school principals trying to run schools for teenaged refugees fleeing the wars in Sudan (2001- 2003); and as a researcher at the Refugee Review Tribunal, Australia (1999).

Anne has a Master of Education and a Master of International Relations. She was principal of Loreto Coorparoo (Qld) from 1985-91and Loreto Kirribilli (NSW) from 1993-1999. She has served on numerous boards and committees including Director of the Association of Independent Schools (NSW), 1993 – 1998, Chairperson of the Justice and Peace Committee, Loreto Sisters Australia, 1996-2001, 2003-2005 and Member of the Catholic Education Commission NSW, 1994 – 1998.

Christine Burke, Provincial Leader, Loreto Sistes Australia said, “Anne will bring gifts of analysis, organisation and the ability to connect with people from many walks of life to a demanding and in some ways quite lonely post of developing our UN Mary Ward Office, the IBVM’s nerve centre for promoting and raising awareness of the Millenium Goals. Our Australian province’s work in Timor will be less, but our Constitution calls us to look for the greater good, the most effective level of influence. “United Nations” is a wonderful ideal, but it is fragilely embodied at many levels. Working with other religious congregations and NGOs, Anne will both challenge and be challenged to do all in her power to bring insights from our grass roots to influence policy at that level.

Background

In December 2002, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Branch) was granted associative status with the Department of Public Information at the United Nations (DPI) as an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO). The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ) were granted similar status at the same time.

The Department of Public Information publicises UN activities around the world on such issues as peace and security, economic and social development, human rights and humanitarian affairs. It also promotes UN observances and international years established by the General Assembly to focus world attention on important issues facing humanity.

Left: Anne Kelly (L) with Diaan Stuart in Timor Leste

 Right: Anne giving a lesson on  Australia to children in Dili school.

Further information:

Christine Burke ibvm

Province Leader

Loreto Sisters Australia

03 9813 4023

www.loreto.org.au