Four Sigma United Nations liaisons and two youth representatives have been selected to represent Sigma to the United Nations (UN) Department of Public Information and the non-governmental organization community. They join Connie Sobon Sensor, a Sigma liaison since 2017.

These positions support Sigma’s engagement at the highest levels of global collaboration, educate world leaders about Sigma, and promote the value of nursing leadership by attending and/or participating in various UN events/programs/activities. They gather information to inform and advise the Sigma Global Initiatives department, with the ultimate goal of fulfilling Sigma’s mission.

The following Sigma members began their appointment in early January 2019 and will serve through 2020:

• Dania Al-Itani, Sigma UN Youth Representative
• Pennie Sessler Branden, Sigma UN Liaison
• Valerie Clary-Muronda, Sigma UN Liaison
• Dawn Fitzgerald, Sigma UN Youth Representative
• Aric Shimek, Sigma UN Liaison

In July 2012, the UN Economic and Social Council granted special consultative status to Sigma, which refers to expertise in the field of nursing and global health. This UN designation recognizes Sigma’s commitment to the charter of the UN, which seeks to achieve international cooperation toward solving humanitarian issues.

Sigma's special consultative status refers to competence in the field of nursing, which extends to global health. This status allows Sigma greater privileges, access to nearly all intergovernmental processes at the UN dealing with economic and social development – including health and gender issues, sustainable development and human rights – and allows Sigma to participate on UN committees and to have a “voice” at the UN.

Through this affiliation, Sigma commits to disseminate information and raise public awareness about the purposes and activities of the UN and related issues of global concern. Sigma will provide a strong nursing presence at the UN and will continue to conduct outreach around the world to help our nurse members better understand the work and aims of the UN, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

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About Sigma

The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Founded in 1922, Sigma has more than 135,000 active members in over 90 countries and territories. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others. Sigma’s more than 530 chapters are located at more than 700 institutions of higher education throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Learn more at www.sigmanursing.org.