The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced on April 1, 2015, the inauguration of its Faith-Based Diplomacy & Advocacy Initiative.

The Initiative establishes a total of four (two for 2015-2016 and two for 2016-2017) year-long Archdiocesan fellowships at the United Nations. All Orthodox Christian graduate and post-graduate students are invited to apply for the stipend fellowships.

The Faith-Based Diplomacy and Advocacy Initiative was made possible by a Leadership 100 grant of $300,000, and is meant to help develop future diplomats, policy-makers and advocates by providing them the professional framework upon which to exercise their academic training.

Fellows will focus their work at the United Nations in five main areas: 1) Religious Freedom and Human Rights 2) Environment/Ecology 3) Issues of Equality:  Gender, Race, etc. 4) Global Conflict, Peacemaking and Humanitarianism and 5) Health Advocacy.

Among other activities, fellows will have the opportunity to join and participate in the work of United Nations NGO Committees; assist in formulating oral and written Archdiocesan statements and interventions; help plan and host “Side Events” during the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Functional Commissions; and participate in panel discussions at future Biennial National Clergy-Laity Congresses.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council (GOAC) is accredited through the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN DPI) and has General Consultative Status under the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC). GOAC has been actively working at the United Nations for 30 years.