The International Presentation Association (IPA) was an idea born in 1984 in Melbourne, Australia. The idea seemed to take root and kept surfacing at Assembly meetings in 1985 in Ireland, and in Puna, India in 1986. Finally, in a formal meeting, held in Los Gatos, California, Presentation Sisters from around the world adopted an identity statement and goals. Following this meeting a coordinator was appointed and a central office established in Dubuque, Iowa.

In 1991, the Inaugural IPA Assembly was held in Perth, Australia. The theme was BEYOND THE POSSIBLE. Thirteen proposals were accepted. The proposals related to Justice, Apostolic Religious Life and Administrative Structures.

In the 1995 Assembly, WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF NANO, the direction of the organization was focused directly on collaborative action for justice, promoting right relationships and acting out of an action-reflection spirituality informed by the Gospel and our Presentation charism.

In the time between the 1995 and 1999 Assemblies, the collaborative model gave us a new structure that incorporated active participation by the Leadership Group and part-time Executive Team Members from each of the three Units (Union, Conference, and Society.)

At the local congregation/provincial level, Justice Contact persons were put in place to animate the members of their congregations. In addition to this, the IPA Coordinator moved the office to New York and began the process of obtaining Non-Government Organization (NG0) status at the United Nations.

Because it was important to begin work immediately, an initial meeting was set for New Delhi, India, even though several of the permanent Leadership Group and Executive Team members were not yet in place. At this meeting they developed a Justice Network divided into six regions, set a timeline and made initial plans for carrying out the Expressions of Purpose. At a meeting in Rome, October 1996, all three Unit Leaders, the Executive Team Members and the Coordinators were present. Role descriptions for the groups were further defined. The Leadership Group assumed responsibility for overseeing the finances, the legal incorporation of the organization in New York State and working with the Coordinator and Executive Team to carry forth the vision of IPA. The Executive Team set up a system of communication with each congregation/province, to implement the Expressions of Purpose (goals) set forth by the Assembly. The coordinator began work on the application for NGO status at the UN and maintained the central office.

As the new structure was put in place, it became apparent that the Justice Network needed to be strengthened. If Presentation Sisters around the world are to work for change in oppressive systems, it is critical that the right people are appointed to the Justice Contact positions.

It is also important that we use our resources to educate and empower these sisters in their work of informing and animating the membership. As a result of this new understanding, a meeting of all Justice Contact persons was organized and held in Cebu City, Philippines, December 1998/January 1999.

The IPA Summer School for Spirituality, CELEBRATING OUR STORY, was held in Cork, Ireland, 8-13, July 1999. This program explored how our Presentation spirituality forms and focuses our work for justice.

Unity in gospel and charism is apparent. Our diversity in cultural, social and economic settings emerges as we have more opportunities to meet face-to-face. If we are for justice we must be just within our association. This brought to our attention the issue of equitable financing of IPA. This was addressed at the 1999 Assembly.

At the 1999 Assembly, JUBILEE JUSTICE, RESTORING RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS, a new structure was set in place with the creation of two new positions - the NGO Representative at the United Nations and the IPA Networker. In June 2000, IPA was accredited as an NGO with special consultative status at the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC). Immediately after accreditation was received the Leadership Group worked with the other Leaders of IPA to appoint the fifteen ECOSOC representatives and the five regional representatives. As the NGO Representative's office was in New York and the Networker's office in Australia communication between the two offices was by frequent email and a regular conference call (every 6 weeks). The Networker assumed responsibility for establishing and strengthening the communication network with the Justice Contact Persons and for editing IPA Connections.

The Leadership Group met with the Networker and the NGO Representative in Australia in May 2001. This was to provide an opportunity for the NGO Representative and Leadership Group to visit the Australian office of IPA and to review roles and tasks with the two IPA staff. At this meeting, it was agreed that the NGO Representative needed to re-focus her involvement at the UN in order to become more effective as the breath of our foci was creating an impossible workload. The Networker traveled to New York in September, 2001, in order to experience the work of the NGO Representative first hand and to meet with the North American Justice Contact Persons.

As a result of the 1999 Assembly there was a gathering of Presentation Formators from 2/3 world countries in Papua New Guinea in February 2001.

The Leadership Group met with the Networker and the NGO Representative in Monasterevin, Ireland, in February, 2002, and began planning the 2003 IPA Assembly. As the agenda for the 2003 Assembly was gathered it became apparent that the Assembly would need to spend time reviewing the Identity Statement, the Purpose, and the Expressions of Purpose and the Structure of IPA.

The Assembly was held from 7-14 November 2003, in Coolangatta amidst the beauty of the Gold Coast of Australia.

Since that meeting, Sharon Altendorf (Fargo) has been re-hired as our NGO representative and Marlette Black (Queensland) has assumed the role of Networker. Also, Rosemary Grundy has become our second UN intern.

The theme of the Assembly, A NEW DREAMING: SEEKING WHOLENESS OF CREATION, drew the participants to look at the IPA "Directions for Mission" in terms of the cries of the earth, as well as the cries of those made poor. After reflection and dialogue the group saw the need to sharpen the focus of IPA because of the magnitude of the four following issues: women and children, indigenous peoples, environment/sustainable living and human rights.

After the Networker contacted elected leadership and Justice Contacts, the issue chosen was "Elimination of Poverty by Trade Justice and World Debt Cancellation". This focus better equips the NGO representative, the UN Intern, the Networker and the Justice Contacts worldwide to minister together in a focused way.

The next Assembly will be held in 2007 with venue and date soon to be decided.

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