About Us
DIPLOMATIC SOCIETY OF ST GABRIEL
The DSSG was established on 29 September 1996, the feast day of St. Gabriel, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York City. The Vision of the DSSG is to be a “dynamic international non-governmental organization of diplomats, consular officers and other international relations professionals promoting global peace and development, and advancing the spiritual and professional growth of its members.”
The Mission of DSSG is to:
(1) Further the vision of universal peace, development, justice, cooperation, prosperity and brotherhood as embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.
(2) Serve as a fraternal and professional non-governmental organization of diplomats, consular officers and other international relations professionals.
(3) Undertake projects in support of important global initiatives, particuarly in the humanitarian and peacebuilding spheres.
(4) Promote the professional and spiritual development of its members and the diplomatic professional as a whole, through networking, education and fellowship activities.
The Society took as its inspiration and spiritual guide the Archangel Gabriel, the Patron Saint of Diplomacy. St. Gabriel is recognized by the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism as “God’s Messenger.”
The DSSG has evolved into a network composed of the Society proper, the Knights of St. Gabriel (KSG) and the Legion of the Savior’s Cross (LSG) (http://diplomaticsociety.tripod.com). The KSG is a member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (http://www.iack.org/), which includes other Catholic fraternal organizations such as the Knights of Columbus. The LSG is a humanitarian organization composed of fire, medical and rescue officials and volunteers. Most members of the Society are also members of the KSG and LSC. The DSSG, KSG and LSC are distinct organizations coordinated by the Society, all inspired by St. Gabriel.
The DSSG was origninally founded in 1996 as the “Diplomatic Order of the Knights of St. Gabriel.” It was later decided to form a separate DSSG and KSG due to nature of the diplomatic profession and the regulations of IACK, but joint membership in both DSSG and KSG is generally permitted and encouraged.
The DSSG’s founding members were diplomats who hailed from Mozambique, the Philippines, Slovakia, the United States and Venezuela. The Society gradually expanded to include members representing or resident in Albania, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Liberia, Malta , Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, Portugal, Seychelles, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Switzerland, Turkey, and the Ukraine.
Members also serve with a number of international government and civil society organizations, including the United Nations Secretariat, the Trilateral Commission, the Council of Foreign Relations, and numerous Diplomatic & Consular Associations.
The DSSG welcomes Catholic diplomats and international relations professionals from all nations. In furtherance of its vision and fulfilment of its mission the Society organizes conferences and training around the world and in cyberspace on the diplomatic profession and on current international issues. It holds professional and social events among numerous diplomatic and consular corps. While primarily a Society of Catholic diplomats, the DSSG closely engages with brothers and sisters of all faiths, particulalry in furtherance of the Interfaith Dialogue and the ecumencal work of the Catholic Church.
The DSSG also recognizes the contributions of individuals to to the humanitarian and peacebuilding work of the UN and the international community. The Society’s Humanitarian Award has been given to United Nations Peacekeepers who have served in Timor Leste, Iraq, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Cote d’Ivoire and Kosovo.
The Society can also make available a team of retired impartial diplomats for mediation and for advice on humanitarian, peacebuilding, interfaith and confict resolution activities.
The DSSG is honored to be listed with UN Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the US Military Archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Manila, the World Council of Churches (WCC), the International Alliance of Catholic Knights, and many other diplomatic and faith-based organizations worldwide. The Society is registered as a non-profit organization with the Secretary of State of Washington, USA, and is currently finalizing registration with a number of other legal jurisdictions. A USA based organization
