Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham is Director of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Office in Geneva, representing the WEA at the United Nations and former Director of Global Advocacy for WEA. She is also the Executive Editor of the International Journal for Religious Freedom, the flagship publication of the International Institute for Religious Freedom. Janet is a Professor Emerita at Trinity Western University with research expertise in religious freedom law in Canada and internationally. She has a doctorate in Public Law from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
In Davos, Switzerland on January 20, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney captured global attention by declaring "the rules-based order is fading. The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must." Notably absent from Carney’s speech was any mention of human rights and any confidence in the maintainer of the rules-based order, the United Nations. And that is a problem.
Why bother with the UN? Contrary to conspiracy theorists, representatives of World Christianity can have a positive influence on global politics in such a way that helps churches flourish and the gospel spread as a blessing to all nations. In this opinion, the Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Office to the United Nations in Geneva gives us a behind the scenes view of how we can influence the UN to better appreciate the role of faith in society.
