The International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe joined the dedication ceremony of the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) headquarters of the Salvation Army in New York City.

The ISJC is The Salvation Army's strategic voice to advocate for human dignity and social justice with the world's poor and oppressed. The New York centre will serve as a full-time base of operations in the US to support ongoing works, often cooperating with global institutions like the United Nations, in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi. The Salvation Army currently contributes to the pursuit of the UN Millennium Development Goals with a particular emphasis on poverty, substance abuse, women's and children's issues.

Commissioner Christine MacMillan, the newly appointed Director of the ISJC, was also recently appointed as a spokesperson for the WEA on human trafficking issues.

"This new building represents a new step in our struggle to impact the world positively," Commissioner MacMillan said.

The worldwide leader of The Salvation Army General Shaw Clifton, also present at the event, delivered an address.

"The establishing of our new International Social Justice Commission is designed to give strong and articulate support to social justice initiatives by Salvationists around the world," said General Clifton. "It will also allow us to network intelligently and sensitively with international bodies, like the United Nations in New York, in Geneva, in Vienna and in Nairobi.

"All this is, as far as we are concerned, simply a further step of obedience to God."

On the newly established relationship between the WEA and The Salvation Army, General Clifton commented: "I am very pleased about the close link between the WEA and The Salvation Army. The evil of human trafficking is growing. There is hardly any town in the world where you cannot find victims. I believe God will bless the arrangement made between us."

Dr Tunnicliffe said: "I'm thrilled to participate in the launch of the International Social Justice Commission of Salvation Army. This new major initiative built upon remarkable work of Salvation Army will bring a focused attention to some of the major human rights issues in the world."

The Salvation Army is headquartered in London, with centres of operation in 115 countries around the world. The World Evangelical Alliance is, meanwhile, made up of 128 national evangelical alliances located in 7 regions and 104 associate member organizations.