Tzu Chi Joins CSW
March 2025
Since its accreditation to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2010, Tzu Chi has been actively engaging, organizing and advocating at the annual Commission on the Status of Women(CSW).
Drawing upon its roots as a woman-founded Buddhist humanitarian aid organization, Tzu Chi has long championed compassionate service and empowerment for all. Gender-sensitive values and practices embodied by both our staff and volunteers around the world exemplify just how we might begin to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals and gender equality, should we design our systems and behaviors with values of gratitude, respect and love.
This year’s CSW marks a special anniversary of the 30th year of the Beijing Platform For Action (BPfA), a landmark global framework on women’s rights, which was adopted in 1995 during the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China. CSW69 will review the implementation of the BPfA and reflect on what challenges are preventing the implementation of the BPfA, the achievement of gender equality, the empowerment of women and the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Tzu Chi will be hosting panels, events and dialogues, bringing together representatives from civil society, UN agencies and member states to uplift best practices from Tzu Chi communities around the world, and reflect on how we can create a more equitable future for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in a gender-sensitive way.
Upcoming Events
Some of the events require RSVP.
Latest Videos of Tzu Chi Participating in CSW
Our Delegates
Debra Boudreaux is the CEO of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, a.k.a Tzu Chi USA. As a senior volunteer with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Debra has more than 30 years of experience working on major projects related to charity, medical care, education, and humanitarian aid. Debra was previously the CEO of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation. She leads Buddhist and Catholic interfaith dialogues and also serves as the co-chair of the Multi-faith Advisory Council with the UN Interagency Task force for Religion and Sustainable Development.
Branda Ng is a highly skilled and compassionate member of the Global Partnership and Youth Development Department in the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, where she has made a significant impact since joining in 2013. Her exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to the foundation’s mission have led to her appointment as a board member of the Philippine Tzu Chi Medical Foundation in 2018.
Branda’s diligent approach and excellent organizational skills have enabled her to coordinate successful international humanitarian missions and United Nations events for the foundation. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact on people’s lives and has worked collaboratively with UNICEF, CADIS, Médecins du Monde, Missionaries of Charity, and other Catholic-related organizations to create a better world.
Dr. Alex Tan is an Associate Professor at Tzu Chi University (TCU). His research interests include buildings ventilation, thermal comfort analysis as well as environmental education and sustainable practices, with several years of teaching experience in sustainable development and environmental protection. He has co-authored several scientific publications and serves as a reviewer in a number of journals. Incorporating awareness and attitude into pro-environmental behavior, he has taken up a vegetarian diet for many years as well as participates as an active volunteer of Tzu Chi Foundation in areas of charity care, disaster relief, youth development and environmental movements. Tzu Chi Foundation is a global NGO founded in 1966 by dharma Master Cheng Yen and 30 female housewives, caring for the poor and needy in over 133 countries/regions.
Cecelia Ong has dedicated her life to empowering communities and creating lasting change since 1993 as a charity worker with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society in Malaysia. Guided by the Buddhist values of compassion, service, and reducing suffering, her journey has taken her from helping farmers in Myanmar escape poverty to leading life-changing projects for women in Lumbini, Nepal, where she spent the last two years breaking the cycle of poverty.
In Nepal, her focus is on empowering women. She creates programs that teach them skills, improve how they manage their families, and raise their quality of life. But it doesn’t end there—they also prioritize education for children, ensuring that the change they create today continues for generations. This reflects the Buddhist idea of planting seeds of goodness that grow over time, and has inspired local youth to lead and take charge, creating a wave of leadership and community spirit.
Tiffany Tu is a Project Specialist at Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, focusing on humanitarian collaboration and youth development. Passionate about community empowerment and women-led actions, she was a volunteer for over twenty years before joining Tzu Chi’s Global Partnership and Youth Development Department in 2020. Tiffany has experience in running community-led projects and youth programmes in the Asia-Pacific Region and since 2022, leading the Ukrainian refugee relief
Steve Chiu serves as Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s Representative to the United Nations. In alignment with Tzu Chi’s work in disaster relief, climate action, education for global citizenship, sustainable development and gender equality, Steve works to build relationships, share best practices and develop programs with other organizations to make tangible impacts on the ground, with the mission of alleviating the suffering of those in need. With over 25 years of experience in community based development and local interfaith partnership, Steve seeks to connect the importance of grassroots action to policies that are being developed on the international level.
Ying Goh has been volunteering with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Currently, she holds the position of humanitarian relief project specialist with a passion for making a positive impact on communities in need. She is also actively engaged in the exploration and identification of new opportunities to advance Tzu Chi’s humanitarian relief mission both domestically and internationally.
Joy Yang is the Program Coordinator at Tzu Chi’s Department of Global Partnership and Youth Development (GPYD), specializing in curating and managing youth development events and programs. She holds a degree in Communication and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is passionate about designing interactive, learner-centered workshops. As she prepares for the upcoming UNCSW, she continues to apply her expertise to advance gender equality and community-focused learning initiatives.
Nina Wu is a high school senior and changemaker based in Los Angeles, USA. She is the founder of Readary, an international charity dedicated to providing illiterate children in rural Sierra Leone with the resources to read, learn, and grow. As the Tzu Chi Youth Representative to the United Nations, she advocates for youth involvement and accessible education on a global scale. Passionate about civic engagement, Nina interned with former Congresswoman Michelle Steel’s office, where she set national records in voter outreach and community engagement. She also plays a key role in organizing youth leadership symposiums, fostering discussions between students, government officials, and local leaders. Beyond her work, you can find Nina playing cello in parks.
Diana Kwok is a dedicated Early Childhood educator, trainer, and coach specializing in holistic mental wellness and family relational practices. As the Deputy Director of the Dharma as Water Development Department at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, she leads a team of volunteers and staff in developing and implementing emotional and spiritual care curricula. Diana also facilitates English training workshops for Tzu Chi volunteers across the United States.
In addition to her role with the Dharma as Water Development Department, Diana serves as the Deputy Director at the Tzu Chi Center in Manhattan, where she supports events and programs aligned with Tzu Chi’s Global Partnership Youth Development initiatives at the United Nations. With over 23 years of experience as a Tzu Chi volunteer, Diana has contributed to disaster outreach, community service, and educational programs for college and high school youth.
Heather Chen is a Global Public Health and Food Studies student at NYU with a strong commitment to social advocacy. As a Youth Delegate for the UN Team under Tzu Chi, she is attending her second Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) session. Heather is passionate about addressing gender inequality, food politics, and fashion sustainability, striving to create meaningful change through her work at the intersection of policy, culture, and global development.
Andrew Her exemplifies the intersection of spiritual devotion and humanitarian service. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Buddhist Inter- religious Engagement and Chaplaincy at New York Union Theological Seminary, his academic journey aligns with his role as a coordinator for the Wellness Care Program in the Tzu Chi Northeast Region. Formerly a frontline reporter at DAAI TV Station, Andrew brings sensitivity to catastrophic events, emphasizing stories of resilience and hope. His diverse background includes coordinating charitable efforts at the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation and co-authoring a book on charity volunteers. Andrew Her’s commitment to spiritual growth and service is evident in his multifaceted career, bridging Buddhism, charity, wellness, and communication to foster inter-religious dialogue and provide compassionate care.
Karen Jiang is a supermarket owner who joined Tzu Chi in 2012. In 2024, she earned certification as a Tzu Chi commissioner. Karen currently serves as the volunteer sub-team leader for the charity chapter in the North East New York Region.
Karen has been involved in Food Pantry, Elderly Health Eating Education, Financial Aid program for college students, Book Club, and Sign Language.
Hongyi (Yoyo) Wu is a recent college graduate with a strong background in scientific research and medicine, having joined Tzu Chi in the recent months. She is passionate about applying her skills and knowledge to make an impact both within the local and global communities. She volunteers with the local Tzu Chi medical team: assisting the dental team with teeth cleaning services, and the eye team with vision checks and providing glasses to those in need. In addition to that, she also serves as a youth representative for Tzu Chi at the United Nations, working on bridging Tzu Chi’s humanitarian efforts with global policy discussions.
Eunice Tham is a dedicated healthcare professional from Malaysia, currently based in Michigan. Beyond her medical expertise, she is deeply passionate about youth empowerment, as demonstrated by her role as a mentor in the International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP). As a Coordinator and Program Curator for various leadership programs, Eunice has designed and curated impactful initiatives to promote youth leadership. A certified Tzu Chi commissioner since 2019, she is actively engaged with the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association (TCCA) and the Tzu Chi International Youth Association (TIYA), empowering collegiate students and young professionals while continually contributing to community and youth initiatives with a spirit of compassion.