Issue No. 63 - July 2006
WFUNA Essay Competition on WMDs
 In 1950, a young Hans Blix was the winner of an essay competition conducted by the World Federation. His prize was a trip to the UN, where he was inspired to pursue a career in international law during a conversation with UN Secretariat Officials. He did just that and more, realizing a prominent career that included Foreign Minister of Sweden, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and most recently Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC).
The WMDC issued the Weapons of Terror - Freeing the World of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons report seeking renewed multilateral efforts by the global community towards WMD disarmament, with the ultimate aim of outlawing all WMDs. The Report provides 60 specific recommendations towards WMD disarmament; the most important being: to agree on general principles of action, reduce the danger of present arsenals, prevent proliferation, and work towards outlawing WMDs altogether. Weapons of Terror provides fresh thinking and assessments of what could and should be done to revive the process. It views WMDs as a people's issue, and not just a matter for governments. All actors, including NGOs and academia, are encouraged to contribute to solutions.
An Online Global Essay Competition on how to implement the recommendations of the Report will be launched by WFUNA on 2 August. The World Federation is seeking to revive the process towards WMD disarmament through this initiative, where visionary global citizens will contribute their bright ideas, thoughts, and solutions, to inspire a global recommitment to the prospect of a safer future freed from the threats of WMDs. More information on this initiative will be available on the WFUNA website soon.
Global Civil Society Champions: Graciela Chichilnisky and Arthur Navarro
 Latin America can no longer be ignored in the landscape of international relations. The countries in this vast and diverse part of the world are major players in international economics and politics. The Latin Economic Forum, held in April at UN Headquarters, brought together Latin American business, government, and community leaders to work towards identifying immediate and pragmatic solutions to some of the region's most pressing problems. The discussions focused on reducing poverty, using corporate social responsibility as a business contribution to sustainable development, implementing new business strategies and technologies to ensure a prosperous economy, and strengthened governance.
The momentum and ideas of the Latin Economic Forum will be followed through to the World Federation's International Symposium. Two of the main organizers of the Forum, Graciela Chichilnisky and Arthur Navarro, will serve as Special Advisers to the World Federation in organizing the International Symposium that will be held together with the 38th Plenary Assembly in Buenos Aires, from 6-10 November 2006. The Symposium is expected to cover corporate social responsibility, women's rights and foreign policy questions in Latin America in the context of the Millennium Devel opment Goals.
In addition to her work with the Forum, Graciela Chichilnisky holds the UNESCO Chair of Mathematics and Economics, and is a Professor of Statistics at Columbia University. She is Director of Columbia's Center for Risk Management and created the University's Program on Information and Resources. Arthur Navarro, Chairman of the Latin Economic Forum is an active investor and commentator, who focuses on emerging markets, business models, and up-and-coming companies. Navarro founded the Latin Communications Management, Inc., a management consulting company that advises fortune 1000 companies on the U.S and Latin American emerging markets.
Dr. Chichilnisky and Mr. Navarro support "the objectives of a United Nations system that responds to the needs of global civil society, working towards a North-South partnership", and are looking forward to working with WFUNA towards this goal.
More information about the Latin Economic Forum is available at: www.latineconomicforum.org/2006/index.htm
UN Partnerships in Action: Implementing the Millennium Declaration
Finding Solutions to the World's Problems
In 2003, some of the world's best economists wrote comprehensive analyses of the major challenges facing the planet. An eminent panel, including four Nobel laureates, then produced the "Copenhagen Consensus 2004": a list of innovative and cost-effective solutions responding to these major challenges. At the "Copenhagen Consensus 2006: A United Nations Perspective" in Washington DC on 16 - 17 June, UN ambassadors discussed and prioritized 40 challenges and possible solutions. The top ten challenges included communicable diseases, sanitation and water, education, malnutrition and hunger, subsidies and trade barriers. Migration, corruption and conflicts featured in the next ten challenges. Climate change entered the list for the first time at 27. A parallel Youth Forum addressed the same challenges and came up with different priorities.
The outcome and results of the 2006 Copenhagen Consensus are now available at: www.copenhagenconsensus.com
 The Impediments of Urbanization
UN Habitat's State of the World's Cities Report 2006/7 for the first time transcends the traditional categorical breakdown into urban and rural populations and points to a disturbing development in the world's urban centers; although urbanization produces wealthier citizens in the world's cities, it also leads to the growth of urban slums. The report analyzes inequalities between slum dwellers and the better-off urban population in the fields of education, health, employment and other aspects of the MDGs. To help tackle these problems, UN-Habitat has a long tradition of working in close collaboration with civil society organizations such as Sister Cities International and several youth groups. The report can be accessed at: www.unhabitat.org/worldcitiesreport.asp
NGOs Against Small Arms
The Small Arms Review Conference 2006 is taking place from 26 June to 7 July at UN Headquarters in New York to review the 2001 Programme of Action. The central issue is the illegal trade in small arms that destroy the lives of thousands of people in the world every year, many of them civilians. This problem is of a very complex nature, and a comprehensive approach is needed that take into equal consideration both the supply and demand of these weapons. States need to control supply, especially the illegal transfers and sales of weapons to countries that are under weapons embargoes. Besides states, many civil society groups and organizations are participating in the conference, notably the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA)- a global civil society network committed to stopping the proliferation and misuse of these weapons. For more, visit: www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/ or www.iansa.org/un/review2006.htm
Partnership to Overcome Sexual Violence in Conflict
UN organizations and civil society groups announced a Joint Partnership to tackle sexual violence in conflict and crisis situations around the world. It builds on existing initiatives concerned with the threat that sexual violence poses to the life and livelihood of survivors, and the longer-term impact on community and national development. For more information, visit www.unicef.org
Update on Water Safety
The World Health Organization (WHO) released an addendum to the third edition of the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. The addendum includes new and expanded information on the management of emergencies and unforeseen events. The Guidelines are used by developing and developed countries worldwide as the basis of regulation and standard setting to ensure the safety of drinking-water. Much of the work of the WHO on water, sanitation, and hygiene is done in partnership with networks of NGOs in "official relations" with the agency. For details on these partnerships, visit: www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/partnership/en/index.html
The Next SG?
The upcoming UN Secretary General election is quickly becoming a topic of excited debate and anticipation. More and more candidates are coming forward, including Ban Ki Moon, Jayantha Dhanapala, Surakiart Sathirathai, and Shashi Tharoor. It is clear that the next Executive Administrator of the UN will not have an easy undertaking. Given the recent controversy over the realization of essential management reforms, the candidates' capacity to move this forward on this will be a key consideration in the selection process. France has indicated that during its Presidency of the Security Council in July, the Council members should expect to begin considering the candidates.
In an effort to make the selection process more transparent, UNA-USA has published the report Selecting the Next Secretary General, available at: www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=1613453
MaximsNews has been regularly publishing articles about, and interviews with potential candidates at: www.maximsnews.com
For interview's of the candidates go to: www.centerforunreform.org
Who's Who at the UN
The newly constituted 46-member Board of the International Crisis Group includes eighteen members from North and South America, fourteen from Western and Eastern Europe, seven from Africa and the Middle East and seven from Asia and the Pacific. www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4197&l=1&m=1
Lawyer Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, from Bahrain, has been elected President of the 61st General Assembly session. She will be only the third woman in the UN's history to hold that post, and the first since 1969.
Tomas Husak, Mohammed Loulichki, Blaise Godet, and Musa Burayzat have been elected Vice-Presidents of the Human Rights Council.
Craig Barrett will be the first chairman of the newly established Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development.
Achim Steiner from Germany is the new Executive Director of the UN Environment Progr amme.
Action film star Jackie Chan is the UN World Tourism Organization's first "Asia-Pacific Tourism Ambassador". He will try to help combat poverty in the region through promoting tourism.
The Sudanese star player in the NBA, Luol Deng, joined forces with the UN World Food Programme to air a Public Service Announcement in an effort to drum up support for the humanitarian relief operation in Darfur.
What's Happening at the UN
ECOSOC High-level segment
3 - 5 July, New York
58th Session of the International Law Commission
3 July-11 August, Geneva
Civil Society Hearing on International Migration and Development
12 July, New York
Hearings with the International Community and Civil Society
on the UN High Level Group for the Alliance of Civilizations
17th July, Geneva
Conference on Disarmament, third part
31 July - 15 September, Geneva
International Youth Day
12 August
Youth Assembly at the United Nations
16-18 August, New York
www.faf.org/programs/unyouthassembly2006/youthassembly.html
UN International Conference of Civil Society in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace
7 - 8 September, Geneva
WFUNA Highlights
Plenary Assembly Update:
- Registration is now open for the 38th Plenary Assembly that will be held from 6-10 November 2006 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. UNAs may register on-line at: www.wfuna.org/news/plenary_assembly/pa_registration.cfm
- A video of UNA activities will be created for the Plenary. Please send any video footage or photos that you would like featured to the New York office
WFUNA has a blog!
UN reform has been a widely debated topic within our UNA network. Last month we launched the "Reform Forum" - a venue for UNAs to discuss the topics on the reform agenda. This forum has now found a new home. It is a blog, and it can be accessed at:
http://wfunauna.civiblog.org
Go to this website to read about how UNAs around the world are affected by, or what they think about the reforms at the UN. There have been regular updates about the looming crisis over the UN's budget and management reform, and the work of the newly established Peacebuilding Commission and Human Rights Council. Topics will continue to be added, visit the blog for updates!
 50th Anniversary of Peacekeeping Project
UNA-Canada's new Peacekeeping Project will celebrate the 50th anniversary of UN peacekeeping taking place this year. As part of the Project, the UNA will honor Canadian innovators, leaders and veterans of peacekeeping missions, engage young Canadians to better understand the issues that can foster conflict, develop education materials, foster dialogue, and work with current policy-makers and peacemakers to ensure that current and future peace-building continues to be effective and efficient.
For more, visit: www.unac.org
UN Challenges and Reform Seminar in Korea
An international seminar hosted by the UNA-Republic of Korea (UNA/ROK) and sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was held on June 8-9, 2006 on the theme of the "United Nations in the 21st Century: Challenges and Reform". The President of UNA-ROK, Amb Park Soo-gil welcomed participants, including the President of UNA-China, Amb. Jin Yongjian, former UN senior officials, including Amb Ysushi Akashi, Ms Lindenmayer, Prof Danilo Turk, diplomats and Korean academics. WFUNA was represented by the A/g Secretary-General Pera Wells. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, participated in the dialogue. The report on the seminar will be available shortly.
Irish Action on Desertification
The Irish-UNA has been commended by Executive-Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Hama Diallo, for the activities that they have organized to commemorate the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD) 2006. The UNA has an intern, Peter Donelan, posted on temporary volunteer assignment in the Office of the Prime Minister of Namibia. Peter has sent reports on the importance of IYDD in Africa and the UNA is keen to stimulate other UNAs to join in promoting world wide awareness of this international year. Your comments are most welcome and can be sent direct to iuna@ireland.com
Drugs and the Media in Pakistan
On 31 May UNA-Pakistan hosted a seminar where more than 300 people discussed the topic of "Media Awareness on Drug Abuse". This event was followed-up on 26 June with a community project that involved recovering drug addicts and their families. Pakistan is not among the drug producing countries, but it is a transit country that is facing problems due to a small faction of people who are introducing drugs to the communities.
UNA-USA's 21st Annual Model UN Summit and Leadership Conference
From 25-30 June 2006, Model UN enthusiasts had the opportunity to network and hone their skills at UNA-USA's 21st Annual Model UN Summit and Leadership Conference. The conference brought together student leaders, faculty advisors, and NGO representatives who share a desire to deepen their understanding of the United Nations and enhance their leadership skills. The conference included workshops, "one-on-one" lunches, UN briefings, and a final Model UN simulation for all participants.
Walter Lotze from UNA-South Africa presented a workshop on "Taking Action with Model UN". UNA-Russia brought a group of 20 university students from Moscow State University to participate in the conference and to visit Washington.
For more information about the UNA-USA Model UN Summit, visit: www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=1081463
During this time of the year, many UNAs hold their National Conferences. Recent and upcoming meetings include: UNA-Australia, UNA-Canada, UNA-Sweden, UNA-Switzerland and UNA-USA
Global Civil Society: How it Networks
 OneWorld U.S. Alternative Travel Guide
Explore the World not just as a tourist, but as a caring global citizen. Find out about exciting, unique travel opportunities offered by nonprofits, so you can get to know people, not just places. Check out volunteer programs, study tours, internships and more! The OneWorld U.S. Alternative Travel Guide is available at http://us.oneworld.net/section/us/travelguide
Youth Empowerment in Kenya
Excitement is building around the YES Kenya Summit that will be held in the East African country from 13-16 September. Over 2000 delegates from 120 countries are expected to attend the Summit, which will focus on 'Creating Markets… Unleashing Entrepreneurship'. The YES Kenya Summit constitutes a milestone event as it is the third of the six global summits to be held during the decade-long Youth Employment Summit Campaign. YES Campaign brings together diverse stakeholders, and works with them to develop the capacity of youth to lead employment initiatives; promote youth employment to address key development challenges; and build in-country coalitions to develop national strategies addressing youth unemployment. To register or for more information, go to: www.yesweb.org
NGO Survey Reveals Scotland amongst Most Active
A survey of over 54 countries and 5,000 individuals has revealed that Scotland, along with Wales and Northern Ireland, has amongst the strongest NGO sectors in the world. The survey was carried out by CIVICUS, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, to coincide with their international conference, being held in Glasgow from 21 to 25 June.
Visit www.civicus.org
World Day Against Child Labour
On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions launched a video portrait of Jonathon, a 12 year old child labourer from Peru who is one of many children benefiting from a union-sponsored program that has helped him find his way back to school. To watch the video portrait on Jonathan go to: www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991224579&Language=EN For more information, see www.hrea.org/feature-events/day-against-childlabour.php
NGLS launched its redesigned website which is more user friendly, features simple navigation for complex searches, and loads quickly. It also provides easier access to reports and other types of information and includes a working site-level search engine. Go to: www.un-ngls.org
"We the Peoples" Forum
Share your insights and experiences of participating in networks and partnerships shaping relationships between the emerging global civil society and the UN.
Tell us all about "best practices", new initiatives, and how to optimize the benefits of information communication technologies.
Send your feedback, comments, and suggestions for future issues to the Editor at editor@wfuna.org
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