Issue No. 71 - April 2007
A United Nations Emergency Peace Service
 A growing global movement of citizens groups, academics, government officials and UN agencies is coming together to create a permanent UN Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS) to ensure that the tools and capacities are in place to prevent the next humanitarian disaster.
Sir Brian Urquhart, Former UN Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs believes that this initiative is of "the greatest importance both to the UN as a responsible institution and to the millions as of yet unknown, innocent victims who might, in the future, be saved by this essential addition to the UN's capacity to act on their behalf… There is one overwhelming argument for the United Nations Emergency Peace Service. It is desperately needed, and it is needed as soon as possible".
It is envisaged that UNEPS would be permanent, and composed of 12,000 - 15,000 personnel recruited from volunteers from many countries. It would be an expertly trained, integrated service encompassing civilian, police, judicial and military personnel with the skills and capacity to conduct multiple functions in diverse UN operations and able to respond to crisis situations within 48 hours.
 UNEPS is described as a 'service' because it is designed to enforce international laws in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. Against the background of the tragedies of Rwanda and Dafur, the concept of 'responsible sovereignty' is becoming widely accepted, establishing the norm that if governments do not protect their own citizens from gross violations of their rights, the international community has a duty to act.
A publication outlining the details of this initiative has recently been produced by the Global Action to Prevent War, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and the World Federalist Movement. Other organizations that have already joined the coalition include Human Rights Watch, World Order Models Project, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (Australia), Peace Research Center (Spain), Center for International Political Studies (South Africa), and more. For more information, visit: www.globalactionpw.org. To receive updates and endorse the UNEPS initiative, send an email to coordinator@globalactionpw.org.
Global Civil Society Champion: Wolfgang Hildebrandt
 Music is a source of inspiration to people. It has the power to send a message and to bring people together for a common cause. Renowned German vocalist and activist Wolfgang Hildebrandt is planning to take advantage of the amazing potential of music by organizing a worldwide concert series to promote peace and tolerance. The International World Peace Tour (IWPT), which is inspired by the successes of Bob Geldorf's concerts for freedom and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, will feature performances by internationally acclaimed artists, and speeches by notable politicians and activists. The Tour is planned to be launched in autumn 2007, and will continue to travel around the major cities of the world for the next several years.
IWPT will use its proceeds from the concerts to create and implement a curriculum of peace studies in tour cities, passing along to children a spirit of tolerance and hope. The IWPT Education Program, which will be created by experts in the fields of education and peace studies, will be geared towards elementary school children. The curriculum will include a multimedia aspect to help engage the interests of today's young people.
 Wolfgang Hildebrandt is the founding President and CEO of the International World Peace Tour and he has been performing around the world as a singer. In June 2005, at UN Headquarters, Wolfgang performed two songs that he wrote specifically for the United Nations, under the musical direction of Emmy award winner John Wineglass. UN staff and representatives from member states and NGOs attended the concert that was televised and viewed by millions of people in Europe. Wolfgang has composed dozens of songs on the themes of human rights, unity and peace. Samples are available on his website.
To learn more about Wolfgang Hildebrandt and the IWPT, go to: www.internationalworldpeacetour.org
UN Partnerships in Action: Implementing the Millennium Declaration
 Online Atlas of the Millennium Development Goals
The World Bank, in partnership with the non-governmental organization Mapping Worlds, has launched an Online Atlas of the MDGs. This atlas is a visualization of the MDGs that includes maps of key indicators for each of the 8 goals, and information about how each country is doing towards their achievement. The Atlas is a useful interactive resource on the MDGs that will help track progress through to 2015.
To view the maps, go to: http://devdata.worldbank.org/atlas-mdg/
For more on Mapping Worlds, and to view more maps on issues much as migration and population, visit: www.mappingworlds.com/migrasylum.html
New Study: Countries Do Not Need To Be Rich to Treat Women Fairly
How is the world doing on gender equality? Find out your country's ranking by looking at the Gender Equity Index (GEI) for 2004-2007. The GEI ranks countries according to social indicators analyzing economic activity, women's empowerment and education. There has been limited gender equity progress worldwide. Countries with the greatest improvements in gender equity are all developing nations. www.socialwatch.org/en/noticias/noticia_198.htm
 UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women
The year 2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women, which has distributed nearly US$13 million to 226 programmes in more than 100 countries. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $125,000, trust fund projects conduct public education and awareness campaigns, build coalitions, involve law-enforcement, judicial and government agencies, train educators, healthcare personnel and police officials to respond to and prevent violence. Many projects strive to alter community attitudes and involve men as allies.
Further information is available at:
www.unifem.org/campaigns/trust_fund_10th_anniversary/about_trust_fund.php
UN Climate Change Summit?
On March 1, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said global warming posed a threat as great as war. He has sent envoys to probe government willingness for a high-level meeting about global warming, possibly on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn, said that "What's being explored is a high-level meeting to engage a broader constituency -- foreign affairs, energy, trade, economy, transport. It needs a broader push and broader support, irrespective of whether leaders meet".
 Tree Planting Campaign
The United Nations Environment Programme has launched a major worldwide tree planting campaign. Under the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, people, communities, business and industry, civil society organizations and governments are encouraged to enter tree planting pledges online with the objective of planting at least one billion trees worldwide during 2007. More information at:
www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign
Taking Action on the Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council is currently reviewing its Special Procedures - special rapporteurs and representatives, independent experts and working groups - which for over 40 years have been among the most innovative, flexible and responsive tools created by the UN to promote and protect human rights, including the development of human rights law. Despite the clear need for the Council to strengthen the Special Procedures, several states are instead proposing changes that would undermine their effectiveness. Led by Amnesty International, civil society organizations around the world have been signing-on to a petition in support of the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures. To learn more, and to sign the petition, go to: www.amnesty.ca/specialprocedures/index.php?lg=en
Security Council Report has published its Monthly Forecast Report previewing issues likely to be considered in the UN Security Council during April 2007. Go to: www.securitycouncilreport.org.
Who's Who at the UN
Herman von Hebel was appointed Acting Registrar of the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
John Holmes was named Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Richard Monk was appointed as the new UN police commissioner in Kosovo.
Jan Egeland became the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on matters relating to the prevention and resolution of conflict.
What's Happening at the UN
Commission on Population and Development, 40th Session
9 - 13 April, New York
Disarmament Commission, 2007 Substantive Session
9 - 27 April, New York
Commission on Sustainable Development, 15th session
30 April and 11 May 2007, New York
The NGO Committee on Sustainable Development will meet 12 April (1:15 - 2:45 pm), to hear Rhone Resch, President of Solar Energy Industries. More information at: www.unngocsd.org.
2007 NPT Preparatory Committee
30 April - 11 May, Vienna, Austria
WFUNA Highlights
 World Federation President, Hans Blix visit to Washington DC Chapter of UNA-USA
At a meeting in the Meridian conference center on Tuesday 27 March with members of the UNA-USA National Capital Area Chapter, Hans Blix reflected on how the development of the rule of law has influenced the process of disarmament. In a two hour "off the record" dialogue, moderated by Ed Almendorf, Dr. Blix discussed a wide range of issues, including nuclear non-proliferation, Iran, the role of the UN, the MDGs, immigration and climate change. The World Federation Secretary-General, Pera Wells, the Executive Director of the UNA-Canada, Kate White and the Director of the Millennium Project, Mr. Jerry Glenn attended the meeting.
 We are on YouTube!
NGOs are getting increasingly creative about their outreach as technologies become more accessible and user-friendly. YouTube, a website where you can view video clips on practically any topic, has become a social phenomenon. Now the World Federation is on YouTube, with our page featuring the promotional video that we created to help explain to the general public who we are, and what we do. Visit our YouTube page, and make a comment on, or rate our video. The more comments we have, the more people around the world will get to see what we are all about!
Go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM30Di5Ywck
UNA-Spain conference on the Middle East
UNA-Spain is convening a conference on The Role of Civil Society, The Middle East Conflict and the Options for a Future of Peace, to be held in Barcelona from 11 - 13 April. The meeting will bring together representatives of UNAs, NGOs, governments and academics to identify practical proposals for advancing peace in the Middle East.
Launch of Climate Change Initiative
The UNA-Brazil, in partnership with the World Federation, is holding a high level Forum on Sustainable Development in New York on 30 April 2007. Speakers include former Presidents Clinton and Bush. A project, originated by UNA-Brazil, aimed at creating a corporate governance code on climate change will be launched.
Delegation to NPT Prep Com in Vienna
The first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will take place from 30 April to 11 May in Vienna, Austria. The World Federation delegation will include the UNAs of Austria and Germany. To engage the interests of young people the Secretariat is planning to conduct a youth video competition on the NPT.
 UN-EU Cooperation
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the EU, a book, The United Nations and the European Union: An Ever Stronger Partnership, was launched with a panel discussion at the UN in New York on 23 March. Two of the three editors of the book, Jan Wouters and Tom Ruys are members of UNA-Flanders-Belgium; Prof. Wouters is the UNA President. An interesting point made by the panel was that cooperation among EU member states is greater in the context of the United Nations, where the EU often presents a united position on issues, than at the EU in Brussels. The table of contents and the introductory chapter are available at: www.law.kuleuven.be/iir/nl/onderzoek/TableOfContents.pdf
Book on Women and International Organizations
The Unfinished Story of Women and the United Nations by Hilkka Pietila, Honorary President of the World Federation from UNA-Finland, recalls the success story of women and the League of Nations and describes the unfolding history of women at the United Nations.
To download the book, go to: www.un-ngls.org/pdf/UnfinishedStory.pdf
For a hard copy, contact: Beth.Peoch@unctad.org
The UNA-Albania has recently published the first issue of its journal, "UN WAY". Main themes include the UN, diplomacy, policy-making and civil society.
For a free pdf version, email ina.gjikondi@una-alb.org.
Regional Model UN Ready to Go
We are pleased to announce that dates and venues are being finalized for two upcoming World Federation Regional Model UN conferences. The First Latin American and Caribbean Regional Model UN will be hosted by the UNA-Dominican Republic from 10-14 October 2007, and the Second African Regional Model UN Conference will be hosted by the UNA-Kenya at the UN offices in Nairobi, around 19-23 November 2007. More details about these conferences will follow soon!
UNA-Armenia's Model UN Program
The UNA-Armenia is planning two Model UN conferences in April. First, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, they are organizing a Model UN Conference to be held on 14-15 April in Tsakhkadzor, for the students of the Young Leaders School of Armenia. Second, there are currently, 7 students from the International Relations Department of the Armenian/Russian State Slavonic University who are interning at the UNA, and they are working with the UNA to organize a Model UN Conference at their University in the last week of April.
The 17th Annual Moscow International Model UN, hosted by UNA-Russia, will take place in Moscow on 9-13 April 2007. www.modelun.ru
The 2nd Catalonia Model UN (C'MUN), hosted by UNA-Spain will take place in Barcelona on 2-5 May 2007 C'MUN in Barcelona. www.anue.org/en/cmun
Youth Project Database
WFUNA-youth will soon launch a Project Database on www.wfunayouth.org. In this database they seek to collect information about the projects that UNA Youth Sections and UNYAs all over the world carry out. To collect information for this database, WFUNA-youth is asking members of UNA and UNA Youth Sections to send information on their youth projects to: coordinating.committee@gmail.com
 Millennium Project Award Ceremony - on the 15 Global Challenges
The Global Millennium Prize Award Ceremony for secondary school students around the world was held at the National Anthropological Museum in Mexico in March. The winners, from Brazil, China, Korea, Mexico and Venezuela read short statements about the 15 Global Challenges to a large audience that included representatives of the UN Secretary-General, UNESCO, Hewlett Packard and Pfizer. It was covered by several Mexican television stations and at least one Latin American TV network.
State of the Future reports
The Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish translations of the Executive Summary of the 2006 State of the Future are available at: www.acunu.org/millennium/sof2006.html
Inside Global Civil Society: How it Networks
African Civil Society Forum in Addis Ababa, 22-24 March 2007
More than 150 NGOs from 32 countries of the 5 African Regions and 4 from other regions of the world attended the African Civil Society Forum, which was on the theme of "Democratising Governance at Regional and Global Levels to Achieve the MDGs". The Forum was convened by CONGO and the African Women's Development and Communication Network, in partnership with UN Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union.
In his message to the Forum, UN SG Ban Ki-moon said that "How Africa fares in reaching the Millennium Development Goals is a matter of life and death for millions of Africans. It is also a test of ability of the United Nations to work with Africa's Governments and peoples to meet the 2015 deadline. It will be one of my highest priorities to ensure that we meet that test".
www.ngocongo.org/index.php?what=resources&id=10376&language=en
 Path breaking Methods for Improving Water Quality Give American Professor the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize
On the occasion of World Water Day on 22 March 2007, Professor L. McCarty from Stanford University was named the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. Professor McCarty is a pioneer in the development of the understanding of biological and chemical processes for the safe supply and treatment of water. For more, visit: www.siwi.org
Poverty Requiem: Expressing the Struggles of Poverty through Music
The Poverty Requiem is a musical piece that was created by civil society organisations to remind world leaders about their promise to achieve the MDGs. The work consists of five movements expressing the different ways poverty effects people: suffering, anger, mourning, humour and hope. For more information, see www.povertyrequiem.org
Civil Society Development Forum 2007
The Civil Society Development Forum 2007 - "A Platform for Development: Countdown to 2015" - will be held from 28-30 June 2007 at the International Conference Center in Geneva. The Forum will highlight the crucial role of the MDGs in the pursuit of a results-oriented global development strategy. It will bring together civil society actors to "think future" and to work on issues related to the wider development agenda. For more, visit: www.ngocongo.org/index.php?what=resources&id=10377
MercyCorps and NetAid Join Together
In February, NetAid and Mercy Corps announced plans to merge in an effort to radically change the way that Americans -especially young Americans- learn about and respond to the challenges of global poverty. Next Spring, the partners anticipate the opening of a new hunger and poverty action center in New York's Battery Park City that is expected to draw nearly 100,000 visitors annually. This center will anchor Mercy Corps and NetAid's combined education and outreach efforts.
Mercy Corps: www.mercycorps.org
NetAid: www.netaid.org
 Enter the TIG "Net Generation" Video Contest
"The Net Generation" means people ages 12 - 29 in other words, people who grew up with interactive technology: the Internet, mobile phones, music downloading, etc. TakingITGlobal wants you to create a 2 to 5 minute video clip of what you think best describes the definition of your generation. For example, what do you value the most about your life and opportunities that your parents and previous generations didn't get to experience? 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be given out in each of three categories. Prizes include digital video cameras, digital cameras and web cams! For more information and to enter the contest visit: www.takingitglobal.org/express/video/contest/
Hurry... the contest deadline is April 6th 2007!
"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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