The World Federation of United Nations Associations newsletter
Topic for May is Migration
In this issue: 
• Message from Hans Blix, President
• Who's Who at the UN
• What's Happening at the UN
• UN Partnerships in Action: The Three Pillars
• WFUNA Highlights
• Millennium Project News
Topic people are talking about:
o Overview on Migration
o UN Perspectives: Anne Pawliczko
o UNAs and Migration
o NGOs on the Move
o Book Recommendation
o Film Recommendations
"In today's rapidly integrating world community, global treaties and global institutions, like the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, remain indispensible. Even with their shortcomings they can do some important things that states acting alone cannot achieve. They are, therefore, essential instruments in the hands of the international community to enhance security, jointly operate inspection systems, and reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction". Hans Blix writes in his new book Why Nuclear Disarmament Matters, MIT Press, April 2008
The book is available at bookstores or online:
http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11422
http://www.amazon.com/Nuclear-Disarmament-Matters-Boston-Review/dp/0262026449
WFUNA President, Dr. Hans Blix invites students around the world to answer his question:
 What do you think can lead governments to stay away from, or do away with, nuclear weapons?
To answer this question
• write an essay (1500 words)
• produce a video (2 minutes)
• design a poster
The deadline for submissions is 31st May 2008
The winners will be given trip to Geneva to take part in a seminar led by Dr. Hans Blix!
Visit www.disarmamenthub.org for details on the competition and join our Facebook group!
Peace and Security
 Civil Society Initiative on Deweaponization
Deweaponization and Civil Society (DEWs) is a new initiative of the DPI/NGO Executive Committee. DEWs aims to raise consciousness among policymakers and opinion leaders on the importance of engaging global civil society more actively in preventing, curbing and dealing with the aftermath of intra-state violence. A panel on “Deweponization and Civil Society” will be held during the 2008 annual conference of the Academic Council of the UN System on 5-7 June in Bonn, Germany. Irene Martinetti, WFUNA Director of Programs in Geneva, will be speaking at the panel. Further information about this event can be found at www.acuns.org.
Philip Urech, the WFUNA Disarmament Coordinator, is the assigned point of contact for the DEW Youth section. Philip can be reached at urech@wfuna.org
Development
 UN Response to Global Food Crisis
In recent months, protests and riots have broken out in some countries over the rising cost of basic foods, such as rice, wheat and corn. As a response, on 29 April, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he will lead the Task Force on the Global Food Crisis, which will bring together the heads of UN agencies, funds and programs and the Bretton Woods institutions, as well as experts within the UN and leading authorities from the international community. The group will have two coordinators – Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes in New York and Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator David Nabarro in Geneva.
www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26491&Cr=food&Cr1=prices
Many NGOs work in partnership with the UN Food and Agricultural Association. You can visit their websites to learn more facts about the food crisis, discuss the situation, and find out how you can take action. Visit these sites:
International Food First Information and Action Network: www.fian.org
International Federation of Agricultural Producers: www.ifap.org/en/index.html
International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco & Allied Workers Associations: www.iuf.org
Consumers International:www.consumersinternational.org
The Environmental Blog: www.theenvironmentalblog.org
As a response to the deepening global food crisis, the UN Commission on Sustainable Development will address agricultural issues for the first time in ten years. Get daily updates about what is happening at the Commission on Sustainable Development by reading "Outreach Issues" at: http://SDIN-NGO.NET or www.stakeholderforum.org The newsletter is a partnership between Sustainable Development Issues Network and the Stakeholder Forum.
Human Rights
UNESCO Human Rights Meeting in Russia
On 28 May 2008 at the Moscow State Institute of International Affairs, the UNA-Russia, and UNESCO are organizing a one-day experts meeting of UNESCO Chair holders on Human Rights in Europe. The meeting is organized in the framework of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One of the main points on the agenda will be the discussion of the creation of the UNESCO European Research Network on Human Rights.
www.unesco.ru/eng/articles/2004/ampar25042008165929.php
Read and comment on the report “Doing Well by Doing Good: A Report on Work Satisfaction in Civil Society" at: http://lifework.gilbert.org
Ambassador Anatoly Torkunov, the Chairman of UNA-Russia announced the formation of the Russian Friends of WFUNA at the annual Friends of WFUNA Fundraising Luncheon that was hosted by WFUNA President Hans Blix on 9 April 2008 in New York. This year’s honoree, Ambassador William J. vanden Heuvel, welcomed the announcement. Speakers at the event included Gillian Sorensen from the UN Foundation and Stephen Schlesinger, author of Act of Creation: The Founding of the United Nations.
Climate Change
WFUNA, in association with the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future will be organizing a side-event at the Commission on Sustainable Development to be held on 12 May at 6.15 PM in the UN Library Auditorium. The topic of the side-event is ‘Water and Climate Change- Adaptation, Risk Assessment and Water Resource Management’.
 To celebrate World Environment Day, on 2 June 2008, the UNA-New Zealand will host the “WFUNA Climate Change and the UN Workshop” in Auckland. This event will be preceded by the UNA-NZ National Conference “Our Common Future” from 31 May-1 June 2008. Information about both events is at: www.unanz.org.nz
The UNA-Australia National Conference will be held from 21-23 August 2008 at Parliament House in Brisbane. Sessions will focus on the UN and climate change, life-long-education, governance, peace, conflict resolution, human rights, sustainability and the Global Compact. For details: www.unaa.org.au/praxis.php/category/view/95
 UNA-Brazil hosted the second Annual Sustainable Development Forum in New York on 2 March 2008. The keynote speaker, Bill Clinton emphasized that, contrary to expectations, there is now evidence that countries can continue to grow their economies while they succeed in reducing carbon emissions. One of the things we should be paying attention to is the extent to which the transition to green technologies will enhance democracy. US Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky highlighted the importance of collaboration between the United States and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) to deal with climate change.
 From October 2007 to March 2008 the UNA-Uganda carried out a tree-planting campaign in schools and universities. At the launch last year, themed “Our Planet, Our Future”, trees were planted along the field where the celebration was held. Saplings were distributed to schools and universities, together with an information package about the causes and effects of global warming.
Human Rights
Veronique Joosted, a PhD student working with the UNA-Flanders Belgium has recently published “The UN Human Rights Council at work: from high hopes back to reality” under the auspices of the UNA. To read the publication Click here .
 To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UNA-Ecuador, with several partner organizations, hosted the international conference "Social Cohesion and Social Well-Being: Inclusion and Dialogue from a Human Rights Perspective ", from 28-29 April 2008. You may find the concept paper, the program and additional details of the event at: www.auditoriademocratica.org/60anniversary.
Disarmament
WFUNA cosponsored the conference “Good Faith, International Law, and the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: The Once and Future Contributions of the International Court of Justice”, organized by the World Court Project to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in Geneva, Switzerland, on 1 May 2008.
New Appointments
resize.jpg) WFUNA Honorary President from Cyprus, Ms. Androula Vassiliou was appointed Commissioner of Health of the European Commission. Ms. Vassiliou is replacing Markos Kyprianou.
Former Malaysian Permanent Representative to the UN, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam has been appointed the Secretary-General of UNA-Malaysia.
Mrs. Armine Podosyan was elected as the new President of UNA-Armenia
As a result of elections on 15 April 2008, the new central managing committee of UNA-Mauritius is led by Secretary-General is Mr. Sooltan Sohawon. Mr. N. Bossoondyal is now Director General responsible for the UNA’s new Department on Climate Change.
The UNYA-Turkey celebrated World Water Day by organizing the seminar “Water, Environment and Politics” at Bilkent University in Ankara. Three sessions were organized on subjects such as “Migration and changing land uses, human settlements and water”. UNYA-Turkey celebrated National Children’s Day on 23 April.
The annual conference of the United Nations Youth and Student Association of UNA-UK in Birmingham on 8 March was a success. Over 90 members attended to hear Peter Kessler, the UN Refugee Agency’s Senior External Affairs Officer in the UK, and Professor Sir Richard Jolly, a former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF. For details of the conference visit:www.una.org.uk/youth
UNA-Norway is cooperating with The Norwegian Children and Youth Council for the selection and preparation of the official UN Youth Delegates from Norway to the UN General Assembly and to UN-Habitat. Petter Hojem, a representative of The Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Transperson Youth organization in Norway, was appointed as the first of the two Youth Delegates for the UN General Assembly. The process of appointing the female Youth delegate is still underway.
 The 5th Annual Youth Assembly will take place at the United Nations from 11-14 August 2008. Hundreds of young people from all around the world will meet to learn more about the Millennium Development Goals and find practical ways to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs. For more information, please go to: www.faf.org/programs/unyouthassembly/ya_home.htm.
The Alliance of Civilizations has launched a Youth Solidarity Fund to support youth-led initiatives that aim to build long-term constructive relationships between young people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. The Fund will endow seed funding to a small number of youth-led projects in the following areas: “Intercultural and Interreligious Exchanges”, “Youth Leadership Training”, and “Youth Voices in the Media”. Only projects entirely managed by youth for the benefit of youth will receive funding. Please visit www.unaoc.org/content/view/93/128/lang,english
The annual Global Youth Service Day was celebrated on 25-27 April. Millions of young people in over 120 countries organized thousands of service projects to recognize the volunteer contributions of youth to their communities. For more information please visit www.gysd.net/home/index.html?width=1024
The 3rd WFUNA Asia and Pacific Regional Model UN Conference in Incheon, Republic of Korea will take place from 21-25 July 2008. The theme of the conference is “Achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015: Reducing Global Poverty and Improving Living Standards through a More Proactive Approach.” Registration is now open at www.apmun2008.org
 WFUNA hosted a panel at the second session of the National Model UN in New York. The panel, which focused on Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World, attracted a lively exchange of views from over 300 students from around the world. For more information on NMUN visit www.nmun.org
UNA-Spain will be hosting the 3rd Annual International Model UN conference of Catalonia from 30 April- 3 May in Barcelona. Go to: www.anue.org/en/cmun
UNA-Brazil will be co-hosting the Americas Model United Nations from 23-27 July 2008 in Brasilia. Go to www.amun.org.br
UNA-Tanzania will be hosting the 3rd annual East African Model UN conference (EARMUN) in August 2008.
UNA-Dominican Republic will be hosting the Latin American International Model UN Conference (CILA) and regional UNA-WFUNA-UNIC meeting from 15-19 October 2008.
All of these UNA hosted Model UN conferences will be held under the auspices of WFUNA.
 Anne-Sophie Juillard is the Administrative Assistant at the WFUNA Office in Geneva. After obtaining a vocational training certificate, she went on to attain a B.A. and M.A. in Education from Lyon University in France. Her previous work experiences include employment with Amnesty International, the French Red Cross and internships with Primagaz Distribucion in Barcelona and with the Environmental Simulation International in Shrewsbury. Anne-Sophie is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of Spanish. She can be reached at: juillard@wfuna.org
Laura Munari replaced Beatriz Eraso as the Climate Change coordinator in the New York office. Italian-born, Laura grew up in South Africa but later moved back to Italy where she graduated in Contemporary History at the University of Bologna. She plans to do a postgraduate degree on development and human rights. munari@wfuna.org
The recruitment of new interns for summer 2008 has been completed. A diverse and international group of students and young professionals will join our team.
Call for papers!
Grasping the Future - A Challenge for Learning and Innovation
1-3 October 2008, Helsinki, Finland
Educational systems and learning environments in business have a major impact on national innovation and competitiveness. The "Grasping the Future" conference challenges linear thinking and promotes futures literacy both in education and business environments. Conference themes include: Learning and innovation environments for education and business, challenges for innovative enterprise, innovativeness as a national competitive advantage, and innovative leadership.
The deadline for submitting abstracts to the conference " is 23 May 2008. Please see the Call for Papers and submit your abstract using an electronic form at:
www.futuresconference.fi/2008
Who's Who
Mario Sánchez Debernardi from Peru was appointed Commander of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Admiral Debernardi is the former Director for Policy and Strategy at the Peruvian Ministry of Defence.
 Inés Alberdi was appointed the Executive Director of the UN Development Fund for Women. Ms. Alberdi previously served as a Deputy in the Madrid Assembly.
 Ajay Chhibber of India was appointed Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the UN Development Program's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific.
 Four members of the Internal Justice Council have been chosen: Jenny Clift of Australia, Geoffrey Robertson of the UK and Australia, Maria Vicien-Milburn of Argentina, Sinha Basnayake of Sri Lanka. These four will choose the fifth member, who will serve as Council Chair.
PrepCom for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in 2010
28 April – 9 May, Geneva
For events list see: www.reachingcriticalwill.org:80/legal/npt/prepcom08/events08.html
Commission on Sustainable Development
5 - 16 May, 2008, New York
General Assembly, Fifth Committee
5 - 30 May, 2008, New York
Conference on Disarmament
13 May - 27 June, 2008, Geneva
WHO, World Health Assembly
19 - 24 May, 2008, Geneva
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations
29 May - 6 June, New York
Overview on Migration
By Erin Monaghan, Education and Model UN Coordinator
As a peoples’ movement for the United Nations, WFUNA and its member UN Associations have a natural interest in the issue of migration. WFUNA’s 38th Plenary Assembly in 2006 urged that “all Governments develop joint, long-term projects to alleviate migration problems among countries and to guarantee the rights and responsibilities of all affected”. As well they called upon “all states to sign, ratify and implement the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families”.
The Plenary Assembly took into account the findings of the Global Commission on International Migration, which reported in October 2005 that some 191 million people -- 3 per cent of the world’s population -- lived outside their country of origin.
To read the full article, go to: http://www.wfuna.org/site/lookup.asp?c=oiLSJ3OPLtE&b=4103379
 Ms. Pawliczko serves as focal point of population issues - ageing, migration, urbanization, and the environment. She monitors donor assistance and financial resource flows mobilized by developing countries for population activities and reports on progress towards achieving the financial targets agreed upon at the International Conference on Population and Development.
In a recent interview, Ms. Pawliczko discussed UNFPA’s work on migration, the status of the follow-up to the 2006 High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development:
1. What aspects of international migration come within UNFPA’s mandate?
International migration has important implications for demographic dynamics and thus for the core mandate of UNFPA. The Fund’s work in this area is guided by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action which devoted a full chapter to international migration, stressing the need for a more comprehensive approach to migration management and policy development by States and other concerned actors.
For the full interview, go to: http://www.wfuna.org/site/lookup.asp?c=qkIWI9OXLvE&b=4103373
 UNA-Canada is currently following a two-year, federally funded anti-racism, pro-integration and diversity project entitled “A Sense of Belonging”. This project focuses on eliminating discriminatory behaviours through the promotion of a multicultural, public dialogue to encourage the cohesion within the Canadian and pan-Canadian community. By touching nine priority areas ranging from Aboriginal Issues to Religious, Cultural and Language Diversity, ‘A Sense of Belonging’ hopes to promote inclusiveness and encourage an effective prejudice-free cultural development within the country. www.unac.org/sb/en/information/home.asp
On the 23rd of April the Victorian Division of UNA-Australia organised a Model United Nations conference in conjunction with the Department of Education and early childhood development. This conference, titled Refugees: Rights and Risks, was attended by eleven schools in the Melbourne area.
UNA-Georgia works in coordination with relevant international agencies to advance understanding of both voluntary migration and forced displacement, helping to develop the response tools of governmental and non-governmental organizations in Georgia. From 2004 to 2005, UNA-Georgia, under the auspices of the Applied Research Centre, conducted a project that mapped the existing migration legislation. The UNA organizes conferences and publishes online news, articles and the e-newsletter ‘Refugee” all of which can be viewed at: www.una.ge
 Migrants Rights International (MRI) is a federation of migrants’ and migrants’ rights organizations, trade unions and faith-based groups around the world, promoting and defending the human rights of migrants. Among its recent activities is the National Conference for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and ‘The Road to Manila’, an international briefing and strategy meeting for civil society mobilization. www.migrantwatch.org
Solidar focuses on the recognition of migrant’s rights and their integration in ‘host societies’. The organization has a variety of projects and programs ranging from service provision (legal counseling, language courses, outreach, and education) to advocacy and lobbying: campaigns for migrants’ rights and against discrimination. Solidar publishes a Migration Bulletin three times a year.
www.solidar.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13996&langue=EN
 The Centre for Migration Study undertakes research and provides a forum for debate on international migration. In addition to monographs and books consultable through its New York library, it publishes the online journal ‘International Migration Review’ which is available on the website. The association organizes conferences and forums on the subject, including the Annual National Legal Conference on Immigration and Refugee policy. www.cmsny.org
 The Southern African Migration Project (SAMP) is an international network of organizations promoting awareness of linkages between migration and development. SAMP conducts research on migration and development issues, provides policy advice and expertise, offers training in migration policy and management, and conducts public education campaigns on migration-related issues. www.queensu.ca/samp/
The Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs published in Ethics & International Affairs, Volume 22.1 (Spring 2008),
the article “On the Morality of Immigration” by Mathias Risse. Read it at:
www.cceia.org:80/resources/journal/22_1/essays/001.html
The Lost Boys of Sudan
By: Mark Bixler
In the 2001, thirty-eight hundred refugees from Sudan arrived in the United States. Known as the Lost Boys of Sudan, they had spent years wandering on their own around southern Sudan. This book introduces the tragic and inspiring story of four Sudanese refugees who made their way to the US to rebuild their lives.
Beyond Borders, 2007
Beyond Borders explores the psychological forces driving the immigration controversy between Mexico and the United States from both sides of the debate. Anti-immigration activists demand we stop this "illegal alien invasion,” while some pro-immigration forces speak of a Reconquista, a reclaiming of the American Southwest by Mexico. In search of a middle ground, Beyond Borders travels across the U.S. and beyond to give voices to those on the front-line, including candid interviews with Border Patrol agents, radio celebrities, demographers, the Minute Men, potential migrants, and a host of experts including Noam Chomsky (Distorted Morality) and Gustavo Arellano (Ask a Mexican). Beyond Borders is an entertaining and enlightening film that asks: Is migration a basic human right? www.beyondbordersfilm.com/home.php
 37 Uses for a Dead Sheep, 2006
To preserve their culture, the Pamir Kirghiz people have migrated across Central Asia from the U.S.S.R to China to Afghanistan to Pakistan and finally to remote eastern Turkey, but now they face the most serious threat to their traditions: globalization. Using a variety of techniques, this fascinating, and at times comic documentary, is as enjoyable as it is informative. www.imdb.com/title/tt0496218/
 The Irish UN Association was founded in 1959. Its past Presidents have included the Irish statesman and Nobel Laureate, Sean McBride and its former patron is Mary Robinson, who was President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Its present patron is Her Excellency, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland and the President is Senator John Connor, a distinguished politician.
For the full article, go to: http://www.wfuna.org/site/lookup.asp?c=swJ0LfO5IxH&b=4103383
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