Issue No. 93 – April 2009
In this issue:
Topic people are talking about: Labor Rights
“I suggest to you that the most essential part of a civilized society whether national or global is disarmament. The individual members – citizens or states – must say farewell to their arms and give a common authority the right to control and use arms in accordance with law. In modern states this process has taken place. In the international community of states we still need to enter the phase of disarmament”. Hans Blix ‘A Farewell to Arms’ address to the 10th International Student Festival in Trondheim, 26 Feb 2009.
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 Helen Clark of New Zealand has been appointed as the new Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for a term of four years.
 Oscar Fernandez-Taranco of Argentina was appointed as Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. Mr. Fernandez-Taranco will be responsible for overseeing the Department of Political Affairs’ divisions dealing with the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and West Asia, as well as the Decolonization Unit and the Division for Palestinian Rights.
Joseph J. Stephanides of Greece was appointed as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia.
 Peter W. Galbraith of the United States of America was appointed as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.
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Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Second Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention
7 - 18 April, The Hague
Disarmament Commission, annual session
7 - 24 April, New York
Committee on the Administration of Justice at the United Nations
10 - 21 April , New York
Special high-level meetings of the Economic and Social Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and UNCTAD
14 April, New York
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
14 - 18 April, Vienna
Committee of Experts on Public Administration, seventh session
14 - 18 April, New York
Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
14 - 25 April, Geneva
Durban Review Conference
20-24 April, Geneva
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
21 April - 2 May, New York
Committee on Information, thirtieth session
28 April - 9 May, New York
Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
28 April - 9 May, New York
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, fortieth session
28 April - 16 May, Geneva
Open-Ended Informal Working Group on Marine Biodiversity
28 April - 2 May, New York
Committee against Torture
28 April - 16 May, Geneva
United Nations International Conference on Palestinian Refugees
29 - 30 April, Paris
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 Obama Envisions World without Nuclear Weapons
Speaking ahead of an EU meeting on 5 April in Prague, the US president called for a global summit on nuclear security and the forging of new partnerships to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. He said he hoped to negotiate a new treaty to end the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. North Korea's “provocative” rocket launch earlier in the day underscored the need for action, he said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7983963.stm
Read civil society reactions to Mr. Obama’s speech:
www.wagingpeace.org
http://reachingcriticalwill.blogspot.com/2009
 FAO-IOM Partnership on Helping Migrants Invest in Countries of Origin
Helping migrants to invest in agricultural development in their home countries is at the heart of a new agreement between FAO and the International Organization for Migration. The two organizations will work together to support projects proposed by migrants for development in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The idea is to seek partnerships with local and central governments in both developed and developing countries, and to mobilize human, financial and in-kind resources from governments, migrants’ associations, NGOs and the private sector.
www.fao.org:80/news/story/en/item/10804/icode/
 Istanbul forum ends with concrete progress in building bridges
On Tuesday 7 April, participants at the Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations concluded their two-day meeting in Turkey, agreeing to spearhead a wide-range of new initiatives, using technology to break down cultural and religious barriers. The forum made concrete progress towards a global agenda for intercultural dialogue as grassroots advocates join forces with heads of state, high-ranking religious and cultural leaders, and the private sector in efforts to promote intercultural understanding among different communities. Heads of Government and over 50 government ministers took part in this year's forum, which ended with the launch of a number of high-profile projects including a Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of Civilizations, Dialogue Café, the Allaince Fellowship Program, the Plural+ youth film festival, and the Rapid Response Media Framework. On Monday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the opening session of the forum, stressing the importance of AOC’s work to the UN. "All too often, the United Nations must deal with fires after they break out. Through the Alliance of Civilizations, we can stamp out the sparks before they catch," he noted. For the full text of the statement go to: www.un.org:80/News/Press/docs/2009/sgsm12173.doc.htm
For full iSeek article, visit: www.un.int/wcm/content/lang/en/pid/9253
 ILO to mark its 90th anniversary
The International Labour Organization is to mark its 90th anniversary with a series of events and activities held around the world by governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations representing its 182 member states. Beginning the week of 21 April, over a hundred events throughout the world are being tied to this commemorative occasion under the theme “90 years working for social justice”.
For more information click here >>
US Candidacy for Human Rights Council
The United States will run for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council in elections scheduled for 15 May 2009. The decision marks a sharp break from the Bush administration’s relationship with the council. Read UNA-USA’s response to this decision at: www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=1221
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The WFUNA 39th Plenary Assembly section has been launched on the website, and is constantly updated. Go to: www.wfuna.org/pa39
Important upcoming deadlines for UNAs are:
1 May Deadline for the submission of Activity Reports
Deadline for UNAs registration for Plenary Assembly
Deadline for payment of membership dues for 2009
11 May Deadline for submission of requests from UNAs and UNYAs for funding support to attend the PA
22 May Deadline for UNAs to submit comments to Secretary-General on the
Preliminary Agenda
15 June Notification sent to UNAs that have met eligibility requirements to receive funding support to attend the PA
WFUNA President Hans Blix will be visiting the New York office from 27-29 April 2009. On 27 April, he will meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss preparations for the Plenary Assembly, strengthening the role of civil society at the UN, the UN’s priorities for 2009 and WFUNA’s involvement with the UN’s Global Model UN conference.
 WFUNA organized two panels at the National Model United Nations in New York on 7 and 8 April. For the first panel, “Disarmament in the UN”, the speakers were Michael Cassandra and Daniel Prins of the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs, Ray Acheson of Reaching Critical Will, and Bob Zuber of the Global Security Institute. The second panel on “Youth Engagement in and for the UN” featured Vidar Ekehaug of the Global Youth Action Network, Kelly Roberts of the Association of International Educators , Yvonne Acosta of the Department of Public Information, and Astrid Hurley of the UN Programme on Youth. Both were moderated by WFUNA.
 UNA-USA announced the appointment of its new President, Ambassador Thomas J. Miller, who will be beginning his term on 11 May. Amb. Miller brings 29 years of high-profile experience as a career diplomat in the US Foreign Service to his new role. His career includes ambassadorships to Greece and to Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as a Cyprus negotiator. He succeeds William H. Luers, who served a distinguished 11-year tenure. www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=1226
From 14-16 April UNA-Spain organized the conference “The United Nations and the European Union: Building an Effective Multilateralism” at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona. The conference explored and analyzed the relationship between the UN and the EU. It aimed to foster informed public opinion on this topic, develop strategies for engagement, and provide civil society with a chance to express their points of view and present proposals. Ashe Rose Miguel and the Foreign Minister of Spain were in attendance. WFUNA President Hans Blix and Secretary-General Pera Wells spoke at the event. Her speech is available at here >>
On 16 April, the UNA-UK Edinburgh Branch is organizing the international conference "Civil Society and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty" at the Scottish Parliament to prepare for the 2010 Review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. WFUNA Secretary-General Pera Wells will be giving a speech at the event.
 The UNA-USA Biennial National Convention will be held from 13-15 June 2009 at the Millennium UN Plaza in New York. UNA-USA is currently designing the Convention agenda to closely follow their 2009 Advocacy Agenda titled “Restoring U.S. Leadership through Global Cooperation.”
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Upcoming WFUNA-youth project management workshops:
• Fourth workshop, hosted by UNA-Switzerland in Geneva, 14-16 April 2009 www.wfuna-youth.org
• Fifth workshop (first young leaders workshop), hosted by UNA-Spain in Barcelona, 11-14 June 2009
On 17 April 2009, UNYA-Switzerland will hold a second UN Workshop in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Topics include negotiation skills, the history and current priorities of the UN, and youth participation.
 In cooperation with the Swiss UN Youth Delegates, UNYA-Switzerland will be visiting several Swiss institutions during the “Tour de Suisse” from 20 to 21 April to gain insight in the relations between the Swiss Government and the UN. www.junes.org
UNYA-Croatia is supporting an 8-day Study-trip to Lebanon from 1- 8 August. The tour, organized by the Initiative for Intercultural Learning, will focus on the history and the present of Lebanese institutions through meetings with various state and non-state actors. Application deadlines are the 15 and 30 April. For more information and to participate, please visit: www.ifil.ch/index.php?page=1541
 On 21 March, to mark the World Day of Tolerance, UNYA-Bulgaria organized a contest among school and university students on the topic of discrimination. The essays and photos submitted were showcased at the “Look at the Tolerance!” photo exhibition, while the topic was analyzed during a round table discussion. UNYA-Bulgaria started its Youth Delegate Campaign and will launch another interactive photo and essay competition on youth issues in June. www.una-bg.org
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 Global Model UN Updates
The UN Department of Public Information, in partnership with WFUNA, is organizing the first annual Global Model UN (GMUN) conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 – 7 August 2009. Held for the first time under UN auspices, the theme for this University-level Model UN conference will be “The Millennium Developments Goals -- Lifting the bottom billion out of poverty”.
The permanent website is now active! Visit: www.un.org/gmun
GMUN organizers have just issued an open call for individual applications. You can find the application form on the website. The deadline has been extended to 20 May 2009.
2009 WFUNA Model UN Schedule
2-4 April 2009
The New York- Dominican Republic Model UN was held in New York with the support of UNA-Dominican Republic. The closing ceremony was at the General Assembly Hall.
13-17 April
UNA-Russia will hold the Moscow International Model UN conference at MGIMO-University both in Russian and English.
17-19 April
The 2009 Model UN hosted by UNA-Norway will take place in Oslo 17-19 April.
22-24 April (the dates could change)
UNA-Finland will hold its National Model UN conferences with lower and upper secondary level students.
29 April – 2 May
UNA-Spain will hold the 4th International Model United Nations of Catalonia in Barcelona.
5-8 May
UNA-Ivory Coast will hold the West African UNAs summit for the Millennium Development Goals.
14-16 May
UNA-USA will hold its 10th annual Model UN conference in New York. The conference will have over 2,300 students and 18 committees, covering diverse and pressing international issues such as separatist state movements, the economic effects of HIV/AIDS, micro-loans, biofuels, and the situation in Myanmar.
18-25 July
The second edition of the Sofia International Model United Nations conference will take place in Bulgaria from 18th to 25th July, 2009.
2-6 August
UNYSA-Austria and the Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs will hold the Vienna International Model United Nations with students and young graduates from all education levels from 18 to 35 years. For more details go to: www.vimun.at
10-14 August 2009
The fourth Eastern Africa Regional Model UN (EARMUN) will be hosted in Kampala by the UNA-Uganda.
Please send information about your UNAs upcoming Model UN conferences for inclusion in our calendar to stendahl@wfuna.org.
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 Markus Leick from Germany is the new WFUNA Youth Program Coordinator intern at the New York office. He will be the point-of-contact at the Secretariat for the organization of the WFUNA-Youth Plenary Meeting. He just finished his Bachelor´s degree in Political Science at the Freie Universität Berlin and will begin to pursue a Master degree in Public Policy this fall. So far he has been involved in several projects of the German UNA, UNYA and WFUNA-Youth. Email: leick@wfuna.org.
 Hannah Twomey from the U.S. is the new Human Rights Coordinator intern at the New York office. She recently received her BA in Development studies from Brown University. She is interested in examining the role of rights-based approaches as conflict prevention mechanisms in East Africa. Email: Twomey@wfuna.org.
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 The Making Commitments Matter Initiative (MCM) gathered in Budapest. Significant steps were taken on the UN-informed.org -project of the Initiative. Four thematic issues were chosen to be the first to release out of the database. These include: women & education, small arms & light weapons, clean drinking water, and malaria. MCM is now moving from research into the development phase. www.mcm.org.
Over 50 years of Public Diplomacy
 Since its foundation in 1956, the United Nations Association of Russia has been an international non-profit organization dedicated to building understanding of the ideals and work of the United Nations among the Russian people. It runs educational and humanitarian campaigns and promotes public initiatives at a local level. UNA-Russia positions itself as a public diplomacy tool supporting constructive Russian participation in the UN system through its various programs.
 UNA-Russia succeeded in expanding the area of their activities during the years of perestroyka in Russia. Integrating of youth into UNA-Russia’s activities gained particular attention. Special UNA-Russia commissions on a wider range of issues were created. UNA-Russia offices were opened in many regions of the country.
To read the entire article click here >>
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By: Fjolla Binishi and Omar Hernández
 Within the framework of the overarching concept of human rights, labor rights have always been at the center of the UN agenda. The right to work is reflected in Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the right to equal pay, the right to a fair salary, and the right to be part of trade unions.
Labor rights are at the core of international human rights law. Issues concerning labor rights are addressed through a variety of sub-topics, such as gainful employment for refugees, the right to work for all individuals regardless of race or ethnic origin, the non-discrimination of women in the field of employment, the conditions for child labor, the rights for the persons employed abroad (migrant workers), and the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others.
The UN specialized agency dedicated to the topic, the International Labour Organization (ILO), is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The ILO was founded in 1919, in the wake of a destructive war, to pursue a vision based on the premise that universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon decent treatment of working people. The ILO became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.
To read the entire article, click here >>
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 Ibrahim Awad assumed duties as the Director of the International Migration Programme at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva on 11 July 2005. Previously, he was the Director of the ILO Subregional Office for North Africa.
To what extent do you think the UN’s commitment to achieving the MDGs is strengthening the protection of the human rights of migrant workers and their capacity to obtain decent work?
Any progress in social and economic life, in any country, will necessarily result in better conditions of employment for migrants. If a country is poor this will necessarily reflect on the conditions of life and work of migrants. First of all, as economic and social development progress, there will be less need for people to leave their native countries to seek employment elsewhere. Secondly, advancements in any of the MDG areas, for example lower child mortality or better access to water, will reflect positively on conditions of work, life and social integration of migrant workers.
To read the entire article click here >>
 UNA-Togo is implementing a program on child labor and human trafficking in Togo and on its borders, where they are experiencing a situation where child labor and child trafficking is closely connected. UNA-Togo has been working since last year to inform parents about the dangers and harm caused to the children implicated into these practices. The UNA is working with the authorities to reinforce the laws on child labor and human trafficking.
 UNA-Norway has a special section on their website that presents information about the work of the International Labour Organization and Norway’s involvement in it.
 In March, the UNA-Flanders Belgium participated in a workshop on human rights and corporate citizenship, with a focus on labor rights, with other NGO and private sector representatives.
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 Child Rights Information Network aims to raise awareness of the exploitation of child labor. It promotes the effective implementation of relevant international Conventions, and facilitates the exchange of information between NGOs and the UN and ILO. www.crin.org
 Anti-Slavery International, founded in 1839, is the world's oldest international human rights organization and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses. They work at local, national and international levels to eliminate the system of slavery around the world. www.antislavery.org
 International Organization for Migration assists in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage development through migration, and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants. Some of their projects include assisting Labor mobility in India, the Philippines, and the UAE, raising awareness of migrant rights in Thailand, and facilitating legal labor migration between Asia and the EU. www.iom.int/jahia/jsp/index.js
 Hagar International has taken up the challenge of addressing challenges that stem from human trafficking in Cambodia. Specifically they seek to employ a social entrepreneurship model to facilitate the reintegration of trafficked women and children into communities. Their approach works to empower these people through rehabilitation networks as well as providing them access to job skills to deter future exploitation and build communities from within. www.hagarproject.org/index.php
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 The International Labour Organization and The Quest for Social Justice, 1919-2009
Gerry Rodgers; Lee Swepston; Eddy Lee and Jasmien van Daele, ILO, March 2009
This book tells the story of the International Labour Organization, founded in 1919 in the belief that universal and lasting peace goes hand in hand with social justice. Since then the ILO has contributed to the protection of the vulnerable, the fight against unemployment, the promotion of human rights, the development of democratic institutions and the improvement of the working lives of women and men everywhere. In its history the ILO has sometimes thrived, sometimes suffered setbacks, but always survived to pursue its goals through the political and economic upheavals of the last 90 years.
www.ilo.org
 The Worldwide Movement against Child Labour: Progress and Future Directions
Alec Fyfe, ILO, 2007
This study provides the first systematic analysis of the worldwide movement against child labour. It argues that the intellectual and policy frameworks first articulated by the ILO in the 1980s remain important departure points for developing a more coherent, more sustained global effort against child labour. The study also emphasizes that they need re-visiting and more certain application and examines areas of divergence and convergence within the movement.
www.ilo.org/1
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 Slavery
2000, 90mins, UK, Kate Blewett and Brian Woods
This film features three stories, taking three separate industries where slaves are still to be found: the cocoa industry in the Ivory Coast, the carpet industry in Northern India, and domestic slavery in Britain and the USA, which expose the tip of the iceberg that is the modern slave industry. In the documentary, Kevin Bales from the UN Working Group on Contemporary Slavery notes one crucial difference in the slaves of today: "in the old days slaves were expensive, you kept them for their whole lives, you took care of them. Today they are cheap, there is a glut of slaves and when you've used them you throw them away if you don't want them any more - they're disposable." Slavery is officially banned internationally by all countries, yet despite this, in the world today there are more slaves now than ever before. The result is an utterly devastating film.
 China Blue
2005, 88mins, USA, Micha X Peled
China Blue takes us inside a blue-jeans factory, where Jasmine and her friends are trying to survive a harsh working environment. But when the factory owner agrees to a deal with his Western client that forces his teenage workers to work around the clock, a confrontation becomes inevitable. Shot clandestinely in China, under difficult conditions, this is a deep-access account of what both China and the international retail companies don’t want us to see – how the clothes we buy are actually made.
For both films visit: www.humanfilm.no/businessandhr.html
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