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 Issue No. 96 – July 2009
In this issue:
Topic people are talking about: Civil Society Relations with the United Nations
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 “In addition to gaining essential skills and learning about issues that affect them, Model UN participants are linking into a larger network of young activists who share an interest in the United Nations and its goals. Through online forums and connections with local NGOs and youth organizations, Model UN participants become part of a global community of people who increasingly think of themselves as global citizens. This kind of citizenship is needed if we are to improve the effectiveness and use of the United Nations as the central instrument for global security and cooperation.
We encourage the United Nations and member governments to draw upon the fresh vision, connectedness, creativity and enthusiasm of the young people who are ready to contribute to strengthening the institution, and working towards common goals in new ways”. Hans Blix and William vanden Heuvel, “The Young Generation Prepares to Support the United Nations”, Ambassadors Review, Spring 2009, www.americanambassadors.org
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 The Secretary-General appointed Mr. Dmitry Titov of the Russian Federation as Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
 The Secretary-General announced his intention to appoint Mr. Edmond Mulet of Guatemala as Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
Mr. Bader Al Dafa of Qatar was appointed as Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.
 Choi Soon-Hong of the Republic of Korea was appointed Chief Information Technology Officer, Assistant Secretary-General.
 Dr. Mohammad Haider Reza was appointed as the Programme Director of the United Nations Mine Action Center for Afghanistan.
Mr. Cheick Sidi Diarra of Mali was appointed as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
The United Nations anti-crime arm has named acclaimed American painter Ross Bleckner as Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking.
World-renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand was designated Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.
 The United Nations has launched a trust fund to build a permanent memorial for victims of slavery, and appointed entrepreneur and hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons as a Goodwill Ambassador to promote the project.
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Economic and Social Council, substantive session
6 - 31 July, Geneva
International Law Commission, sixty-first session, second part
6 July - 7 August, Geneva
Human Rights Committee, ninety-sixth session
13 - 31 July, Geneva
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, forty-fourth session
20 July - 7 August, New York
United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace
22 - 24 July, Vienna
Human Rights Council, Working group on the question of the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination, seventh session
27 - 31 July , New York
Conference on Disarmament
Geneva, 3 August - 18 September
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, seventy-fifth session
Geneva, 3 - 28 August
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, pre-sessional working group
New York, 10 - 14 August
Human Rights Council, Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, second session
Geneva, 10 - 14 August
Meeting of experts of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction
Geneva, 24 - 28 August
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 Participate in a Campaign Competition on Nuclear Non-Proliferation!
Initiated by Dr. Hans Blix in 2006, WFUNA's Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World program engages the youth of the world in the nuclear disarmament dialogue. This year the program aims to tap into the energy and creativity of the digital generation to invigorate world-wide campaigning to free the world of nuclear weapons. Students are encouraged to start their own campaign, either online or in their community. Participants submit web links, photos, videos, posters etc to hub@wfuna.org by the end of July. The winners will have a chance to be invited to the UN DPI/NGO conference on disarmament in Mexico in September. For more information visit www.disarmamenthub.org, or email hub@wfuna.org.
 DPI/NGO Conference Updates
The website for the 62nd DPI/NGO conference to be held in Mexico City from 9-11 September 2009 on the theme “For Peace and Development: Disarm Now!” is now online at www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/conference. Representatives of eligible NGOs who wish to participate in the conference must register through their Headquarters no later than 1 August 2009. The instructions and guidelines on registration are on the website. Join the email list of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee to get regular updates about the conference at: www.ngodpiexecom.org
 Survey on good practices for social integration/inclusion
The NGO Committee for Social Development invites you to respond to a survey on social integration, in connection with the United Nations Commission for Social Development. The survey aims to collect experiences, good practices and policy recommendations to be presented to governments and the international community in February 2010 at the policy session of the Commission. To participate in the survey go to: www.un-ngls.org/socialintegration/application.php
 Seal the Deal Petition
With nine out of ten disasters recorded now climate related, we are running out of time to save our environment. World leaders will gather in Copenhagen on 7 December to address climate change and the future of sustainable economic growth.UN-led “Seal the Deal” Campaign aims to ignite political and public support for reaching a global climate agreement in Copenhagen. By signing the online global petition, which will be presented to the world leaders, you will be playing your part in the fight to save our earth. The petition will serve as a reminder to world leaders that they must leave Copenhagen with a balanced, fair and effective agreement to seal the deal so we can look forward to a greener future. www.sealthedeal2009.org
 MDG Achievers
MDG Achievers is a global community of people committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals supported by a powerful web system created to accelerate achievement of the MDGs. This system supports the United Nations’ formula for achieving the Millennium Goals by facilitating Public Private People Partnerships between Governments, the Private Sector and Civil Society while generating funding for their MDG projects. www.letspartnertodevelop.com/main/index/page/quotes.
 UNICEF State of the World’s Children 2009 – Maternal and Newborn Health
The State of the World's Children 2009 examines critical issues in maternal and newborn health, underscoring the need to establish a comprehensive continuum of care for mothers, newborns and children. The report outlines the latest paradigms in health programming and policies for mothers and newborns, and explores policies, programmes and partnerships aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health. Africa and Asia are a key focus for this report, which complements the previous year's issue on child survival.
www.unicef.org/sowc09/
Direct Link to Full 168-Page Report:
www.unicef.org/sowc09/docs/SOWC09-FullReport-EN.pdf
 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15 - Klimaforum09)
The aim of Klimaforum09 is to promote and debate sustainable and socially just solutions to climate change. The venue will present a diversity of climate related activities - debates, workshops and exhibitions - along with different performances - music, theatre, film - representing the whole world.
Please go to www.klimaforum09.org and register your activity (panel debates, workshops, exhibitions, films, music or theatre). Registration ends by 31 August 2009.
Note: In order to make room for as many participants as possible, Klimaforum09 supports and recommends cooperation and joint activities. The merging process will be coordinated by Klimaforum09's secretariat and will start in mid-September.
 UNHCHR Meeting with NGOs
On 17 June 2009, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navenethem Pillay, and senior staff from OHCHR met with NGOs at the Palais des Nations to discuss priorities, concerns and challenges. The High Commissioner listed six thematic priorities and highlighted her commitment to build on the momentum from the Durban Review Conference and to continue working on the implementation of the Durban outcome by all states. The High Commissioner emphasized concerns outlined by NGOs about the current and future work of UN Special Procedures. She said that the work and independence of the Special Procedures must not be undermined. For more information visit:
www.humanrightsnexus.org
 Plural+ A Youth-Produced Video Festival on Migration and Diversity
Youth from around the world are invited to participate in the PLURAL+ Video Festival on the themes of migration, diversity, and identity. The festival is the joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration. Between now and 30 September 2009, youth who are between the ages of 9 and 25 are invited to submit short videos on their thoughts, experiences, opinions, and questions on migration-related themes and on the challenges of ensuring respect and understanding among various communities. An international jury which includes youth representatives and critically acclaimed filmmakers will announce the winners in New York on 18 December 2009. The winning videos will receive international exposure and will be widely disseminated through broadcast, satellite, internet, film festivals and DVD. www.unaoc.org
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 The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon will attend WFUNA’s 39th Plenary Assembly in Seoul, ROK 9 – 12 August 2009. The theme of the Plenary is Global Citizens for the United Nations. WFUNA President, Hans Blix, is looking forward to welcoming delegates from over 60 United Nations Associations from around the world. The parallel WFUNA-Youth Plenary Meeting is expecting about 90 young people from UN Youth Associations.
 The host, UNA-Republic of Korea, has created a logistics website, where UNA delegates can find information about airport transfers, sightseeing tours, weather conditions in Korea, currency exchange rates and other logistics: http://unarok.org/pa39/index.html. Forms and documents for the Plenary Assembly can be found at www.wfuna.org/pa39 and in the UNA members section.
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 WFUNA-Youth launched its online discussion in preparation for the WFUNA-Youth Plenary Meeting in Seoul in August. The discussion is meant to facilitate and organize the decision-making process at the three-day Plenary Meeting. All UNYAs are invited to appoint one or more persons to join the discussion´s e-group. Please send full name, contact details, birth date and e-mail address to coordinating.committee@gmail.com
WFUNA-Youth is proud to welcome 2 new members from:
WFUNA-Youth just released a new handbook on High Schools Classroom Model UN. With this handbook, your UN Youth Association will be able to implement a new project without any outside help. The handbook is available in English and French (Spanish translation is in progress) on www.wfuna-youth.org
News from UNYAS
Please go to www.wfuna-youth.org
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 Global Model UN Update
In less then a month, 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”. Delegates from the Model UN programs of UNAs around the world will be participating. Visit: www.un.org/gmun
2009 Model UN Schedule
4-7 July
The 2009 New Zealand Model United Nations will be held at Victoria University of Wellington. This Model UN marks the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand. www.unyanz.co.nz/National/NZModelUN2009.aspx
18-25 July
The second edition of the Sofia International Model United Nations conference will take place in Bulgaria from 18-25 July, 2009. www.sofimun.org
2-6 August
UNYSA-Austria and the Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs are organizing the Vienna International Model United Nations for students and young graduates from all education levels. www.vimun.at
3-6 August
“We Model United Nations Conference” 2009 (WEMUNC), co-organized by UNA-China and Weland International, will be held in Beijing, China. It is estimated that more than 1,000 students from all over the world will join this event.
www.wemunc.org
9-15 August
Prepare for COP-15 (the Climate meeting in Copenhagen, December 2009) through joining one of the climate camps at a Danish Folk High School. Visit www.COme2gether.com - select "sign up" - read the descriptions and pick your school. If you wish to participate in a simulation of a UN negotiation on Climate (a Model UN) you should select "Krogerup", and specify your interest for the MUN in the "Motivation"-box. If you are connected to a national UNA you could mention UNA-Denmark as a partner organization.
10-14 August
The fourth Eastern Africa Regional Model UN (EARMUN) will be organized in Kampala by the UNA-Uganda, UNA-Tanzania and UNA-Kenya, led by their respective Youth Chapters.
http://earmun2009.blogspot.com/
13-16 October
The Youth section of UNA-Cuba is organizing the third Matanzas Model United Nations (PUENTES 2009). www.acnu.org.cu
26-29 October
UNA-Colombia and partners are arranging the First Colombia Model UN in Colombia’s capital city Bogota. The official languages will be English and Spanish. www.colmun.org
6-8 November
UNA-China in cooperation with the Beijing Normal University will be organizing the 2009 China National Model UN conference that will be held in Beijing.
24-27 November
The Youth section of UNA-Cuba is organizing the first Santiago de Cuba Model UN. www.acnu.org.cu
1-4 December
The Youth section of UNA-Cuba is organizing the second Pinar del Río Model United Nations (ONUPINAR 2009). www.acnu.org.cu
In the context of the ongoing Confidence Building in the South Caucasus project, implemented jointly by the UNA-Georgia, UNA-Sweden and UNA-Armenia, annual Regional Model UN/Summer Peace Camps are held at the UNA-Georgia International Educational Campus in Tskneti, involving 30 University-level students from Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Please send information about your UNAs upcoming Model UN conferences for inclusion in our calendar to stendahl@wfuna.org
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 Amy Louisa Cowan, is an intern at the Geneva office. She is studying International Relations and Development at the University of Sussex, UK. Her personal interests lie within International Development, especially in regard to the regions of Latin America and Africa. Email: cowan@wfuna.org
 Jean-Baptiste Maillart is the new Human Rights Coordinator at the Geneva office. He is studying a double degree at La Sorbonne, Paris, completing a third year of law studies and enrolled as a first year student in a program called “Magistère”, specializing in International Economic Law. He is interested in devoting his time to the issues of human rights and peace and security. Email: maillart@wfuna.org
 Divya Mansukhani from Mumbai, India is the new Education and Model UN Coordinator at the New York Office. Divya has just graduated with a double major in Economics & Political Science. Her professional interests include the MDGs, Global Economics & Communication Strategy. Divya plans on pursuing a Masters degree in International Relations. Email: mansukhani@wfuna.org
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 From 11-15 July, MCM’s www.UN-informed.org IT team came together in Lausanne and Geneva to kick off the IT development phase. Following the first usability brainstorming during MCMs International Meeting in Budapest back in March, the intention behind this meeting was to develop the database architecture behind UN-informed.org. In addition, the preparation of the UN-informed.org release conference was started.
To read more, check out our brand new website on www.un-informed.org
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-
 Objectives:
Undertaking domestic and international programmes designed to help realize various objectives of the United Nations(UN)
Promoting public awareness of the UN's spirit of international cooperation
Indirectly contributing to world peace and peaceful settlement of international disputes
To read the complete article click here >>
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 “The spirit and vision that infused world leaders in 1945 inspire me every day... The promise and values of those early years in the UN’s history are as relevant today in our considerably more complex and interdependent world as they were over 60 years ago… I am determined to make progress on the pressing issues of our time, step by step, by building on achievements along the way, working with Member States and civil society”. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s statement of priorities as UN Secretary-General.
To read the complete overview on UN-Civil Society Relations click here >>
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This month, UN Connections asked the same question to three influential UN staff members who work with civil society issues. Watch the interviews on video at: add link
What do you think would be the most effective ways of strengthening the relationship of the emerging global civil society with the United Nations?
Thierno Kane - Director, Civil Society Organizations Division Partnerships Bureau, UNDP
We are in a moment of global crisis, we have the financial crisis, the food crisis, the environmental crisis. A new global governance is absolutely critical. This requires rethinking what development means, and a new form multilateralism that ensures the full participation of global civil society. The UN should link the national and global aspects, because if we would like to have a good civil society presence at the global level, it is absolutely important to strengthen the work at the national level.
Ramu Damodaran - Deputy Director, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information
I am glad you used the phrase emerging global civil society because I think civil society has been with us since as long as the United Nations has been, but the idea of a truly pan-planetary global civil society has really begun to be understood or accepted only very recently.
Elisa Peter - Non-government Liaison (NGLS) Deputy Coordinator
There are many ways to improve the relationship between emerging civil society organizations and the UN system. What is needed most is the political will to engage civil society organizations on a level playing field with member states and the secretariats of the UN bodies in order to develop meaningful and true partnerships that are beneficial both for the United Nations and civil society organizations. On the practical level there are different ways to do that, but as long as the political will is not there, as long as there is a lack of understanding between the two parties, it will be very difficult to establish those mechanisms and make them efficient and effective both for the UN and member states.
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 Social Watch is an international network informed by national citizens' groups aiming at following-up the fulfillment of internationally agreed commitments on poverty eradication and equality. On 16 June 2009, Social Watch and several other civil society organizations and social movements kicked off a 10-day initiative calling on all to take action in the lead up to the United Nations Conference on the Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development on 24-26 June in New York City. The 10 Days of Action aimed to mobilize public opinion and delivered the message to world leaders that civil society is watching and expects equitable, sustainable and just solutions to the financial and economic crisis which are focused on the needs of people and the planet. www.ifiwatchnet.org/?q=en/frontpage
Watch an interview with Roberto Bissio, Coordinator for Social Watch, in which he analyses the outcomes of the UN High-Level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crises and the contributions of civil society to the process. Watch here: http://www.wfuna.org/site/c.rvIYIcN1JwE/b.5281825/k.A355/UN_Perspectives.htm
 Global Witness exposes the corrupt exploitation of natural resources and international trade systems, to drive campaigns that end impunity, resource-linked conflict, and human rights and environmental abuses. Global Witness' Natural Resources in Conflict team works to break the links between natural resources and conflict by influencing international, regional and national policies after carrying out in-depth investigations. They influence the international community at the UN-level to adopt a definition of conflict resources which could be used to trigger action to prevent natural resources from fuelling conflict, and which could form the basis of revised national laws allowing people who trade in conflict resources to be prosecuted. www.globalwitness.org/pages/en/natural_resources_in_conflict.html
The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) has launched a redesigned website
As before, NGLS's new website provides civil society organizations with the latest relevant information on the activities of the UN system, its agencies and other intergovernmental processes. It features new functionalities that improve navigation and usability. Viewers can now sort information by the main areas of work of the UN. A new section “Issues in Focus” allows users to get in-depth coverage on issues that are high on the UN agenda, such as climate change and the world economic and financial crisis. The working site-level search engine is another tool that facilitates quick access to information. The website also gives practical information on the UN system and how civil society can engage in its work, as well as links to UN resources and documents. To consult the new NGLS website: www.un-ngls.org/
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 An Insider’s Guide to the UN
Linda Fasulo, Second Edition, Yale University Press, 2009
This book features up to the moment insights about the UN and new, exclusive interviews with United Nations insiders, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Former US Ambassador John Bolton, and Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Clear and lively, Linda Fasulo’s book illuminates the structure, function, and cast of characters at the United Nations. An Insider’s Guide covers the major topics at today’s UN, including terrorism, peacekeeping, human rights, climate change and UN reform. Detailed enough for the diplomat, but entirely accessible to those new to the United Nations, this book is the essential tool for everyone who wants to know how – and why – the UN works the way it does. http://yalepress.typepad.com/insidetheun/buy.html
For a special 20% discount price of $13 log on to http://www.yalebooks.com and use promotion code YV389
 Modernizing the United Nations System: Civil Society's Role in Moving from International Relations to Global Governance
John E. Trent, Monika Rahman, and Walther Lichem , Barbara Budrich, 2007
Modernizing the United Nations System by Professor John E. Trent is a must read for anyone interested in how the world governs itself – or more specifically, how we should do so. While the United Nations may be one of the most recognized and well known public institutions, its internal modus operandi is largely unknown by those it is meant to serve. After reviewing global change and the many proposals for UN reform, this book shows how international civil society can provide the momentum required to modernize the United Nations system.
http://johntrent.ca/book.html
 The United Nations and Civil Society: Legitimating Global Governance - Whose Voice?
By Nora McKeon (Will be released Sept. 29th, 2009) Zed Books
In this book, Nora McKeon provides a comprehensive analysis of the UN’s engagement with civil society. The book pays particular attention to food and agriculture, which now lie at the heart of global governance issues. McKeon shows that politically meaningful space for civil society can be introduced into UN policy dialogue. The author makes the case that it is only by engaging with organizations that legitimately speak for the poor that the UN can promote equitable, sustainable development and build global democracy from the ground up. This book has strong ramifications for global governance, civil society and the contemporary debate over the future of food.
www.amazon.com/United-Nations-Civil-Society-Legitimating/dp/1848132751/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246390427&sr=8-6
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 Bulbul and Civil Society
56 min, 2008, USA and Afganistan, The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law together with Jawan Sheer Haidary film production
To counter the public opinions of suspicion and distrust of NGOs that is rampant throughout Afghanistan, the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law and Counterpart, through the Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society, found a solution through dramatic film. Packaging issues relating to civil society, law, and gender issues in a dramatic - and indeed, comedic - narrative setting, and putting it all on film with famous Afghan actors would certainly attract public attention. www.counterpart-afg.org/Bulbul&CivilSociety.html
 Project Stories from Civil Society
2006, Turkey, The Civil Society Development Center
The Civil Society Development Center started their video work titled "Project Stories from Civil Society" in September 2005. Their aim was to open new horizons for upcoming projects and to draw attention to various stages of project development from budgeting to target group identification by telling the stories of different and successful civil society projects. In a period of four months they sent e-mails to about 300 national and foreign non-governmental organizations as well as funding agencies giving information about this video initiative and requesting visual materials on their specific projects. The outcome is a selection from many national and international project materials that they received.
www.stgm.org.tr/eng/belgesel2.php
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