NGO

Towards a more accountable, inclusive, and participatory SDG implementation that leaves no one behind

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(Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/26812228965)

The HLPF side event was held by the International Civil Society Centre (ICSC), featuring speakers who are working towards the goal of “leaving no one behind” in Agenda 2030. Such an ambition demands higher engagement and better connection among all actors, platforms, as well as citizens for the participatory progress towards implementing SDGs. Mr. Robert Skinner said, “We wish to leave no one behind, but we’re falling behind on that.” Since its creation, the United Nations Office for Partnerships has aimed to create partnerships that reach across the UN system, agencies, private and public sectors to scale up the level of implementation while making an impact on the local level. It is thus crucial for all participants, especially the experts and NGO partners present at the meeting, to reach out to the UN and local authorities.

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NGO Committee on Sustainable Development: Leveraging Innovative Technologies for the SDGs & Inclusive Economic Growth

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The panel discussion, organized by the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, explored the role of innovative technologies for achieving SDGs and inclusive economic growth from various perspectives. Mr. Sanchez, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN began by stating that technology is placed as the core priority of the Mexican government in order to advocate economic growth with leading standards. He emphasized that how advancement of technology could positively accelerate the progress of achieving SDGs in the 2030 agenda. Partnerships between different stakeholders, such as the government, private sector, particularly, micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as civil societies, are pivotal to address the opportunities posed by technological development.

Ms Moliner, representing the UN women, highlighted the current gender gap in terms of technology production and consumption. She exemplified the current situation by illustrating the under-representation of women as innovators and entrepreneurs, limited market awareness and gender-blind approach to innovation, and inadequate investment in innovations that meet needs of women. Being the founder of an NGO that enhances global technology business ecosystems, Ms Schlegel mentioned a number of examples which utilized technology to improve inclusiveness in start-up industry.

Afterwards, Mr Chuter underscored the importance of expressing gratitude to foster communication and conversation, as well as collaboration and cooperation by bringing charities together to initiate campaigns. The Chairman of Quantum Media Group, Mr. Zoldan, explained how technology, especially block chain, could realize SDGs. With the use of block chain, transactions could be verified and recorded without a local bank, thus eradicating possible fraud potentially. Ms. Zfat, a social media entrepreneur, shared her experience in forming partnerships, for instance, with Samsung and the Council for Economic Education, to amplify impact by minimal resources via social media platforms.

Meeting:  NGO Committee on Sustainable Development: Leveraging Innovative Technologies for the SDGs & Inclusive Economic Growth

Date/Location: 2nd Floor Conference Room, Church Center for the UN; 15:00-18:00; June 20th 2018

Speakers: Ms Margo LaZaro (NGOCSD-NY Executive Board)

Mr Bruno Rios Sanchez (First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN)

Ms Helene Moliner (Senior Policy Advisor on Innovation, Leading the Innovation and Technology Facility of UN Women)

Ms. Mahrinah von Schlegel (Founder of VIAE Global Executive Director of Embassy 2.0

Mr. Mike Chuter (Co-founder of Thankful & Thankful Organization)

Mr. Ari Zoldan (Chairman of Quantum Media Group, CMO of Optherium Labs)

Ms Natalie Zfat (Social Media Entrepreneur)

Written By: WIT representative, Rosalind Cheung

Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights

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Session 5 of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate on “Preventing the Exploitation of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for Terrorist purposes, while Respecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms” addressed civil society’s role in using ICTs for counter-terrorism messaging purposes. Ms. Humera Khan, moderator for the technical meeting and Executive Director of Muflehun, introduced four panelists whose organizations actively take part in global counterterrorist messaging. A member of Al-Azhar Observer, . Mahmoud Nagah Ahmed Farag Khalaf, remarked, “The internet and social media are arenas for terrorist organizations.” As the use of social media increases, the goal of terrorist organizations has transitioned from gaining attention to gaining members. They promote extremist ideologies on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube by manipulating social, political, and religious views in their favor. Online advertisements have become extremely desirable for terrorist organizations, allowing them to easily recruit vulnerable people.

While terrorist organizations using the Internet for manipulation is a threat, there are benefits to their online activity. Mr. Ross Fernett, co-founder of Moonshot CVE, highlighted that the Internet has allowed people to track these organizations, obtain more information about them, and prevent some large scale potential disasters. This form of violence prevention was nearly impossible a generation ago. NGOs, such as The Foundation for the Study of Democracies, collect information like logos and specific language frequently used in terrorist media and spread them to the general public to counter-message their ideologies. Other NGOs create peer to peer relationships in which trained individuals correspond with those who show interest in terrorist organizations. However, this tactic becomes a legal issue for other nations, as interest is legally seen as either a free expression of thought, or as a serious threat to society.

Meeting: Technical Meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate on “Preventing the Exploitation of Information and Communications Technologies for Terrorist Purposes, while Respecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”

Date/Time/Location: Thursday, 1 December 2016; 10:00 to 12:00; United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 4

Speakers: Ms. Humera Khan, Executive Director of Muflehun; Mr. Nash Borges, Chief Technology Officer of U.S. Global Engagement Center; Dr. Mahmoud Nagah Ahmed Farag Khalaf, member of Al-Azhar Observer; Mr. Maxim Grigoryev, Director of The Foundation for the Study of Democracies; Mr. Ross Fernett, Co-founder of Moonshot CVE

Written By: Leticia Murillo, WIT Representative

 

Roadmap for ECOSOC Dialogue on Longer-term Positioning of UN Development System

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            711-1This meeting discussed ECOSOC’s roadmap for the long-term vision of the UN Development System, which is oriented towards entering into inclusive and purposeful discussions that will help direct the future of the UNDS from a system-wide perspective. The dialogue occurs in a segmented fashion, with each segment focusing on a particular function of ECOSOC.

            Several sessions of the dialogue have already occurred, focusing on several key challenges facing UNDS, including the task of implementing the post-2015 development agenda in a way that ensures its universal application and the integration of economic, social, and environmental development. The Integration Segment as well as the Humanitarian Affairs segment, both of which will occur later this year, were discussed at today’s briefing.

            The overall focus of this year’s Integration Segment will be achieving sustainable development “through employment creation and decent work for all,” both of which are incorporated in the proposed SDG #8. Full and productive employment and decent work for all are understood to be among the most effective roads leading out of poverty, thus linking their achievement to the ultimate success of the sustainable development agenda as a whole. Mr. Drobnjak noted that, unfortunately, economic growth in many countries has not led to a corresponding rise in decent work opportunities. This, combined with youth unemployment, has contributed to growing inequalities and increased social strife. Further, the continued onset of climate change threatens to erode development gains made thus far.

            The Humanitarian Affairs Segment is expected to produce a strong resolution that strengthens the coordination of the emergency humanitarian assistance supplied by UN emergency services as well as ensuring that these mechanisms remain relevant to current global challenges and the future landscape of humanitarian assistance needs. In addition to the presence of several high-level government and civil society leaders, the Humanitarian Affairs segment will also feature the formal inclusion of affected people.

Meeting: Roadmap for ECOSOC Dialogue on longer-term positioning of UN Development System (informal briefings for non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council)
Date & Location: 16 March 2015, Economic and Social Council Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York
Speakers: H.E. María Emma Mejía Vélez (Colombia), Vice-President of the Council; H.E. Vladimir Drobnjak (Croatia), Vice-President of the Council; H.E. Mohamed Khaled Khiari (Tunisia), Vice-President of the Council
Written by WIT Representative: Philip Bracey

Partnerships for Success: NGOs, Youth, and the UN

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B-TAcMtIEAACyG6The DPI/NGO Briefing Division organized and led a panel to discuss topics centered on Partnerships for Success: NGOs, Youth, and the UN. Dr. Hunter opened up the panel by asking what youth empowerment means to the audience, and then went on to state that there are over 400 youth representatives that speak on behalf of NGOs worldwide. The next speaker, Ms. Nesheiwat emphasized the point that all youth representatives had the same underlying mission–to create a better future for the world. Ms. Viktoriia then stated, “youth is not an excuse for inaction or an excuse for lack of awareness or responsibility.” She continued by saying that creating a strong network of youth professionals would benefit not only the youth, but society and the United Nations as a whole. Giving a platform to speak about causes important to the representatives is central to empowering the youth. Ms. Taveras listed some of the successes of the UNADR, such as reaching out to over 6,000 students at the International Conference of the Americas. She also expressed social media engagement with youth as a key factor in worldwide change. She then spoke on behalf the Seton Hall School of Diplomacy, and its role in global involvement through its Center for UN and Global Governance Studies. Ms. Taveras spoke passionately about youth involvement,  saying that having a strong desire to change the world is unstoppable. Ms. Ukaigwe discussed ENDA’s various collaborations, such as their Youth in Action Team that partnered with the African Movement of Working Children and Youth to ensure the achievement of all Millennium Development Goals related to children. She also claimed that many of ENDA’s initiatives coincide with the SDGs. She, too, was animated when she discussed youth engagement, convincing the audience of the impact of youth action.

Meeting: Partnerships for Success: NGOs, Youth and the UN
Date & Location: 26 February 2015. Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters, New York
Speakers: Dr. Bill Hunter, Director, International Outreach; Lehigh University, Lehigh University representative at the United Nations; Ms. Amanda Nesheiwat, Youth Representative, Foundation for Post-Conflict Development; Ms. Viktoriia Brezhenuik, Youth Representative, World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations; Ms. Gabriela Taveras, Youth Representative, Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic; Ms. Joy Ukaigwe, Youth Representative, ENDA Tiers Monde (Environmental Development Action in the Third World, Dakar, Senegal)
Written By WIT Representatives: Elise Freeman and Daniel Cho
Edited By WIT Representative: Philip Bracey

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights and DPI

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imagesThe NGO Committee and Department of Public Information celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The briefing opened with Mr. Jennifer Tang outlining three articles detailed the rights of the child which were to respect for the views of the child, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to free association.

Ms. Formsma represented children who are indigenous by saying, “Often the participation and voices of indigenous children is not being heard; in developed countries, some indigenous children live in third-world conditions” She also stated how we must listen to young people because they know and understand what their community needs; they just need the support and resources to help develop the needs of the community. Chenor Bah told a story about his personal experience of being involved in the war of Sierra Leone; he became a refuge and thought to himself during all of the hardship, “This is not right; children should have a voice in this war.”

Dr. Flores revealed data about a survey taken children and adults throughout the world. The results revealed issues that matter most to children and their families: good education, better healthcare, better job opportunities, an honest and responsive government, protections against crime and violence, and phone and internet access. Dr. Flores outlined a few principles of democratic participation for children: power in relationships and decision making process must be transparent and understood by children; children should be involved in the initial stages of any process or project; all children should be treated with equal respect; demonstrate to children that they are being heard by actively listening; provide encouragement so children will speak, participate, and learn to make decisions.

Meeting: DPI/NGO Briefing: Have you heard us? Children’s Voices in Creating a World Fit for ALL: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights and the Department of Public Information
Date/Location: November 20, 2014; 11:00-12:45; Conference Room 1
Speakers: Ravi Karkara, Global Expert Advisor; Children and Youth with UN-Habitat and Advisor to the UN Millennium Campaign on Child and Youth Engagement; Therese Folkers Plair, Co-Chair; NGO Committee on Children’s Rights; opening song by Young at Arts – Amani Choir; Jennifer Tang, Research Associate, Children’s Environments Research Group; Jocelyn Formsma, Indigenous Child Rights Advocate; Public School 333 Manhattan, 4th – 5th Graders; Chernor Bah, Co-founder and Youth Engagement Coordinator, A World at School; Dr. Roseanne Flores, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Hunder College of the City University of New York; Kaylee Beree Weinberg, Ramapough Lenape Student Speaker; closing song by Carrie E Tomplins, Elementary School
Written By WIT Representative: Eman Osagie

Edited By WIT Representative: Aslesha Dhillon

Event on: “Globalization and Sustainable Development: The Role of Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and the Private Sector”

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sdg2All representatives at the event on “Globalization and sustainable development: The role of governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector”emphasized that each individual is a part of one humanity. NGOs should increase their participation in globalization with the UN and the private sector.

President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser started the meeting by highlighting the importance of technology in our daily lives. Technology not only impacts economic growth, but also benefits the globalization of public policy and social structure. Moreover, the demand for globalization and sustainable development increases the need for international cooperation and government support. He and other representatives agreed that a stable government is required and governments thus need to work with NGOs and the private sector to make globalization more efficient.

Dr. B. K. Modi stated that the UN and NGOs cannot be separated and should work together with each other. Ambassador Michele Klein-Solomon said that globalization is a great benefit for the world because it gives positive aspects to all current and subsequent generations. However, he stated that there are unbalanced opportunities between individuals. Therefore, governments should fairly handle human capital to have more opportunities in peoples’ lives. Multi-cultural areas have become a norm in society rather than an exception and migration should be supplemented with education to promote cultural development.

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury and Mr. Gary C. K. Huang claimed that globalization cannot create more division or disparity. There are three objectives of globalization: education, sustainability, and transformation. More students should be in schools to get quality education to create global citizenship. Dr. Tageldin Hamad insisted that women should be always included in communities like NGOs in globalization. NGOs have an obligation to not ally with any particular government and to not be controlled by government bodies.

Ms. Isha Judd stated that sustainable development  should be based on children, as they always focus on unity and love. Since children never think about fear or lack, they teach us how to meditate and nurture. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati compared today to a global boat. We are on the same boat and have an equal responsibility for globalization. Dr. Manohar Shinde stated that globalization needs to have global perspectives on economic and non-economic issues. Ms. Sharon Vosmek argued that very few numbers of women are working in the society. She emphasized that we live in a global community and women should be treated equally as men.

Meeting: Event on “Globalization and sustainable development: The role of governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector” (co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Global Citizen Forum)
Date: 31 October 2014
Location: Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium, UN HQ, New York
Speakers: Ambassador Tariq Al-Ansari, H.E. President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, Dr. B.K. Modi, Dr. Thomas Walsh, Ambassador Michele Klein-Solomon, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Ambassador Noel Sinclair, Dr. Tageldin Hamad, Ms. Isha Judd, Mr. Kelly Wright, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Dr. Manohar Shinde, Ms. Sharon Vosmek, and Mr. Gary C.K. Huang.
Written by WIT Representative: Minji Han

Edited by WIT Representative: Philip Bracey and Aslesha Dhillon

Open-ended Working Group Discusses Ageing

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On Friday, August 1st, 2014, member states met in the General Assembly to discuss ways to strengthen the rights of older persons through enhanced implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). Ms. Rosita Kornfeld-Matte, the Independent Expert of the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons, led the discussion and answered various member states’ and NGOs’ questions and enquiries. Throughout her speeches, Ms. Kornfeld-Matte emphasized that it is not possible to do everything that needs to be done with regard to ageing in just three years. However, this does not mean actions should not be taken to defend the rights of older persons, women, disabled persons, and children. She promised that her organization will work with people to help vulnerable individuals. Many member states, including Uruguay, believe that there should be more binding aspects of MIPAA, as opposed to its current nonbinding properties. In their eyes, a binding mechanism will make it possible to generate an international standard for the treatment and rights of older persons. Many also believe that NGOs play an extremely crucial role in the area of older persons’ rights. This is because NGOs are the ones who tell member states what needs to be done, while working with and maintaining close contact with older persons. However, it was emphasized that member states need to be careful about working jointly with NGOs without paying close attention to the needs of older persons. According to member states, visibility of older persons is not nearly enough. The agenda also needs to include the right for people to bageinge as autonomous as possible until the very end of their lives. Preventive measures need to be taken so that people are not forced to live in nursing homes. The passion for older persons’ rights, as well as the motivation to work with all member states in achieving consensus on the “ageing” issue, were evident during this meeting. There were also a lot of questions asked and points made by NGO representatives, portraying the significance of civil society engagement in this issue. 

Meeting: Open-ended Working Group on Ageing – Fifth Working Session
Date: Friday, August 1st, 2014
Time: 10:00 to 13:00
Location: Conference Room 1 (CB), UN Headquarters, New York
Speakers: Ms. Rosita Kornfeld-Matte, the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons; Ms. Monica Roqué, Chair and Rapporteur of the 2014 Human Rights Council Social Forum; Representative of Costa Rica; Representative of Uruguay; Representative of China; Representative of the European Union; Representative of El Salvador; Representative of Brasil; Representative of Mexico; Representative of Chile; Representative of National Association of the Community of Central Australia (NGO); Representative of High Age International (NGO); Representative of the Grey Panthers (NGO)
Written by WIT Representative: Suzy Hallak

Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate Illicit Arms Trade

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An open-ended informal consultations session was held today at the United Nations Headquarters to consider the implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. This meeting focussed on compiling a draft based on the recommendations by the member states in preparation for the upcoming Fifth Biennial Meeting of states from 16th to 20th June 2014.

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In their recommendations, the speakers underscored the nature of present day conflicts as being mostly fought with small arms and therefore, stressed upon the importance of combating this illicit trade. Small arms have become major instruments of tactical and strategic use to terrorists in recent years, thereby, calling for an immediate and a proactive action by the international community.

The delegations of Member states endeavored to produce a collective document at the Fifth Biennial Meeting of states to reflect a collective consensus. The delegation of Cuba recommended that each state establish their own rules, standards, and indicators, conforming to and in consistency with their national priorities, which have to be agreed upon collectively.

Many delegations spotlighted the key role of the civil society in catalyzing international cooperation. Non-governmental organizations can contribute to this process by providing expertise and raising awareness about the devastating consequences of the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons.

The delegation of Mexico proposed to include targeted control measures for illicit brokering, special attention to countries affected by endemic violence and the promotion of synergies between PoA and other instruments, such as the Firearms Protocol and the ATT. The idea of promoting synergies between different instruments will be a stepping-stone towards providing a mutual reinforcement for achieving a control at global level. The cooperation and consensus, hence achieved, would foster a culture of peace, which is the ultimate objective of preventing, combating and eradicating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

Meeting Title: Informal consultation on the Programme of Action (PoA) to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit arms trade
Chair: H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations
Date: 13 June, 2014
Location: CR 2, CB, United Nations HQ, New York
Written by WIT representative: Nusrat Laskar

UN organizations address the 13th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

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The seventh meeting for the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues facilitated a comprehensive dialogue from United Nations organisations on their progress in promoting the rights of indigenous persons with responses from Permanent members of the forum. Interventions from many UN bodies revolved around three major issue areas; the full participation of indigenous persons in their right to self-determination, ‘free, prior and informed consent’ in regards to Indigenous land rights, and the sufficient funding of organisations for long term protection of indigenous rights.

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Denmark, Bolivia, UNDP, IFAD, and the IFC all directly addressed concerns that governments are favoring the demands of the private mining industry and the sustainable development of our natural resources requires the collaborative consultation of indigenous persons. The African Caucus recognized that natural resources are usually extracted from heritage sites with unique and spiritual ties to indigenous traditions and ancestry. Therefore it is of paramount importance that indigenous persons be involved in the decisions directly affecting their sacred land.

UNECSO and FAO demonstrated that indigenous people have a unique understanding of the sustainability and protection of their environments through systems such as pastoral farming, which could enable a more resilient response to climate change for our fragile ecosystems. The IFAD, ILO and permanent member of the forum Joseph Goko Mutangah insisted that the United Nations should be capturing the wealth of agricultural, medicinal and ecological innovations that indigenous traditions encompass.

Representative of the American Indian Alliance and chairperson of the forum Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough, expressed concerns that the United Nations organisations are only authorised to serve indigenous persons from developing countries. Statistics demonstrate that indigenous persons are equally marginalised in both developing and developed nations. They called for a revision of the policy to allow indigenous persons in all countries access to the United Nations’ agencies and funds.

Meeting Title: 7th meeting – Comprehensive dialogue with United Nations agencies and funds
Speakers: Chairperson Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough, Permanent members of the forum Gervais Nzoa, Joan Garling, Kara-Kys Arakchaa, Miriam Wallet Aboubakrine, Miriam Wallet Aboubakrine, Maria Eugenia Choque Quispe, Joseph Goko Mutangah, Raja Devasish Roy
Representatives on behalf of organizations; UNICEF, FAO, ILO, IFAD, UNDP, IFC, UNESCO, World Bank, Ministry of foreign affairs Denmark, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, the African Caucus, Indigenous Parliamentarians, Alliance of Indigenous women of Central America and Mexico, WIPO (New York), Central & Eastern Europe, Russian federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia, Bolivia, and the American Indian Law alliance
Location: United Nations HQ, New York
Date: 15 May 2014
Written by WIT representative: Sophia Griffiths-Mark