Secretary General

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Turns 10

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This informal meeting discussed the conventions of the CRPD and how the public can move towards a full realization of its objectives. Ms. Ito began by stating that the CRPD is inclusive in its nature, meaning participation must be intersectional and honor many perspectives.

Mr. Sauer added that the CRPD is working to implement the 2038 Development Framework that has incorporated issues of people with disabilities as a core element. Officials must scale up collective inclusive efforts within the 2030 Agenda for its success. The Secretary General submitted reports on inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities within the United Nations this year. The CRPD hopes that the report will lead UN work to reflect these concerns.

Disabilities should be discussed in the context of social inclusion and issues of global poverty. As Mr. Cuk stated, people with disabilities’ rights are human rights, and this should not be a notion solely on paper. UN officials and the public need to take responsibility and  work to include people with disabilities in decision making processes and draft proposals to reflect their needs and concerns.

Ms. Myangi, Ms. Ero, Ms. Cisternas, and Ms. Devandas shared experiences of discrimination. They expressed that this year has been successful in mapping solutions, however further efforts are needed at the international level. Support for desegregation, public education, and work to reduce local poverty must increase. It is critical to move away from discriminatory practices and towards mindsets and policies that empower and people with disabilities.

Mr. Sandoval and Mr. Taula closed the discussion and expressed that the international community and United Nations must work to validate the issues that affect people with disabilities for all to enjoy human rights.

Meeting: ‘The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Turns 10,” How Can We Move Towards a Full Realization of the Purpose and Objectives of the Convention?’

Date/Location: Wednesday, 26 October, 2016; 15:00 to 16:30; Conference Room 12

Speakers: Ms. Akiko Ito, Chief Secretariat for the CRPD, UN-DESA; His Excellency Mr. Oh Joon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea; His Excellency Mr. Kai Sauer, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Finland; Mr. Vladimir Cuk, Executive Director of IDA; Ms. Susan Mwangi, First Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Kenya; Ms. Ikponwosa Ero, Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism; Ms. Maria Soledad Cisternas, Chairperson of the Committee on the Right of Persons with Disabilities; Ms. Catalina Devandas, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right of Persons with Disabilities; His Excellency Mr. Juan Sandoval, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico; His Excellency Mr. Phillip Taula, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of New Zealand

Written By: Ashley Lee, WIT Representative

 

2015 Winter Youth Assembly: Bridging the Gap Between Youth Employment and Global Development

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YABanner1The 2015 Winter Youth Assembly empowers the youth to become active members of their communities and participants in the shift from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ms. Bokova stated that each person is unique and that individual voices matter for shaping a better future. Representative MacDonald focused on the necessity of introducing gender equality to younger ages to create a stimulating social environment and workforce, saying that men need to understand that discrimination against women is not just a woman’s issue, but humanity’s issue. Governments should focus on planning their own conferences instead of waiting for regional ones.

Representatives from the UN Youth Delegate Program discussed their experiences and promoted the involvement of younger people in delegations. Being a part of the global decision forum enables youths to be active at the UN as opposed to just being observers. Mr. Alhendawi emphasized that current business communications must change and be directed towards the younger audience. The commitment of the UN is not to work for the people, but with the people. Twenty years ago, delegates made an agreement to help young people succeed. The Secretary General is requesting that each delegation take on at least one young member by September. Youth movements and representatives are essential for creating frameworks that support the young people of the future. Representative MacDonald explained that one must know and understand what their rights are before they can advocate for them.

Ms. Thomas introduced three members of the Microsoft YouthSpark Team. Microsoft works to ensure that as many young people as possible have the skills they need to get employment and advance finding opportunities. As the world is becoming more technology enabled, an education with computer science is becoming increasingly important.

Meeting: 2015 Winter Youth Assembly: Bridging the Gap Between Youth Employment and Global Development
Date & Location: Wednesday, February 11th, 2015. Conference Room 2, UNHQ, New York.
Speakers: H.E. Ambassador Simona Miculescu, Permannet Representative of Romania to the United Nations; Patrick Sciarratta, Executive Director of FAF; Irina Bokova, Director-General United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO; Henry MacDonald, Permanent Representative of Suriname to the United Nations; Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth; Yvonne Thomas, Microsoft
Written By WIT Representative: Paige Stokols
Edited by WIT Representative: Philip Bracey

Reparations for Victims of Sexual Violence

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Today a panel discussion was held to discuss the Secretary General’s guidance note on reparations for conflict-related sexual violence. Beginning the discussion, Mr. Tolbert from the International Center for Transitional Justice stated that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s guidance report is a truly important policy document that can help design and implement these reparations. Victims of sexual violence have the right to prompt, adequate reparations, and reparations are one of several transitional justice measures states can use in post conflict scenarios to provide some repair to the victims. However, lack of political will and resources often hamper the implementation of reparations.

Following, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson stated that the drafting of the guidance note was led by UN Women and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the document outlines principals and guidelines for an international response to conflict related sexual violence in the form of reparations. Sexual violence leaves profound lasting wounds, and the international community has a duty to help restore the dignity of survivors. Furthermore, rule of law and access to justice are necessary to combat impunity and help victims.

Next, Ms. Bangura, the Special Representative of the SG on Sexual Violence, said that failure to provide reparations perpetuates the cycle of violence. Furthermore, shame and stigmatization still surround rape, and reparations provide an opportunity to combat this. Reparations can include skills training and microcredit, and have the potential to help eliminate the unemployment, homelessness, and rejection faced by victims. She concluded her statement by saying that reparations need to translate from policy to practice.

Next, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, gave a statement on UN Women’s work with women’s organizations and civil society to ensure that the voice of women are heard in building justice mechanisms. She stated that transformative reparations are needed, meaning not just one cash payment, but access to land rights, skills, and fistula surgeries for victims. Reparations are not only about justice; they are also about empowerment.

The Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, Mr. Simonovic, stated that the Secretary General’s guidance note includes a comprehensive overview of principles to be applied in reparations programs including that the programs must be accessible and inclusive, designed with the participation of victims in mind, and reparations should have the potential to transform the conditions within society that allowed the violence to occur in the first place. However, despite these efforts, many victims’ rights to reparations have not been fulfilled. For example, no victim of sexual violence in the DRC has received any reparations. In Conclusion, H.E. Ms. Mejia Velez and Ms. Betancur shared the experiences of Colombia in combating sexual violence, and providing reparations.

 

Meeting Title: Dialogue with Member States on the rule of law at the international level “Presentation of the Secretary-General’s Guidance Note on Reparations for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” (organized by the Rule of Law Unit, Executive Office of the Secretary-General)
Speakers: Mr. David Tolbert, President of the International Center for Transitional Justice; H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General; Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Under-Secretary General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women; Mr. Ivan Simonovic, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights; H.E. Ms. Maria Emma Mejia Velez, Permanent Representative of Colombia; Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur; Head of the Unit for Attention and Reparation Victims of Colombia
Date: 1 August 2014
Location: NLB 6, United Nations HQ, New York
Written By WIT Representative: Marli Kasdan

UN Discusses Non Communicable Diseases

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The issue of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) is a major growing challenge to development. With this notion in mind, delegates from all over the world discussed how far the UN has come in the battle against NCDs and collaborated on effective solutions for stakeholders to help accelerate the process. The September 2011 Declaration for NCDs was frequently mentioned as member states highlighted that, although progress has been made, more action needs to occur. A shared sense of urgency and motivation was evident throughout the General Assembly as delegates reaffirmed the severity of the problem at hand.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and World Health Organization Director General Dr. Margaret Chan emphasized the necessity of uniting stakeholders from every level and tailoring an agreement to account for all member states’ needs. The UN as a whole must incorporate the issue of NCDs as a major priority while encouraging commitment from state and non-state sectors and accounting for the poorer nations that have been hit hardest by the NCD epidemic. Private sectors can play a significant role by refraining from promotion of unhealthy foods and substances while marketing healthier products, because obesity has been worsening over the past three decades. Not only do governments need to implement stronger prevention policies, there must be sweeping changes in the mindset of public health. Analyzing our current generation, Dr. Chan noted that as incomes rise and standard of living improves, the rise of NCDs occurs because unhealthy lifestyles are being promoted during the process.  

Representatives of health departments from nations including Bolivia, Columbia, Jamaica, Mexico, Mongolia and Argentina discussed the progress their countries have seen after the implementation of the 2011 declaration. They have also expressed their continued commitment to the battle against NCDs. This morning session on NCDs set the stage for further debate and inquiry regarding a unified plan for prevention. 

Meeting Title: General Assembly Meeting on Non Communicable Diseases (Morning Session)
Location: General Assembly Overflow Room (NLB 4), United Nations HQ, New York
Date: 10 July 2014
Summary Written By WIT Representative: Suzy Hallak

International Day of Cooperatives

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Sharon Brennen Haylock began today’s event to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives with brief biographies of the speakers and the introductory remarks. She discussed background information concerning cooperatives. Cooperatives’ goals for the post-2015 agenda are designed to help boost the economy and lead to implementation reforms. The UN international cooperative goal is to resolve global issues, and join actions of the cooperative movement. She concluded by expressing two important steps for 2015 and beyond: achieving a new climate agreement and adopting a long range agenda.

Daniela Bas took over as moderator for the duration of the event. She relayed a message from Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The message talked about creating enabling environments for cooperatives. The message went on to elaborate how governments have the power to establish enabling environments, but for some time, mainly private agencies have raised awareness and strengthened cooperatives. She elucidated that the cooperatives’ goals have served 857 million people.

Och Od stated that the cooperatives are based on mutual interest between agencies trying to reach goals for sustainable development. One of his main goals was aiming to contribute to population growth by supplying nomadic civilizations with basic needs for development.

Wenyan Yang stated that the General Assembly recognizes that the vital role cooperatives play in sustainable development is essential for the post-2015 agenda. She expressed the importance of filling in the technological data gap. She stated filling in the data gap will help determine the amount of people who benefit from the cooperatives globally.

Sharon Brennen Haylock concluded the panel discussion by stating that poverty and job growth for youth, among other developmental factors, can all be attributed to the progression of cooperative goals. She spoke about the UN currently laying the groundwork and guidelines for the post-2015 agenda.

 

Meeting Title: Special event on the occasion of the International Day of Cooperatives (5 July) on the theme “Cooperative enterprises achieve sustainable development for all”
Speakers: Daniela Bas, Director, Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA); His Excellency, Ambassador OCH OD, Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations; Wenyan Yang, Chief, Social Perspective in Development Branch, Division for Social Policy and Development, DESA; Vinicius Pinheiro, Deputy Director, ILO New York Office; Sharon Brennen Haylock, Director, FAO Liaison Office in New York
Location: Conference Building Room 3, United Nations HQ, New York
Date: 10 July 2014
Written By WIT Representative: Leslie Anokye
Edited By WIT Representative: Marli Kasdan

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of World War I

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The French and German Mission to the United Nation jointly organized a special event in commemoration of 100th anniversary of the start of the seminal catastrophe of the 20th century – the World War One. Mr. Launsky-Tieffenthal, the master of ceremonies, brought the audience’s attention to the 25 member states that co-hosted the event. They span from five continents, which serves to remind the audience that the global effect that the World War I left to people around the world. The global nature of the conflict is also reflected by the letters and diaries of those in the war, which were read during the event. The letters read are not only letters of the soldiers of the belligerent nations in Europe, but also those of the Red Cross nurses and colonial expeditionary forces drafted into the conflict.

IMG_9057 The Secretary-General commented that “the First World War was supposed to have been the war to end all wars”, yet “the battlefields of the Somme, Gallipoli, Passchendaele, Ypres and Verdun form just part of the human roll-call of carnage and unconscionable casualties etched into our collective memory”. He also said with regret that despite of the lessons learnt, military option is still chosen by some as a means to resolve problems. The Secretary-General also took the opportunity to remind the audience of the nature of the settlement followed by the war, and said that it is a particular apt time to reflect the way to ensure peace in the world as the UN steps into its 70th anniversary next years.

Three pieces of war-inspired music were played by the ORPHEUS Chamber Orchestra. The pieces, which are composed by Samuel Barber, Maurice Ravel, and Ludwig van Beethoven respectively, reflect the different moods of the grief of war and anxiety for peace and fraternity among all.

Meeting Title: Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Beginning of World War I

Speakers: H.E. Mr. Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information; H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Interns from the Permanent Missions of France and Germany; and an Intern from the Department of Public Information
Location: Economic and Social Chamber, United Nations Headquarters
Date: 8th July 2014
Written By WIT Representative: Harrison Chung
Edited By WIT Representative: Marli Kasdan

Briefing on The Secretary-General’s Climate Summit

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Prior to the UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in 2015, Climate Summit 2014 will be held on 23rd of September to galvanize climatic actions. A briefing on this Summit was held to address the planning of the Summit’ programme. The Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team will be available for Member States to make inquires for preparation of the Summit.

A representative from EOSG stated that Head of States and Governments will deliver their national climate policies after the Secretary-General’s opening speech.The National Action and Ambition Announcements should provide new or scaled-up ambitions and actions, for instance, demonstrating the investment in resilience, pricing of pollution, the involvement and mobilisation of private actors on climate action. Also the national announcements must convey the message of placing the world on a less than 2 degree pathway that aligns politics and economics.

Heads of State and leaders from finance, business and civil society will announce multilateral and multi-stakeholders action initiatives with respects to energy efficiency and renewable; climate finance; adaptation, resilience and disaster risk reduction; transport, cities, forest and agriculture as well as climate pollutants. The action initiatives need to express the urgency of capitalizing the Green Climate Fund and mobilizing the $100 billion. Thematic discussion on climate science, co-benefits of climatic action, economic case for action and voices of climate frontlines will showcase innovative policies and practices.

While Climate Summit 2014 will not cater any side events, a Climate Week in New York City will take place from the 22nd to 28th of September to provide an alternative platform for governments, businesses and civil society’s public engagement. Finally, the representative highlighted there will be no negotiated outcome from this Summit. The results of the summit will be captured to catalyze ambitious action on the ground and mobilise political will for a global legal climate agreement by 2015.

Meeting: Briefing on The Secretary-General’s Climate Summit
Speakers: Representative from Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG)
Location: Conference Room 1, United Nations HQ, New York
Date: 27 June 2014
Written by WIT representative: Tracy Lau
Edited by WIT Representative: Sophia Griffiths-Mark 

Sustainable Support for Peace Building: the domestic and international aspects

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Today marked the annual session of the Peace Building Commission to discuss both the domestic and international elements of sustainable support in the peace building process. H.E. Mr. Patriota opened the dialogue by highlighting the weaknesses in current international aid, specifically the lack of political, technical, and financial assistance in helping these countries secure hard earned peace and stability.

Deputy Secretary General Mr. Eliasson focused heavily on the Commission’s need to sustain international attention beyond the immediate moment of acute crisis. While fighting may have stopped, the scars and public mistrust stemming from these conflicts often continue to be felt. To heal these scars, countries must restore and maintain public faith in the legitimacy of the state and trust in a peaceful road ahead. This requires that governments deliver public services, such as health care, education, and safe water, in a quick and equitable manner. But H.E Mr. Eliasson stressed that simple international aid rarely helps build this new social contract. Instead, it can weaken national ownership if not done in the right manner.

Mr. Eliasson highlighted three concrete areas of assistance for the international community to place high levels of importance on. First, support the development of the country’s own capacities and resources, primarily those that enable them to raise revenues. Second, fight the illicit flow of money, which resulted in losses totaling almost $1 trillion in developing countries last year. Finally, develop a predictable and more stable framework of support to facilitate peacebuilding in these at risk countries. H.E Mr. Ramos-Horta, former President of Timor-Leste, closed the meeting by commenting on his own experience in the successful peacebuilding process of Timor-Leste. Enabling the leaders of the region, both civilian and military, to engage in honest conversations that bridge the existing divide is essential to recovery. The international community must also help cultivate national ownership and national leadership, as foreign actors cannot stand in as the political leaders of an emerging country.

 

Meeting Title: Peacebuilding Commission annual session: Sustainable support for peacebuilding, the domestic and international aspects
Speakers: H.E. Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Chair of the Peace Building Commission and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations; Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General; H.E. José Ramos-Horta, United Nations’ Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peace-building Office in Guinea-Bissau former President of Timor Leste General;
Location: United Nations HQ, New York City
Date: 23 June 2014
Written by WIT Representative: Zachary Halliday
Edited by WIT representative: Sophia Griffiths-Mark

 

Peacekeeping where “there is no peace to keep”

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The incumbent president of the Security Council, Russia, held an open debate on the new trends in UN peacekeeping operations. The Secretary-General opened the debate by recognizing the increasingly dangerous circumstances confronting peacekeeping, stating that very often “there is no peace to keep” where missions are dispatched. At a time when both the demand for peacekeeping and its cost increase, he urged the Security Council to renew their commitment to this core mission of the UN.

Jordan pointed out the challenge to peacekeeping rests on declining contribution of troops and policies from member states. Quoting the words of former peacekeeping chief Brian Urquhart, the Ambassador said that peacekeeping missions may be better served by a standing army if the low contribution from members persists. However, many in the council echoed the Secretary-General in recognizing the changing landscape for peacekeeping. In response, Luxembourg and Nigeria called for cooperation among peacekeeping missions and regional organizations as possible solutions to the problem. Britain pointed out that in the face of the changing demands of peacekeeping, attempts should be made on tailor-making mandate and apparatus for individual missions instead of codifying a universal standard.

The council was divided on the future of the mandate and capacities of peacekeeping. For instance, China stated that use of force must be limited to the self-defense of the mission in contrary to the Australian and American view that use of force is justified and needed to protect civilians. Further, while Chad and Rwanda were wary of technological advancement such as unmanned aerial vehicle, Nigeria, Russia and Lithuania pointed out the need to equip the Blue Helmets with appropriate equipment to facilitate their mission and alleviate budgetary concern. Concluding the initial round of discussion, the President stated her wish to produce an outcome document in light of the debate.

Meeting Title: Contributions of Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Speakers: Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Members of the UN Security Council and other Member States
Location: Security Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters
Date: 11 June, 2014
Written By WIT representative: Harrison Chung

Secretary General of the United Nations discusses Human Rights and Rule of Law

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UN SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS WITH SPANISH PRESIDENTThe Human Rights and the Rule of Law meeting spoke on ways to support the integration of these objectives into the post-2015 agenda. Human rights fall into categories that either can enhance development or harm development. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the UN, spoke of promoting freedom of opinion and well-functioning institutions, along with better strategies and results. More than 1 billion people remain extremely poor, despite efforts to eliminate poverty. A key element in the ongoing agenda is to secure land for agricultural production.  The Rule of Law will prevent corruption and organised international crime, which H.E. Ki-Moon explained is require to balance the needs of people, while exterminating poverty. The agenda needs to close social and economic gaps.

The UN AIDS Goodwill Ambassador shared that despite decreasing incidence, AIDS continues to be the 2nd largest contributor to adolescent death. More than 40% of people with AIDS are 14 and younger. The Ambassador reported that in 9 of the world’s highest AIDS-prevalent countries, less than 9% of boys and girls have been tested. Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF, spoke of the success from programs that have been established in damaged areas. Mr Lake elaborated on more governments-based programs to keep children educated, vaccinated and sheltered. In a video message from Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented four suggestions for the new agenda; that the agenda must address both “freedom from want” and “freedom from fear”, the framework must include the principles of human rights and equality, must contain a strong global partnership and must be based on a strong accountability.

Meeting Title: Contributions of Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Speakers: Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General; Anthony Lake, Executive Director UNICEF; Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; President on Human Rights; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway
Location: United Nations HQ, Trusteeship Council, New York
Date: 9 June 2014
Written By WIT representative: Leslie Anokye
Edited by WIT representative: Sophia Griffiths-Mark