59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
United Nations, New York
6-8 September 2006
FINAL REPORT
Cover design © 2006 Anya Farquhar and Josh Tetreault by
Published by the Outreach Division, United Nations Department of Public Information
Printed on recycled paper by the United Nations Publishing Section, New York
DPI/2441­—06-59129—December 2006—3,000
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Effective Partnerships for Human Security
and Sustainable Development
Final Report of the
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
United Nations, New York
6-8 September 2006
Organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information
in partnership with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Table of Contents
iii
page
Introductory Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Overview of Conference Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Media and Public Outreach Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Parallel Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Summary of Plenary and Round-table Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Conference Planning Committee Co-Chairs and Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
United Nations Department of Public Information Conference Organizers . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Midday NGO Workshop Rapporteurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Voluntary Contributors to the Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Annex I: Media Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Annex II: Conference Survey Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Midday NGO Workshop Summaries
(See yellow insert)
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Over 1500 NGO representatives from 62 countries attended the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Dear NGO representatives,
I am pleased to present to all of you, our Final Report on the recently-concluded 59th
Annual DPI/NGO Conference.
Our aim is to provide you with an accurate record of the proceedings of this annual event
including the NGO-produced, Midday Workshops. In doing so, we trust you will appreciate
its significance as a reference tool. We also hope you would agree with us on its value
as an important contribution to the ongoing, critical relationship between NGOs and the
United Nations.
In line with our new, technologically-oriented approach, this year, for the first time, we
have included a DVD with every copy of the report. For your convenience, this allows you
to view the vast majority of conference proceedings in the comfort of your home or place
of work while permitting you to recreate those moments that made our Conference such a
special occasion.
I would like to thank all of you for your enthusiasm and dedication. Your participation was
the key element for its success. My gratitude also goes to the speakers and moderators who,
through their presentations and ability to manage the meetings, enlightened and educated
all of us. Last, but certainly not least, allow me to show appreciation to my fellow UN staff. From the technicians to the conference officers; from security to DPI colleagues; from the
interns and volunteers to the many others who gave their time and energy generously. They all understand and cherish the importance of our partnership.
Best wishes to you and your families for a happy holiday season and a healthy and
productive New Year.
Juan-Carlos Brandt
Chief
New York, December 2006
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
vi
Michaela Walsh
Chair of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Co-Chair of the Conference Planning Committee
Letter from the Chair of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
As Chair of the 59th Annual NGO Conference, hosted with UN/DPI Offices, I am honoured
to include my name to this final report about the participants, the speakers, the sessions and
the events. With pride I am especially grateful to have worked with and learned much from the
members of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, the Planning Committee, and the DPI/NGO
Section – including all the volunteers and interns for their commitment to the attainment of the
goals and new directions of this year’s Conference. Together we created a unique opportunity
to include many new voices and ideas from business and academia and the younger generation. Many of these led to new relationships and – we hope – potential partnerships toward the
unfinished business of reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. I thank you for
the unique opportunity afforded to me and to the many who participated at the UN for the first
time. Their new energy and lessons learned is my hope for the future.
Michaela Walsh
Chair of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Co-Chair, Conference Planning Committee
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Final Report of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Overview of Conference Proceedings
The 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, entitled Unfinished Business: Effective Partnerships for Human Security
and Sustainable Development, brought together over 1500 Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) representatives from 62 countries representing nearly 500 organizations. The three-day gathering of NGOs that work with
the United Nations through the Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) was held from 6 to 8 September 2006 at United Nations Headquarters. The Conference attempted
to build on what had already been accomplished in many of the previous debates at the United Nations, including Informal Interactive Hearings by the General Assembly President with NGOs, civil society and private sector
representatives. Speakers at the Conference were asked to provide concrete examples of effective partnerships
that would help the global community achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Furthermore, to ensure
the widest possible exchange of views, all NGO delegations were asked to include one representative under the
age of 30.
The Conference, which opened with an audio-visual introduction, “How are you? The Millennium Development Goals”,
featured Mr. Alvaro Garcia Linera, Vice-President of Bolivia as the keynote speaker. Vice-President Linera spoke via videoconference, from La Paz, Bolivia, on behalf of the President of Bolivia, Mr. Evo Morales. In addition, Mr. Katsutoshi
Kaneda, Senior Vice Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Japan, delivered a special
message to the NGO community on
human security.
The importance of the Conference to
both the NGO community and the
United Nations was underscored by
the high-level of United Nations participation, including both the in-coming and out-going General Assembly
Presidents, the Secretary-General of
the United Nations, as well as highlevel representatives and heads of the
Department of Public Information (DPI),
International Labour Organization
(ILO), United Nations Children’s Fund
Hans Blix, Jim Kavanaugh, Prince Moulay Hicham Ben Abdallah El Alaoui at the opening session.
(UNICEF), United Nations International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the World Bank, and the Office of the Millennium Campaign. The
Conference featured interactive round-table discussions with representatives of Member States, civil society, the
private sector and United Nations officials. At the closing session, the round-table moderators returned to provide a summary of their respective sessions, highlighting the key points reflected in the panels.
In his final address as Secretary-General, Mr. Annan defined the support of civil society groups as critical to his
accomplishments and urged them to continue to wield their considerable influence responsibly.
On behalf of the NGO community, the Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, Ms. Joan Kirby, presented a scroll to the Secretary-General and a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Annan in recognition of their steadfast
support.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Media and Public Outreach Initiatives
To reach a wider audience, a dedicated interactive Conference website was developed, www.2006.
undpingoconference.org. The Conference was also covered live by United Nations Television for webcast on the
UN website, which allowed online participants to pose questions to panel speakers, enabling real time participation. In addition, the website offered information and resource materials for participants and journalists and
archived webcasts of the Conference. The Internet Subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee was also
able to obtain a non-financial AdWord grant from Google, Inc. that gave 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ranking to the
Conference on Google.com, thus elevating the awareness of the Conference globally.
This year, for the first time, the NGO Section has included in this report a DVD-ROM containing the web-casts of
the entire conference.
A background press release was issued on 12 July, highlighting the topics to be discussed and the Conference
website. In addition, a media advisory was issued on 30 August to provide information on media arrangements and
a press conference (see below), both of which were prepared by the NGO Section and issued in English and French
by the Meetings Coverage Section of the News and Media Division, DPI.
A press conference, organised by the Media Subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee, in cooperation
with the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), was held on Tuesday 5 September in the UNCA Club
room. Masood Haider, President of the United Nations Correspondents Association opened the briefing and Juan
Carlos Brandt, Chief of the NGO Section, served as moderator. Statements were made by Michaela Walsh, Chair of
the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference and Regan Hofmann, Editor-in-Chief of POZ Magazine. Approximately 20
journalists, members of the NGO community and DPI staff attended the event followed by a small reception.
On 6 September, Mrs. Nane Annan hosted a luncheon for many of the Conference speakers at the West Terrace of
the Delegates’ Dining Room. Mr.Raymond Sommereyns, Director, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information,
Mr. Ramu Damodaran, Chief, Public Services Section, DPI and Mr. Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief, NGO Section, DPI also
attended.
The NGO/DPI Executive Committee hosted a Conference reception on 6 September at the Delegates’ Dining
Room. The United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNSRC) Latin Jazz Big Band provided entertainment for more
than 700 conference participants, speakers and other guests, including members of Permanent Missions, and media
representatives attending the reception.
To promote awareness about the MDGs, three DVDs were produced containing promotional materials received
from the Millennium Campaign Office, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Development
Fund for Women. These DVDs were shown in various areas
around the Conference site. The information was looped
together, thanks to the assistance of the Radio and Television
Production Section, DPI, allowing them to run continuously during the Conference.
The Intergenerational Subcommittee of the Conference
Planning Committee organised an exhibit of colour portraits
with text interviews, entitled Global Voices by What Moves
You? People from diverse backgrounds and different ages gave
statements about the relevance of the MDGs to their lives. The
exhibit was launched at the opening of the Conference and
remained on display until 6 October 2006.
DPI Staff and Volunteers in the registration tent.
Two training workshops were organized by the Networking
Subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee. Ms. Trish
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Ruben, an expert in networking, facilitated ways of creating effective partnerships. The second session called on participants to share examples of best practices.
The DPI organizers conducted a Conference survey. A total of 266 participants completed a brief questionnaire
representing a response rate of 18 per cent, similar to the response rate of previous years. Participants largely
welcomed the Conference’s theme: Unfinished Business: Effective partnerships for human security and sustainable
development. The majority of the participants were pleased with the content and interactive opportunities provided
by the Conference and praised the large youth presence as well as their involvement. An average 87 per cent of
respondents agreed that the workshops were “useful”; many also praised plenary sessions and round-tables and were
impressed by the pool of speakers at the Conference. In addition, 70 per cent of the participants, an increase of
10 per cent from last year, saw the conference as an opportunity to further increase cooperation with the United
Nations. Also, 81 per cent praised the Conference in terms of enabling civil society partnerships and 76 per cent said
the Conference was “useful” in establishing networks with their peers.
Additional Events
In addition to the 30 midday workshops coordinated through the Midday Workshop Subcommittee of the
Conference Planning Committee, the committee organized three other events. Two of the workshops included performances entitled, Performing Arts in Areas of Conflict and UN Vision and Millennium Development Goals Speak
through the Arts. The performance workshops were held on 6 and 7 September, respectively, in Studio 4 from
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The third event entitled, How a People’s Assembly Would Contribute to the Goals of this
Conference, was held on 8 September in the United Nations Correspondents Association Club room from 12:00
noon to 2:30 p.m.
At the conclusion of the Conference, Priority Films, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime, launched the Redlight Children’s Campaign, a world-wide grassroots human rights initiative promoting awareness and practical action to reduce the number of sexually exploited children. Featured participants included, Simone
Monasebian, Director, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, N.Y. Office, Guy Jacobson, President, Priority Films,
and Carol Smolenski, Executive Director, ECPAT-USA. Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief of the NGO Section, DPI provided
opening remarks. The event included the screening of selected excerpts from Priority Films’ three full-length feature films,
Holly, The Virgin Harvest, and The K 11 Journey followed by a panel discussion with NGO representatives and other
activists from more than 90 countries.
Parallel Meetings
After the opening session of the Conference, the NGO Section in collaboration with the United Nations Information
Centre in Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, organised a one-hour interactive session with NGO representatives gathered at the UNICs in Mexico and Peru. Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief of the NGO Section, Leslie
Wright, NGO representative, Shamina de Gonzaga, NGO Liaison in the Office of the General Assembly
President, and Paul Hoeffel, UNIC Director, Mexico, participated from Headquarters. Pilar Sandoval, UNA
Dominican Republic also participated. The video-conference included over 55 NGO representatives from Mexico,
the Dominican Republic and Peru.
On Tuesday, 12 September, the United Nations Information Centre in Moscow held a “five o’clock tea party” to
discuss the outcome of the Conference and how the specific priorities of Russian civil society fit into the global NGO
agenda. Alexandre Gorelik, Director, UNIC Moscow, opened the discussion with several points from the SecretaryGeneral’s address to the Conference and stressed the significant changes in the relationship among NGOs, businesses and civil society and the United Nations within the last ten years.. Mr. Gorelik further outlined major points
that emerged during the plenary sessions, round tables and other meetings in the framework of the Conference, in
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
particular, Achieving Financial and Ecological Sustainability, Science and Technology for Education, and Human
Security: The Responsibility to Protect and the Peacebuilding Commission. The discussion was attended by Oleg
Demekhin, Counsellor, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations and several Russian
NGO representatives.
In conjunction with the Annual DPI/NGO Conference, UNIC New Delhi, in collaboration with the Forum of
Indian NGOs for Cooperation with the United Nations (FINCUN), organized a parallel half-day seminar “Effective
Partnerships for Human Security and Sustainable Development” on 8 September 2006. UNIC Director, Shalini Dewan,
chaired the seminar at which four guest speakers addressed the following: a) Human Security: Responsibility to Protect
and the Peacebuilding Commission, by Ambassador K.V. Rajan, former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and
Convenor, IILM India Forum, Centre for Development, Policy and Management; b) Commitment to Reducing Extreme
Poverty and Hunger, by Professor Muchkund Dubey, President, Council for Social Development; c) The Role of Media
and Communications Technology in Achieving the MDGs, by Ms. Usha Rai, Senior Journalist; d) Civil Society and
Global Partnerships for Development, by Mr. Romesh Chandra and Ms. Razia Ismail, Co-Presidents, FINCUN.
UNIC Ouagadougou, in partnership with the NGO focal point of the United Nations system in Burkina Faso,
organized an Information Seminar on the DPI/NGO Conference on 27 October 2006. The purpose of the seminar
was to discuss the outcome of the Conference with local NGOs. UNIC Ouagadougou also explained the process for
association of NGOs with DPI to the participants. 110 representatives of NGOs attended.
The Libyan Society for Culture and Science, with the assistance of UNIC Tripoli and in connection with the Annual
DPI/NGO Conference, organized the First Camp for NGOs in Libya. The two-day programme, sponsored by "LG
Electronics" and "Akeeda", was held on 24 and 25 August 2006 at Judaim to coordinate and streamline the work
of NGOs. The Chairman of the Libyan Society for Culture and Science delivered the welcome address, which was
attended by a number of high-level officials from the Government and civil society. UNIC Tripoli distributed information
materials and publications received from HQ. Approximately 200 Government officials, NGOs, media representatives
and academics attended the programme.
On 17-18 July 2006, UNIC Dakar organized a two-day seminar in cooperation with the Network of NGOs working in the field of Human Rights in Senegal (REDHUS) to discuss the main objectives of the Conference. About 100
people participated representing 25 NGOs. Mamadou Kasse, Technical Advisor of the Minister of Communication,
presided at the opening session and introduced the theme of the conference.
Clemens Douglas
UNIC Yaounde organized a Forum to discuss the conclusions of the DPI/NGO Annual Conference. The Forum
was attended by about 50 representatives of NGOs in Cameroon. The event was held on 5 October 2006 and the
Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Cameroon chaired the forum while UNIC National Information Officer
moderated the discussions. An information kit was distributed to all participants including basic DPI/NGO information. Interviews were conducted by several media outlets with the Resident Coordinator and some of the speakers.
Jan Elias
clean dri
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Summary of Plenary and Round-table Presentations
Wednesday, 6 September 2006
Opening Session
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
Audio-Visual Introduction
“How Are You? The Millennium Development Goals”
Produced by Girl Behind the Camera Productions
RAYMOND SOMMEREYNS, Director, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information opened the Conference with
a video project, which was produced during the 58th Annual Conference on how the Millennium Development
Goals affect our daily lives. He continued by emphasizing the importance of technology in allowing greater participation of NGOs and civil society at the conference. Not only could participants register online for the first time,
but as in past DPI/NGO Conferences, they could submit questions in real-time to the speakers of the plenary sessions. Mr. Sommereyns noted, round-tables would cover issues including, education, health, human security, civil
society partnerships, poverty and cultural diversity in conflict resolution. He told participants of the other events
which would provide additional opportunities for networking and partnership-building.
Clemens Douglas
Jan Eliasson illustrating that 1.2 billion people do not have access to
clean drinking water.
JAN ELIASSON, President of the Sixtieth Session of the United Nations
General Assembly said civil society was the link to “We the peoples”,
the phrase that begins the United Nations charter. NGOs were an
inspiring and strengthening element, and they were partners in the
three great Summit pursuits: to work for peace and security, sustainable
development and respect for human rights, all of which were intertwined. Mr. Eliasson took a sip of water to illustrate that for 1.2 billion
people the act was a luxury. He said not having clean drinking water
was one of the leading causes of child and maternal mortality. “Get
clean water to the world, educate women so they can educate their
children,” he said. The United Nations would be judged, he claimed,
by how it improved the lives of people. The United Nations needs to
prove the value of multilateralism. If the United Nations failed in proving
this, others would push for unilateralism. Mr. Eliasson said it had been
a hectic and enriching year, which witnessed the establishment of the
Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council and the Central
Emergency Reserve Fund.
“Without passion nothing happens in life but without compassion the wrong things happen in life. You in
the NGO community are indeed guided by those two wonderful words – passion and compassion. Only
in combination do they really work.” Jan Eliasson
ALVARO GARCIA LINERA, Vice-President of Bolivia, speaking via video-conference from La Paz, Bolivia, on behalf of
Bolivian President Evo Morales, said development based only on industrialisation was no longer sustainable. Such a
view led to diminished growth in rural communities and was eliminating agricultural development. There are natural
and human limits to a society driven by consumption, he noted.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
He advocated the relativistic view for autonomous development. While countries should be able to determine their own
form of development, he warned that powerful countries still have the ability to keep them in a subordinate position
by controlling credit and trade. All peoples, irrespective of culture or geography had the right to have access to the
world’s knowledge and goods. Vice-President Linera emphasized that everything human beings produced was universal property and should contribute to the betterment of humankind. These views were being debated by Governments
and their peoples; the contribution of NGOs is critical. He called on NGOs and civil society partners to have a more
open and pluralistic view of development, and to respect the culture and needs of all people.
KATSUTOSHI KANEDA, Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Japan, said the world was marked by an unprecedented surge in
technical progress, economic development and the rapid global
movement of goods, services, finances and people. This dynamism created numerous opportunities but also new threats, such
as abject poverty, conflict, organized crime and terrorism, which
necessitated a re-examination of approaches to security. The concept of human security had changed, from an understanding of
defending national borders, to giving people the building blocks
necessary to protect their own safety, livelihood and dignity. While
states had the primary responsibility for protecting their citizens,
the concept of human security had become people-centred. NonGovernmental organizations and civil society, therefore, had a
Katsutoshi Kaneda and Raymond Sommereyns at the opening session.
major role in implementing human security as they best embodied
the people-centred approach. NGOs were ideally suited to putting
human security to practice on the ground, particularly through community-based development. The key, however,
was to also integrate government. The United Nations, NGOs and civil society had an increasingly important role in
meeting the challenges in crises and sustainable development initiatives. He concluded by stating that the DPI/NGO
Conference was a precious opportunity to mobilize energies to that end.
JOAN KIRBY, Chair, NGO/DPI Executive Committee, said it was a privilege being in New York at United Nations
Headquarters where NGOs received access to information about world issues not readily available in the daily press. She informed Conference participants about the weekly DPI/NGO briefings which offer opportunities for the coordination and dissemination of knowledge between NGO representatives and the United Nations. The Executive Committee
also facilitates a series of NGO/civil society hearings organized by the Office General Assembly President. A recent
survey on the level of recognition of the Committee’s work revealed the need to get beyond New York and North
America. Some suggestions included holding a yearly round table and
appointing regional chairs to cover the six United Nations established
regional groups, which could work with United Nations Information
Centres.
RENATE BLOEM, President, Conference of NGOs in Consultative
Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO) said the mandate of
CONGO was to enhance and to empower civil society to better contribute to the United Nations, which is complimentary to the work of the
Executive Committee. She said the large presence of representatives at
the Conference was proof of the strong relationship between NGOs
and the United Nations. Governments, international organizations, civil
society and the private sector had a responsibility to work together in
order to implement the multi-stakeholder approach. This unique process
was initiated at the Johannesburg Summit in 2002 and consolidated at
Renate Bloem.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
the World Summit on the Information Society (2003 -2005). The knowledge of NGOs about specific situations on the
ground was a valuable resource and should be heard. The Millennium Development Goals was the issue where the
most effective multi-stakeholder partnerships were created. Finally, she said, one could not talk about “human security”
without mentioning the Security Council, which needed to become more open.
“New and stronger partnerships are an unavoidable necessity and as yet unfinished business that the
international community needs to finalize quickly – the sooner the better.” Renate Bloem
MICHAELA WALSH, Chair, 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference and Co-Chair of the Conference Planning Committee,
expressed her desire for this Conference to be different from previous ones; not a setting for political speeches or
theories, but for speakers to share their grassroots experiences and their ideas about changing the lives of others. She
found that grassroots activists, particularly women, knew more about real life needs and concerns than Government
agencies or experts. Ms. Walsh also insisted on increased youth involvement in this year’s Conference. Since the youth
represented such a large proportion of the world’s population, their views and ideas needed to be heard. She called
on all participants to exchange ideas about the pressing issues of the day, including bridging the digital divide, lack
of electricity and clean water, as well as global warming and other issues that affected sustainable development and
human security. One of the objectives of this Conference had always been to encourage and to facilitate networking opportunities. With that in mind she asked each person in the room under the age of 30 to find a more mature
NGO representative, introduce themselves, exchange e-mail addresses and agree to reconnect before the close of
the Conference to share their experiences and discuss what they would take away from this meeting. She said that if
25 per cent of them succeeded in doing that, it would go a long way towards changing the way the United Nations
worked and the way the world thought about working together.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Moving Development Forward:
Accountability, Transparency, Equitable Trade Policies
Wednesday, 6 September 2006
Afternoon Panel Session:
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
KATHERINE MARSHALL, Senior Advisor, Development Dialogue on Values and Ethics, World Bank, served as Moderator
for the panel discussion on ‘Moving Development Forward: Accountability, Transparency, Equitable Trade Policies”. The basic theme of the Panel Discussion, she said, would be on creating partnerships. Partnerships between public,
private and civil society sectors were becoming increasingly important and complex. However, in order for those
complex partnerships to work, there needed to be a significant amount of accountability and transparency. The panel
would look at how access to information and communication technologies might improve accountability and transparency. Human security and challenges of equity would also be addressed.
HANS BLIX, Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission,
lauded NGOs for doing great work by demanding facts and transparency, and rendering invaluable service by critically examining government action and inaction. Rarely had the need for acknowledging the
reports of international fact-finders, views of NGOs and public opinion
been as important and powerfully demonstrated as after the invasion of
Iraq. ‘In 2003, a state and a people were sentenced, not by the world,
but by some of the world, to war and invasion on erroneous grounds.’
It was not ‘peace through truth’ but ‘war through untruth’. According to
the report by the independent international Commission on Weapons of
Hans Blix
Mass Destruction, the arms reduction and disarmament processes had
stagnated in the past decade. He said it was necessary for NGOs to renew and to reinforce their work in pushing
that process forward. Mr. Blix stressed the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in preventing the further
spread of weapons of mass destruction. Not only were many countries failing to live up to their commitments to the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1996 would be left in limbo unless
the United States and China agreed to ratify it. The security of states, Mr. Blix concluded, must be sought through international cooperation, development, the rule of law, arms control, and disarmament, and less through military force.
“In 2003, a state and a people were sentenced, not by the world, but by some of the world, to war and
invasion on erroneous grounds.’ It was not ‘peace through truth’ but ‘war through untruth.” Hans Blix.
GRACE NSHEMEIRE, Low Unit Pack Champion, Unilever (Kenya), focused her presentation on the micro-level dimensions
of trade practices. In Africa, she said trade was driven by temporary stalls or retail outlets which sold small, low-unit
packaged goods like single-use detergent or flour packs. Such retail operations, though small and fragile, greatly affected
local economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, as they were often the main source of income and the main point of purchase for
the majority of people. Furthermore, entry/exit barriers were very low, and farmers often complimented their agricultural
livelihoods with retail work because it was more predictable and not dependent on weather. Retail outlets were often the
first steps of entrepreneurship and provided a sense of empowerment to many people, not only for poorer segments of
society. These small retail outlets were also very important for major manufacturing firms, as they were a significant route
to the market. However, local councils would often harass these semi-permanent, informal stalls, forcing them to close
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down and charging them exorbitant fees to reopen the same
stall the very next day. Ms. Nshemeire called for better licensing
procedures and enhanced marketing and linkages, particularly
to local farmers. In addition, she said there was a need to extend
credit units and to enable management/finance training.
Grace Nshemeire, Lester Salamon, Hans Blix, Katherine
Marshall, Mal Nuhu Ribadu, Christopher Sinckler and
Michaela Walsh
“It’s not just the NGOs that can make better the lives of
the people at the bottom of the pyramid; we can also
have the private sector coming in to improve the lives of
people. The challenge is to bring them on.”
Grace Nshemeire
MAL NUHU RIBADU, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Government of Nigeria,
highlighted the importance ensuring accountability and the rule of law. All countries, he claimed, would eventually develop, the question was how fast. The main challenge preventing countries from fast-tracking the development process, he
said, was poor governance and mismanagement. ‘Only if corruption becomes history, can we make poverty history’. ‘No
amount of grant or assistance will ever make a difference if corruption is there’. Mr. Ribadu said the Nigerian people and
Government had begun rooting out bad management. In the last three years, Nigeria was able to obtain 80 convictions
for corruption, recovering well over $5 billion. For the first time, he claimed, Nigeria had a proper democracy. Eliminating
corruption and mismanagement, he believed, was the only way for developing countries like Nigeria to take charge of
their own development process and to end poverty. A corrupt leader in Africa, he asserted, should be treated like a terrorist, because their actions did more damage and sacrificed more lives than some of the worst acts of terrorism.
“Why don’t you make corruption history in Africa? Through that you make poverty history…unless you do
that chances are nothing, no amount of help, no amount of wherever grant or assistance will ever make a
difference in these poor, struggling countries.” Mal Nuhu Ribadu
LESTER SALAMON, Director, Civil Society Studies at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies, explained that complex
public problems required the joint action of all three sectors: governments, businesses, and civil society. This new strategy has, he asserted, led to a technological revolution, which had utilized and developed new tools of public action
and was no longer restricted to the direct delivery of goods and services, such as micro-loans and grants, and social
and economic regulations and vouchers. The split in the financing of public goods and their delivery has led to the
production of a wonderful, yet dizzying array of options, which has expanded the range of action and mobilized additional resources. In order to take advantage of those new opportunities, civil society needed to address three significant
challenges, which he referred to as the Three C’s: Consciousness, Conscientiousness and Competence. Consciousness
was the challenge of boosting civil society visibility and establishing it as a serious social actor. Conscientiousness
referred to the challenge of transparency, not only of Governments but also of the civil society sector. Competence was
the challenge of being effective. Mr. Salamon concluded by discussing the importance of the Handbook on Non profit
Institutions in the System of National Accounts to address and maintain the Three C’s. The data from the Handbook not
only demonstrated that the non-profit sector was an enormously dynamic and growing sector, but also made it possible
for civil society to find and develop new forms of collaboration with the business and government sectors.
“The solution to complex public problems is no longer the business of government alone. Rather it requires
the joint action of all three sectors: government, business and civil society.” Lester Salamon
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CHRISTOPHER SINCKLER, the Executive Coordinator of the
Caribbean Policy Development Centre, declared that the current trade system was more likely to undermine and wipe away
development gains than it was to build upon them. While many
Caribbean countries had economically grown and made significant strides in the area of human development between the
1970s and 1990s, they have, in recent years, graduated back to
poverty. Very few Caribbean countries have any industrial base,
and have become totally dependent on tourism. Weaknesses
are increased due to the lack of economies of scale, a limited
domestic market, the high costs of inputs, a reliance on a narrow
export base, and a vulnerability to natural disasters. Mr. Sinckler
Christopher Sinckler
expressed discontent with the recent decisions by the World Trade
Organization (WTO) on bananas and sugar, which has had devastating impacts on economies in the Caribbean. Due to a reduction on rice tariffs, Haiti went from being a net rice exporter to a rice importer. Because of cheap and
subsidized European dairy products, the dairy industry in Jamaica has been destroyed. Mr. Sinckler emphasized the
need for Caribbean countries to be responsible to each other, and to form global and regional partnerships which
will enable them to lift each other up and not sign agreements harmful to their interests.
“In building global partnerships to assist in the Millennium Developmental Goals aid…don’t we have the
responsibility to each other to ensure that we build partnerships not to pull ourselves down but to ensure
that we lift each other up?” Christopher Sinckler
Question and Answer Period
Responding to a question on the illicit trade in small arms, Mr. Blix said overcoming the stalemate in the disarmament
movement was of ultimate importance. He called on the NGO community to put pressure on governments and to start
the drumbeat towards those changes.
Asked what suggestions he had for moving the rule of law foreword, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu stated that good quality
leadership was the key. If you had good leadership, resources available to the government would be successfully
transformed. Through the rule of law, one could establish justice, and weed out corruption. Mr. Sinckler added corruption bred uncertainty, and it would be impossible to construct modern societies and economies if people could not
trust the systems and officials on which they depended.
Responding to questions on accountability, Lester Salamon said accountability in civil society organizations could
only be addressed through transparency procedures, government laws, and regulations. In addition, the board of
directors needed to fully understand their responsibilities.
When asked about nuclear power and the controversy in Iran, Mr. Blix said he believed Iran should be restricted
from producing weapons grade uranium, as it increased tensions in the region however; he was in favour of nuclear
power as an energy source. All sources of energy, he claimed, had environmental problems. Hydroelectricity had
created some of the worst environmental damages to local environments, and fossil fuels greatly threatened the global
environment. Mr. Blix concluded it was not a matter of avoiding nuclear technology altogether. Rather, it was a matter
of making nuclear energy safer and of creating the conditions in the world in which states did not feel the need for
nuclear weapons.
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Achieving Financial and Ecological Sustainability
Thursday 7 September 2006
Morning Panel Session
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
JANE PRATT, President, United in Diversity Forum, United States, gave the opening remarks for the panel entitled
“Achieving Financial and Ecological Sustainability.” She began by telling the audience about her organization, an
Indonesian non profit that brought together all sectors of society to forge a common vision for the future of the country. After the devastating effects of the tsunami in 2005, they came together to rebuild an island that was also hit by an
earthquake. In addition, they discussed the values that would allow Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Jews to live side
by side on this island. She learned from her Indonesian colleagues what Margaret Meade said, “Never underestimate
the power of a small group of people to change the course of history. Indeed, it is the only thing that has.”
SÁLVANO BRICEÑO, Director, Secretariat, International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction (UN/ISDR) began by saying that risk reduction was an underfocused part of disaster management. Disasters are caused by vulnerability to natural hazards. It can be concluded, therefore, that while natural
hazards may trigger a disaster, the scale by which a disaster takes human
life is dependent on vulnerability and not on the magnitude of the natural
hazard alone. Simply referring to disasters as “natural” was a “convenient
lie”, he claimed. Most resources were still focused on post-disaster reconRachel Kyte, Sálvano Briceño, Jane Pratt,
struction rather than on preventative measures. In order to shift the focus
Håkon Fottland, Vanessa Tobin and William Foote
from post-disaster reconstruction to preventative measures, the World Bank
created a report under the Prevention Consortium to identify areas prone to hazard. Many geological hazards, such as
earthquakes, continue to cause concern due to the larger number of people living in vulnerable areas. Environmental
degradation, lack of urban planning and socioeconomic poverty were also causes of increased vulnerabilities. Because
only 1 per cent of the $6 billion in humanitarian assistance went towards risk reduction, much larger investments were
required. To that end, Mr. Briceño lauded the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development for launching
a policy to dedicate 10 per cent of its humanitarian aid to risk reduction. He also praised Japan and Germany for their
similar efforts. However, such action, he concluded, was not enough. Explicit, systematic approaches for emergency
preparedness needed to be incorporated in the development policy of a country.
“Disasters are not natural…this is a convenient lie…they are caused…by human and social vulnerability.”
Sálvano Briceño
WILLIAM FOOTE, Founder, Executive Director, EcoLogic Finance, focused his
presentation on the importance of providing affordable credit and financial
education to community-based businesses, dedicated to sustainable, natural
resource management in rural areas of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Poverty led to improper practices, such as illegal logging, slashing and
burning techniques, and cattle ranching. These practices cause irreparable
damage to local natural resources. Ecologic Finance, however, provided loan
capital to small to medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) so that they could access
the kind of affordable financing needed to expand their businesses without
Vanessa Tobin and William Foote
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59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
engaging in environmentally unsustainable practices. Rural SMEs represented indigenous people, women, and disadvantaged farm families exporting labour intensive and environmentally friendly products profitably for the first time
in generations. EcoLogic Finance has managed portfolios of $25,000 to $500,000 in loans and has raised $15
million in lending capital. Of the 250 loans offered to over 100 SMEs, representing 100,000 people in 19 countries,
his organization had a loan repayment rate of 99 per cent. A new kind of trader-broker-importer had emerged, he
claimed, which engaged in direct commerce and was committed to a long-term relationship with their suppliers. They
bought directly from farmers, paid fair prices, guaranteed profit margins for suppliers and sold to rapidly growing
green consumer markets. Compassionate, quality-minded consumers who were willing to pay more for products that
were sustainable and traded fairly in the United States, Japan, and Europe, he claimed, would allow development
agencies and organizations to front cash to farmers in the developing world at harvest time. This would prevent them
from selling products too soon, enabling them to meet local demand, and help them effectively manage risk.
“We made about 250 loans in 19 countries to over 100 SMEs, small to medium-sized businesses; representing over 100,000 people…we have a 99 per cent repayment, thus far, which has a lot to do with our
partnerships that enable our work.” William Foote
HÅKON FOTTLAND, Managing Director, Centre for Environment and
Development Studies, University of Tromso, Norway, said universities were
vastly underutilized as a means for achieving the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs), with the exception of the Task Force on Science, Technology
and Innovation. Nevertheless, he said, the University of Tromso had sought
to play its part by building the capacity for developing countries to use its
knowledge-base. The University of Tromso, together with the Norwegian
Programme for Development, Research and Higher Education, established
a partnership to promote academic research and educational cooperation
in developing countries. Under the new partnership, 225 well-functioning
projects have been created throughout Latin-America, Africa, and Asia. Håkon Fottland
Mr. Fottland added that in order to achieve the MDGs, actors must localize their efforts and contribute according to their own capacity. The coordination and inclusion of higher education
towards achieving the MDGs can be very valuable, both as a research base, as well as a platform through which
projects can be launched. “Identity, history and culture are important issues raised by partner institutions.”
“Knowledge is localized…identity, history and culture are important issues raised by partner institutions…you need to localize your efforts because that’s where it is going to happen…you need to talk to
those there.” Håkon Fottland
RACHEL KYTE, Director, Environment and Social Development Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC) said
her department managed the social risks of all IFC investments and worked to develop financial tools that put value on
long-term sustainability. Today, private financial flows into developing countries outstripped public aid flows by 5 to 1,
and that gap was growing. Most of that private-sector financing was not being used effectively to alleviate unemployment or to further promote the development agenda in many countries. However, private sector companies with good
environmental risk management and sound employment and community relationships performed better in the long-term
than those without them. Many financial institutions, she claimed, were now catching on to this. This new emphasis
on environmentally and socially responsible issues could have a huge transforming effect. Access to affordable credit
improved a women’s health, the well-being of her children and her whole families’ employment opportunities. The IFC
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conducted growth assessments to see what legislative and regulatory changes were necessary. They estimated that, in
Uganda, implementing a women-owned business model that provided credit to women entrepreneurs could increase
the national GDP from 2 to 3 per cent. The IFC sold the women-owned business model as a win-win situation, enabling
both the women and the bankers to expand their businesses. African bankers have been increasingly embracing this
new approach as it has proved itself successful. However, the dialogue on the subject among NGOs, private firms
and the public sector was not uniform. There were ideological differences between corporate social responsibility in
North America and Europe, versus the intentions of bankers and businesses in China. Ms. Kyte warned that there was
no one right way to develop the marketplace and that much care must be taken in crafting sustainable solutions.
“In order to grow, increase their brand value, become better banks, bigger banks, more successful banks,
they needed to reach the under-banked and the un-banked and who were they? Women and women
business owners.” Rachel Kyte
VANESSA TOBIN, Deputy Director, Programmes, Programme Division of the United Nations Children’s' Fund (UNICEF)
focused her discussion on water, sanitation and the environment. In over 90 countries, she explained, UNICEF was the
lead agency in responding to problems of water supply and sanitation in rural areas. Half of the developing world had
no access to basic sanitation. This, she explained, has led to particularly negative implications for children, HIV/AIDS
patients, and women. Some 11 million children around the world did not live beyond the age of 5 because of illnesses
caused by unsafe drinking water. Furthermore, poor health resulting from poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water also
hindered the ability of students to learn while in school. Access to clean water has also had serious implications for HIV/
AIDS patients, because most antiretroviral therapy requires an abundance of clean drinking water for it to be effective. Poor sanitation, she stated, was therefore synonymous with poverty. More investment in children's health education,
gender equality, and local technology, she explained, was necessary to develop effective and sustainable water sanitation systems. Women needed to be particularly involved so that they could better understand how to care for their own
health and that of their children. Special attention, also needed to be directed to conflict-ridden areas of Sub-Saharan
Africa and new urban settlements, which were significantly lacking in clean water and sanitation systems. NGOs and
local governments need to "to scale up" their community-based activities in order to reach the MDGs. However, she
warned that projects implemented hastily without local ownership may not be successful or sustainable.
“11 million children are still dying before they reach their fifth birthday because of unsafe water, inadequate sanitation; millions more suffer from malnutrition…” Vanessa Tobin
Question and Answer Period
During the ensuing question-and-answer period, participants asked about the impact of Chinese banks and trade
policies on other poor countries. Ms. Kyte said Chinese entrepreneurs were part of the global supply chain and
understood the pressures of quality production, labour standards and environmental demands. She emphasized that
China would not be the least costly production point in the global market forever. As to whether studies had been conducted on the impact on human consumption on disasters, Mr. Briceño said he
was not aware of a specific study. Consumers had to be aware of the potential impact of natural hazards when buying a home and identify the various factors that could increase risk. Responding to the question regarding the relationship between energy consumption and natural disasters, he stated there was a strong correlation. In the negotiations
of the Climate Change Convention, there were two main factors: mitigating the impact and adaptation to climate
changes, both of which were risk reduction measures of potential hazards.
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59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
As to how to ensure that companies receiving micro-financing responsibly produced sustainable products, Mr. Foote said the arrival of traceability and transparency of global supply chains was a great step forward. For example,
United States companies were increasingly interested in whether child labour in Africa was used to manufacture goods
sold in the United States. More and more products required third-party certifications to audit how and where products
were made. In response to questions about achieving equal partnerships, Professor Fottland said that NGOs needed to discuss
partnerships on equal terms. He also said the challenge was to “nationalize international initiatives.” Responding to the
question of the handling of “economic terrorists,” he said that it was the duty of civil society to address abuses through
education. Moreover, it was the responsibility of everyone to make it profitable to act responsibly.
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Science and Technology for Education
7 September 2006
Afternoon Round-table Session:
3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
Richard Berman
RICHARD BERMAN, President, Manhattanville College, served as moderator of the panel session, “Science and Technology for Education”. He stressed the importance of achieving the Millennium Development
Goal of universal primary education. The three essential elements of a
successful education and empowerment programme are: high access
to education, good quality of education, and low-cost of education. He emphasized the need to overcome the natural and societal barriers
to education, such as poor health care, poverty, and access to rural
schools. He also stressed the importance of allocating money, teachers,
and electricity to the classroom, even if it means taking these costs from
other worthy causes.
RINA LOPEZ BAUTISTA,
President, Knowledge Channel Foundation, said, after witnessing severe
poverty and a deteriorating education system in her native country, she
decided to take action. She established The Knowledge Channel, an educational TV channel with 14 hours of curriculum-based programmes featuring
both elementary and high school level math, science, English, and civics. The Knowledge Channel was designed to aid teachers by broadcasting
audio-visual materials across the Philippines. It has been credited with
increasing student retention and comprehension by up to 25 per cent. The
channel reaches over 2.7 million students in 1,650 public schools, and over
Rina Lopez Bautista
6 million home viewers. It also reaches some of the poorest communities
in the Philippines, as well as conflict-ridden areas such as the autonomous
region of Muslim Mindanao. Satellite and solar energy technologies have also allowed schools with limited or no
electricity to also access the channel. She concluded by stating that partnerships with the Department of Education,
local school boards, and public and private benefactors were vital to the Knowledge Channel’s success.
“The success of the Knowledge Channel lies in its partnerships: with our Department of Education, the
public and private organizations and individuals, and the international donor community.”
Rina Lopez Bautista
WILLIAM BOHNETT, Partner, Fulbright and Jaworski, Board Member, Island School presented the mission of the Island
School, located in South Eleuthera in the Bahamas. As a semester programme for United States high school students,
the programme focused on experiential, place-based education. The curriculum was based on teaching students about
the environmental and social degradation of the island and its immediate surroundings. By raising awareness of the
environmental situation in the Caribbean, acts of recycling, conservation and living in harmony with nature have taken
on higher meaning for the students. In 2001, the school expanded to include the Deep Creek Middle School, which
provided place-based, hands-on education for 7th, 8th and 9th graders native to South Eleuthera. The academic suc-
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59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
cess of its students has prompted discussion about creating a full high school curriculum. Learning about their immediate surroundings and witnessing alternative energy technologies in action was not only exciting for the students, but
vital to the survival of the island and the creation of a more sustainable world.
Technology inspires creativity; it banishes hopelessness; it brings into tangible focus the world we all yearn
for. William Bohnett
SANDRA M. DE RIVERO BORRELL, President, Fundación Cultural Baur, spoke
of education’s precarious task of both incorporating, yet remaining cautious
of the many social, technological, and cultural changes that were happening
in the world today. While Ms. Borrell acknowledged that the era of mass
media had greatly improved many technical aspects of our quality of life, she
expressed concern for the emotional and moral composition of children growing up in such an abstract technological world. Education, she argued, should
incorporate cognitive, emotional, ethical and social development. It should
Sandra M. De Rivero Borrell
teach the importance of physical and mental health. While technology could
be a great aid in the education system, she warned educators not to confuse
technological development with educational development. She hoped people would never lose sight of the human
element of teaching and remain aware of how the misuse of such technologies could be dangerous to children. Young
people, she continued, would be robbed of their opportunity to live fulfilled lives if they lived solely by the economic
principles of instant gratification that were presented by technology. Ms. Borrell implored teachers and parents to
realize the irreparable damage caused by cyber war games, violent television programmes, and pornography, and
to teach children the difference between right and wrong. She said harmful cyber games and destructive technology
had no place in this world.
“Educating is not providing a profession to live from, but preparing the spirit to face the difficulties of life.”
Sandra M. De Rivero Borrell
Contributing to the discussion via a pre-recorded video, HANS ROSLING, Professor of International Health, Karolinska
Institutet, Sweden, and Creator of GapMinder, stressed the importance of data-driven learning. After teaching a group
of Swedish undergraduates, he had come to the realization that people tended to know little about the world. The problem was not ignorance, but the pervasiveness of preconceived notions. For example, contrary to popular belief, there
were more similarities than differences between developed and developing countries. According to United Nations
statistical indicators from 1962 onward – such as family size and life expectancy – the gap between developing
and developed countries is being bridged. While they were stark opposites in 1964, The United States and Vietnam
now share the same life expectancy and family size. He went on to describe how social and economic changes in
other parts of the world have led to a more even distribution of income between rich and poor. However, there were,
indeed, tremendous variations within the individual continents, such as in Africa, Asia as well as among Arab States. Therefore, goals such as universal access to AIDS prevention, for example, must be calculated on a regional, local
level, and in a contextualized way.
FRANZISKA SEEL, Advisor, Millennium Development Goals Programme, Taking IT Global focused her discussion on the
importance of making science and technology tools that facilitate learning. More than ever, the complexity of such an
interconnected world has called for the ability to “learn how to learn”, necessitating the use of technology as a tool. Students learned more when they were meaningfully engaged in relevant and stimulating work, she said. It was there-
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
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fore necessary for schools to begin introducing real-world projects into the classroom where students were presented
with opportunities to impact both the local and global community. Ms. Seel described her organization, Taking IT
Global, as an international organization which connected youth around the world to find inspiration and information
for making their communities better. It enabled interactive learning with other students through the internet, giving them
a place to share their work, ideas, compare artwork, poetry and so on. The key objectives for Taking IT Global were
to increase global awareness, use information technologies meaningfully, and to provide inspiring student engagement
through interactive global classrooms.
“I believe that the new technologies of today’s world, and in particular, the Internet offer a vast range of
opportunities to stimulate passion and curiosity in every young person.” Franziska Seel
Question and Answer Period
In order to generate debate and controversy, the panellists were posed with the question: in what area did they disagree with each other the most? The use of certain online games surfaced as being the most controversial element. Some panellists believed that the games should be discouraged due to their stereotypes and destructive nature, while
other panellists believed that online games were a reality of this generation, and should be reinvented to make them
positive.
Rina Lopez Bautista expressed the need to understand the different types of educational requirements in different
parts of the world and that a one-size-fits-all approach to the dissemination of information would not work effectively. Therefore, organizations needed to use different mediums to reach the varying markets around the world. After hearing about the work of Ms. Bautista and the Knowledge Channel, especially the story of Hilmarie Joy Nimo, Mr. Berman
offered her (Hilmarie) a scholarship to attend Manhattanville College and join students from 59 other countries.
Ending the round-table discussion, Mr. Berman said that, although there were different approaches in how to
best serve their communities, the common theme was the commitment to make the world a better place. To keep the
spirit alive, it was necessary to continue inspiring, mentoring and working with others in the community. Hopefully,
science and technology would help make the community smarter in how it approached its work, including reaching
the MDGs.
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Emerging Approaches to Healthcare,
Including Gender-based HIV and AIDS
Thursday, 7 September 2006
Afternoon Round-table Session
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
KITTY PILGRIM, Anchor, Cable News Network began by saying how
unfortunate it was, in a modern civilization which included text messaging, instant messaging and the Internet, a “gender-based” discussion
was still necessary. She said the panel would be focusing on approaches to gender-based violence, and HIV and AIDS. The discussion would
be broadened to include a presentation on environmental pollutants
and their effects on women and children. Ms. Pilgrim acknowledged
the correlation between violence against women and girls, the feminization of poverty and higher HIV and AIDS infection rates among women
Timothy Thomas, Adrienne Germain, Kitty Pilgrim,
and girls than men and boys in some countries. Women were one-third
Carmen Barroso and Frederica Perera
more likely than men to test positive for HIV and AIDS in Africa, she
said. They had less access to information on prevention, they were more
dependent financially and they bore the brunt of poverty, all of which made them more vulnerable to the disease. She
said, terrorism and the global threat of armed conflict dominated main stream media and pushed the subject of HIV
and AIDS out of the spotlight.
“I take it as my job as a journalist not to give up reporting these stories and to keep the message in the
forefront of the public eye.” Kitty Pilgrim
ADRIENNE GERMAIN, President of the International Women’s Health Coalition, remarked how for forty years, her persistence and optimism sustained her work for women’s health and rights but has since deserted her. The glass of women’s
and girls rights was only one-quarter full. A third of the world’s women would be beaten, raped or otherwise abused,
probably by men they knew. More than 500,000 women would die from complications of pregnancy or childbirth,
mostly in developing countries. Women’s health and rights were violated as a means of waging war in many conflict
ridden countries. HIV and AIDS infections were rising faster among women and girls in every region of the world. She
outlined three main failures; failure to invest and to provide access to obstetric care, failure to protect or even recognize
women’s rights as human rights, and failure to provide emphatic leadership for gender equality in all aspects of life.
Far more programmes were needed to promote and protect the health and rights of women and girls. She cited the
Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) in Nigeria as an example of a project that reached thousands of girls across four states. They learned to organize marches, to educate the public, and to negotiate with both state and national governments. She called on governments to come together with the United Nations and to produce a binding convention that would
recognize sexual rights as human rights and would create mechanisms for holding governments accountable.
“First, we must invest far more in programmes that promote and protect the health and rights of women
and young people—including sexual and reproductive health services. In today’s world, this requires mass
mobilization to generate political will—and women especially are doing that in partnership with many
others.” Adrienne Germain.
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CARMEN BARROSO, Director of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said HIV and AIDS and genderbased violence were global emergencies that had a devastating impact on women’s health and on whole societies. The feminization of the epidemic was caused by gender inequality, discrimination and low socio-economic status which
limits women’s access to information, education, healthcare and treatment, as well as creates physiological vulnerability. The epidemic was growing fast among married women whose husbands were unfaithful. She emphasized the strong
link between HIV and AIDS and violence against women. Coerced sex increased a women’s vulnerability to the disease
because condoms were not used and violent acts caused physical injury. Fear of violence from partners made women
unable to negotiate safe sex practices and unwilling to receive counselling or treatment. She noted healthcare workers
were ideally suited to recognize abused women, provide the necessary healthcare and help change societal attitudes. Ms. Barroso said her organization had done work with both HIV and AIDS and violence against women but when
those issues were addressed together they were most effective. In the Dominican Republic, IPPF provided treatment for
HIV positive women and had specialists trained to detect gender-based violence. She called for a strong United Nations
commitment to combat women’s rights violations, not just at the policy and standards level but also through implementation. Representatives from 114 women’s organizations worldwide had submitted a detailed proposal for the United
Nations to set up a new entity that would hold all the Organization’s agencies accountable for introducing a gender
dimension in all their work. United Nations agencies currently lacked sufficient funding and authority to implement their
mandates. She emphasized that without empowered women – the MDGs would not be achievable.
“The crisis of AIDS is devastating not only the lives and health of women but whole societies. Feminization
of poverty has been tragic for enormous number of women, especially in the neglected groups like married women where the epidemic is growing faster. These are faithful women married to unfaithful men.”
Carmen Barroso
TIMOTHY THOMAS, Executive Director of the Staying Alive Foundation
of MTV Networks International said if the global response to the AIDS
epidemic did not dramatically improve, AIDS would consume at least
one more generation. In 1998, MTV launched the Staying Alive
Campaign on HIV and AIDS awareness education and prevention. It consisted of long and short programming, documentaries and
concerts, which was free to broadcasters and NGOs worldwide. Its
non-traditional content was designed to be provocative and sexually
explicit. He explained how violence and sexually explicit messaging on television pushed in one direction, while the Staying Alive
Campaign pushed back with graphic depictions of safe and unsafe
sexual behaviour and violence in the other direction. After viewing
Timothy Thomas
the ads, 77 per cent of all viewers said they were more likely to use
condoms and more than 40 per cent said the ads prompted them to get tested for the disease. MTV reached 800
million households in 177 territories and was viewed in 90 per cent of highly impacted countries. These campaigns
worked, he said, but there were not enough of them and in some countries, the youth could not look beyond surviving
the day. Information technologies, including cable, satellite, radio and even video games needed to be harnessed for
HIV prevention in order to change attitudes and behaviours. NGOs and donors needed to rethink the delivery of HIV
messaging. Telling girls they could say no to unwanted sex was only one part of the solution. Changing the way men
and boys treated women in all aspects of life was equally important.
“Its time to turn HIV prevention into an information virus that works much faster than the infection itself.”
Timothy Thomas
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FREDERICA PERERA, Center Director and Principal Investigator of the Department of Environmental Sciences of the
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, discussed the effects of environmental pollutants on women’s
reproductive health and child health and development. She said the issue of environmental pollutants was extremely
important because it was often an invisible problem which went unseen and unrecorded. Among them were combustion by-products of fossil fuel energy, smoking, and second-hand smoke, pesticides, and indoor cooking in poorly
ventilated areas. Her department conducted studies in the United States, Poland and China on the health impact of
those pollutants on pregnant women and their children. The study concluded that exposure to those pollutants caused,
reduced fetal growth, childhood diseases, developmental disorders, and was a bio marker for increased cancer risks. Low birth weight was a major cause of neo-natal deaths, causing more than four million deaths worldwide each year,
mostly in developing countries. The occurrences of leukaemia and asthma in children were also increasing worldwide. Multilateral action and partnerships were needed to prevent such exposure.
“It’s often [an] invisible problem—the issue of environmental pollution—often unseen and unrecorded but
the effects are severe, indeed. Environment pollutants, contamination particularly affect poor women—
women in underserved communities.” Frederica Perera
Question and Answer Period
Mr. Thomas was asked a question on how to replace violent messages shown in videos with positive ones. He said
it was necessary to change the attitudes of youth who wanted to see the violence. It was simply an issue of supply
and demand.
Responding to a question concerning the gap between empowering women on the ground and the policies set at
the United Nations, Ms. Germain said the United Nations provided certain leadership standards for countries to follow
and could be used by NGOs as a tool to hold governments accountable. However, the actual work was done from
the ground up and took a long time to implement locally. Ms. Barroso stated in the past few decades, many NGOs
had been formed to empower women but struggled with a lack of funding.
Responding to a question on the absence of any mention of sexual rights in the Convention on Discrimination
Against Women, Ms. Germain said NGOs needed to advocate for those changes through their own governments,
urging them to initiate a resolution and/or to support other governments that presented those views. Ms. Barroso said
her organization was working on a Bill of Sexual Rights; which would not be legally binding but would increase
awareness.
Concerning ways to change the views of men who saw sex as a marital duty and to convince youth in particular
that unprotected sex, even in a committed relationship, was risky, Ms. Barroso said educational programmes were
severely under-funded. Consistent and reinforced messaging was crucial to changing such attitudes. Mr. Thomas
agreed, saying there was an imbedded mythology that must be contradicted with facts and active, accessible and
attractive information. Ms. Pilgrim added that human rights courses offered to high school students were invaluable.
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Human Security: The Responsibility to Protect and the
Peacebuilding Commission
Thursday, 7 September 2006
Afternoon Round-table Session
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ECOSOC Chamber
SARAH SEWALL, Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights
Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard
University served as the moderator of the panel session,
Human Security: Responsibility to Protect and the Peacebuilding
Commission. During the 2005 World Summit, the affirmation
of the responsibility to protect human beings from genocide,
war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity followed with the development of the Peacebuilding Commission. “It is a shell that we hope will harden to fill in over time and
each of us will have a role to play…” She indicated that affirJuan Mendez, Augustine Mahiga, Sarah Sewall,
mation alone would neither translate into success nor failure. Carolyn McAskie, Eugenie Mukeshimana and
Band-aids were preferred by the actors in the international
Edward Jombla
community, words were easier to achieve than actions, and
collective authority was often the shield behind which individual responsibility was hidden. She noted civil society’s
role was important and should partner with governments, military forces, and principal actors to create a ready-to-go
capacity of resources in order to fulfil the responsibility to protect.
“It’s easier and more palatable to respond with humanitarian assistance and reconstruction assistance than
it is to take on the harder and riskier and more costly but more important task of prevention and response.”
Sarah Sewall
AUGUSTINE PHILIP MAHIGA, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania stressed
the important role of NGOs as partners and critics of governments. Due to the work of NGOs, governments were
now beginning to understand that human security needed to
be people-centred. Human security included poverty reduction, provision of services, human dignity and human rights. While governments were ultimately responsible for protecting citizens and their livelihoods, they sometimes failed. At
times, states were themselves the perpetrators of their own
Augustine Philip Mahiga
people’s suffering and deprivation. Therefore, responsibility
rested on the international community to combat genocide,
crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and crimes of war. In the past, the United Nations had been accused of
intervening against states under the pretences of humanitarian assistance and violating so-called state sovereignty. However that argument, he emphasized, was eroding, as a new global civil society was emerging. Discourse
on the responsibility to protect has broadened to include civil society and NGOs who bring a people-centred
approach to human security and development.
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Susan Kang
CAROLYN MCASKIE, Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support,
Peacebuilding Commission, United Nations emphasized how the Peacebuilding
Commission, in collaboration with governments and civil society, was most
valuable in its rebuilding and reconstruction efforts. The controversy behind
humanitarian intervention was eliminated when the concept of ‘intervention to
protect’ changed to a concept of ‘responsibility to protect’. The Peacebuilding
Commission was designed to assist countries emerging from conflict in order to
avoid a relapse, which happened in almost half the cases. However, she hoped
the Commission would be able to go further to address the root causes of conflicts. The Commission was seeking ways to develop a good working relationship
Carolyn McAskie
between its members and civil society actors, and encouraged national governments to adopt broader consultative processes on the ground in support of their peacebuilding strategies. In doing so,
the Commission would be able to build the most inclusive and sustainable strategic approach to peacebuilding.
“If the main objective of the Peacebuilding Commission is to understand the root causes of conflict and
to help countries to identify the elements needed for the path to peace, how can they do it unless all the
players are involved?” Carolyn McAskie
JUAN MENDEZ, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide said it was gratifying that
the United Republic of Tanzania and Ghana had never allowed the debate in the Security Council to drift away
from the needs of two million people in Darfur. The legal and philosophical basis of the Special Adviser’s mandate
was the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. He said the outcome
document from the 2005 Summit placed the responsibility to protect, first and foremost, on the nation-state. If the
state was willing but unable to protect its citizens, the international community must help it, and if the state was
able but unwilling to protect its citizens, the international community had to intervene. Mr. Mendez was specifically asked not to make a determination on what constituted genocide, and not to act on the basis of hearsay
but to corroborate the facts, keeping in mind the contextual history of the conflict to avoid making the situation
worse. He concluded by saying the international community should act simultaneously and with adaptability in
four areas for early action: physical protection, humanitarian relief, accountability, and peacemaking by containing the underlying conflict.
EUGENIE MUKESHIMANA, Rwanda Genocide Survivor
brought the audience to a standing ovation by sharing
her experiences in Rwanda during the conflict while
she was eight-months pregnant. At the beginning of her
pregnancy, she never imagined she would have to question her survival, but then the conflict came. There were
rumours that the United States and the United Nations
were in Uganda ready to help. However, these rumours
were false, and were started by the militias to incite more
killings before assistance actually arrived. She stated the
real issue of genocide and conflict was the concept of the
Eugenie Mukeshimana
self. While there were many advances in different areas
of sciences, the priority should be to look at oneself and
the direction of human nature. She said if people cared about other human beings, the genocide would not have
happened. She noted the importance of providing assistance to Sudan. Everyone knew what was happening in
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Sudan, but not enough was being done. Ms. Mukeshimana could picture a pregnant woman in Sudan whose
baby would not wait because of the conflict. It was claimed that genocide occurred because no one knew about
it in Rwanda, but now what would be the excuse in Sudan? Who would speak for the victims?
“I don’t remember meeting someone who was looking for people that survived. I don’t remember meeting
someone who was looking for the answers – the answers to what happened.” Eugenie Mukeshimana
EDWARD JOMBLA, National Network Coordinator, Network on Collaborative Peacebuilding, Sierra Leone claimed
that the success of human security depended on economic, social, and political development and sustainability. This
meant addressing discrimination, poverty, and civic responsibility, and preventing conflicts. Populations in poverty
were particularly vulnerable and were often utilized to commit evil acts for the benefit of those in power. Civil society
must be involved to ensure policies adopted by governments are in the best interests of their people. Human security
was more than just the implementation of state policy; other issues such as unemployment and hunger were of equal
concern and also affected security. The lack of job opportunities and poverty exacerbated the probability of violence. Even with training programmes, the opportunities were limited because of the competitiveness of the job market. Many
people in Sierra Leone were still living in poverty – food security was of particular concern. Mr. Jombla welcomed
the idea of working in partnership with the Peacebuilding Commission, and hoped the views of the local population
would be taken into consideration when decisions are made.
Question and Answer Period
In response to two questions on what could be done about the youth who are often recruited during political disputes,
Mr. Mendez stated that his office could be one way, although not the only one, through which NGOs could bring
information of potential genocide to an international arena.
Ambassador Mahiga expressed that by collectively identifying and raising awareness, NGOs must network with
one another to encourage action and to hold governments accountable. By educating civil society, lobbying the governments, and working through the United Nations, human security could be achieved.
Ms. McAskie answered by emphasizing that, while wars are sometimes inevitable, we needed to outlaw violence. She further stressed the need to understand the actual problem in conflict and post-conflict situations before looking for
an answer. For example, to simply characterize a conflict as ethnic violence might not be entirely accurate, as certain
clashes between ethnic groups are less to do with ethnic tensions and more to do with obtaining power and controlling resources. She also said it was important for northern NGOs help build their southern counterparts in establishing credibility and empowering them in addressing local issues. In addition, she noted the United Nations had to be
reformed in how it finances operations. On one hand, financing for resolutions on peacekeeping operations were
mandatory while post-conflict assistance was voluntary. In other words, why was it obligatory to fund armies but not
to feed the children?
Ms. Mukeshimana noted not only that more money should be spent on education rather than the military, but
recipients of assistance should also be consulted on their actual needs. She continued by saying that bystanders who
knew about a crisis but did nothing to help the victims were worse than the perpetrators themselves.
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Civil Society and Global Partnerships for Development
Friday 8 September, 2006
Morning Round-table Session
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
Zohreh Tabatabai
ZOHREH TABATABAI, Director of Communications and Public Information for
the International Labour Organization (ILO) served as the moderator for the
morning round-table panel session, Civil Society and Global Partnerships for
Development. Ms. Tabatabai highlighted the importance of creating global
partnerships for development to further the MDGs. The panel discussed how
people could improve the world by providing clean water, decent employment, education, and healthcare. She noted creating such a global partnership
for development would absolutely require the commitment and energy of all
stakeholders.
“Partnership [is] about how we can improve the world–make the people of the world have what they don’t
have today.” Zohreh Tabatabai
JAN ELIASSON, President of the Sixtieth Session of the General Assembly and Foreign Minister of Sweden, focused his
presentation on his commitment to the NGO community. During the 1992 crisis in Somalia, the importance of NGOs
had become vividly clear to him. NGOs were not only crucial in delivering necessary humanitarian relief, but were
also very good at recognizing the early warning signals. It was therefore necessary to build stronger links between
the United Nations and civil society. Mr. Eliasson pointed out that while the NGO community was a friend of the
United Nations, it was also a critic helping to reform the organization. The relationship with NGOs had been built
into the work of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. In addition, NGOs made valuable
contributions and brought incredible energy to the General Assembly’s High-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, as well as,
the meeting on the Disabilities Convention.
‘It is now accepted that the NGO participation builds on the We the Peoples [the UN] charter, and it is
in the enlightened self interests of governments that what we do is anchored in public opinion.’
Jan Eliasson
HAYA RASHED AL KHALIFA, President-Elect, sixty-first session of the
General Assembly, United Nations, began her presentation by emphasizing the significant contribution of civil society to the United Nations’
strength. The power of civil society, she claimed, could be witnessed in
times of peace and crisis alike. In times of crisis, NGOs were crucial in
promoting non-violent solutions and key partners in delivering humanitarian services to the most dangerous places. In times of peace, NGOs
spoke for the marginalized groups of society. Women’s rights were a
personal commitment of Ms. Al Khalifa, and NGOs have been pioneers
in promoting the equality of women at all levels. She added that while
Haya Rashed Al Khalifa
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the adoption of international targets was a positive step forward for the United Nations, more work needed to be
done in their implementation, particularly for the MDGs. With so much discontent and despair around the world, she
noted, it was necessary to recognize the diversity and contributions of different sectors. Ms. Al Khalifa had valued civil
society and would therefore work to maintain an open dialogue with the NGO community.
“From the time this important world body was established, civil society has played an indispensable role
and made significant contributions to the UN’s strength and evolution. Only by furthering this partnership
can we achieve what we aspire…” Haya Rashed Al Khalifa
SHAMINA DE GONZAGA, Special Advisor on NGO relations, Office of the
President of the General Assembly, United Nations, addressed the importance
of youth participation within the United Nations system. Further, she noted the
change in consciousness on a global scale. One could now study the subject of
sustainable development or not-for-profits, which showed a desire for people to
become more engaged in those issues. In addition, there were no rules of procedure to govern the work of NGOs in the General Assembly; some meetings
included a large NGO presence, others did not. Governments were sometimes
Shamina de Gonzaga
reluctant to involve NGOs. However, Ms. De Gonzaga believed NGOs could
provide assistance without infringing on their decision-making processes. She
added it was necessary to stop the ‘blame game’, between rich and poor countries. She often heard complaints
but she rarely heard solutions. In order to overcome this hurdle, she concluded, people needed to gear their energy
towards ending circular dialogue. While NGO representatives were humanitarian in their work, they also had to be
humanitarian in their daily lives.
“There’s another point also that has to do with opening the door not only to those groups that may be the
most well-informed, the most well-endowed financially but also to those who do very sincere and important
work on the ground...we are not here just to serve our concept of being associating with the UN. The point
is to see something actually achieved…” Shamina de Gonzaga
JOSEPH DONELLY, International Representative to the United Nations for Caritas Internationalis, began by saying he
was representing NGO voices from around the world, helping to expand the relationship between civil society, the
United Nations and its member states. He emphasized for partnerships to be real and genuine, they must be mutual
and participatory. NGOs must be the very type of partners whom they seek. Having sought the input of NGOs around
the world, he gathered a list of issues of particular concern to NGOs, including: HIV/AIDS, financing for development,
coordinating NGOs, access/proximity to Member States and decision making processes, human security, eradicating poverty, MDGs, arms control and disarmament issues, ethnic /religious conflicts, environmental issues, roles of
women, youth as partners not guests, and building partnerships. Mr. Donnelly concluded that as partners for peace,
development and human security, NGOs should be responsible stewards for the global community. As SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan recommended last year: 'be bold, and don’t apologize.’
“For partnership to be genuine, to be real, to be practical, it must be mutual and participatory. We all
agree that every voice counts. We also know that true partnership must well go beyond words.”
Joseph Donnelly
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59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Question and Answer Period:
Responding to a question on how to reconcile the views of developed and industrialized countries on United Nations
reform, and how NGOs can help, Mr. Eliasson explained that the quality of the organization was contingent upon
unity. While it was important to improve the management and secretariat structure, this could not be an issue for just
one country. It was in the interest of every country to have a well-functioning United Nations. It was absolutely essential
that the various bodies of the United Nations and civil society groups worked together. The United Nations should be
thought of as a catalyst between regional economic organizations, corporations, and the Bretton Woods institutions. The inequities of the world system should be recognized. For instance, it was crucial to deal with the issue of a twostate solution in the Middle East. If the world wanted to reconcile many of the differences and restore some harmony
in the organization, these basic problems needed to be addressed.
Ms. Al Khalifa said, according to the United Nations Charter, the role of the NGOs was limited. However, NGOs
could play a crucial role by changing the mentalities of the people in their countries. NGOs, she said, were most
effective working at the local level, informing and educating people. Much had been done by the General Assembly
to implement the MDGs, but they would only be achieved with civil society partnership.
Responding to a series of questions pertaining to youth, Ms. De Gonzaga explained as a young person, it was
hard to be taken seriously; young people and NGOs had much in common, both were considered a threat and hard
to control. On the issue of youth at the United Nations, there had been a dramatic change over the last ten years. It
was important not only to attend meetings, but to have an issue that one really cared about. Mr. Donnelly cited the
Model UN programme as a means of bringing young people into the work of the United Nations.
Mr. Donnelly, responding to a question on improving NGO participation said perseverance and continued diligence beyond attending meetings was necessary. For two years NGOs have been calling on members of the Security
Council to take action in Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Ms. Tabatabai added partnerships did
already exist; it was an issue of being at the table when decisions were taken. Many governments did not have that
level of comfort in dealing with NGOs.
Upon receiving many questions related to access to the United Nations premises, including the planned renovation
of the Headquarters complex, Ms. Tabatabai requested the participation of a Secretariat member who could address
those issues.
JOHN CLARKSON of the Capital Master Plan informed the audience about upcoming renovations to the
Headquarters complex. He indicated renovations would begin in the summer of 2007. Such work would include
renting swing space for displaced staff members and the setting up of conference provisions on the north lawn. The
majority of the work would begin in 2008, with 25 per cent of the current facilities under renovation, at any one time. NGOs would continue to have access to the same services during the renovation period. Conference facilities would
be greatly improved with 2010 technology. Changes to the building’s existing architecture were not envisioned, however, all renovations would meet New York fire, life-safety building codes, and “Americans with disabilities” codes. Mr. Clarkson emphasized that the reduction of energy consumption was a high priority in the construction of the new
facilities. Details of the Capital Master Plan could be viewed at www.un.org/cmp.
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Commitment to Reducing Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Friday 8 September 2006
Morning Round-table Session
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Dag Hamarskjold Library Auditorium
Susan Kang
MOULAY HICHAM BEN ABDALLAH EL ALAOUI, His Royal Highness
Prince of Morocco and Founder of the Institute for the Transregional
Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa, and Central
Asia at Princeton University, moderated the panel discussion entitled
“Commitment to Reducing Extreme Poverty and Hunger.” In his opening
remarks, Prince Moulay Hicham drew attention to the billions of people
who were living on less than $2 a day and the millions of people who
died from preventable deaths as a result of disparity. For example,
growth had been so unequal that 20 per cent of the world’s population
Prince Moulay Hicham Ben Abdallah El Alaoui
from developed countries’ consumed 80 per cent of the resources. He
noted poverty levels had decreased in the most exemplary cases of
India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, according to the World Bank’s statistics, yet there was a huge discrepancy
in economic growth, leaving large groups of people hungry and still in poverty.
“To advance the cause of reducing extreme poverty and hunger in the next decade, we will have to go
beyond simple prescriptions of growth and globalization and attack the range of factors—most of them are
political, social, and cultural that may grow into an engine for exacerbating inequality.” Moulay Hicham
Ben Abdallah El Alaoui
DUMISANI NYONI, Zimele Institute, Rural Association for Progress (ORAP) declared poverty was caused by the failure
of social and environmental structures. The MDGs were a great framework for discussion on reducing poverty levels
but did not comprehensively address systemic failures. Partnerships were necessary in creating initiatives to translate
the MDGs into anti-poverty results. He emphasized people were not poor because of the geographical location of their
birth but rather the lack of opportunities available, especially to youth. Anti-poverty measures were not only about the
transferal of resources from wealthier to developing countries, but also about changing mindsets in order to empower
people through international, intercultural, and intergenerational factors. ORAP had launched a project connecting
students in rural Zimbabwe to students in New York by exchanging books, experiences, and ideas, while at the same
time challenging stereotypes. Unless the MDGs and the international community focus on the ability of people to maintain a livelihood, eradicating poverty would remain unfinished business.
“Until we put that [livelihood] at the centre of our dialogue and at the centre of our conversation, this business [poverty] would remain unfinished.” Dumisani Nyoni
PEDRO SANCHEZ, Director, Tropical Agriculture and Rural Environment, Senior Research Scholar, Director of the
Millennium Villages Project, Earth Institute, Columbia University, focused his presentation on the Millennium Villages
Project, which brought 300 hundred people together to create a practical plan for eliminating poverty and addressing
the MDGs. The plan sought to address health, sanitation, environmental issues in “hot spots,” mostly in rural villages
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in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In Africa, some 78 villages at 12 sights in sub-Saharan countries—about 5000
people –mostly in farming communities were provided with goods to address their basic needs. In the first village
of Sauri in Kenya, the project planners met with leaders who said they required farm equipment, fertilizer, harvesting tools, and a clinic. The villagers were sceptical of the plan until the supplies arrived. When the first crops were
harvested, the community was transformed–jobs were created and many people began to see net-income for the first
time in their lives. Furthermore, an agreement of “front end investment” was made at the onset of the plan. Ten per
cent of the surplus of crops was to be used for school food programmes. The project also provided the materials to
build the clinic. With steady income and food security, marriage rates had increased, and the African trend of rural
to urban migration began to reverse. By empowering communities with their active participation, people had the
capacity to eliminate poverty. The challenge would be to scale up the project, as there were some 100,000 villages
in sub-Saharan Africa requiring the same attention.
“The idea is this: What happens if a typical rural village in Africa is empowered to achieve all the
Millennium Development Goals? Can that be done? Can that be done by 2015?” Pedro Sanchez
ALVARO UMAÑA, Counsellor of Costa Rica, Office of the Executive Director
for Central America and Belize, Inter-American Development Bank, urged
countries to take a macro-approach to allaying extreme poverty. There
were three ways for countries to access capital and resources: through debt
relief based on performance, through trade, and through direct international cooperation. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund,
the impact of debt relief had been positive and allowed poor countries to
invest more in education and healthcare. However, the impact was still too
small. Expanded credit and softer loans should be implemented into policy. He emphasized at both local and global levels, new partnerships should
Alvaro Umaña
be integrated with transparency and ethical spending, accountability, and
citizen involvement. In addition, he expressed the need for the international community to recognize many of the
world’s poor were in a unique situation because they lived in middle-income countries, which did not qualify for the
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative or other international assistance programmes. This particular population required dedicated sources of assistance. He concluded that countries with ethical expenditures and reduced
military budgets should receive expanded international assistance.
“It’s not only necessary that you have good clean government but we believe that if you are devoting a
large amount of resources to military expenditures, this is not ethical spending.” Alvaro Umaña
SALIL SHETTY, Director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign, provided a stark example of the urgent need to
step-up global efforts to reduce poverty and hunger. When one of his colleagues spoke at various seminars and meetings around the world, he asked people in the audience over 48 years old to raise their hands if they have heard of
the MDGs. Usually, a few hands were raised. However, when he asked the same question to a group in Freetown,
Sierra Leone, no hands were raised. When he asked colleagues if only the youth had heard of the project, he was
shocked by the response; life expectancy in Sierra Leone was approximately 45 years. As a result, there was probably
no one over 48 years old in the audience. In order to achieve the MDGs, the joint efforts and commitments of both
of government and civil society were necessary. Governments spent $900 billion on arms and military expenditures
each year; it would only take an additional $100 billion to reach the goals. Civil society, NGOs, social movements,
faith-based groups, trade unions and youth groups are important agents of change.
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“The world has enough financial resources, and the world has enough technical resources to achieve these
goals. There’s no excuses.” Salil Shetty
Questions and Answer Period
Dr. Umaña responded to the question of what the international
community could do to help eradicate extreme wealth. He said
to invest the money controlled by a fraction of the population at
the service of the majority. He noted the importance of national
governments in doing their part to ensure fair taxation policies. At the same time, he urged the audience to consider the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, which received a $35 billion pledge
from Warren Buffet and recognize that some of the world’s vast
fortunes were being used for philanthropic purposes. Dr. Sanchez
called on governments to lobby or to encourage wealthy citizens
to do more.
Salil Shetty, Alvaro Umaña, Moulay Hicham Ben
Abdallah El Alaoui, Pedro Sanchez and
Dumisani Nyoni
Mr. Shetty said the MDGs were “not charity or aid, but about justice and human rights.” In the same vein,
Mr. Nyoni expressed efforts to curb unsustainable consumption patterns and unethical spending. “We all have to
work together,” he said, stressing that no amount of money could help a society locked in a cycle of unchecked
consumption.
On addressing poverty in middle-income countries, Dr. Umaña called for dedicated political will, at national levels,
to deal with the situation “one village at a time”. Success would require partnerships with civic actors like youth groups
and churches to guide implementation of programmes and monitor social spending. Further, civil society groups
should urge national governments to map out poverty in rural areas where access to basic services was lacking.
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Promoting Respect for Cultural Diversity in
Conflict Resolution
Friday 8 September 2006
Morning Round-table Session
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Conference Room 8
CAROL RITTNER, Interim Director, M.A. Programme and Distinguished Professor, Holocaust and Genocide Studies at
Richard Stockton College, moderated the morning round-table session entitled, “Promoting Respect for Cultural Diversity
in Conflict Resolution”. She emphasized civilian casualties had dramatically increased over the decades. Most conflicts were a result of tensions that had built up over a long period of time. Prejudice, ignorance, and the beliefs of
“others” exacerbated stereotypes of culture, ethnic groups, and religious affiliations. Religions advocated meaning
and a sense of belonging but had also been used as an instrument to kill and to disrupt societies. Dr. Rittner argued
that religious conflicts were not the result of theological differences; rather they were more often due to social and
economic factors.
“Is religion better at promoting diversity and conflict resolution or is religion better at disrespecting the other
who is culturally different?” Carol Rittner, R.S.M
CAROLE FRAMPTON, Director of Institutional Learning, Search for
Common Ground, focused her presentation on the urgent need to consider cultural diversity in addressing the conflict resolution process. She
spoke about the work her organization did in various countries to
open up dialogue between warring parties. It was necessary, she
said, to understand the differences and act on the commonalities. Ms. Frampton noted the example between the United States and Iran ten
years ago after the Iranian hostage crisis. Wrestling was a common
interest shared by both countries. Her organization brought a team
of American wrestlers to Iran for the first cultural exchange between
Carole Frampton, Eboo Patel, Carol Rittner,
the two countries. That act opened the door for other exchanges. She
RSM and Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh
stressed conflict resolution was a process, involving long term projects
which needed to bring together local representatives who fully understood the existing situation. Continuous analysis of
the situation was required before one could attempt to make the shift from destructive violence to constructive dialogue. Providing mediation training to both sides of a conflict, and working to eliminate stereotypes and misinformation would
create a more sustained result. Cultural exchanges were often the best way to begin the process, from sports to media
and the arts, however, an integrated strategy was extremely important.
“Our motto and approach remains the same: understand differences and act on commonalities.”
Carole Frampton
EBOO PATEL, Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core, declared, while tensions during the during the 20th century were
divided along race lines, tensions during the 21st century tensions would be divided between differences in faith. He
indicated four dynamics in the current state of world affairs. First, religion was alive and well, and continued to play
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
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a role in shaping the world. Second, people from diverse backgrounds were frequently in contact and interacting with
one another, providing a platform for intense exchanges. Third, the youth population of the world was increasing. And
fourth, religious totalitarians were smart, effective, and strategic. These four dynamics, taken together, demonstrate a
stronger need than ever to understand and work with the religious identities of young people today. Religious totalitarians recruited young people, not because they were victims and easy targets, but because they were energetic and
powerful. It is necessary to use this energy and power for the greater good, rather than allowing it to incite hatred
and divide us. In order to do this, we need to create a platform for young people to express their religious identities
in positive ways. Mr. Patel's organization took a service learning approach, incorporating youth leadership roles in
an effort to provide that platform.
"The 21st century problem is going to be the faith line….people of different faiths and sometimes the same
faiths are at each other throats. So often it is young people—teenagers and those in their twenties-something who are doing the killing, fighting, and dying." Eboo Patel
URI REGEV, Executive Director of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, quoted two very distinctive messages from
two leaflets pertaining to the Bible during a service he attended at a synagogue. These two leaflets illustrate the extremes
of opinion within a single religion. This phenomenon is not unique to Judaism, but is experienced by many religious
faiths. In other words, he believed the problems between religions were not necessarily along faith lines but rather due
to competing views within a particular religion. He asked the audience to consider the influence of these differing views
on children as they matured, especially negative interpretations. Rabbi Regev stressed the need for like-minded people
of different faiths to cooperate and to create effective partnerships in an effort to bridge the religious divide. He stated
that the World Union for Progressive Judaism and its constituents around the world were often on the vanguard of efforts
to advance the principles of human equality, social justice, gender equality, civil liberties and democracy.
“It isn’t only the faith line that we should be concerned about but it’s the inner faith line or the internal faith
lines that should be far more on our consciousness” Uri Regev
BHAI SAHIB MOHINDER SINGH, Sikh Leader, Chairman, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, Birmingham, UK focused
his speech on the necessity of embracing values of compassion, mercy, forgiveness, truthfulness, selflessness, humility
and, most of all, love. Transforming the mindset of individuals was instrumental in bringing about fundamental change. Much of today’s problems were symptoms of a discontented mind. If human beings had peace within themselves,
then peace with others was possible. Citing many of the conflicts and tragedies existing in the world today, Mr. Singh
expressed the need to move away from retaliatory measures and vengeance. He called on individuals to recognize
their moral responsibility at the local and global level. He added the achievement of the MDGs were fundamental
in addressing the root causes of conflict. Universal values should not only be ideals but should be at the forefront of
conflict resolution in applicative ways.
‘Until, and unless we empower and strengthen ourselves, individually and collectively, it may not be possible to achieve our goals.’ Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh
Question and Answer Period
When asked about the role of young people, Ms. Frampton said it was important to develop leadership skills that used
their energy in a constructive manner. For example, involving child soldiers in the conflict resolution process would help
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build peace and deconstruct the systems engaged in war. She also emphasized the need to reach out to other sectors
such as businesses or any other actors that may have an interest in the conflict.
Responding to questions on youth leadership roles, Dr. Patel said his organization took a social entrepreneurship
approach based on youth leadership. Young people were encouraged to create and to lead the projects. He added
that the best way to include young people is to put them in charge of other young people.
Mr. Regev responded to the question of how Judaism correlated with other religions by stating that although there
were principles which unified a particular religion, ideological and theological differences in each respective faith must
be addressed along with interfaith based cooperation.
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The Role of the Media and Communications Technology
in Achieving the MDGs
Friday, 8 September, 2006
Afternoon Panel Session
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
Rebecca MacKinnon, Sarbuland Khan, Therry Moses Genesis,
Juan Carlos Brandt, Oscar A. Avalle, Nalaka Gunawardene and
Michaela Walsh
JUAN CARLOS BRANDT, Chief, NGO Section, Department
of Public Information, United Nations, moderated the
panel discussion entitled, ‘The Role of the Media and
Communications Technology in Achieving the Millennium
Development Goals’. The topic was extremely important
as it dominated our lives daily. He hoped participants
would leave the room with a concrete understanding
of what civil society could do to harness technology
and communications media to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals.
“How do we harness technology and the power of communications so that we move forward in regards
to the Millennium Developmental Goals? That is the essence of the discussion.” Juan Carlos Brandt
THERRY MOSES GENESIS, Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Government
of Liberia, remarked on the importance of media and communications in creating transparency and accountability. In
Liberia, a new freedom of speech emerged providing ordinary citizens the opportunity to express opinions on issues
such as HIV/AIDS, public health, the environment, human rights, and gender issues. In addition, he noted, information
and communication technology (ICT) facilitates the sustainability of businesses by providing access to fair market prices
for their products and sharing best practices. He noted the Government of Liberia made concerted efforts to develop
the ICT sector domestically and with its neighbours. Mr. Genesis said the media was a valuable resource for his government to disseminate information, but its capacity to reach people in rural areas needed to be strengthened. Also,
it was essential to supply electricity to the entire country. Newspapers were useless if people could not read, and the
Internet was pointless if there was no electricity. He concluded by saying that the media and information technology
must be an integral part of addressing the MDGs or they would always remain elusive.
“Most students in rural Liberia have neither seen nor heard of a computer, let alone grasp the internet. In
order to fully address the Millennium Development Goals and achieve the expected outcomes, all of us
have, we must ensure that the media is empowered and communication and technology are made accessible and affordable.” Therry Moses Genesis
NALAKA GUNAWARDENE, Director and CEO of Television for Education – Asia Pacific (TVEAP), said his organization
used television video and news media to tell powerful stories about development. Using a variety of formats, from
documentary to shorts, his company worked with all sorts of organizations, such as governments, educational institutions and nonprofits. Communication for social change, he claimed, was both an art and a science. During the 1990s,
ICTs developed new platforms to reach more homes, schools and communities. However, media organizations, he
claimed, required creativity in developing platforms for reaching new segments of the population. Mr. Gunawardene
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
34
expressed the importance of the media in generating a global commitment to provide relief during catastrophes. For example, global media coverage during the Asian Tsunami of 2004 inspired donations of over $13 billion dollars. Similar responses have occurred after other natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake
in Pakistan. It was important, Mr. Gunawardene continued, ‘for media to get back into Tsunami mode, and stay in
Tsunami mode until 2015’. Mr. Gunawardene recommended that broadcast media make poverty-related images and
stories a ‘copyrights free zone’, at least and running up to 2015. Although easier said than done, Mr. Gunawardene
pointed out that it had happened in other sectors – such as in the pharmaceutical sector with anti-retroviral medications
to combat HIV in Africa.
“I propose that broadcast media should make poverty a copy-rights free zone…used strategically, such
moving images can move people to change lifestyles, attitudes and behaviours…such material can help
for social change and ultimately combat poverty.” Nalaka Gunawardene
OSCAR A. AVALLE, Special Representative from the World Bank, noted information management was critical to the
United Nations field-level efforts to eradicate poverty. For example, it was vital that an indigenous timber company
had access to the most up-to-date research, prices, and environmental information to not only sell their product at fair
market value, but also to maintain a sustainable living. Mr. Avalle claimed, in concrete terms, small and family-sized
enterprises would experience a value added of approximately $3,400 when they begin to use ICT. ICT did not necessarily mean just having a computer, but could simply be the ability to share information on best business practices and
market prices. Mr. Avalle dispelled the economic assumption that ICT might increase unemployment by substituting
for manual labour. ICT, he alleged, actually increased labour demands and overall employment because of increased
productivity. Mr. Avalle showed that firms introducing ICT had a rapidly increasing demand for a high skilled labour
force. Furthermore, as productivity increased, competition increased, and poverty levels decreased.
Mr. Avalle also pointed out that mobile phone technology had skyrocketed in recent years, particularly in developing
countries, and was a means to addressing poverty among indigenous groups by allowing them access to market information from remote locations. Information, he asserted, created transparency, competition and productivity. However,
it was important that there were consistent rules and frameworks to implement ICT. Mr. Avalle noted the necessity of
a stable environment for investment in telecommunications. He also highlighted the importance of reducing the gap
in access to the Internet.
“…that information would be a commodity that actually can be traded across the board—all kind of information—that will help transparency that will help competitiveness that will help the education of poverty,
that will help governance and that’s basically the big challenge also.” Oscar A. Avalle.’
Sarbuland Khan, Therry Moses Genesis and
Juan Carlos Brandt
SARBULAND KHAN, Executive Director of the Global Alliance
for Information Communication Technologies and Development,
noted that the gap between ICT investments and productive output had closed over the last few years. While many companies
spent billions of dollars on ICT during the 1970s and 1980s,
there was almost no impact on productivity until the 1990s. This boom in productivity was not due to the technology; rather
it was the change in mindsets and organizational behaviour,
which facilitated new forms of networks. Mr. Khan explained
the MDGs would not be achieved unless there was increased
collaboration between various stakeholders, at the national and
international levels. Mr. Khan emphasized the need to bridge
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
35
the gap between discussions at the political level and realities on the ground. Governments, he claimed, needed to go
beyond the enforcement role and provide incentives for the private sector; the private sector should also go beyond
wealth creation and become more socially responsible. ‘Networked development’ involved the mobilization of resources
and people at every level. Only then could all stakeholders engage in real communication.
“It is not technology per se which brings about improvement in productivity. It is the ensuing change of
mindsets and organizational change which has to combine with the technology in order to improve productivity…unless there is real collaboration you cannot create a network, and you cannot create a network
society or a network economy without collaboration between the principle stakeholders.” Sarbuland Khan
REBECCA MACKINNON, Fellow, Berkman Centre for Internet and Society, Harvard Law School, and Co-founder,
Global Voices Online, left her previous job as a news anchor when she realized the issues people faced in the developing world were not being addressed in the media. A new media ecosystem, emerging as weblogs or blogs, allowed
individuals in countries, where the media was government-controlled or simply non-existent, to take matters into their
own hands. The issue, however, was how to amplify those voices. Ms Mackinnon co-founded Global Voices Online,
which brought together a group of bloggers from around the world who selected, translated, and amplified the most
important Internet conversations. This medium allowed people to share issues of concern, including personal stories
with people from other parts of the world. Those stories would then have the potential of making an impact on the
media chain. There were, however, problems with the system, most of which had to do with high levels of censorship
and surveillance. Google, for example, had rolled out a censored version of its search engine in China. Control was
increasingly held with companies, she said, and they tended to be inclined to cooperate more with national governments than with civil society or even with their customers. What did this mean for the individual who needed to be
empowered with reliable information? Civil society, needed to challenge the restrictions to freedom of speech.
“Unless civil society is vigilant we are seeing that companies tend to be inclined when asked to choose
between the interest of their host governments or the interests of their individual users and customers,
without a great deal of public scrutiny, pointed towards these choices, choice tends to be in favour of the
government.” Rebecca MacKinnon
Question and Answer Period
Responding to questions on the relationship between bloggers and the media, Ms. Mackinnon acknowledged the relevance of media in opening up the discourse and linking the conversations bloggers were having online. Addressing
the issue of accountability, Ms. Mackinnon pointed to the importance of media professional’s credibility. They were
held to certain standards.
Mr. Avalle expressed the benefits of the Internet outweighed the cons. Parents should monitor their children’s activities
on the Internet. At the same time, he highlighted the value of the Internet in understanding the world.
Responding to a question on the accuracy of information found on the Internet, Mr. Khan said there was no verifiable
truth. There was a spectrum of ‘true’, ‘partly true’, and ‘not true’. Libraries, educational institutions, and even Wikipedia
had guidelines. Through time and practice, he concluded, one could learn how to discern the difference.
Mr. Genesis encouraged NGOs to visit Africa in order to better understand conditions on the ground and to engage
poor countries in the discourse.
Mr. Gunawardene said the challenge was how to engage the large numbers of people who were not yet part of
the global conversation. It was also important not to be mesmerized by the different information gadgets; they were
just tools.
36
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Unfinished Business: Effective Partnerships for
Human Security and Sustainable Development
Friday, 8 September 2006
Closing Session
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Conference Room 4
RAYMOND SOMMEREYNS, Director, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information, thanked the participants for
attending the Conference. He said the past three days of lively discussions had provided real life examples of work in
the field by the United Nations, NGOs, Governments, civil society organizations and the private sector.
A lot of cross-dialogue and concrete real-life examples have hopefully allowed new perspectives to emerge. Mr. Sommereyns asked the moderators of each round-table session- to provide a summary of their discussions, since many
of the panel discussions were held simultaneously.
The moderators highlighted the key points that had emerged from their respective sessions. Ms. Kitty Pilgrim and
Ms. Sarah Sewall were unable to attend. Ambassador Augustine Philip Mahiga presented the summary on behalf of
Ms. Sewall.
Mr. Sommereyns then called on the NGO Community to welcome the Secretary-General, who addressed the
Conference for the final time during his 10–year tenure. The Secretary-General was greeted with a standing ovation.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
KOFI ANNAN, Secretary-General of the
United Nations, attributed much of what he
had achieved as Secretary-General over the
past ten years to the support and involvement of civil society. During the past decade,
United Nations – civil society interactions
had both widened and deepened, and
NGOs continued to be essential allies–not
only in mobilizing public opinion at the
Intergovernmental level, but also in policy
formulation and programme implementation
at the country and community levels. Those
ties, Mr. Annan asserted, reflected a remarkable expansion of civil society’s role in the
Joan Kirby, Kofi Annan, Raymond Sommereyns, Alicia Bárcena and
stewardship of a changing world. In recent
Michaela Walsh
years, civil society had gone beyond the
rhetoric. From debt relief to disease, to good governance and human rights, the global NGO revolution had helped
move the global agenda and given new meaning to the idea of an international community. As a result, while representative democracy remained the uniquely legitimate method of collective decision making, participatory democracy
had become increasingly important. Where monitoring and enforcement were once largely the role of governments,
today civil society often lead the way in ensuring compliance with international agreements. Where checks and
balances in democratic societies were once largely the domain of national parliaments, today a vibrant civil society
provided a vital check on state excesses. Our diversity and participation with civil society, Mr. Annan claimed, had
therefore contributed to the legitimacy of our common democratic ideals. Furthermore, civil society had the capacity
to push the envelope to say and do things that the United Nations could not. However, while Mr. Annan believed
that the future role of civil society had virtually no limits, he strongly emphasized that role entailed solemn obligations
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
37
to their constituents. NGOs had to use their influence wisely and responsibly. He concluded NGOs had to work to
strengthen alliances – with the United Nations, the private sector, the public sector, and amongst themselves in order
to minimize duplication and maximize impact.
“I see a United Nations that celebrates the non-governmental revolution – the power of the global citizen
– as the best thing that has happened to our Organization in a long, long time. “ Kofi A. Annan
Kofi Annan, Raymond Sommereyns and
Nane Annan
JOAN KIRBY, Chair, NGO/DPI Executive Committee, spoke on
behalf of the NGO community associated with the United Nations
and paid tribute to the Secretary-General and Mrs. Annan in recognition of their steadfast support for the role of non-governmental
organizations. A parchment paper scroll was presented to the
Secretary-General and a bouquet of flowers was given to Mrs. Annan. The scroll read, “In recognition of your strong voices, and
steadfast support for the role of Non-governmental Organizations
as partners with the United Nations in promoting human security,
development and peace – cornerstones of the global work of the
United Nations. May your shared wisdom and vision always be a
source for our inspiration and enlightenment.”
MICHAELA WALSH, Chair, 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference,
thanked the nearly 1600 delegates from 500 NGOs for participating in the Conference. It had been a meeting, she said, to remind
ourselves “to be the change we seek.” She expressed how honoured
she was to be Chair of the Conference. Efforts to increase the number
of round-table sessions and to ensure youth participation resulted in
many new voices, project ideas and interactive dialogues between
speakers and participants. She gave her personal highlights over the
past three days, saying the most important impact was the energy
among the participants – their positive, hopeful voices about the
potential for the future.
Raymond Sommereyns, on behalf of the United Nations, declared
the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference concluded. 59th Annual DPI/
NGO Conference concluded.
SG receives standing ovation at closing session.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
38
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference Planning Committee
Committee Co-Chairs:
Juan-Carlos Brandt
Michaela Walsh
NGO Section, Department of Public Information
Manhattanville College
Assistant: Hunter Bergschneider
Resource Centre
Support Co-Chairs:
Gloria Landy
Paolo Tagatac
Manhattanville College
Members: Sue Press
George Weinstein
Judy Horowitz
Janet Stovin
World Council of Consevative/Masorti Synagogue
Midday Workshops Co-Chairs:
Elizabeth Shuman
SOS Kinderdorf International
Leslie Wright
Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund
Members:
Joseph Annonziata
Joan Davis
Reynaldo Jimenez
Eileen Labiner
Martin Levinson
Mary Norton
Sunny Wirth
Maria Angvera de Sojo
Deanna Chitayat
Catherine Foster
Richard Jordan
Katherine Levinson
Jim Nelson
Margaret Spallone
Allison Boehm
Nyree Derderian
Margaretha Jones
Judy Lerner
Masako London
Larry Roeder
Joan Woods
Events and Fundraising Co-Chairs:
Sherrill Kazan
World Council of Peoples for the United Nations
Jonina Sutton
Women’s International Zionist Organization
Janet Stovin
Members:
Masako London
Eileen Labiner
Natsuko Kurita
Judy Lerner
Bircan Unver-culkin
Joan Kirby
Anie Kalayjian
Women of Reform Judaism
Nita Himaduna
Joanne Robinson
Arasu Jambukes Waran
Media Co-Chairs:
Jeffrey Huffines
Baha’i of the United States
Joan Levy
End Child Prostitution and Sexual Trafficking
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Members: 39
Adrienne Alexanian
Noema Chaplin
Katherine Levinson Bircan Unverculkin
Lois Beilin
Suzanne Engo
Martin Levinson
Multigenerational Co-Chairs:
Helen Hamlin
International Federation on Aging
Gala Narezo
Art Center College of Design
Members:
Mary Toumayan
Gil Ortiz
Bircan Unverculkin
Stephanie Sigg Nita Himaduna Mary Covington
Irene Kagoya Sheila Picketts
Internet Co-Chairs:
Vanessa D’Amato
Caritas Inernationalis
Sarah McCue
Manhattanville College
Members: Matt Bettancourt
Daniel Lee
Elizabeth Carll
Judy Kuriansky
Estelle Perry
James Collins
Virginia Hazzard
Arielle Messuti
Mary Covington
Dan Utti
Networking Co-Chairs:
Lynn Karpo Lantz
Hadassah, The Womens Zionist Organization of America
Fannie Munlin
National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Members: Bill Gellerman
Mary Toumayan Anne Zanes
Linda Misek-Falkoff
Gloria Fischel
Moses Williams
Eva Richter
Judy Lear
Nadia Shmigel
Sunny Wirth
Choon Whe Cho
Trouble-Shooting Co-Chairs:
Joseph Donnelly
Caritas Internationalis
Margaretha Jones
International Humanist & Ethical Union
Midday Workshop Interns:
Robin Muccari
Scarlette Elizee
Natsuko Kurita
Astrid Paniagua
Sonia Gutkin
Zara Basmadjian
Arielle Messuti
Sakura Yagi
Roberto Luis Ellis
Matthew Davis
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
40
59th Annual DPI/NGO
Conference Planning Committee Members
Alexanian, Adrienne
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Beilin, Lois
Soroptimist International
Boehm, Allison
Peace Boat
Chaplin, Noema
The Aquarian Age Community
Chitayat, Deanna
American Psychology Association
Cho, Choou Whe
Church Women United
Collins, James
International Association of Gerontology
Covington, Mary International Federation for Home Economics
Davis, Joan
Gray Panthers
Engo, Suzanne
African Action on Aids
Fischel, Gloria
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
Gellermann, Bill
Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations
Hazzard, Virginia
AARP
Jambukes Waran, Arasu
Caritas Internationalis
Jordan, Richard
International Council for Caring Communities
Kalayjian, Anie
World Federation for Mental Health
Kirby, Joan
The Temple of Understanding
Kuriansky, Judy
International Assoc. of Applied Psychology
Kurita, Natsuko
Caritas International Felician College
Labiner-Gallagher, Eileen
International Federation for Home Economics
Lerner, Judy
Peace Action
London, Masako
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
Misek-Falkoff, Linda
Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations
Norton, Mary
International Council of Nurses
Perry, Estelle
Center for UN Reform Education
Picketts, Sheila
Manhattanville College
Robinson, Joanne
Peace Action
Shmigel, Nadia
World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organization
Sigg, Stephanie
Art Center College of Design
Unverculkin, Bircan
Light Millennium, Inc.
Williams, Moses
Olof Palme Peace foundation
Zanes, Anne
Peace Links
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
41
United Nations Department of Public Information
Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information
Outreach Division
Raymond Sommereyns, Director
Civil Society Service
Ramu Damodaran, Chief
Non-Governmental Organizations Section
Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief
Mona Gillet
Luis Delgaldillo
Sasa Gorisek
Robin Della Rocca
Isolda Oca
Nancy Ye
Samar Dimes
Interns and Volunteers of the NGO Section
Jenny Atanasoska
Cleopatra Mukangara
Kim De Decker
Johanna Öberg
Clemens Douglas
Vida Qumio
Emilian Djindjic
Nicholas Rees
Anya Farqah
Sofie Scheerlink
Erica Fishbein
Sarah Schernbeck
Nita Himaduna
Victor Ukorebi
Susan Kang
Sandra Vystavel
Roberto Mallen
Interactive Website
Matt Bettancourt
Daniel Lee
Dan Utti
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
Planning Committee Members, interns and volunteers
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
42
Midday NGO Workshop Rapporteurs
Arielle Messuti
Astrid Paniagua
Robin Muccari
Reid Robinson/Jim Nelson
Sonia Gutkin
Scarlette Elizee
Zarui Basmadjian
Mary Norton
Allison Boehm
Roberto Ellis
Sakura Yagi
Sumon Vangchuay-Berse
Richard Jordan
Damilola Ogunmola
Matthew Davis
Derek Bowen
Panelists at Midday Workshop, United Nations Effective Partnerships with Civil Society
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
43
Voluntary Contributions
The NGO/DPI Executive Committee gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following
contributors. Their kind donations enabled many Conference speakers to attend and participate in the
Conference and ensure that many more voices from around the world were heard. Adelphi University
Art Center of Design
Black Sea Imports
William Bohnett
Cardesa Family
Nester, Ofelia & Cecilia
Congregation of Saint Joseph,
UN-NGO Ministry
Vanessa D’Amato
DePaul University
Peggy Dulany
Glickenhaus Foundation
International Donsco Medical Service Corp.
Japanese Sweets - Matsue Wagashi
Judith Lerner
Life Frames, Inc. & A Living Library
Prestige Premium (Conference Tote Bag)
RZB Finance LLC
Sake Donation –
Akita - Tenju Brewery, Naba Brewery,
Hinomaru Brewery
Ishikawa – Fukumisuya Brewery, Kobori Brewery
Niigata – Kinkeihai Brewery, Matsunoi Brewery
Masashino Brewery, Midorikawa Brewery,
Kiminoi Brewery
Sip Sak Turkish Restaurant
Sociologists for Women in Society
Janet Stovin
Jonina Sutton
Michaela Walsh
The John Whitehead Foundation
World Council of Peoples for
the United Nations
Floral Arrangement
Donated by John Schultz and Louis Nigro
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
44
Additional Voluntary Contributions
Academia Mexicana de Derecho
Internacional
Aquarium Age Community
Armenian International Women’s
Association
Association for Women in
Psychology
Association of Network for
Community Empowerment
Aviation Sans Frontiers
Baha’I International Community
Baptist World Alliance
Sylvan Barnet
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual
Org.
Gita & Anthony Brooke
Building and Social Housing
Foundation
Caritas Internationalis
Chernobyl Children’s Project Int.
Nancy & Frank Colton
Enid Croes-Marugg
Vanessa D’Amato
Shamina de Gonzaga
Carolyn J. Donovan
Aaron Etra
The Family School
Franciscans International
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
Fundacion Eudes
Georgian Association of Women in
Business
Global Kids Inc. 2
The Group of 78
Owen Gwyn
Hadassah the Women’s Zionist
Zionist Organization of America,
Inc.
Helen R. Hamlin
Edgar M. Housepian
International Association of Applied
Psychology
International Bar Association
International Shinto Foundation Inc.
Istituto Per Le Opere Di Religione
David A. Izquierdo
Loretta P. James
Brad Jenkins
Margarita E. Jones
Anie Kalyjian
Sherrill Kazan
Richard Knight
Gloria Landy
Mildred Robbins Leet
Joan Levy
Margaret B. Lowe
Cristopher Maehl
Manchester College
Robert Marugg
MaryKnoll Fathers and Brothers
Medical Mission Sisters
Hope S. Miller
Mary Miller
Jane E. Milliken
Catherine E. Moore
Nancy T. Okada
Organization of Islamic Capitals
and Cities
Orthodox Hospitaller Knights St.
John America, Inc.
Osmane Aidi Foundation for
Education
Communication and Development
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Joy Renjilian-Rurgy
Anne M. Riccitelli
Joanne M. Robinson
Larry Winter Roeder Jr.
Rotary InternationalUN Day
R.U.B. Restaurant
School Sisters of Notre Dame
Sisters of Mount Carmel
Sisters of Notre Dame, NGO
Finance Office
Soroptimist International
Society of the Sacred Heart
Society of Catholic Medical
Missionaries
Generalate Inc.
Southern Africa Committee
Iris Spellings
Bernadette Sullivan
John Sullivan
Jonina Sutton
The Tamarind Foundation
Jill A. Tardiff
Temple of Understanding
United Religions Initiative
University - Malta
Ursuline Sisters
Verna Rapp Uthman
Patricia Hill Williams
Isabell e E. Wirth
Mery K. Wieczorek
Women’s Federation for World
Peace
Women for International Peace and
Arbitration
Women’s Health and Education
Center
Women’s International Zionist
Organization
Won Buddhism International
World Council of Peoples for the
United Nations
World Federation of Ukranian
Women’s Org.
World Society for the Protection of
Animals
World Young Women’s Christian
Assoc.
Yad Sarah
YWCA USA
Bonnie Mills Zamora
Juan Zamora-Mendez
Zonta International
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
45
Annex I
Media Report
A background press release was issued on 12 July, highlighting the topics to be discussed and the Conference website. In addition, a media advisory was issued on 30 August, to provide information on media arrangements and the
press briefing (see below). Both the background press release and the media advisory were prepared by the NGO
Section and issued in English and French by the Meetings Coverage Section, News and Media Division, DPI. United
Nations Radio interviewed speakers for their respective language services. The United Nations Chronicle highlighted
the Conference. The Media Subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee, in cooperation with the United Nations
Correspondents Association (UNCA), organized a press conference on Tuesday 5 September in the UNCA Club
room. Masood Haider, President of the United Nations Correspondents Association opened the briefing and Juan
Carlos Brandt, Chief of the NGO Section, served as moderator. Statements were made by Michaela Walsh, Chair,
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference and Regan Hofmann, Editor-in-Chief, POZ Magazine. Approximately 20 journalists, members of the NGO community and DPI staff attended the event, followed by a small reception.
In addition, the Media Subcommittee contributed each week to Centerpoint Now, a weekly newsletter that writes
about issues associated with the United Nations policies and programmes, providing on-going information about
the Conference. They began in July and continued through September, thereby keeping the 59th Annual DPI/NGO
Conference on the minds of people around the world. To emphasize the role of youth at the Conference, a Student Journalism Programme was initiated. Student journalists
and editors from various colleges and universities around the world were invited to submit their qualifications. Thanks
to the Media Accreditation Unit, DPI, 30 student journalists were accredited to cover the Conference. They were given
an orientation tour, and they covered various plenary and round-table sessions. Some had already submitted their
articles, and others were in the process. Four student journalists were working on a video presentation for Global Youth
Connect, youth based human rights organization.
Icastnews.com, a web streaming news service provided continuous coverage of the Conference and conducted several
interviews with Conference speakers. Interactive Media Report
An interactive Conference website, http://www.undpingoconference.org featured media resources, including press
releases, useful links, as well as live and archived webcasts of the plenary and round-table sessions. This was made
possible by United Nations Television and the Webcast Section of DPI. The Internet Subcommittee of the Conference
Planning Committee worked with the website designer and the DPI/NGO Section to make the website informative and
user-friendly. Online participants were able to pose questions to plenary speakers to enable real time virtual participation. The website received approximately 22,000 visitors during the months of August and September. Numerous
civil society websites around the world linked to the Conference website, which featured an online version of the
Conference programme and many of the speeches and presentations made by the speakers. Added features this
year, included a link to register online, a multigenerational survey and a call for best practices from the Networking
Subcommittee. The Internet Subcommittee was also able to obtain a non-financial AdWord grant from Google, Inc. that
gave 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ranking to the Conference on Google.com, thus elevating the awareness of the
Conference globally. 46
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Coverage of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Official United Nations Press Releases and Media Advisories
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 8 September 2006. Press Release. ‘I See A Civil Society Role With
No Limits’, Secretary-General Tells Annual DPI-NGO Conference.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 8 September 2006. Press Release/French. Pour L’Avenir, Je Vois
Pour La Société Civile Un Rôle Quasiment Illimité, Déclare Le Secrétaire Général, À La Clôture De La Conférence
DPI/ONG.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 8 September 2006. Press Release. Secretary-General Hails Strong,
Developing Partnership Between UN/NGOs, as Three-Day Conference Closes at Headquarters.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 8 September 2006. Press Release/French. Kofi Annan Salue La
« Révolution Non Gouvernementale » Et Invite La Société Civile À Renforcer Son Partenariat Avec L’ONU, La
Conférence DPI/ONG clôt les travaux de sa cinquante-neuvième session.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 7 September 2006. Press Release. Ecological Sustainability,
Responsibility to Protect Among Issues, As DPI/NGO Conference Holds Series of Round-table Discussions.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 7 September 2006. Press Release/French. Conférence DPI/ONG:
Viabilité Financière Et Écologique, Technologie Pour L’Éducation, VIH/SIDA Et Consolidation De La Paix Ont Été
Au Cœur Des Discussions.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 6 September 2006. Press Release. Effective Partnerships for Human
Security, Sustainable Development Theme, as Annual DPI/NGO Conference Opens at Headquarters.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 6 September 2006. Press Release/French. La Cinquante-Neuvième
Conférence DPI/ONG S’Ouvre En Soulignant L’Importance Des Partenariats Pour Parvenir Au Développement
Durable Et À La Sécurité Humaine, Une table ronde s’interroge aussi sur les moyens de faire progresser le développement.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 10 August 2006. Press Release. Media Arrangements for DPI/NGO
Conference on Unfinished Business: Effective Partnerships for Human Security, Sustainable Development, 6 - 8
September.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 10 August 2006. Press Release/French. « Des Partenariats Pour La
Sécurité Humaine Et Le Développement Durable », Thème De La 59th Conférence DPI/ONG Organisée Au Siège
De L’ONU À New York,
Du 6 Au 8 September 2006.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 12 July 2006. Press Release. Civil Society to Discuss Effective Partnerships
for Human Security, Sustainable Development at 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, 6 – 8 September.
DPI. News and Media Division. New York. 12 July 2006. Press Release/ French. Les ONG Se Donnent Rendezvous En Septembre Pour Discuter Des Partenariats À Sceller Pour La Sécurité Humaine Et Le Développement
Durable.
UNISs and UNICs
UNIS Vienna. 12 September 2006. Reissued Press release. "I See a Civil Society Role with No Limits", SecretaryGeneral Tells Annual DPI-NGO Conference.
UNIS Vienna. 8 September 2006. Reissued Press release. Ecological Sustainability, Responsibility to Protect
Among Issues, As DPI/NGO Conference Holds Series of Round-table Discussions.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
47
UNIS Vienna. 7 September 2006. Reissued Press release. Effective Partnerships for Human Security, Sustainable
Development Theme, as Annual DPI/NGO Conference Opens at Headquarters
UN DPI Office in Yerevan. 7 September 2006. Reissued Press release. DPI/NGO Conference Opens at
Headquarters. UNIS Vienna. 17 July 2006. Reissued Press release. Civil Society to Discuss Effective Partnerships for Human
Security, Sustainable Development at 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, 6 – 8 September.
Press Conference
Press Conference hosted by the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) with Masood Haider,
President of the United Nations Correspondents Association;
Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief of the NGO Section; Michaela Walsh, Chair of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
and Regan Hofmann, Editor-in-Chief of POZ Magazine. 5 September 2006.
UN Media Outlets
UN Chronicle
UN Chronicle – Online Edition. 2006 web articles. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference Unfinished Business:
Effective Partnerships for Human Security and Sustainable Development. UN News Service
UN News Service. 8 September 2006. News story. Annan civil society organizations, crediting their support for
his achievements.
UN News Service. 6 September 2006. News story. More than 2,500 non-governmental organizations gather at
Headquarters for annual session. UN Radio
UN Radio. Chinese Programme. 6 September 2006. DPI/NGO Conference, Unfinished Business: Effective
Partnerships for Human Security and Sustainable Development; Opening Session.
UN Radio. French Programme. 12 September 2006. DPI/NGO Conference on Voix de femmes. Interview with
Madeleine Memb, NGO representative, International Association of in Radio and Television. UN Radio. Portuguese Programme. 7 September 2006. DPI/NGO Conference. Interview with Pedro de Paiva
and Danillo Parmegiani, Representatives of LBV-Legion of Goodwill (LGW) an NGO associated with the Economic,
Cultural and Social Council (ECOSOC)
UN Radio. Portuguese Programme. 7 September 2006. DPI/NGO Conference. Interview with Madeleine Memb,
Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Brazil. UN Online
www.iseek.org. 8 September 2006. Standing Ovation for SG Annan at the closing Session of the 59th Annual
DPI;/NGO Conference.
iseek.org. 8 September 2006. Remarks at 59th Annual DPI-NGO Conference, New York.
48
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Mainstream Media Outlets
News Agencies
PR Newswire Europe. 8 September 2006. Hope for Interfaith Initiative Linking Governments, UN Agencies and
NGOs
US Fed News. 8 September 2006. Meeting in progress: 59th Annual NGO/DPI Conference
US Fed News Service, Including US State News. 8 September 2006. Meeting in progress: 59th annual NGO/DPI
conference.
Canada Newswire. 8 September 2006. Une Nouvelle initiative interreligieuse regroupant les gouvernements, les
agences de l’ONU et les ONG fait naitre l’espoir.
PR Newswire (US). 8 September 2006. Hope for Interfaith Initiative Linking Governments, UN Agencies and NGOs.
AAP MediaNet Press Releases. 8 September 2006. Media Release: Soka Gakkai International.
Federal News Service. 8 September 2006. Text of daily press briefing by the office of the spokesman for the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, New York.
US Fed News. 7 September 2006. Ecological Sustainability, responsibility to protect among issues, as DPI/NGO conference holds a series of round-table discussions.
US Fed News Service, Including US State News. 7 September, 2006. Ecological sustainability, responsibility to protect
among issues, as DPI/NGO conference holds series of round-table discussions.
US Fed News Service, Including US State News. 6 September, 2006. Effective partnerships for human security, sustainable development theme, as annual DPI/NGO conference opens at headquarters.
M2 Presswire. Coventry: Aug 31, 2006. UN: Media arrangements for DPI/NGO Conference on Unfinished Business:
Effective Partnerships for Human Security, Sustainable Development, 6-8 September
US Fed News. 30 August 2006. Media arrangements for DPI/NGO Conference on Unfinished Business: Effective
Partnerships for Human Security, Sustainable Development, September 6-8.
M2 Presswire. 30 August 2006. Media arrangements for DPI/NGO Conference on Unfinished Business: Effective
Partnerships for Human Security, Sustainable Development, September 6-8.
M2 Presswire. 13 July 2006. , UN: Civil Society to discuss effective partnerships for human security,sustainable development at 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, 6 - 8 September.
M2 Presswire. 24 April 2006. UN: Three-year evaluation of UN information activities among issues as Information
Committee meets at Headquarters, 24 April-5 May.
Interviews
Icastnews.com. 7 September 2006. Interview with Michaela Walsh, Chair, 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference.
Icastnews.com. 7 September 2006. Interview with Jane Pratt, President, United in Diversity Forum, US. Icastnews.com 7 September 2006. Interview with Rina Lopez Bautista, President, Knowledge Channel Foundation. Icastnews.com. 6 September 2006. Interview with Hans Blix, Chairman, Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission
and Director Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
49
Queens Public Access TV. 7 August 2006. Interview with Joan Levy, NGO Representative, End Child Prostitution
and Sexual Trafficking of Children – Co-Chair Media Committee (also aired for the for the Light Millennium TV
Series)
Queens Public Access TV. 7 August 2006. Interview with Fannie Munlin, National Council of Negro Women, CoChair Networking Committee,. (also aired for the for the Light Millennium TV Series)
Light Millennium TV Series. July 2006. Interview with Michaela Walsh. Time Warner Cable. Channel 34 NYC. 5 July 2006. Interview with Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief, NGO Section,
Department of Public Information.
NGO Media Outlets
Print
Miscellany News. 14 September 2006. UN Hosts 59th NGO Conference. Vassar College, United States. The Touchstone. Students Attend 59th UN NGO Conference. Vol 61, Issue 1. ManhattanVille College, New York,
NY.
Quo Vadis. 20 September 2006. UN Invites Students to Conference in NY. Volume 43, Issue 2. Middlesex County
College. Johns Hopkins University, News and Information. New UN Guidleines put Civil Society on the World’s Economic
Map. 6 September, 2006. United States
Vivat International. Preparations for the coming 59th Annual DPI/NGO conference September 6-8, 2006.
Newsletter no. 34. September – October 2006. New York, NY
Ser Info. UNO Engagement Entviskelt Sich Erfolgreich. 4. Jahr, No 1, 2006. Germany, Netherlands,
Switzerland
Ser Info. S.E.R Foundation Erhalt im Fruhjare 2006 den DPI Status Der UNO. 4. Jahr, No 1, 2006. Germany,
Netherlands, Switzerland
OIER. OIER to be represented at conference on ‘Unfinished Business’ at the United Nations. August 2006,
Austria.
Glocalist. Milleniumziele. 20 July 2006. Germany. Online
Antioch News, Antioch College. 14 October 2006. Antioch Professor Speaks at United Nations Conference.
Art Center College of Design. August 2006. Art Center Again at the Heart of Annual United Nations DPI/NGO
Conference.
Communique, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs. 9 October 2006 Issue. UN Holds NGO
Conference.
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD). 25 September 2006. CALD Program Officer Attends the UN
DPI/NGO Conference in New York.
United Sikhs. 21 September 2006. United Sikhs Participates at the 59th DPI/NGO Conference at the UN church
of religions.
50
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD). 21 September 2006. UNA-DR Participates at the
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference.
School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND). 12 September 2006. SSND Work towards U.N. Millennium Development
Goals.
Kenly News (kenlynews.com). 10 September 2006. Kenly Physician attends International UN conference.
Television East Asia Pacific (TVEAP). 10 September 2006. UN celebrates the rising power of citizen action worldwide.
Television East Asia Pacific (TVEAP). 9 September 2006. Make Poverty A Copyright Free Zone, TVEAP Director
Appeals to broadcasters and Film-makers.
PR Newswire. 8 September 2006. Soka Gakkai International. Hope for Interfaith Initiative Linking Governments,
UN Agencies and NGOs.
Oneworld.net. 6 September 2006. NGOs gather at New York for annual session.
Quota International News. 6 September 2006. Quota International President Attends UN Convention.
International Public Relations Association (IPRA). 5 September 2006. IPRA Sponsors Workshop at Annual UN
Conference on Forging effective Partnerships for Human Security and Sustainable Development.
Shukan New York Seitkatsu. 19 August 2006. Japanese Food Cultural Group Makes Partial Contribution to the
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference.
WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals). 7 August 2006. United Nations ‘first’ for animal welfare.
Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). Press Release, District # 3 Bulletin. September 2006. Global Campaign for Peace Education. August/September 2006. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference to Begin,
September 6-8, UN Headquarters, New York. Worldwide Activities Brief, Issue #36. IWHC (International Women’s Health Coalition). Invest, Protect and Lead: Filling the Glass on Women’s Health
and Rights and Achieving the MDGs. September 2006
Womens Federation for World Peace International. Unfinished Business: Effective Partnerships for Human Security
and Sustainable Development 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference. Fall 2006
Global Article 9 campaign. Sponsored by Peaceboat International. 59th UN DPI/NGO Conference to save from
the scourge of war. September 2006
Foundation for Subjective Experience and Research (S.E.R) Stiftungen D, NL, CH bei der Konferenz “Unfinished
Business/Unvollendete Geshafte” in den Vereinten Nationen vertreten. [translation: which are represented at the
UN Conference on Unfinished Business in the United Nations]. September 2006
World Hunger Year. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference 2006. September 2006
Lawyers without Borders. 59th Annual DPI/BGI Conference, LWOB Hosts Workshop at 59th UN-DPI-NGO
Conference. September 2006
Energie Sos Futur. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference United Nations, New York. 6-8 September 2006
Life Frames, Inc. & A Living Library at alivinglibrary.org. [Sustainable Tompkins] 59th Annual United Nations DPI/
NGO Conference. September 2006
Centerpoint Now. Monthly Report, Premiere Issue. September 2006
Centerpoint Now. Weekly UN News Update. Week 37, 2006. Unfinished Business Ended Friday.
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
51
Centerpoint Now. Weekly UN News Update. Week 35, 2006. NGOs. (6th September 2006 marks the opening
of the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference).
Centerpoint Now. Weekly UN News Update. Week 35, 2006. Unfinished Business Update.
Centerpoint Now. Weekly UN News Update. Week 33, 2006. NGOs
Centerpoint Now. Weekly UN News Update. Week 30, 2006. Unfinished Business – six weeks to go!
Centerpoint Now. Weekly UN News Update. Week 29, 2006. The Planning Committee for the 59th Annual DPI/
NGO Conference is well underway with preparations for the three-day metting, which will take place from 6-8
September.
Centerpoint Now. Week UN News Update. Week 22, 2006
CITOC (Centrum Informationis Totius Ordinis Carmelitarium)April-June 2006. The World’s Unfinished Business: 59th
Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference to Focus on Human Security and Sustainable Development. Issue no. 2
Foundation for Subjective Experience and Research, Germany, Netherlands, & Switzerland. 12 July 2006. Replying to: Call for Comments: International Migration and Development. United Nations General Assembly
Informal interactive Hearings with NGOs, Civil Society and the Private Sector.
Student Journalists and their Affiliations
The following is a list of the Student Journalists and their affiliations that participated in the newly established
programme. Jessica Aguire, Smith College, The Sophian
Kate Barnett, Vassar College, Miscellany News
Meg Chappelle, Manhattanville College, Touchstone News
Anthony Deckoff, Columbia University, SIPA Columbia Communique
Joe Fulginiti, Manhattanville College, Touchstone News
Micah Gell-Redman, Cornell University, The Current
Anthony Gonzales, Middlesex County College, Quo Vadis
Julia Harte, Wellesley College, Wellesley News
Tomo Imamichi, CUNY, The Advocate
Caren Kang, Cornell University, The Current-Public
Nkechi Nneji, Smith College, The Sophian
Allegra Panetto, Barnard College, Barnard Bulletin
Johanna Peace, Wellesley College, Wellesley News
Alexander Roarty, Lehigh University, Brown and White
Tanzilya Salimdjanova, Columbia University School of Social Work, Uzbekistan Media
Laura Stoloff, Colgate University, Maroon News
Jessica Wasmund, SUNY-Fredonia, The Leader
Announcements of the Conference appeared on the following websites:
Light Millennium, www.lightmillennium.org
Art Centre College of Design, www2.artcenter.edu. World Family Organization, www.worldfamily.org. A Living Library, www.alivinglibrary.org. American Society of International Law, www.asil.org. The United States Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women, www.unifemusa.org. UNRIC - Western Europe, www.unric.org. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
52
Annex II
Conference Participants Survey Report
Executive Summary
At this year’s Conference, a total of 266 participants completed the survey questionnaire representing a response rate
of 18 per cent, which is similar to the response rate of previous years. Participants largely welcomed the Conference’s
theme: Unfinished Business: Effective partnerships for human security and sustainable development. The majority of
participants were pleased with the learning and interactive opportunities provided by the Conference and praised the
presence as well as the involvement of youth. On average, 87 per cent of respondents agreed that the workshops
were “useful”; many also praised the plenary sessions and round tables (72 per cent stated that they were “useful”)
and were impressed by the pool of speakers at the Conference. While the round tables and plenary sessions were
well received, participants preferred the smaller, more informal structure of the workshops. Therefore, they gave the
workshops an average rating that was 15 per cent higher than that of the sessions and round tables. In line with the
Conference theme, 81 per cent praised the meeting in terms of enabling civil society/partnerships, a 13 per cent
increase over last year’s event. Furthermore, 70% of participants, 10 per cent more than last year, saw the possibility
of developing cooperation opportunities with the UN as a particular strength of the Conference. Introduction
1
T he UN Department of Public Information conducted a survey among an estimated 1,500 NGO representatives attending the 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference. 2
A total of 266 participants completed the questionnaire, representing a response rate of approximately
18 per cent in line with response rates of previous years, although slightly lower than the 2005 response
rate of 20 per cent. The majority of participants originated from the United States and accounted for 63 per
cent of the respondents, followed by 7 per cent from the United Kingdom, 5 per cent from Canada and 4
per cent from Italy. 2006 Survey Findings
3.
Overall, the majority of the NGOs agreed that all sessions and round tables were useful and related to the
work that they are involved in. The three most positive ratings were given to: Round table 5: Commitment to
reducing extreme poverty which was deemed “useful” by 94 per cent of survey respondents, followed by the
Closing session (91 per cent) and Round table 6: Promoting respect for cultural diversity that received a 90 per
cent approval as having been “useful” for NGOs.
Usefulness of plenary sessions and round tables
Plenary sessions & round tables
Useful*
Round table 5: Commitment to reducing extreme poverty
Closing session
Round table 6: Promoting respect for cultural diversity
Round table 2: Emerging approaches to healthcare
Round table 1: Science & technology for education
Round table 3: Human Security: Responsibility to protect
Achieving financial and ecological sustainability
Moving development forward
Round table 4: Civil society and global partnerships
The role of media and communications technology
Opening session
94%
91%
90%
80%
80%
79%
78%
77%
77%
77%
71%
*Respondents who rated the sessions/round tables either as “very useful” or “useful”
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
53
Midday NGO Interactive Workshops and Interactive Dialogues
4.
T here were 30 midday workshops organized during the three-day Conference with 10 sessions taking place
on a daily basis. Overall, survey respondents were happy with the themes proposed during the workshops
and found them to be informative and practical. On average, 87 per cent of survey respondents agreed that
the workshops were “useful” and rated six of them as the most “useful”. Indeed, 97 per cent of respondents
rated Forgiveness: Partnering with the enemy as “useful”, 91 per cent said the same about Livelihood protection
through animal welfare a new frontier in economic and ecological sustainability, and 90 per cent agreed that
United Nations effective partnership with civil society was “useful”. Similarly, many praised the usefulness of
How leadership is developed at the grassroots level (85 per cent), NGOs activating multigenerational partnerships (84 per cent) and Redressing massive trauma: A complex international task (77 per cent).
Conference information:
5.
sked about the delivery of pre-conference information, most of the survey respondents indicated that they had
A
obtained it from online resources: 61 per cent from the DPI/NGO Section Website and 46 per cent from the
Conference Interactive Website. In contrast, in 2005, 23 per cent of the respondents agreed to have used the
DPI/NGO Website for information retrieval while 24 per cent of them stated that they used the Conference
Interactive Website. The difference between the 2005 and 2006 responses may be due to the new online
registration feature introduced to enable participants to pre-register. 6.
T he means used by NGOs to disseminate information about the annual Conference to their constituents have
changed little compared to previous years. 63 per cent share updates about the Conference via newsletters,
the same percentage said that they would distribute it at (regional) conferences and meetings. 43 per cent
said they would post the information on their organization’s Website. 7.
T his year, 46 per cent of respondents said that they are familiar with the Conference website’s interactive
features. Similarly, in 2005, 45 per cent of respondents stated the same. The quality of the interactive features
received overwhelming approval as 78 per cent of survey respondents found it to be “good” and 16 per cent
rated it as “very good.”
NGO/DPI Executive Committee:
8
In 2005, 60 per cent of survey respondents confirmed that they were familiar with the work of the NGO/DPI
Executive Committee throughout the year. In 2006, that percentage declined slightly to 56 per cent, 91 per
cent of respondents stated that they were satisfied with the organization of the Conference reception by the
Committee and gave it a positive rating while 85 per cent also agreed that the delivery of pre-conference
information was “good”. 9.
Executive Committee’s website is known by 45 per cent of survey respondents, up from a 40 per cent last
The
year. The site’s quality was rated positively by all respondents (100 per cent) – 44 per cent of them agreed
that it was “very good” while 56 per cent said that it was “good.”
Logistics
10. T he logistics and organization of the Conference were praised by most survey respondents. The majority of
them commented on the excellent planning and good work done by the organizers and staff. Nevertheless,
as in previous years, the same concerns regarding inadequate conference and communication facilities were
voiced. More importantly, there were many requests to have documents and discussions translated into languages other than English to enable richer interactions and to encourage more participation from non-English
speakers. A few respondents requested the presence of additional registration staff as well as more materials
and hand-outs. Further, the involvement and presence of youth was applauded. NGO representatives emphasized the need for continuous learning and experience/knowledge-sharing to improve their work and partnership with the United Nations. 59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
54
Overall usefulness of Conference
11. T his year, the Conference was deemed to be the most “useful” in relation to civil society/partnerships by 81
per cent of respondents, an increase of 13 per cent compared to last year’s event. This finding reflects the
Conference’s intent to emphasize the partnership aspect of achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). Cooperation opportunities with the UN received a 70 per cent usefulness rating for the work of the
NGOs, an increase of 10% in comparison with 2005. Last year, the Conference participants highlighted the
effective promotion of networking with 76 per cent stating that networking sessions were useful. This year’s
meeting was considered much less effective in this regard, with only 61% praising the networking sessions. All in all, NGOs found this Conference to be more useful than last year’s Conference with improved ratings
including for identifying practical solutions to common problems (60 per cent) and UN literature displays (67
per cent). Annex II was prepared by the Evaluation and Communications Research Unit
OUSG/DPI
59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
United Nations, New York
6-8 September 2006
FINAL REPORT
Cover design © 2006 Anya Farquhar and Josh Tetreault by
Published by the Outreach Division, United Nations Department of Public Information
Printed on recycled paper by the United Nations Publishing Section, New York
DPI/2441­—06-59129—December 2006—3,000