Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:52:39 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/ the UN/DPI NGO site en-us http://ww3.undpi.org/images/logo.gif http://ww3.undpi.org/ support@nexus.org http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=184 It is with great sadness and deep regret that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and NGO colleague, Virginia Hazzard. A long-serving staff member of UNICEF and an active component of the NGO community, Virginia was much admired for her professionalism, dedication, and forward-looking vision. Recognized as a “doer”, she turned ideas into concrete action. She was instrumental in planning the NGO Forum on Women in Kenya in 1985 and in China in 1995 as well as in organizing two global videoconferences on ageing. As a valuable member of AARP, the Committee on Ageing, the NGO Committee on Human Settlements and the Multigenerational Subcommittee, she was an inspiration for young and old alike. Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:52:39 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183 The world is changing in the United Nations’ favour -- as more people and Governments understand that multilateralism is the only path in our interdependent and globalizing world. Global problems demand global solutions -- and going it alone is not a viable option. Whether we are speaking of peace and security, development, or human rights, demands on our Organization are growing every day. I am determined to ensure that we make progress on the pressing issues of our time, step by step, building on achievements along the way, working with Member States and civil society. That means strengthening the UN’s ability to play its role to the fullest extent in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. And it means invigorating our efforts for disarmament and non-proliferation. At the same time, we must redouble our efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in Africa. I will seek to mobilize political will and hold leaders to their commitments on aid, trade and debt relief. Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:49:53 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=182 The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Luciano Pavarotti, the tenor and United Nations Messenger of Peace. He extends his sympathy and condolences to Mr. Pavarotti’s family, as well as to the Government and people of Italy, at this painful time. The Secretary-General notes that Mr. Pavarotti made a profound contribution not only to music and the arts, but also to people in need around the world. His work for children -- particularly those affected by armed conflict -- stretched from Afghanistan to Liberia and beyond. By staging concerts and marshalling talented friends to help raise funds, he generated millions of dollars for humanitarian aid. A true friend of the UN, he described himself as “a small link to help promote the humanitarian aims and inviolable rights which are under the United Nations flag”. The Secretary-General joins Mr. Pavarotti’s countless fans and admirers, as well as all those he worked to help and heal, in giving thanks for his life. New York, 6 September 2007 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:57:10 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=181 There is much pessimistic talk today about the validity of shortwave as the prime vehicle of international broadcasting. Critics present several arguments: high operating costs, environmental considerations, a need to re-channel available funds into satellites and the Internet, and what is loosely termed a decline in shortwave. From the point of view of the broadcast planner and decision-maker, this catalogue of negative arguments appears sound and reasonable. From the perspective of a large segment of the audience, however, reductions in shortwave services are inexplicable and a source of frustration and even anger. Let us examine the issues carefully, using the senses and instincts of the investigative journalist. We are in a period of restructuring, a contemporary buzzword that is used and abused so frequently as a catch-all excuse to justify virtually any action taken by management, regardless of how inappropriate. We are in a period where human endeavour is scientized, and we no longer have faith in our common sense judgement as human beings. This is the age of consultants and high technology. The media are ruled by time-and-motion studies and so-called market forces. Radio and television no long produce programs, but products. Today there are no listeners, there are markets. Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:15:27 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=180 The Ikologiks Center for Global Studies is launching the first "online campus" and distance learning/correspondence courses for "global citizens" around the world. The project has a 21 Year Master Development Plan (1999-2020) for the establishment of a globalized virtual reality internet based campus and physical University campus. The educational programs are non-sectarian and apolitical or non-religious. The courses are being offered at nominal costs to make the campus accessible to students around the world especially in impoverished regions. The faculty is being recruited from around the globe with emphasis o­n retired scholars wishing to make their expertise and research o­n globalization available to ALL GLOBAL CITIZENS, no matter their economic status, race, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual preference or educational status. Please contact admissions@ikologiks.com for further information or visit www.ikologiks.org . Sat, 25 Aug 2007 18:03:08 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=179 The Ikologiks Center for Global Studies - NGO Foundation recently contributed funds to a small village medical camp program in Palai (Cuttack) Orissa State INDIA. We are now trying to secure funds to purcase a small van vehicle for the village "free" medical camp so that villagers can have ambulance (free of charge) vehicle service to city hospitals several kilometers away. For further information about this project or how to make a contribution, please visit www.ikologiks.org Sat, 25 Aug 2007 18:02:54 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=178 What is OHCHR? 1.The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the United Nations office mandated to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization, by all people, of all rights established in the Charter of the United Nations and in international human rights laws and treaties. The position of High Commissioner for Human Rights was created to lead the international human rights movement after the World Conference o­n Human Rights in Vienna in 1993.[1] The specific responsibilities of the High Commissioner, as set out in the mandate given by the United Nations General Assembly, are: ·To promote and protect the effective enjoyment by all of all civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; ·To provide advisory services and technical and financial assistance in the field of human rights to States that request them; ·To coordinate United Nations education and public information programmes in the field of human rights; ·To play an active role in removing the obstacles to the full realization of all human rights and in preventing the continuation of human rights violations throughout the world; ·To engage in a dialogue with Governments in order to secure respect for all human rights; ·To enhance international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights; ·To coordinate the national human rights promotion and protection activities throughout the United Nations system; ·To rationalize, adapt, strengthen and streamline the United Nations machinery in the field of human rights in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.[2] The mandate is wide and gives the High Commissioner the freedom to take initiatives to promote human rights and confront violations when they occur. The High Commissioner makes frequent public statements and appeals o­n human rights crises. The High Commissioner also travels widely to ensure that the human rights message is heard in all parts of the globe, and engages in dialogue and builds constructive cooperation with Governments to strengthen national human rights protection. [1] General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993. The work of OHCHR is also guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Sat, 25 Aug 2007 18:02:06 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=177 As a deportee and survivor of the concentration camps, I believe it is my duty to talk about the Shoah and continuously explain to the younger generations, our nations' public opinion-makers and our politicians how six million men and women, including one-and-one-half million children, died simply because they were born Jewish. Five years ago, the European Council decided to organize a European Day in , memory of the Holocaust and for the prevention of crimes against humanity. The Council selected the 27th of January, the day a unit of Soviet soldiers arrived at Auschwitz. On the premises, these soldiers found only ghosts, a few thousand dying, terrified people, left behind because the SS thought that hunger, thirst, the cold or disease would do their job for them more quickly. Ten days earlier, most of the survivors had been forced to walk away from the camp, in the snow, risking execution at every step. These were the "death marches", where so many of our comrades succumbed. Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:52:25 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=176 June 26, 2007 -- The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an occasion to highlight the unambiguous and absolute prohibition on torture and all forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. It is also an opportunity to express solidarity with the suffering of torture victims and their families, and to reaffirm the need for a global commitment to rehabilitate all victims of all such abuse. This day is special in other ways as well. It marks the twentieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention against Torture. Yet even after two decades, this instrument falls well short of universal ratification. Today, I urge all UN Member States who have not yet done so to accede to the Convention, and to consider joining the Optional Protocol to this Convention. This “optional” protocol contains several compelling norms, including a vital check on torture by a system of international and national visits to places of detention. Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:27:42 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=174 The theme for this year’s International Day of Families is “Families and Persons with Disabilities”. For many persons with disabilities, their family has been, and remains, a source of empowerment. For others, however, their family has perhaps been overprotective, restricting their growth as individuals. Tragically, for others still, their family has viewed them with stigma or shame, and has even become a source of abuse and neglect. In December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first human rights treaty of the 21st century. In its preamble, the Convention reconfirms that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society, and is entitled to protection by society and the State. It also states that persons with disabilities and their family members should receive protection and assistance so that families can contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities. Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:52 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=173 (New York, 27 April 2007): United Nations General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa will convene on 10-11 May 2007, at UN Headquarters in New York, the third informal thematic debate of the Assembly, which will focus on "Civilizations and the Challenge for Peace: Obstacles and Opportunities." The main objective of the debate is to explore the reasons behind the growing level of mistrust between people of different religions and cultures; and to examine how and why cultural and religious differences increasingly fuel, and are used to justify, conflicts. Fri, 04 May 2007 10:06:34 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=172 In observance of World Press Freedom Day, a powerful visual record of the most significant events of 2006 will open in the Main Gallery of the General Assembly Visitors’ Lobby at 6 p.m. on Thursday, 3 May. This travelling showcase of nearly 200 photographs represents a selection of winning work from the fiftieth annual World Press Photo worldwide photojournalism contest that took place earlier this year in Amsterdam. Wed, 02 May 2007 07:54:31 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=171 Throughout human history, people and countries have fought over natural resources. From livestock, watering holes and fertile land, to trade routes, fish stocks and spices, sugar, oil, gold and other precious commodities, war has too often been the means to secure possession of scarce resources. Even today, the uninterrupted supply of fuel and minerals is a key element of geopolitical considerations. Things are easier at times of plenty, when all can share in the abundance, even if to different degrees. But when resources are scarce -- whether energy, water or arable land -- our fragile ecosystems become strained, as do the coping mechanisms of groups and individuals. This can lead to a breakdown of established codes of conduct, and even outright conflict Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:20:21 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=170 New York, 9 April 2007 - Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, I am delighted to address the UN Disarmament Commission as you begin your 2007 session. Let me congratulate you, Ambassador [Elbio] Rosselli, on your appointment as Commission Chairman. Let me also express my gratitude to the outgoing Chair – my former colleague – Ambassador Joon Oh, for his successful efforts to advance the work of the Commission during 2006. Mr. Chairman, The dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction, and by the excessive accumulation of conventional weapons, are well known. This makes our limited progress in addressing these concerns all the more disappointing. The failure of the 2005 NPT Review Conference, the impasse in the Conference on Disarmament, and the disappointing outcome of the 2006 Small Arms Review Conference all point to a disheartening trend. Unfortunately, we seem to be in a rut where setbacks in the field of disarmament have become the norm, not an exception. Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:04:50 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=169 9 April, 2007 -- Last year, before being appointed Secretary-General, I visited Rwanda to pay my respects to victims and survivors of the genocide there. I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with those who had endured one of humankind’s darkest chapters. The experience had a profound and personal impact on me. I carry it with me every day I serve as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:58:17 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=168 World Water Day is celebrated this year with a special focus on “Coping with Water Scarcity”. Water scarcity can be physical, economic or institutional, and can fluctuate over time and space. Today, about 700 million in 43 countries suffer from waters scarcity, and by 2025 this figure could increase to more than 3 billion people. The state of the world’s waters remains fragile, and the need for an integrated and sustainable approach to water resource management is as pressing as ever. Available supplies are under great duress as a result of high population growth, unsustainable consumption patterns, poor management practices, pollution, inadequate investment in infrastructure, and low efficiency in water-use. Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:26:49 +0100 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=167 To commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17th) and the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006), the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Public Information and the United Nations Postal Administration is pleased to announce AN ART COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN TO DESIGN A UN STAMP ON THE THEME ‘WE CAN END POVERTY’ Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:24:34 +0100 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=166 In preparation for this year’s first Annual Ministerial Review of the Economic and Social Council on the theme of “Strengthening efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger, including through the global partnership for development” an informal preparatory meeting will be held at UN Headquarters in New York on 2 April 2007. The event will be chaired by H.E Mr. Dalius Čekuolis, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations and President of ECOSOC. An opening address will be delivered by H.E. Mrs. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a keynote address will be made by Mr. Wang Zhongyu, President of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AESCSI). Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:21:38 +0100 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=165 On 1 December World AIDS Day 2006 is commemorated worldwide with a wide range of events taking place. In 1988, the General Assembly expressed deep concern at the pandemic proportions of AIDS. Noting that the World Health Organization had declared 1 December 1988 World AIDS Day, the Assembly stressed the importance of observing that occasion (Resolution 43/15). Since then, World AIDS Day has aimed to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:51:32 +0100 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=164 HUMAN (Healthy Universe for Man Animal & Nature) Network INDIA is an action Network and Capacity Builder of socio-entrepreneurial NGOs (Local, National, Regional & International). HUMAN Network INDIA a major group dedicated to Sustainable Livelihoods Development in rural India in community level with the active involvement of socio-professional NGOs that at present is working in eastern India as first generation campaigner of Millennium Development Goals of UN esp. MDG 1 & 2 through Micro Enterprise Cluster Development Programme at no cost. Sat, 16 Sep 2006 08:10:51 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=163 The United Nations and aid agencies estimate that around 867,000 people have been affected by the hostilities that erupted on 12 July 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah. They include 710,000 (one-fifth of the Lebanese population) who have been uprooted from their homes. Of these, 210,000 have fled to other countries. Volunteers helping the victims of the conflict are finding it extremely difficult to reach affected villages and towns due to Israel's indiscriminate bombing. According to volunteers, the Israeli army has been shelling their routes, hitting civilians, humanitarian aid workers and volunteers. Mon, 07 Aug 2006 13:20:27 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=162 The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is preparing to evacuate thousands of animals ahead of a volcanic eruption on the Indonesian Island of Java. Mon, 08 May 2006 09:26:39 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=161 The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is helping the disaster relief effort in flooded South East Europe by funding groups delivering animal aid to the worst hit areas. Thousands of people and their farm animals have been displaced and hectares of land flooded across Serbia and Montenegro, Romania and Bulgaria. Initial estimates from the municipal governments in Serbia and Montenegro place farm damage alone at $44m dollars. Sat, 29 Apr 2006 08:31:22 +0200 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=160 The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are hosting a Workshop on International Intellectual Property. Fri, 17 Mar 2006 08:12:01 +0100 http://ww3.undpi.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=159 Irena Gapkovska founded Art Studio in Skopje, Macedonia in 1998. This NGO started as an educational art school in 1998 and since then it has grown with full time members. They encourage local philanthropy and human rights promoting the aesthetics of art as a mirror of Culture. The idea is to give talented people a chance to learn about fine arts in the field of painting, drawing, sculpture, while making a great effort to initiate computer animation and design as equal part of their project. Art Studio's main activites are educating young people and trough arts to encourage them to break the boundaries between their different cultures and build multicultural torelance and understanding. Find more about this NGO at http://www.ngoartstudio.whworld.com Wed, 22 Feb 2006 08:43:20 +0100