civil society

2021 Freedom of Religion or Belief Priorities at the United Nations

Join us on Friday, May 7th, from 1:15pm-2:45pm Eastern for a virtual event that will highlight various missions’ recent past and upcoming efforts to promote religious freedom and related rights in 2021 at the United Nations. The event will feature a panel of UN diplomats who will present on their mission’s specific priorities on this issue. Following the presentations, there will be ample time for Q+A.

Our expert panelists include: 

  • Madeeha Ashraf, Advisor, U.S. Mission to the UN
  • Timothy Sylvester, Second Secretary, U.K Mission to the UN 
  • Klas Nyman, Counsellor, EU Delegation to the UN

We anticipate the event will be insightful for our shared focus on promoting FoRB at and through the United Nations, and we hope that you will join us.

To register, please RSVP to info@unforb.org by 12pm on May 6. A Zoom link will be sent to you on the day of the event.

We look forward to your presence on May 7th.

Best regards,

Kelsey Zorzi, President, NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief – New York 

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, please visit unforb.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org.

Race and Ethnicity in Migration

We invite you to join the second discussion in a series of five global webinars that cover key themes and mobilize civil society around the world.

The webinar will take the form of a global civil society discussion on race, ethnicity and discrimination in the context of migration, proposing both a global outlook and a closer look at some regional and national specificities.

This series will mark the start of an extended global civil society process highlighting priorities on the ground and bringing to light ambitious interpretations of the Global Compact for Migration and states obligations under it. This will be the beginning of an extensive and inclusive civil society mobilization culminating in the International Migration Review Forum.

Register here!

Jointly organised by 7 Global & Regional Civil Society Networks; Migrant Forum Asia (MFA), the Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT), the Cross Regional Center for Refugees and Migrants (CCRM), the Civil Society Action Committee (CSAC), the Alianza Americas, the Climate, Migration, and Displacement Platform (CMDP) and the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)

Don’t miss the upcoming events of the Civil Society Priorities Webinar Series:
  • Regular Pathways and Irregular Migration (4 May)
  • Detention and Return (11 May)
  • Climate Change and Migration (18 May)

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Migration, please visit ngo-migration.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP.

What’s Next on Financing for Development (FfD)? Reflections and Mapping a Way Forward

As the Financing for Development Forum comes to a close this week, the FfD process cannot afford to be locked into agreed calendar dates when the world is faced with an unprecedented and unpredictable crisis. There remains a concerning mismatch between the scale of challenges facing us and the inability of the current FfD process modalities to generate the necessary political consensus for the ambitious decisions that are urgently required.

In the context of the current multi-layered global crisis, agreeing on the next FfD conference would be crucial to work towards consensus on a global economic system that could foster systemic reforms while promoting human rights, gender equality, social equity and environmental justice. However, with the decision on where and when to hold the next conference being postponed to next year, it is imperative to explore new modalities to further advance the FfD Follow-up process. This side event will catalyse much-needed reflections on the informal and formal FfD discussions that have unfolded so far and map a way forward.

Moderator: Representative from Civil Society FfD Group

Speakers (tbc):

  • President of ECOSOC
  • Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN
  • Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN
  • Permanent Representative of Netherlands to the UN
  • Permanent Representative of Fiji to the UN

Register here!

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

Applying for ECOSOC Consultative Status

DESA NGO Branch will be conducting a Webinar on “Applying for ECOSOC Consultative Status” for NGOs on 5 May 2021, 11am – 12:30pm (NYT).

Register here! The meeting will provide answers to the following questions:

• What is Consultative Status, which organizations are eligible and what are its benefits?

• How the entire application process works since the application is submitted to the NGO Branch until ECOSOC makes its decision?

• What are the main components of the application package?

After the presentation, the floor will be open to answer questions from participants. Such questions may be raised either by chat or by requesting the floor using the Raise my Hand option. For more information, visit http://csonet.org/index.php?page=view&nr=409&type=230&menu=14.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. 

54th session of the Commission on Population and Development

Dear NGO representatives,

In the context of the fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the co-facilitators, Ms. Cristina Popescu (Romania) and Mr. Nizar Kaddouh (Lebanon), would like to invite you to an online informal consultation with NGOs on the zero draft of the resolution on population, food security, nutrition and sustainable development (attached).

The consultation will take place Thursday, 1 April 2021 from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. New York time (EDT).

The weblink for the consultation is: https://undesa.webex.com/undesa/j.php?MTID=m6218bcc8c492f6b946c20d9f79492

The meeting will be open from 08.30 am onwards. Please call in before the meeting starts to test your equipment.

Kind regards

Population Division, UN DESA

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. 

Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small States, Indigenous People, Youth and Faith Perspectives

Dear friends,

Greetings from Switzerland. On behalf of our Economic and Ecological Justice Programme, please accept this invitation to attend  the upcoming webinar offered by the Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF) on the occasion of the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the theme: Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small Island States, Indigenous Peoples, Youth and Faith Perspectives on Friday, 26 March 2021 at 10:00-11:30 AM Central European Time (CET)

Please register through this link: https://lutheranworld-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HAa2Yn5TThmpHYdKRMfGAw

or watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dejg58UiRPk

Background:

Climate change is a human rights issue. It is one of the most urgent human rights issues of our time, directly as well as indirectly threatening the enjoyment and realisation of human rights of all. The small island and least developed countries are particularly vulnerable. The Indigenous Peoples, youth and people living in poverty are affected in unequal ways.

Though the most recent scientific data conclude that climate change is accelerating and demands an urgent and coordinated response, there is as yet no dedicated mechanism at the Human Rights Council (HRC) – the United Nations body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights – that tackles climate change in a holistic, systematic, and consistent manner. Moreover, there is a clear need to strengthen the connection between the HRC and the key international frameworks governing global climate change negotiations.

During the 46th session of the HRC, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh delivered a statement, on behalf of 53 other states, calling for effective global climate actions in order to promote and protect the human rights of all and calling upon the Council to consider creating a new Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change. A similar call was also made by the Republic of the Marshall Islands on behalf of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) during the 44th Session of the HRC in 2020.

This event is organised in conjunction with the 46th Session of the HRC to bring together voices and visions from small island states, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and faith communities with a view to establishing the connections between climate change and human rights as well as sharing information about concrete proposals and initiatives for addressing the human rights impacts of climate change in this context.

Speakers

  • Mr. Didier Georges, Haiti, Permanent Mission of Haiti to the UN in Geneva
  • Mr. Yves Lador, Switzerland, Earthjustice
  • Sis Jayanti Kirpalani, United Kingdom, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
  • Ms. Aldonna Purba, Indonesia, Lutheran World Federation Youth voice
  • Ms. Beverly Longid, Philippines, Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation
  • Rev. James Bhagwan, Fiji, Pacific Conference of Churches Moderator
  • Ms. Alexandra M Goossens-Ishii, Soka Gakkai International & Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF)

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP.

The Iran Deal or No Deal

The Iran Nuclear Deal or No Deal

Grassroots organizations from across the country are joining together to present the most recent developments surrounding the JCPOA and what they may mean for the future of Iran and the rest of the Middle East. For those who care about preventing a future war as well as addressing the humanitarian role the U.S. has in Iran, Yemen, and elsewhere, this is the event to join.

Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/aFVE5ygCQEOMyNrNBjpx_Q2

Featuring:

  • Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
  • Barbara Slavin, Director of the Future of Iran Initiative and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council
  • Kelsey Davenport, Director of Nonproliferation Policy at Arms Control Association
  • Peter Beinart, Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York

Moderated by: Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council

Note: You are welcome to watch a recording of a previous event (https://fb.watch/3aRHLDJRGL/), which provides a great overview of the topic, but will not be necessary to get the full experience out of this larger event.

This event is co-sponsored by: 

Brooklyn for Peace; CODEPINK; Coloradans for Middle East Diplomacy & Peace; Demand Progress; Friends Committee on National Legislation Colorado Advocacy Team; Friends Committee on National Legislation New York City Advocacy Team; Friends Committee on National Legislation New York State Advocacy Team; Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace; Historians for Peace and Democracy; J Street Colorado; J Street NYC; Jewish Voice for Peace – Denver/Boulder Chapter; Long Island Activists; Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives; Manhattan Project for a Nuclear Free World; Massachusetts Peace Action; National Iranian American Council; New Jersey Peace Action; New York Progressive Action Network; NYPAN Greene; No War Westchester; North Country Peace Group; PEAC Institute; Peace Action; Peace Action Bay Ridge; Peace Action New York State; Peace & Social Justice Committee of the 15th St. Monthly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); Rethinking Foreign Policy, Inc.; Peace Corps Iran Association; Progressive Democrats of Sussex County (Delaware); Progressive East End Reformers; Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center; South Country Peace Group; Suffolk Progressives; Syracuse Peace Council; Upper Hudson Peace Action; WESPAC; Win Without War; Women’s Action for New Directions; and Women’s March.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. 

Redefining Leadership, Re-Envisioning Faith and Reconstructing Humanitarianism

Dear Religions for Peace Leaders,

We are so pleased that many of you have already registered for the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW 65). If you have not already registered on the NGO/CSW platform, please be informed that the event will be live-streamed on 25 March at 9AM ET from our Facebook page.

Kindly be sure to select our event, “Redefining Leadership, Re-Envisioning Faith, and Reconstructing Humanitarianism” on 25 March here. To join the webinar, please select the button “Join Meeting,” which will appear exactly at 9:00 am ET.

Program Agenda

  • Moment of Silence

PART I: WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General, Religions for Peace

PART II: A CONVERSATION ON WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE: REDEFINING LEADERSHIP

Moderated by Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General, Religions for Peace

  • Dr. Mary McAleese, Former President, Republic of Ireland; Advisor to the Religions for Peace Secretary General
  • H.E. Sima Samar, Former Minister of Women’s Affairs; Member, Religions for Peace Standing Commission on Advancing Gender Equality, Afghanistan
  • Mr. Humberto Carolo, Executive Director, White Ribbon Campaign Canada, MenEngage Network, Religions for Peace Standing Commission on Advancing Gender Equality, Canada
  • Hon. Ela Gandhi, Trustee, Gandhi Development Trust and Religions for Peace Co-President, South Africa
  • Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism and Religions for Peace Honorary President, United States

PART III: A CONVERSATION ON RE-ENVISIONING FAITH AND RECONSTRUCTING HUMANITARIANISM

Moderated by Grand-Mother Marie-Josée Rankin-Tardif, President, Kina8at Together; Elder from the Anicinape (Algonquin) Tradition, Canada

  • Rev. Clement Joseph, Secretary General of the Social Mission of Haitian Churches; Secretary General, Religions for Peace-Haiti, Haiti
  • Rt. Rev. Francisco Duque-Gomez, Anglican Bishop and leader of Religions for PeaceColombia, Colombia
  • Ms. Nageeba Hassan Tegulwa, Board Member, Women of Faith Uganda, Executive Member, African Women of Faith Network; Board Member, ACRL; Member, IWCC, Uganda
  • Ms. Fatima Hallal, Junior Researcher, Hartford Seminary-Interreligious Relations; Member, International Youth Committee, Lebanon

PART IV: Q&A 

PART V: CLOSING REMARKS

  • Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General, Religions for Peace

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Pietro Bartoli at pbartoli@rfp.org or Ms. Lexie Ruth Mitchell at lrmitchell@rfp.org.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, please visit unforb.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. 

Promoting evidence-based drug policies and interventions enshrined in human rights in Europe

Dear all,

On behalf of the Association Proyecto Hombre, it is a pleasure to inform you that, in the celebration of the 64th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, we are organising an on-line side event on behalf the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs titled “Promoting evidence-based drug policies and interventions enshrined in human rights in Europe.”  It is supported by the European Union, the Governments of Portugal and Spain, and the Council of Europe. 

The event will take place online via Zoom on 15 April from 9.00 to 9.50 a.m. (CET – Vienna time). You do not need to register in advance.  

Please do not hesitate to contact me and/or Anna Ollo should you have any questions. 

Best regards,

—

Buenos días,

En nombre de la Asociación Proyecto Hombre, es un placer informarle de que, con motivo de la celebración de la 64ª sesión de la Comisión de Estupefacientes de las Naciones Unidas, organizamos un evento telemático en nombre del Foro de la Sociedad Civil sobre Drogas de la Unión Europea, con el título “Promoting evidence-based drug policies and interventions enshrined in human rights in Europe (Promoción de políticas e intervenciones de drogas en Europa, basadas en la evidencia y en los derechos humanos).” Contamos con el apoyo de la Unión Europea, los Gobiernos de Portugal y España, y el Consejo de Europa.

El evento tendrá lugar a través de la plataforma Zoom el próximo 15 de abril de 9.00 a 9.50 a.m. (CET – hora de Viena), y será en inglés. No es necesario registrarse con antelación.

Por favor, no dude en contactarnos si tiene alguna duda.

Atentamente,

Begoña Gómez del Campo, Tecnica de Incidencia y Proyectos Internacionales

Event access link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E71WRejcT9uFQDxRGWy_HA

Speakers:

  • Marie Nougier, International Drug Policy Consortium, on behalf of the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs
  • Edith Hofer, European Commission, European Union
  • Péter Sárosi, Rights Reporter Foundation, representative of the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs
  • Dr. Joan R. Villalbí, Delegate of the Government for the National Plan on Drugs, Ministry of Health, Spain
  • Hannah Bardell, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rapporteur for the report on “Human rights and drug policies in Europe: a baseline reference”

Moderator: Oriol Esculies, International Commissioner of Association Proyecto Hombre

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the New York NGO Committee on Drugs, please visit nyngoc.org. For more information on the Vienna NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs, please visit vngoc.org.

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