An NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security Discussion: Spending to Increase Nuclear Danger

Join the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security as we discuss how in the midst of an economic and public health crisis, the US is set to spend hundreds of billions on new nuclear weapons which could never be used, add nothing to national security, and actually increase the risk of nuclear war. Funding for these extremely dangerous weapons systems will come up soon in Congress. The NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security presents three leaders to clarify the key issues and discuss possible plans of action.

Register here!

Speakers:

Bruce Knotts has directed the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations since 2008. Before that, he served as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State with notable service during the Nairobi Embassy bombing 1998, Embassy Khartoum, Sudan, Regional Refugee Coordinator for West Africa and Deputy Chief of Mission in The Gambia. His final tour was in the Bureau of International Organization at the Department of State.

Dr. John Burroughs is Senior Analyst for the New York City-based Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy. He has represented LCNP in Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty meetings and negotiations on the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons. His articles and op-eds have appeared in publications including Fordham International Law Journal, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Arms Control Today, Newsweek, and Newsday.

Jackie Cabasso has been Executive Director of the Western States Legal Foundation, based in Oakland, California, since 1984. In 1995 she was a “founding mother” of the Abolition 2000 Global Network to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, and she continues to serve on its Coordinating Committee. Since 2007 she has served as an Executive Advisor to Mayors for Peace. In the U.S., she is a National Co-convener of United for Peace and Justice. Jackie was the 2008 recipient of the International Peace Bureau’s Sean MacBride Peace Award.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Peace (Vienna), email its Chair, Helga Kerschbaum at helga.kerschbaum@aon.at

Call for a UN Resolution on Persons Living with a Rare Disease and their Families

The global rare disease community is calling for a UN Resolution Addressing the Needs of Persons and Families Living with a Rare Disease (PLWRD).

Over 300 million people worldwide live with one of over 6,000 identified rare diseases. Rare diseases are often chronic, complex, disabling and life threatening. Persons and families living with a rare disease confront a lack of public awareness as well as a paucity of expertise and knowledge of rare diseases, exposing them to greater social, health and economic vulnerability.

To ensure the well-being of persons living with a rare disease, RDI in partnership with EURORDIS and the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, is a calling a UN Resolution that recognizes the complex needs of persons living with a rare diseases and promotes the human rights and full participation in society of all people.

Register here!

Preliminary Agenda:

Welcome from Rare Diseases International
Official Rare Disease Day 2021 Video
Opening Remarks from the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases
Call for a UNGA Resolution on Rare Diseases
Testimonies from Person’s Living with a Rare Disease around the world
Video – Rare Diseases at the United Nations
Panel Discussion: “Why a UN Resolution and Why Now”
Message from International Rare Disease Champion
UN Member States Support
Key take home message and next steps

Key Asks for the UN Resolution on Rare Diseases would include:

1. Inclusion and participation of PLWRD & their families in society and respect of their human rights

2. Improvement of health and social outcomes with the appropriate care and support within existing resources

3. Promotion of national strategies and actions

4. Introduction of rare diseases into UN agencies and programmes

5. Regular reports by the UN Secretariat to monitor the progress on the implementation.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.

Call for a UN Resolution on Persons Living with a Rare Disease and their Families

The global rare disease community is calling for a UN Resolution Addressing the Needs of Persons and Families Living with a Rare Disease (PLWRD).

Over 300 million people worldwide live with one of over 6,000 identified rare diseases. Rare diseases are often chronic, complex, disabling and life threatening. Persons and families living with a rare disease confront a lack of public awareness as well as a paucity of expertise and knowledge of rare diseases, exposing them to greater social, health and economic vulnerability.

To ensure the well-being of persons living with a rare disease, RDI in partnership with EURORDIS and the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, is a calling a UN Resolution that recognizes the complex needs of persons living with a rare diseases and promotes the human rights and full participation in society of all people.

Register here!

Preliminary Agenda:

Welcome from Rare Diseases International
Official Rare Disease Day 2021 Video
Opening Remarks from the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases
Call for a UNGA Resolution on Rare Diseases
Testimonies from Person’s Living with a Rare Disease around the world
Video – Rare Diseases at the United Nations
Panel Discussion: “Why a UN Resolution and Why Now”
Message from International Rare Disease Champion
UN Member States Support
Key take home message and next steps

Key Asks for the UN Resolution on Rare Diseases would include:

1. Inclusion and participation of PLWRD & their families in society and respect of their human rights

2. Improvement of health and social outcomes with the appropriate care and support within existing resources

3. Promotion of national strategies and actions

4. Introduction of rare diseases into UN agencies and programmes

5. Regular reports by the UN Secretariat to monitor the progress on the implementation.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.

People Power Under Attack

On Tuesday, 8 December, the CIVICUS Monitor is launching its global data report, People Power Under Attack 2020. Please join us for a panel event, which will provide an overview of global civic space ratings and the top violations to civic freedoms. Over 10 countries are set to have their ratings changed (upgrades and downgrades). The panel will zoom-into a number of regions and unpack the most common restrictions facing activists, journalists, protest leaders and civil society organisations. Data insights will also be presented on the relationship between the rise of authoritarian governments, COVID-19, and the impact on rights.

Translations provided in Spanish and French.

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

People Power Under Attack

On Tuesday, 8 December, the CIVICUS Monitor is launching its global data report, People Power Under Attack 2020. Please join us for a panel event, which will provide an overview of global civic space ratings and the top violations to civic freedoms. Over 10 countries are set to have their ratings changed (upgrades and downgrades). The panel will zoom-into a number of regions and unpack the most common restrictions facing activists, journalists, protest leaders and civil society organisations. Data insights will also be presented on the relationship between the rise of authoritarian governments, COVID-19, and the impact on rights.

Translations provided in Spanish and French.

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

CRNGO Celebration for the 75th Anniversary of the UN

Join the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations for a Celebration for the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations featuring:

interfaith prayers + dance + music + reflections + open mic

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84524408167?pwd=QXE5eHJ1WnJxQ2hJbElTclBSTlU2dz09

Zoom Meeting ID: 845 2440 8167

Passcode: WYCUNO

The event will be streamed on our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/235426709956668

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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 NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns, please visit csvgc-ny.org/csvgc.

CRNGO Celebration for the 75th Anniversary of the UN

Join the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations for a Celebration for the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations featuring:

interfaith prayers + dance + music + reflections + open mic

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84524408167?pwd=QXE5eHJ1WnJxQ2hJbElTclBSTlU2dz09

Zoom Meeting ID: 845 2440 8167

Passcode: WYCUNO

The event will be streamed on our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/235426709956668

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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 NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns, please visit csvgc-ny.org/csvgc.

Our Goal of World Community: The UN at 75

This year, the United Nations is celebrating its 75th birthday, and the Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the UN, in collaboration with the Canadian Unitarian Council, will be commemorating that anniversary with a special virtual event co-sponsored by the NGO Committee on Human Rights: “Our Goal of World Community: the United Nations at 75.” In the current moment of simultaneous global political, social, economic, health, and climate crises, continued involvement with and investment in international cooperation could not be more critical. During this event we’ll talk about how Unitarian Universalists can make our mark for global justice.

Featured speakers:

Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, President, Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Alicia R. Forde, Director, Unitarian Universalist Association International Office
Hawa Diallo, United Nations Department of Global Communications
Chris King, United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs
Bruce Knotts, Director, Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the United Nations
Craig Mokhiber, Director, New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Bobbi Nassar, Co-chair, Nongovernmental Organization Committee on Human Rights at the United Nations
Vyda Ng, Executive Director, Canadian Unitarian Council
Gillian Sorenson, International Rescue Committee, formerly Assistant Secretary General at the UN, then with the UN Foundation

Register for the event here.

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

Our Goal of World Community: The UN at 75

This year, the United Nations is celebrating its 75th birthday, and the Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the UN, in collaboration with the Canadian Unitarian Council, will be commemorating that anniversary with a special virtual event co-sponsored by the NGO Committee on Human Rights: “Our Goal of World Community: the United Nations at 75.” In the current moment of simultaneous global political, social, economic, health, and climate crises, continued involvement with and investment in international cooperation could not be more critical. During this event we’ll talk about how Unitarian Universalists can make our mark for global justice.

Featured speakers:

Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, President, Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Alicia R. Forde, Director, Unitarian Universalist Association International Office
Hawa Diallo, United Nations Department of Global Communications
Chris King, United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs
Bruce Knotts, Director, Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the United Nations
Craig Mokhiber, Director, New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Bobbi Nassar, Co-chair, Nongovernmental Organization Committee on Human Rights at the United Nations
Vyda Ng, Executive Director, Canadian Unitarian Council
Gillian Sorenson, International Rescue Committee, formerly Assistant Secretary General at the UN, then with the UN Foundation

Register for the event here.

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

[Interactive Webinar] Radical Inclusion for Advancing Social Justice: LGBTQ Human Rights in the Caribbean

Radical Inclusion for Advancing Social Justice: LGBTQ Human Rights in the Caribbean

An interactive webinar organized by PCI Media

Wednesday, July 22, 2020
12:00 PM EST

Register now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfe4C_1nasrkr55HuslN6LzDx8hb-OLY8WydmGgfbC_m9Lbpg/viewform

Sustainable social justice movements require organization, creativity, and participation from all levels of society.

Join PCI Media’s President, Meesha Brown, and Bennet Charles, Communications Officer, in a discussion about the importance of authentic partnerships in advancing human rights for the LGBTQ community. The webinar will focus on the One Community Many Voices program in the Eastern Caribbean Region.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on UN efforts to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, please write to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights at LGBTHumanRights@un.org and visit its website here.

UN charter