UN@75

Beyond UN75: A Roadmap for Inclusive, Networked & Effective Global Governance

The Stimson Center will launch its latest report, “Beyond UN75: A Roadmap for Inclusive, Networked & Effective Global Governance.” The report considers the new kinds of tools, networks, and institutions, combined with enlightened global leadership, required to take forward the twelve commitments at the heart of the UN75 Declaration.

The Stimson Center’s Global Governance, Justice and Security program is pleased to announce its participation at the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) Annual Meeting 2021, Toward a Fit for Future UN System (24-26 June). Please register for the conference and join the Stimson Center for this session.

Register here!

Panel Chair

  • Sultan Barakat, Director, Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, Doha Institute of Graduate Studies

Featured Speakers

  • Richard Ponzio, Senior Fellow and Director, Global Governance, Justice & Governance Program, Stimson Center
  • Joris Larik, Assistant Professor of Comparative, EU, and International Law, Leiden University and Senior Advisor, Stimson Center
  • Cristina Petcu, Research Analyst, Global Governance, Justice & Governance Program, Stimson Center
  • Banou Arjomand, Research Assistant, Global Governance, Justice & Governance Program, Stimson Center

Discussant

  • Mónica Serrano, Research-Professor of International Relations, El Colegio de México

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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 Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.

Dialogue on Education: Meeting New Challenges

Education at all levels faced unforeseen challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic in communities, globally impacting students and educators along with their families.  Every aspect of education adjusted to ensure inclusive quality learning continued to be experienced by students with curriculums via virtual engagement which highlighted the importance of digital connectivity for all students. Education is covered in the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals and is key to the success of the UN2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to “Leave No One Behind.” Our panel will share their reflections and innovative solutions in response to this global crisis. In addition, we will share an overview of our UN75 People’s Declaration for the UN We Need.

RSVP here

Welcome & Moderator

  • Ms. Margo LaZaro, President and Chair of the NGOCSD-NY; Co-Founder/CSO of the SDG Impact Awards Community, Director of UN Relations-Global Family, Coalition Partner of C4UNWN

Opening Address

  • H.E. Dr. Michal Mlynar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations

Keynote Address

  • Mr. Ramu Damodaran, Chief, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Outreach Division, United Nations Department of Global Communications

Meeting New Challenges

  • Dr. Miriam Westheimer, Chief Program Officer of HIPPY International
  • Ms. Carolina Andueza, Executive Director of CMPC Foundation & Director of HIPPY Chile
  • Ms. Judith Cunningham, Founder and CSO of Youth for a Better World-Montessori Model UN and Youth Impact Forum
  • Ms. Daria Kimuli, Co-Founder of the St. Philip Neri Primary School, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Mr. Steven Aiello, Founder and Director of Debate for Peace, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Mr. Ameen Agbaria, 16 year-old, Youth Delegate of Debate for Peace, Palestinian citizen of Israel
  • Dr. Carrie Pemberton Ford, Executive Director CCARHT. Senior Fellow of Ethics and Public Life, Margaret Beaufort Institute,   University of Cambridge, UK
  • Ms. Marija Marinovic, Graduate Student of Criminology from the University of Cambridge, UK

Closing Reflections

  • Dr. Andrea Mlynarova, Lecturer of Mathematics at CUNY Baruch & Hunter College and President of the UN Delegations’ Women’s Club

C4UNWN & the UN75 People’s Declaration

  • Mr. Jeffery Huffines, Senior Advisor of the Coalition for the UN We Need and Together First

Interactive Dialogue Exchange

Special Student Greeting

  • Mr. Desderio Njiru, is the Head Teacher of St. Philip Neri Primary School, Nairobi, Kenya

Our Partners:

NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, Coalition for the UN We Need, SDG Relief Fund, Together First, SDG Impact Awards Community, HIPPY International, Global Family, Soroptimist International, World Federalist Movement-Canada, Humanitarian Focus Foundation, Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission, Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization, COVIDxNOW, Empower a Billion Women-EBW, Debate for Peace, Huairou Commission, Youth for a Better World:/Montessori Model UN, Youth Impact! Forum, General Assembly of Partners, NGO Major Group Urban Cluster, Global Family for Love & Peace, ICW, CoNGO, and UNA-USA Council of Organizations

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.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. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, please visit childrightsny.org.

[Cyber Conference] There’s Still Hope and Here’s Why

On Nov. 5, join PEAC Institute and the United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society for a cyber conference designed to foster post-election reflections, healing, and mobilization.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OArdeLrcSaO4A4JHpXdDQA

Background: From Tulsa to Hiroshima, from Auschwitz to the Trail of Tears, the scenes of death and destruction are the same. The root causes of these atrocities are the same too: cultures of violence fueling systems of oppression.

What can the people do to reclaim their rightful democratic power when corrupt governments fail to honor the contracts that ensure we live in a civil society with a sustainable future?

This action-driven conversation, co-sponsored by PEAC Institute and the General Board of Church and Society, will explore the challenge of dismantling cultures of violence. Through both historical and contemporary lenses, we will highlight some of the terrifying consequences we’re facing due to not fixing our culture of violence while also offering examples of nature-based solutions that people are successfully executing today. Speakers from multiple continents will include foreign policy experts, peace activists, and volunteer humanitarians reporting from the field.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Decolonization Alliance, please email President Bautista at lbautista@umcjustice.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com.

United Nations Association of the Philippines 75th Anniversary Event {CoNGO President Speaks}

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (UNAP), Member, World Federation of United Nations Association (WFUNA), invites you to join in our 75th UN Day Celebration

October 24, 2020

10:00AM (Manila) 10:00PM/October 23 (New York EDT)

Join via Zoom :
https://pnu-edu-ph.zoom.us/j/83389362814?pwd=T0tFUzFwNzl5RUZ3MXJrMjQ5UWM3dz09

Meeting ID: 833 8936 2814
Passcode: 244993

Invocation – Audio Visual Presentation

National Anthem – Audio Visual Presentation

Opening Remarks – Amelou Benitez Reyes, Ph.D.

The UN International Year of Nurses and Midwifes

Philippines International Year of Healthcare Workers – PCW Chair Sandy S. Montano

The Philippines at UN – Amb. Noralyn Jubair-Baja

The Message of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres – Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez

Revitalizing Gen. Carlos P. Romulo’s – Hon. Cong. Roman Romulo

Contribution to Education, UN and World Peace

Strengthening NGO participation in the UN…………………… Rev. Liberato “Levi” Bautista

UN Education for World Peace…………………………………… Hon. Arch. Charles John Brown

Presentation of the Gen. CPR Award…………………………… Ramona Ines B. Rañeses, Ph.D.

Response from the Awardee…………………………………….. Department of Education

Closing Remarks…………………………………………………… Prof. Alice Aguilar Lucas

UNAP Executive Secretary

Master of Ceremony: Roderick C. Cruz, UNAP Board Member

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Conference of NGOs at the United Nations, and what it is doing to celebrate the UN Day and the 75th UN anniversary, visit www.ngocongo.org

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

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

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.

{Webinar} Faith Speaks to UN75

You are cordially invited to participate in the webinar Faith Speaks to UN75, scheduled to take place onWednesday October 21, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.(New York time) and facilitated via Zoom.

Please register by October 20th via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpcu2uqD4uEtWStFEaMfMn1TeZJaAes3vZ.

Concept note

The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great disruption in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic with severe economic and social impacts creates increased challenges for the UN. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have a history of inspiring people to act and are often the first responders, and longest sustainers, in times of global crisis. Our communities and partners on the ground ensure that basic needs are met for all people, regardless of religion or belief, in the communities in which we live and serve. We reach out to communities that are often the most vulnerable and are left behind. Faith-based actors fill the service gaps usually without government assistance. FBOs continually engage in projects on the ground that specifically further the objectives of the UN Charter, implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as advance other UN mandates that promote the common good.

These long-term commitments to the UN Mission serve to accelerate our constructive partnership in negotiations and reviews of UN frameworks. We must ensure that throughout the UN processes and respective consultations at all levels, FBOs are not only present but also have the opportunity for meaningful engagement earned by protecting fundamental freedoms of assembly, association, worship, and expression.

The continued support and actions of faith-based organizations are essential as we forge ahead to “build back together.” These are also equally essential as we accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals for all people, especially for those left furthest behind. For, as the Golden Rule states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is a guide for people of all faiths or beliefs. Our core values are largely aligned with the 2030 Agenda. FBOs are well placed to carry innovations and lessons learned across communities and national borders. The UN can benefit from the breadth and depth of faith-based organizations.

We all share a common objective: a future of dignity, prosperity and peace on a healthy planet. This is true regardless of what religion or belief one practices. We need to continue working together through partnerships and strengthened collaboration among faith-based organizations and civil society in general, national governments, the international community, the private sector and other actors.

The panelists and participants in this webinar will discuss the opportunities for creating the space to leverage such partnerships in common cause to build a better world despite the vast challenges we currently face. They will also explore the pathways to make the constructive role of the faith-based organizations in the UN processes more central and impactful, in the context of the UN75 discussion on the future of the UN. Some argue that global leadership in multilateralism is lacking “political will”. In this regard, religious values can inspire people to act, locally, nationally and internationally, at whatever position they are, and deliver results beyond any material consideration.

Panelists:

  • Joop Theunissen, Deputy Chief, Intergovernmental Policy and Review Branch, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development, UN DESA
  • Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
  • Sr. Sheila Kinsey, FCJM – Executive Co-Secretary, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission, Union of Superior Generals and International Union of Superior Generals
  • Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. Nicolas Kazarian, Director, Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
  • Saphira Rameshfar, Representative to the UN, Baha’i International Community
  • Rana Yurtsever, Member of Advisory Board, Islamic Society of Midwest
  • Teresa Blumenstein, New York Coordinator, Justice Coalition of Religious,
  • Marvelous (Marvie) L. Misolas, MM, NGO Representative at the UN, Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, Inc.

Moderator: Dr. Despoina Afroditi Milaki, NGO Representative at the UN, International Presentation Association

14 faith-based organizations/sponsors of the webinar: Baha’i International Community, Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-Onlus, Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Loreto Generalate, International Presentation Association, Islamic Society of Midwest, Justice Coalition of Religious, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, UNANIMA International

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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 Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns-New York, please visit csvgc-ny.org.

{Virtual from New York} 30th Anniversary of International Day of Older Persons

UNIDOP

IDOP 2020 Program

The NGO Committee on Ageing, in partnership with UN DESA, invites you to the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of International Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2020.  Also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, this virtual event unites UN officials and leaders in the fields of ageing and elsewhere to address the call to action for a Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020-2030.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Register here: https://bit.ly/2XWwLm

9:00am – 12:00pm EDT (New York)
2:00pm – 5:00pm GMT (London)

The event will be broadcast live via the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/intfedageing/). The event recording will be made available to all registered participants following the event. For additional information on programme and speakers, go to the NGO COA Website:  http://ngocoa-ny.org/

We look forward to your participation on this special day!

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO committees affiliated with CoNGO: NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org; NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org; NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org.