Conference of NGOs

Digital Technologies and Older Persons: A Smart Mix

Dear NGO Friends,

It is my honor to extend an invitation to the 14th annual AARP-UN Briefing Series on Global Ageing entitled Digital Technologies and Older Persons: A Smart Mix.

The virtual event will take place on Monday, 8 February 2021 from 9.00 a.m.- 10.30a.m ET.

Taking place in the margins of the Commission for Social Development, this event seeks to engage new and current partners in a discussion to highlight the challenges faced by and opportunities for older people in digital inclusion; digital capacity building and ensuring that digital products, policies, and practices comply with human rights standards and protections of older people. An information note containing relevant details and the agenda are attached.

To join the event, attendees must register in advance by clicking on the following link: https://itu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T9fTE0z2QBO0FhY3PiS3hg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Thank you for your support.

Best Regards,
UNDESA’s Division for Inclusive Social Development

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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 Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org.

Global Alliance on the Rights of Older People webinar to prep for the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing

IFA/GAROP 2021 Webinar Series | Time for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older People!

The 11th Session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) is expected to take place from 29 March – 1 April 2021.

This webinar is an opportunity for those interested or active in advocacy for the human rights of older people to learn more about activities underway locally and at the United Nations. It will explore the following topics:

  • What difference will a UN convention make for older people and for governments, particularly in the context of COVID-19?
  • Update about the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing
  • How will the 11th session of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing be organised this year?
  • What can NGOs do now at national level to advocate for a UN convention?

Moderated by Dr. Kiran Rabheru, Chair of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, this webinar will feature interventions from the following expert speakers:

Ms. Amal Abou Rafeh, Chief of the Programme on Ageing at UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Mr. Craig Mokhiber, Director of the New York Office of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr. Naraidoo Gava (Vijay) Naraidoo, Director of Droits Humains Ocean Indien (DIS-MOI)

Register here!

This webinar will be recorded and posted on the IFA YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUv-MOzsvoHtnqyDOuNHGWw

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

NGO Committee on Ageing-NY: Making the Case for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

The NGO Committee on Ageing-NY draws attention to its upcoming program meeting:

The meeting will provide a status report on the work of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and will discuss the meaning of an international legal instrument (a convention) for the rights of older persons, how we can advocate for a convention – what do we say and how do we say it. REGISTRATION is required.

Program:

Welcome and announcements: Dr. Cynthia Stuen, Chair of NGO Committee on Ageing

  • Moderator: Ms. Frances Zainoeddin, Vice-Chair, NGO COA

Brief overview and update of work of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing: What does a convention/international legal instrument mean, in the UN context? What is its expected impact?

  • Ms. Susan Somers, President, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

It’s About Rights! Finding opportunities to make a case for older people’s rights and a UN convention during COVID-19 (see link to HelpAge Toolkit – helpage.org/what-we-do/un-convention/):

  • Ms. Bridget Sleap, Senior Rights Policy Adviser, HelpAge International

Building a case for a UN convention – how to frame messages

  • Ms. Laura Pares, Communications Adviser, HelpAge International

Q & A

Closing Remarks

  • Dr. Sandra Timmermann, International Federation on Ageing

Thanks to International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse for hosting this Zoom meeting. If there are any questions or problems with registration contact Susan at sbsomers5@gmail.com

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com.

International Youth Conference 2021

COVID-19 has paused the life of every human being on earth and affected global development at large. Whereas the world is under lockdown the progress of development is halted. On account of this, the International Youth Conference 2021 (IYC 2021) will take place under the theme ‘Regeneration: Moving forward with Development’. The conference will shed light on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and youth relevant themes. Youth and field experts will come together to discuss youth issues and drive youth action towards the achievement of SDGs while the world is at pause.

Register here!

The objectives of the conference are:

  • To provide an international platform to youth to develop and engage in participatory development of the world
  • To support the UN achieve its Sustainable Development Goals through youth engagement
  • To empower gender and youth equality and inclusion in decision making, policy making, and development at all levels (communal, local, institutional, national, and international)
  • To brainstorm implementation of the Youth Climate Compact
  • To chalk out innovative ideas for development
  • To foster youth advancement through digital innovation and tools
  • To steer thinking and aspiration towards social developmental solutions provision

IYC 2021 will also formulate a policy and action recommendation/document/manual for youth on how to act under ‘world at pause’ conditions, how to find relevant opportunities, combat depression and come out of it a victor.

The conference is truly global with organizers and speakers from all continents and is open to anyone identifying as youth as per the UN definition.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, please visit childrightsny.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 Mental Health, please visit ngomentalhealth.org.

Spirituality, Mental Health and Resilience in the Dual Pandemics of COVID-19 and HIV

Dear colleagues & friends,

Greetings. I hope this email finds you safe and well. Kindly find below the relevant information of the upcoming webinar on Spirituality, Mental Health and Resilience in the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and HIV that UNAIDS is organizing with the coalition of partners from the Interfaith health platform, for your information and kind participation. Many thanks.

DRAFT AGENDA

Overview and Session 1 – Mental Health in the dual pandemics: what spirituality, resilience and a human rights-based approach have to offer?

  • Dainius Pūras, Director, Human Rights Monitoring Institute, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Vilnius university, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health: A human rights based approach to mental health
  • Ani Shakarishvili, Special Adviser, Programme Partnerships, UNAIDS: Mental health and HIV: An imperative and an opportunity for integrated people-centered and human rights-based programmes and services for better HIV and health outcomes and wellbeing
  • Rev. Sarah Lund, United Church of Christ Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice: Spiritual Care Tools for Community Mental Health
  • Sabrina T. Cherry, Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies Certificate, Assistant Professor, Public Health Faculty Fellow, UNCW Center For Social Impact: Impact of spirituality on resilience and coping during the COVID-19 crisis – A mixed-method approach investigating the impact on women

Best Practices & Lessons Learned Session: HIV & COVID-19

  • Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga, President of the Bolivian Network of People Living with HIV
  • Nkatha Njeru, Coordinator, Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP)
  • Applesta Da Costa, Program Lead, Psychosocial Support for interventions in mental health, Human Touch, Goa, India
  • Fr Rick Bauer, Director of Spiritual and Psychosocial Support for the Eastern Deanery AIDS Relief program in Nairobi, Kenya: Spirituality, Mental Health and Resilience during the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and HIV: Understandings and practices from EDARP

5:30-7:30 am San Francisco / 8:30-10:30 am New York / 1:30-3:30 pm Dakar /
2:30-4:30 pm Geneva / 4:30-6:30 pm Nairobi / 7:00-9:00 pm Mumbai /
8:30-10:30 pm Bangkok

Register here. Virtual – UNAIDS Platform (Zoom) + YouTube |  Interpretation: English, French, Spanish

Warm regards,

Chuqiu Peng
Consultant
Inter-governmental Inter-Agency and Policy Dialogue Branch (IIPDB)
Policy and Strategy Division (PSD)
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Email: peng@unfpa.org

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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 Mental Health, please visit ngomentalhealth.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org

[Civil Society Briefing] “Childhood After Atrocity Crimes: Hope for Peace, Dignity and Equality”

Civil Society Briefing “Childhood after Atrocity Crimes: Hope for Peace, Dignity and Equality”

Register here: bit.ly/39Kzaau

Experts examine the approaches taken to support children who survived the Holocaust and consider how these approaches contributed to models adopted for contemporary practice for working with young people who have survived atrocity crimes.

The briefing is organized by the Outreach Programme on the Holocaust and the Civil Society Unit of the United Nations Department of Global Communications.

SPEAKERS

Ms. Hawa Diallo, Chief, Civil Society Unit, Department of Global Communications

Dr. Beth B. Cohen, Social Historian and Author

Professor Theresa S. Betancourt, Boston College School of Social Work

Ms. Divina Maloum, Founder, Children for Peace

POEM

Lament of Syria

by Ms. Amineh Abou Kerech, Winner, Betjeman Poetry Prize 2017

For more information about the 2021 Holocaust Remembrance please visit: https://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance

If you have questions please contact: education-outreach@un.org

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, please visit childrightsny.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 Freedom of Religion or Belief, please visit unforb.org.

[IFFD Virtual Briefing] Parenting in the Digital Age: Policymaker Perspective

IFFD virtual briefing on “Parenting in the Digital Age” through a policymaker perspective

Co-organized by UN-DESA Division for Inclusive Social Development, with the participation of Center for Educational Research and Innovation – OECD, UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, Common Sense Media

Background Note

The global pandemic crisis has shown the great value of new technologies, especially for families. New technologies have enabled many people to continue working at home. They have helped many teachers and parents to continue to provide an education for their children when the schools closed. They have provided ways to stay connected with friends and relatives. They have been a way to reach out for help getting food and medicines. They have been a much-needed source of entertainment.

At the same time, new technologies have shown a darker side. Parents around the world are concerned about what impact the Internet is having on their children’s lives. Their concern is not so much about if they are spending too long online but more about how their online interactions are impacting on their health, happiness and wellbeing. They also worry about them being cyber-bullied, what their kids’ digital legacy will be and if they are safe online.

The event will focus on how policymakers can help parents and families to develop character and cyber-wisdom in their children. At the same time, it will spur parents’ proactivity in seeking to cultivate values, qualities and skills in their children.

Discussion Points

1. What is access and opportunities to digital technologies among different families? Digital opportunities and access for all (Curitiba Manifesto)
2. How does the digital gap impact the suitability and efficiency of parenting? (Venice Declaration)
3. How can policymakers, industry leaders and global media partners support parents in building a digital world that works better for every child, family and community? (Common Sense Media)

Register here!

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

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