pollution

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 46^th 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)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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 46^th 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)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

[Monthly Meeting] Climate Working Group of the Committee on Religious NGOs at the UN

The Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations (CRNGO) will convene the monthly virtual meeting of its Climate Working Group on Monday, March 1, at 10:00 am EST.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://bic-org.zoom.us/j/94974579057?pwd=WENDQmlqdUJibnNTNE5XZHM3MkJqZz09

(ID: 94974579057, passcode: 8JuE2k)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

[Monthly Meeting] Climate Working Group of the Committee on Religious NGOs at the UN

The Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations (CRNGO) will convene the monthly virtual meeting of its Climate Working Group on Monday, March 1, at 10:00 am EST.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://bic-org.zoom.us/j/94974579057?pwd=WENDQmlqdUJibnNTNE5XZHM3MkJqZz09

(ID: 94974579057, passcode: 8JuE2k)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

[NGO CSW-NY] Climate Crisis and Climate Action by and for Women

Climate change presents an unprecedented threat to economies and societies around the world.

The climate crisis burdens all of humanity, but not equally. The world’s poor, the majority of whom are women, are disproportionately affected. To advance workable and equitable solutions on the local, national, and global level, women must continue to serve as change agents – agents of mitigation, adaptation, and prevention of the most serious consequences of climate change.

NGO CSW/NY’s monthly meeting will examine the international situation and map a few examples of solutions that have proven to be successful.

Agenda:

1 – 1:30PM: NGO CSW65 Virtual Forum Updates
Updates from Houry Geudelekian, NGO CSW/NY Chair

1:30 – 3PM: Program
Panel: Moderated by Azadeh Khalili, NGO CSW/NY Communications Secretary

Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of WECAN International
Mara Dolan, Women’s Environment and Development Organization
Divya Mathew, Women Deliver

Small Group Discussions

Closing

Register here!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: 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-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

[NGO CSW-NY] Climate Crisis and Climate Action by and for Women

Climate change presents an unprecedented threat to economies and societies around the world.

The climate crisis burdens all of humanity, but not equally. The world’s poor, the majority of whom are women, are disproportionately affected. To advance workable and equitable solutions on the local, national, and global level, women must continue to serve as change agents – agents of mitigation, adaptation, and prevention of the most serious consequences of climate change.

NGO CSW/NY’s monthly meeting will examine the international situation and map a few examples of solutions that have proven to be successful.

Agenda:

1 – 1:30PM: NGO CSW65 Virtual Forum Updates
Updates from Houry Geudelekian, NGO CSW/NY Chair

1:30 – 3PM: Program
Panel: Moderated by Azadeh Khalili, NGO CSW/NY Communications Secretary

Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of WECAN International
Mara Dolan, Women’s Environment and Development Organization
Divya Mathew, Women Deliver

Small Group Discussions

Closing

Register here!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: 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-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN-Climate Working Group Meeting

Dear friends,

I hope this note finds you well! I am writing to update you all on a few considerations related to the next steps for the Committee of Religious NGOs Climate Working Group (CRN CWG). Our next meeting will be on Monday, 1 February from 10-11 AM (zoom link here). Here is a bit more context:

Because of the CSocD, CSW, international women’s day and other winter/spring events, we would like to propose meeting on the first Monday of the month for the next few months. Apologies if this causes any inconvenience, but we are hopeful that it will reduce conflicts.
The meeting on Feb. 1 is meant to cover a few items (agenda will be here in the coming days). Namely: what are the various areas of focus we would like to prioritize this year? and what are the main ideas we wish to develop collectively? This, of course, in addition to other matters we will address at future meetings such as what are the opportunities and, specifically, how to engage with UNFCCC COP.
Finally, a few items that might be nice to refer to. First is the Climate Adaptation Summit taking place next week. Second is a link to a number of key reports, including the recent adaptation gap report. And third is a link to an interesting recent meeting between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg regarding feedback loops.

Finally, as many of us are losing friends, acquaintances, and family members – let us do our best to keep each other in our prayers.

Warmly,

Dan, Beth and Julia, CRNGO CWG executive committee

___________________________________________________________________________________________

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-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN-Climate Working Group Meeting

Dear friends,

I hope this note finds you well! I am writing to update you all on a few considerations related to the next steps for the Committee of Religious NGOs Climate Working Group (CRN CWG). Our next meeting will be on Monday, 1 February from 10-11 AM (zoom link here). Here is a bit more context:

Because of the CSocD, CSW, international women’s day and other winter/spring events, we would like to propose meeting on the first Monday of the month for the next few months. Apologies if this causes any inconvenience, but we are hopeful that it will reduce conflicts.
The meeting on Feb. 1 is meant to cover a few items (agenda will be here in the coming days). Namely: what are the various areas of focus we would like to prioritize this year? and what are the main ideas we wish to develop collectively? This, of course, in addition to other matters we will address at future meetings such as what are the opportunities and, specifically, how to engage with UNFCCC COP.
Finally, a few items that might be nice to refer to. First is the Climate Adaptation Summit taking place next week. Second is a link to a number of key reports, including the recent adaptation gap report. And third is a link to an interesting recent meeting between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg regarding feedback loops.

Finally, as many of us are losing friends, acquaintances, and family members – let us do our best to keep each other in our prayers.

Warmly,

Dan, Beth and Julia, CRNGO CWG executive committee

___________________________________________________________________________________________

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-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

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