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EDITOR’S NOTE: It is necessary that we must strengthen partnerships
with NGO’s to promote the rights for all. It takes a team to mobilize
awareness amongst all agencies that may have resources, solutions and
possibly a system in which all people can benefit. Together we can work
towards a vision of equality for all people all ages to secure their Human
Rights in society. The dream is that all people young and old can begin
to realize their full potential!
New York (ENI). John
Marks Templeton, a man who first made his mark a pioneer international
investor, is being remembered in religious circles for commitment, later
in life, to the most prominent prize in religion: the annual Templeton
Prize. He also funded other projects related to the study of science and
religion.
Afghanistan Making Significant Progress in Mine Clearance, Reports
UN Official
New York, July 21, 2008
More than 38,000 anti-personnel mines have been cleared in the past six
months across Afghanistan - one of the most heavily mined countries in
the world – representing 10 per cent of the total number cleared in the
past 18 years, as a senior United Nations official said today.
Haider Reza, Programmes Director of the UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan
(UNMACA), told a news conference in Kabul today that the Mine Action Programme
of Afghanistan has cleared 38,297 anti-personnel mines, 19 anti-tank mines
and 957,362 explosive remnants of war so far this year
In addition, some 65,361,363 square metres of land across the strife-torn
nation has been cleared. As a party to the global anti-landmine treaty,
known as the Ottawa Convention, Afghanistan has committed itself to clear
all of its landmines by 2013
In addition, the Afghanistan Compact has set a target of reducing all
contaminated land from landmines and explosive remnants of war by 70 per
cent by 2011. Launched in January 2006, the Compact is the framework for
partnership between the Afghan Government and the international community
to help bolster the war-torn country’s security, economic development
and counter-narcotics efforts.
Banglore, India (ENI). Christian groups have expressed dismay at attempts
by the government of India’s southern Karnataka state to take action against
hundreds of church educational institutions after they closed for a day
to protest at ongoing violence against Christians in eastern Orissa State.
The Global Council of Indian Christians in an appeal to India’s National
Human Rights Commission on 2 September urged it “to take steps to see
that the Christians institutions (in Karnataka) are not penalized for
this action of solidarity and peaceful prayer for the victims of violence
in Orissa (state)”.
Churches tell Accra summit: Recognize us as “development partners”
ACCRA (ENI) African churches and international faith based organizations
meeting in Accra have urged governments to end “the scandal of poverty”
by delivering aid that advances development and not placing unacceptable
obligations on poor countries. “Aid must be judged by what it delivers
on development,” the general secretary of the All Africa Conference of
Churches, The Rev. Mvume Dandala said during the 2-4 September High-level
Forum on Aid Effectiveness in the Ghanaian capital. This brought together
more than 800 representatives of developing country governments, and civil
society organizations.
Soccer net at the end of the runway – in the world’s smallest
nation
Funafuti, Tuvalu (ENI). As most of the world was lauding gold medal winners
in August under the ancient Olympic slogan of “fastest, highest, strongest”
life in the smallest nation on earth, Tuvalu, drifted on normally. It
sent pretty much the slowest, lowest and weakest team to the games. Not
surprisingly none of Tuvalu’s three-person Olympic team won a meal, but
the nation itself has a bigger race to win – the race for survival. Tuvalu
is in a beautiful backwater of the Pacific where life is very slow. Barring
the Vatican City State, Tuvalu is the world’s smallest nation, and far
from being high – it is the world’s lowest nation.
Christians take to streets to protest as attacks on them continue
Bangalore, India ENI). Traffic came to a standstill n central Bangalore
in Karnataka state on 25 September, as thousands of Christians took part
in protest rallies against a wave of violence directed against in eight
of India’s regional states. At the end of a rally organized by the Karnataka
Christian Federation, participants staged a sit-down protest in front
of a statue of Moatma Ghandhi, the campaigner for Indian independence,
who was known for his advocacy of non-violence. Moe than 100 churches
and Christian institutions are reported to have been attacked, and tons
of Christians have died, in the violence that broke out following the
killing in August 2008 of a Hindu leader.
India Celebrates Ghandi’s Life as attacks on Christians continue
Buhubaneswar, India (ENI) Christians and secular groups in India commemorated
the 2 October anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Ghandi attacks against
Christians continued on a day that marks the India’s campaigner message
of non violence. More than 100 Christian honored torched in the troubled
city of Kandhamal and nearby district of Orissa district as the nation
prepared to celebrate the 139th anniversary of Ghandi’s birth.
SOCA News at the UN:
The SOCA Representative Anne Riccitelli contributed to the planning of
the 61st Conference in Paris in the following way:
• She secured a pro-bono ad and a two page feature on the Paris Conference
• She also was a representative on the Planning Committee
• She also secured an interview with the Chair of the Planning Committee
for the New York Times
United Nations, DPI/NGO sponsored a workshop titled “Expanding Outreach
and Communications: Partnering with UNESCO. This workshop was organized
in cooperation with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee. SOCA representative
Anne Riccitelli was one of the Co-Chairs of Media and Publicity for the
Conference Planning Committee of the 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference.
The SOCA Representative Anne Riccitelli secured several mainstream outlets
for the coverage of the 61st DPI/NGO Conference to name a few:
News Services/Newspapers
Abaka Press, Montreal, Canada, Page 9, 25 August 2008
“AGBU Youth Delegation to attend 61 St Annual UN Conference in Paris”
dedicated to Human Rights
Birmingham Times, 5 September 2008
“Alpha Kappa Alpha to articulate 100 year record of advancing
human rights at United Nations confab”
The New Freeman, 19 September 2008, weekly paper of Roman Catholic
Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, a report on the 61st
Conference written by Sr. Roma DeRobertis
New York Times, 12 August 2008
“Preserving Travel as a Crucial Pathway to Common Ground” by
Shamina de Gonzaga.
Interviews:
BBC World Service, World Have You Say.” 20 June 2008, interview with
Shamina de Gonzaga
Children’s PressLine Gala, 5June 2008, Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins,
introduces Shamina deGonzaga as Chair of the 61st Conference to Conference
and meets with members of the press
PalTalk.com, 21 August 2008, live interactive talk show with guest Dr.
Judy Kuriansky discusses Paris Conference
Sirius Radio, “The Catholic Channel,” 10 April 2008, Dr Judy Kuriansky
discusses the Pope’s upcoming visit during the year of the 60th Anniversary
of the UDHR and mentions upcoming Paris 61st Conference
NGO Media Outlets
Online
ANS – Agencia Info Salesiana, 9 Septeber 2008, “The Salesians of Don
Bosco were well represented at the 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference…”
BONARIA Management.blogspot, 10 April 2008, “UNESCO 61 Confereza Annuale
DPI/NGO
Womenalliance.org, 11 September 2008, “Thoughts of International Women
Activists in the IAW: Reaffirming Human Rights for All Lutheran World
Federation Youth Blog, 22 September 2008, “Making the Dream of the Universal
Declaration a Reality
Print
“UN NGO Human Rights Session in Paris,” Summer 2008 Interdependent
“Anne Marie Riccitelli SOCA Representative is Media Co-Chair of the 61st
Annual…” July/August 2008, American Society of Journalists and Authors
Newsletter, ASJA Monthly.
Fall 2008 NGO Briefing and Events Calendar
2 October
NGO Briefing
The 18th Annual Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons:
A Call For a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons
9 October
NGO Briefing
Making Mental Health a Global Priority Through Advocacy and Action
16 October
NGO Briefing
In observance of the International Day of Rural Women: Providing the tools
for Economic Empowerment
23 October
NGO Briefing
Relevance of the UN in the field
30 October
NGO Briefing
NGOs on Disarmament: Old Questions, Fresh Answers on the Issues of Reducing
Violence, Controlling Arms and Eliminating Weapons of Mass Destruction
6 November
NGO Briefing
Millennium Villages, A New Approach to Fighting Poverty
13 November
NGO Briefing
World Diabetes Day: Providing Assitance for Children with Diabetes
20 November
NGO Briefing
Human Rights for Women: 16 Days to Make a Difference
4 December
NGO Briefing
Online Communications Workshop: Creating a Blog, Using Photos and Writing
for the Web
11 December
NGO Briefing
"Dignity and Justice for all of Us" After 60 Years Now What?
Briefings are held in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium
from 10:30am. to 12:00pm. Unless otherwise indicated.
Major United Nations Activities:
Yearbook of the United Nations Website Launched, Providing Free
and Unprecedented Access to Organization’s History
The United Nations Department of Public Information today launched the
first ever online version of the Yearbook of the United Nations – the
World Organization flagship reference publication. The new website – unyearbook.un.org
– provides free public access to the 59 volumes of the Yearbook collection,
detailing the work and achievements of the United Nations system over
the first 60 years of its existence
(1946-2005). New useful features and volumes will be added as they become
available.
The launch of a Web-based version of this extraordinarily rich resource
of information about the UN system took place at the opening of first-ever
UN Book Days, organized by the Department on and 10 October 2008 at UN
Headquarters to showcase information products and services of the United
Nations system and intergovernmental organizations.
The Yearbook is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the
United Nations and its work”, said Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General
for Communications and Public Information, who presided over the event.
“The online edition brings our history
And accomplishments to life for countless people across the globe, at
a time when knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting our world
are crucial to the achievement of the United Nations mission.”
For more information on the Yearbook and access to the entire Yearbook
collection, visit http://unyearbook.un.org. For more information on the
UN Book Days event, go to http://unp.un.org/bookdays.aspx. The Yearbook
of the United Nations, 2005 and earlier editions are available for purchase
at the UN Bookshop and through UN Publications at
https://unp.un.org/default.aspx.
Contact: UN Yearbook Unit Tel. (917) 367-9326, 3mail: unyearbook@un.org.
The UN hosted a Day Concert which featured the Silk Road Ensemble with
founder and UN Messenger of Peace Yo-Yo Ma on Friday October 24, 208
On October 30, 2008 The United Nations University sponsored an briefing
entitled An Interactive Dialogue on United Nations University New York
Programmes: Present and Future.
The United Nations Department of Public Information sponsored a Panel
Discussion: Nowhere to turn” on Monday November 10 2008 this was the 70th
Anniversary Observance of the Kristallnacht Pogrom. This panel discussion
examine the vents leading up to the violence against the Jewish people,
how immigration policy contributed to the outcome and the lessons that
this history offers today.
The United Nations Department of Public Information and the Permanent
Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations hosted
a Film Screening: “My Opposition the Diaries of Friedrich Kellner” on
November 10 2008. The 2007 documentary film narrates the story of a former
court official Fredrich Kellner, a political activists in the Third Reich
who defied the Nazis by campaigning against them and later secretly documenting
their atrocities in his diary, at the risk of his life.
On November 25, 2008 the United Nations hosted a conference “15 Years
of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women (1994-2009).
The purpose of the event was to build on the partnership between UNFPA,
the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to take stock of the
achievements of 15 years of work of the Special Rapporteur on .Violence
Against Women
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The United Nations is delighted to announce that the Department of Public
Information received a confirmation from the Government of Mexico they
agreed to host the 62nd Annual DPI?NGO Conference in Mexico City, 9-11
September 2009, on the general theme of Disbarment and International Peace.
For further information on the various programs contact:
Dean, Ambassador Anthony J. DeLuca, Ph.D
Phone: (718) 698-0700
e-mail+ IgnatiusU@Aol.com
Website http//ignatiusu.com/diplomacy.html
United Nations Affairs – Syrian Orthodox Church In America
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