NFBPWC-NYC

National Federation Of Business And Professional Women - New York City

UN Briefing: Addressing Global Water Challenges and Accelerating Progress on SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation)

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Date:                                    October 9, 2018

Rapporteur:                   Nermin Ahmad, IFBPW UN Rep., nerminkahmad@gmail.com

Attendees:                  Mission Representatives, NGOs, UN Agencies

Presenters :                  Paul D. Egerton, WMO Representative to the United Nations

Federico Properzi, Chief Technical Adviser, UN-Water Technical Advisory Unit

Juwang Zhu, UN-Water Secretary and Director of the Division of Sustainable Development Goals, DESA

Moderator:                   Leanne Burney, Programme Officer, UN-Water Technical Advisory Unit

Subject:                  Addressing Global Water Challenges and Accelerating Progress on SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation) at the Country Level – Technical Advice Concept note

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Summary: Propose High-Level UN Conference on Water and Sanitation to focus global commitment and action, and address critical gaps and find synergies notably with respect to climate change, disasters, drought and financing. Most attendees in favor; concern to break silos, collaborate with other initiatives.

Action Items:

  1. Activate women to press their governments to:
    1. Accelerate progress on SDG6 and related targets at country level
    2. Review, share and advance actionable solutions
    3. Break silos is panning, financing, decision making and foster partnerships with civil society, private companies, across sectors, within the country and across the region for true multi-stakeholder responsiveness and collaboration.
    4. Increase accountability and engagement – human-rights based and gender-responsive approach.
  2. Press for cross-silo streamlining of decision-making to link global agendas and processes and mobilize resources to enable critical change to happen.

Synopsis :

  • This is 2nd year of Second UN Decade for water (the last was launched after the visionary Mar del Plata Conference in 1977)
  • Currently only 3 hours are devoted to water issues every 4 years at the High Level Political Forum (HPLF) for Sustainable Development – the conference would enable a deep dive, and a correlation among the many disparate yet related initiatives and activities on-going globally.
  • Lack of action has an impact on economic development; food security; health; peace and security; and gender equality. Demand for freshwater is estimated to grow by 40% through 2050; yet the world is off-track to solve the global water crisis. Today 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water and 4.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.
  • Water governance structures remain weak and water related ecosystems continue to decline.
  • A High-Level Conference would bring the issue to high scrutiny, and could be expected to have a similar benefit as the same initiative for Oceans – last one 41 years ago and this is critical issue.
  • 32 UN Agencies and 42 Civil Partners already collaborating as the UN Water Secretariat which gives the process a head start – now need mandate, funding, and organization and can set it up within 18 – 24 months.

Background:  http://www.unwater.org/publications/un-water_technical_advice_concept_note_addressing_global_water_challenges_and_accelerating_progress_on_sdg-6_at_the_country_level/

The 67th UN DPI / NGO Conference: Together Finding Global Solutions for Global Problems

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The 67th UN DPI / NGO Conference

August 22 and 23, 2018

Report by Mary Brophy, UN Rep

Together Finding Global Solutions for Global Problems

Participants of the 67th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference, held under the theme “We the Peoples…Together Finding Global Solutions for Global Problems”.

 

The focus of this two-day conference was to foster a “people-centered multilateralism” to address global challenges. A people-centered multilateralism requires expanding the role of civil society partnerships, especially with youth, to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure that the 2030 Agenda leaves no one behind. This multilateralism is a rejection of the narrow nationalism that is rising, a rejection of the idea that development for some at the expense of others is acceptable. The conference featured many examples of NGOs and corporations worldwide working with the United Nations to raise awareness of the SDG’s and toward achieving the 2030 Agenda. A series of short films by a Japanese ad agency, Dentsu, was wonderful. I think some can be seen on:

#funnysdgvalentine

It was recognized that:

“…the United Nations has been a platform for activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and social movements that have shaped the world we live in. Billions of people have benefited from this cooperation. However, far too many are being left behind. Violations of international norms by those in power, together with widening inequality have caused some to doubt that the potential benefits of international cooperation can be realized. Since 1945, the distribution of power in the world has shifted dramatically. Today, corporations, non-state armed groups, and transnational social movements influence the fate of billions.” The United Nations’ legitimacy depends in part on its ability to build consensus in a world where state power has become more diffuse and where non-state actors play a substantial role…

We, as civil society, pledge to work side by side with governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to pursue the SDGs…

The conference was chaired by by Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International. The participation of the Youth Caucus was everywhere – from a Youth Hub in the UN General Assembly Lobby to a significant number of the Roundtables and workshops focused on empowering youth and featuring youth-led projects.   The passion and energy brought to the conference by youth was inspiring. They will not sit silently on the side lines…

Youth, with our unique capacities and vibrant energy, are propelling humanity’s movement towards a new future. Today, millions of families are still trapped in extreme poverty, struggling to access even basic resources like education, healthcare and employment. Today, a quarter of the world’s youth still live in the shadows of violent conflict, everything from wars to human trafficking to substance abuse threaten to steal the promise of tomorrow. And today, all on the planet earth are impacted by environmental degradation, communities of people and creatures are endangered by pollution, climate change, sea-level rising, and many other byproducts of human development. If we don’t join in concerted action now, we may not have an earth to live on tomorrow.*

Just a couple of contacts that might be useful to our members:

I met Fred Sullivan, Executive Director of Man UP (Stop Violence Against Women). He would be a strong contact for anyone working on the topic of violence against women.

I also visited a booth run by Merakiu, (Merakiu.com) a organization that provides a global directory and marketplace promoting women owned business. They also have a crowd funding campaign to support women business. Most of the products that I saw on display seemed to come from Columbia, but there could be other artisans and handicrafts involved. It is worth looking into….

 

 

DPI Briefing, April 19, 2018: Migration’s Contributions to Prosperity, Development and International Unity

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Today’s briefing highlighted the positive aspects of migration both for the host countries as well as for the countries from which the migrants come. The panel was composed of United Nations experts, and partners from NGOs working with migrants, as well as some living the migrant reality.

Ashraf El Nour, Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s office to the United Nations in NY, moderated the session. In addition, he leads IOM New York policy development work in the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. I found “Regular” to be an odd word choice, but now realize that it differentiates those migrants that arrive in a host country illegally or overstay tourist visas, etc., and thus are “Irregular” migrants. Regular migrants are registered in a host country and have access to legal employment, better wages, legal protections, more social services, and are less vulnerable to the abuses that migrant workers may suffer.

In 2017 the number of international migrants worldwide was nearly 258 million. About 3.4% of the world population are international migrants (this compares to 2.8% in 2000). Given global trends that can necessitate people movement: war and family safety, climate change, natural disasters, economic factors, the trend will continue to increase …and this is a good thing. Migrant workers contribute over $6 trillion to global GDP. They contribute to economic growth, development and innovation, combat the negative economic effects of aging populations in some host countries, enrich society with new foods, music and cultural aspects. And the remittances sent home by migrant workers, over $413 billion in 2016, can enable families and villages to survive and improve living standards.

As John Kenneth Galbraith has said:

“Migration is the oldest action against poverty. It is good for the country to which they go; it helps break the equilibrium of poverty in the country from which they come…What is the perversity in the human soul that causes people to resist so obvious a good?”

Maria del Carmen Dominguez, Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Chile to the UN spoke about Chile’s experience and policies. The birth rate in Chile is 1.9 children per woman – thus the population is now aging and Chile needs migrant workers. Most migrants in Chile are from other Latin American countries and the Caribbean. The unskilled migrants can fill jobs in agriculture, logging, and other industries that are important exports for Chile. Many unskilled migrants are quick to become more skilled workers when given the training and education. Chile has both “Regular” and “Irregular” migrants and it has a process to make the “Irregulars” “Regular”.

Chile also has a program to give visas to migrant families so that the family can be united. Migrant families tend to be entrepreneurial and a stabilizing force in society. It was clear that Chile is a strong supporter of the United Nation’s Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and believes that Human Rights are for all Humans – irregardless of their immigration status. The steps that Chile is taking seem very enlightened when compared to walls, border patrols, breaking up productive families and deporting Dreamers…

Bela Hovy, Chief of the Migration Section at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, overseas the estimation of global migration trends and supports migration data collection and analysis in developing countries. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Hovy was responsible for statistics at the Office of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. And statistics he did provide – on levels and trends in international migration, demographic characteristics, migrant remittances and more. In many parts of the world, migration occurs primarily between countries within the same region: most international migrants in Asia (80%), Africa (79%), Latin America and the Caribbean (64%), and Europe (53%) originate from another country in the same region. By contrast most international migrants living in Northern America (98%) and Oceania (87%) were born in a region other than the one they are residing in. The ratification of legal instruments related to international migration is uneven.   The 1951 Refuge Convention and its 1967 Protocol have been ratified by 145 and 146 UN Member states, respectively. But only a quarter of countries have ratified the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

Kevin Appleby is Senior Director for International Migration Policy for the Center for Migration Studies of New York and the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN). SIMN is a network of 270 schools, shelters, educational institutes and training and community centers for migrants operated globally by the Missionaries of St. Charles, Scalabrini, Catholic religious order.   He focused on the importance of a regularization program to legal status. He also mentioned studies that show if 11 million undocumented workers were regularized, it would increase the real GDP in the USA by 3.3% over 10 years.

Manal Kahi is the founder and CEO of Eat Offbeat, a social enterprise that delivers authentic meals made by refugees to clients (mainly corporate). Manal came to the USA to pursue a career in international affairs, but found the hummus available in NYC led her to launch Eat Offbeat. The enterprise both helps New Yorkers to discover authentic dishes from around the world and also creates quality jobs for immigrants.

Manyang Reath Keer spent almost 14 years of his childhood as a Lost Boy of Sudan before he was brought to the USA by a faith based NGO. For the past 10 years, in addition to getting an education, he has dedicated his life to raising awareness and money for the refugee crisis through his non-profit, Humanity Helping Sudan and most recently he launched a coffee Brand, 734, named for the geographical coordinates for Gambela, a region in Ethiopia where over 200,000 South Sudanese citizens take refuge. Precedes support farming enterprises in the region and allow refugees to live a more meaningful and aid-free life.

Article written by UN Representative Mary Brophy.

 

The Value of Peacekeeping: Stories from the Field

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 DPI Briefing, January 18, 2018

The UN Department of Public Information has undertaken a campaign to build support for the service and sacrifices made by United Nations’ Peacekeepers.  Peacekeeping operations began in 1948 and since then there have been 71 missions. There are currently 105,187 personnel working in 15 peacekeeping operations around the world.  Each peacekeeping operation is unique and its mission is defined by a mandate from the United Nations. The peacekeeping forces are contributed by the member nations and at present 123 different countries are contributing uniformed personnel to the peacekeeping missions.  The peacekeeping operation is not an army, or a counter-terrorist force, or a humanitarian agency. It is a tool to create the space for a nationally-owned political solution. The peacekeepers do assume a variety of roles that can include protecting the civilian population, monitoring a situation, ensuring that aid is received, disarming and serving as role models.    Over 3,500 peacekeepers have lost their lives on mission.

The panel was moderated by Hawa Diallo, currently a Public Information Officer at DPI, but she has also served in two United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Cambodia and Somalia.

Other panel members included:

  • Daria Miglietta Ferrari, Senior Political Affairs Officer in the Europe, Latin America and Asia Integrated Operational Team, Department of Peacekeeping Operations,
  • Brigadier General Khan Firoz Ahmed, Defense Advisor, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations.  Bangladesh is the 2nd largest troops contributing country to the UN. The General spoke of the UN values of Integrity, Professionalism, and Respect for Diversity that are part of every UN mission and how the peacekeepers are trained both in their home countries and again once they are part of a mission.
  • John Greenway, Strategic Communications Officer, DPI.  Mr. Greenway manages communications campaigns and crisis communication and spoke about this campaign and showed two short films featuring specific peacekeepers on missions now.  Both were very moving in their humanity and showed the risks these people undertake.
  • Charles Anyidoho, Senior Political Affairs Officer at Europe Division of the Department of Political Affairs.
  • Amaka Azikiwe, Political Affairs Officer, UN Operations and Crisis Center
  • Douglas Coffman, Peace and Security Strategic Communications Officer, Department of Public Information

Every member of the panel had significant experience in the field and spoke about that experience – including their fears and the rewards of being part of history when a mission accomplishes its goals or at least some of the goals – which can seem like a miracle – and the impact their work can have on the local population.

The missions of the peacekeepers are crucial to the peace and security of our politically charged world and recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of these individuals is important.

The issue of sexual harassment did come up and how the UN is dealing with charges when the occur.  New procedures have been developed for transparence and a policy of zero tolerance. The response to the question on sexual harassment reminded me of the DPI briefing held on January 18th with Assistant Secretary-General, Victims’ Rights Advocate for the United Nations, Ms. Jane Connors.  I have included my notes from that briefing below:

Ms. Connors’ position is significant in that it is newly created, adding strength to Antonio Guterres commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of victims as he works to address sexual exploitation and abuse in the United Nations’ system world-wide.   The new office also puts another woman in a position of leadership at the United Nations, reaching gender parity at the senior level – 22 men and 22 women. Ms. Connors’ background as an attorney and educator combined with years of experience as the Director of International Advocacy for Amnesty International and various positions at the United Nations make her a very good choice for this office.

In 2017 there were 54 allegations of abuse made against UN workers.  The Un has a strict “No excuses, zero tolerance approach to UN personnel.   Ms. Connors’ position is to put the rights and dignity of the victims at the forefront.  She wants to focus on victims’ care and follow-up – including medical care and other types of support and advocacy. Prevention is also a priority.   She wants to be sure that there is communication in the local community so that victims know what to expect should abuse or exploitation occur. At the field level, the UN is seeing progress in its desire for transparency and refusal to take a defensive stand. The rule is “ Do not harm”  and there is zero tolerance.

There are challenges ahead as allegations of abuse made against UN workers mirror this situation world wide, where positions of inequality and a vulnerable population make exploitation possible.

 

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