CoNGO E-Update • 30 September 2009
The CoNGO E-Update is produced by staff in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with contributions from members and affiliated partners.
In this week’s issue:
CoNGO Events and Announcements:
Call for Submission of Action Points - CoNGO Civil Society Development Forum (CSDF) 2009-New York Component – “Implementing the Internationally Agreed Goals and Commitments in regard to Global Public Health”
UN Events and Announcements:
“AIDS2031” – Civil Society Online Survey
12th Session of the Human Rights Council
52nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Open Consultation on the Financial Mechanisms: Meeting the Challenges of ICT for Development
2nd Session of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards
“Minorities and Effective Political Participation”, 2nd Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues
Civil Society Events and Announcements:
Coping and Resilience 2009, International Conference
HREA Webinar: Civil Society and the UPR
Conference on Development and Information Technologies
International Peace Bureau Annual Conference
World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Call for Registration
2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions
Campaigns, Initiatives and Resources:
CoNGO Events and Announcements:
Call for Submission of Action Points - CoNGO Civil Society Development Forum (CSDF) 2009 – New York Component – “Implementing the Internationally Agreed Goals and Commitments in regard to Global Public Health”, 15 – 16 October 2009
Deadlines for submissions:
CoNGO members: 8 October 2009
Non-members: 1 October 2009
In preparation for CoNGO’s Civil Society Development Forum (CSDF) 2009-New York Component, CoNGO has launched an online form to facilitate the submission of action points to be considered at that event.
The form is available here.
The format of that online submission form was designed with a view to capturing the diversity of opinions of civil society organisations and other entities on subjects to be discussed during the New York Component. It is intended to provide an opportunity for both CoNGO members and non-members based in the regions to participate in shaping the debates of CSDF 2009.
The pulse of the CoNGO membership and its networks is important to us. Your suggestions are desired and most welcome.
For further information about the online submission form and CSDF 2009-New York Component, please visit www.ngocongo.org or contact us:
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T: +1.212.986.8557
F: +1.212.986.0821
Background information:
CoNGO is organising a follow-up Civil Society Development Forum (CSDF) 2009 – the New York Component – on 15 and 16 October 2009. Registration for this event is now open online.
This event is to review the Outcome Document of CSDF 2009–Geneva Component, seen in conjunction with the Ministerial Declaration of the ECOSOC 2009 High-Level Segment, which focused on “Implementing the Internationally Agreed Goals and Commitments in regard to Global Public Health”.
The expected product of this review is a set of succinct action points for governments, the United Nations System and civil society. These action points will result from further in-depth debates of workshops focusing on the following six substantive themes:
· Responding to health inequities at local and international levels
· Dealing with the shortage of health care workers
· Addressing the increase in non-communicable/chronic disease
· Financing global access to health, including health technologies
· Ensuring the right to health for women throughout the life-cycle
· Promoting prevention and treatment of HIV-AIDS.
The event is being held in collaboration with the Office for Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination (OESC), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), and with the assistance of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
CoNGO Committees: NGO Committee on Ageing, “Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons: Toward a Society for all Ages” – 19th International Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons, 8 October 2009, New York
At the margins of the International Day of Older Persons, the NGO Committee on Ageing (New York) is organising an event entitled “Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons” on 8 October 2009 from 9:30 to 16:30 hours at the Economic and Social Council Chamber at UN Headquarters in New York.
Interested organisations may register online.
More information about this event is available on the Committee’s comprehensive new website: www.ngocoa-ny.org.
CoNGO Committees: NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, General Meeting, 8 October 2009, Geneva
The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (CSVGC-Geneva) will hold its monthly meeting on 8 October 2009 from 13:00 to 15:00 hours at CoNGO’s Conference Room.
For more information, please contact Ms This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
CoNGO Committees: NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NGO Interactive Roundtables on the UN-ECE Beijing +15 Regional Review Meeting, 30 – 31 October 2009, Geneva
The NGO Committee on the Status of Women (Geneva) is organising an event entitled “NGO Interactive Roundtables on the UN-ECE Beijing +15 Regional Review Meeting” on 30 and 31 October 2009 at the Maison des Associations, Rue des Savoises 15, in Geneva.
The invitation letter for this event is available here.
The provisional agenda is available for download here.
To register for the event, please follow these guidelines.
For more information, please send a message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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UN Events and Announcements:
“AIDS2031” – Civil Society Online Survey
AIDS2031 is a think-tank project initiated by Mr Peter Piot while serving as Executive Director of UNAIDS. It aims at formulating a long-term strategic AIDS response, as opposed to continued crisis management.
To reflect in this strategy the voice of civil society, an online survey has been created, which is available at the UN-NGLS website.
The letter by Mr Peter Piot requesting civil society to participate in this online survey is available here.
12th Session of the Human Rights Council, 14 September – 2 October 2009, Geneva
The 12th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) is now in progress (14 September – 2 October 2009) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Information about this event, including the agenda, can be accessed here.
The proceedings of this 12th Session can be followed via webcast.
Information about NGO participation, accreditation, submission of statements and contact details for the event may be found here. Guidelines on how to log into the HRC Extranet are also available through that link.
52nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, 14 September – 2 October 2009, Geneva
The 52nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child was opened on 14 September and will continue until 2 October 2009. The event takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
More information, including the agenda, the programme of work, and a listing of State reports for consideration, is available here.
“Geneva Lectures Series: Former President Gorbachev to Address the Nuclear Disarmament Agenda with Guest Participation of Ban Ki-moon”, 5 October 2009, Geneva
The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG) are jointly organising the third in a series of lectures entitled “the Geneva Lecture Series”. This edition will feature Mr Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union and Founding President of Green Cross International. The lecture is entitled “Resetting the Nuclear Disarmament Agenda”. An introductory statement by Mr Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, will precede the lecture.
The event will take place on 5 October 2009 from 16:00 to 18:20 hours at the Assembly Hall at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Registration is mandatory and can be done online.
More information is available here.
OHCHR Consultation on Operationalizing the Framework for Business and Human Rights Presented by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises, 5 – 6 October 2009, Geneva
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will hold a consultation on operationalizing the framework for business and human rights presented by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. The meeting is scheduled on 5 and 6 October 2009 in Room XVIII at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
More information is available here.
7th Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, 5 – 16 October 2009, Geneva
The Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action has scheduled its 7th Session from 5 to 16 October 2009. The first meeting of this 7th Session will take place at 10:00 hours in Room XXI at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Open Consultation on the Financial Mechanisms: Meeting the Challenges of ICT for Development, 8 – 9 October 2009, Geneva
The UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) is organising the event “Open Consultation on the Financial Mechanisms: Meeting the Challenges of ICT for Development” from 8 to 9 October 2009 at Palexpo in Geneva.
The registration form is available here.
“Watchdog or Lapdog? Maximizing the Value of Internal Oversight for a Better United Nations”, UN University (UNU) Midday Forum, 15 October 2009, New York
To commemorate its fifteenth anniversary, the Office of Internal Oversights Services (OIOS) and UNU-ONY are organising a high-level panel discussion. Entitled “Watchdog or Lapdog? Maximizing the Value of Internal Oversight for a Better United Nations”, the event is scheduled on 15 October 2009 from 10:00 to 12:00 hours in Conference Room 8 at UN Headquarters in New York.
The event will commence with an opening address by Mr Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General.
More information, including bios of speakers and registration modalities, is available here.
The Secretariat of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards announced that it will hold its 2nd Session from 19 to 30 October 2009. The event will begin at 10:00 hours in Room XXI at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
For more information about this event, please contact the OHCHR Civil Society Unit.
“Minorities and Effective Political Participation”, 2nd Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues, 12 – 13 November 2009, Geneva
The 2nd Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues has now been scheduled for 12 and 13 November 2009 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The thematic focus of this Forum is on “Minorities and Effective Political Participation”. NGOs in consultative relationship with ECOSOC may participate, as well as other NGOs and organisations representing minorities “whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”. More information about accreditation procedures is available here.
The concept note for this event may be downloaded here.
More information about this event is available on the Forum’s website.
Civil Society Events and Announcements:
“Perspectives within International Organisations on the Financial and Economic Crisis”, Academic Council Debate Series, 2 October 2009, Geneva
The Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) is organising a roundtable debate entitled “Perspectives within International Organisations on the Financial and Economic Crisis” on 2 October 2009 from 16:15 to 18:30 hours at Salle Bungener, IHEID, rue Rothschild 20 in Geneva.
No registration is required.
More information is available here.
Coping and Resilience 2009, International Conference, 3 – 6 October 2009, Dubrovnik-Cavtat, Croatia
The Coping and Resilience 2009 International Conference will be held from 3 to 6 October 2009, in Dubrovnik-Cavtat, Croatia. The conference will convey knowledge and practices on coping and resilience in response to a variety of adverse life circumstances that individuals and communities face. Visit the conference website for programme topics and registration and submission guidelines.
Friends of the Earth, the ETC Group and the International Center for Technology Assessment are hosting an emerging technologies strategy discussion entitled “Nanotechnology, Synthetic Biology, Genomics, Geo-engineering… Where is this all going?”. The event will take place on 9 October 2009 from 9:00 to 16:00 hours at the Salvation Army, International Justice Commission, 221 East 52nd Street, in New York and include a hosted lunch.
Short presentations on nanotechnology, synthetic biology, genomics and geo-engineering will take place in the morning. These will be followed by an open discussion in the afternoon to develop a strategy to engage civil society with the shaping of these technologies on local, national, regional and global policy levels.
To confirm participation or for more information, please contact Ms This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
“Right to Food and Nutrition Watch 2009. Wer steuert das Welternährungssystem?”, Presentation and Discussion, 12 October 2009, Vienna
FIAN Austria, in cooperation with the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC), Aktion Brot für Hungernde and Grüne BildungsWerkstatt, is organising a presentation and discussion entitled “Right to Food and Nutrition Watch 2009. Wer steuert das Weltnährungssystem?” (Who steers the world food system?). The event will take place on 12 October 2009 at 18:00 hours at AAI, Grosser Saal, Türkenstrasse 3, in Vienna.
More information is available here.
HREA Webinar: Civil Society and the UPR, 22 October 2009, Online
The Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) are organising a web-based lecture and discussion – webinar – focussing on the Human Rights Council’s Universal Period Review (UPR) process and the role of civil society herein.
The webinar will take place on 22 October 2009 at 12:00 noon GMT/UTC.
For more information and to sign on, please visit the HREA website.
Conference on Development and Information Technologies, 23 – 24 October 2009, Castelldefels, Barcelona
The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC) will be holding a Conference on Development and Information Technologies on 23 and 24 October 2009 at the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) in Castelldefels, Barcelona. The Conference, organised by the UOC and co-financed by the Agència Catalana de Cooperació al Desenvolupament, will be on “Mobile Phones and Internet in Latin America and Africa: What benefits for the most disadvantaged?”
If interested in submitting a paper for this event, please visit the UOC website.
International Peace Bureau Annual Conference, 13 – 15 November 2009, Washington D.C.
The International Peace Bureau Annual Conference will be held from 13 to 15 November 2009, in Washington D.C. The provisional title for the conference is “Rolling back militarism: a task for the global movement”.
The programme will include a central event (the weekend conference) and additional activities before and after, depending on the wishes of partners and participants. Suggestions are welcome. This is intended to be a participatory event, including a top-class range of speakers, cultural presentations and opportunities to interact with key people in Washington D.C. and beyond. Check out the IPB initial announcement for more information.
World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Call for Registration, 19 November 2009
The Women’s World Summit Foundation is campaigning to prioritize the prevention of abuse and violence against children. Launched in 2000, the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse (19 November) is intended to create a global culture towards the worldwide prevention of child abuse.
For more information on the campaign and how to register, visit the campaign’s website.
“The Forgotten Children: A major European Conference addressing the subject of Children of Parents with a Mental Illness”, 26 – 27 November 2009, Vilnius, Lithuania
The European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (EUFAMI), in association with Lietuvos Sutrikusios Psichikos Žmonių Globos Bendrija (LSPŽGB), its Lithuanian family member association, will host “The Forgotten Children: A major European Conference addressing the subject of Children of Parents with a Mental Illness” from 26 to 27 November 2009 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Details on the conference programme, registration and accommodation arrangements can be found on the conference website.
2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 3 - 9 December 2009, Assembly Meeting, Melbourne, Australia
The Parliament of the World’s Religions will hold its 2009 assembly from 3 to 9 December 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. The gathering is expected to bring together more than 8,000 people of faith, spirit and goodwill from around the world. For more information about the upcoming 2009 assembly, visit the Parliament of the World’s Religions website.
Information on the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions event held in Labouisse Hall, UNICEF House, on 8 January 2009 in New York, as well as photos, can be viewed here
People’s Decade for Nuclear Abolition – Campaign
Countdown to Copenhagen Campaign
www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=how_adv_copenhagen
Decent Work - Decent Life Campaign
Global Campaign against Poverty
Appeal and Petition for a Nuclear Weapon-Free World
www10.plala.or.jp/antiatom/en/WC/e07wc/e-20070902_dec_riso.html
Launch of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Prize – Call for Nominations
assembly.coe.int/Committee/JUR/HumanRightsPrize
Gender Training Community of Practice (GT CoP) – UN-INSTRAW
www.un-instraw.org/en/community-of-practice/general/gender-training-community-of-practice-gt.html
International NGO Journal – Call for Papers
NGO Resources
“Working with the United Nations Human Rights Programme – A Handbook for Civil Society”, Publication by OHCHR
www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/NgoHandbook.aspx
Human Rights Nexus – Project by WFUNA
Integrated Civil Society Organization System – UN/DESA Civil Society Participation Database
UN-NGO-IRENE Best Practices Network
www.un.org/esa/coordination/ngo/irene
First Committee Monitor – Resource on the General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security
www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/1com/FCM.html
Globethics.net Library – A Global Digital Library on Ethics
Resources and Calendar for Peace Issues – International Peace Bureau
www.ipb.org and www.ipb.org/i/newsletters-and-publications/VI-A-ipb-newsletters-and-calendars.html
Internet Governance Caucus Website
2009 UNDP Procurement Training Calendar
www.undp.org/procurement/training.shtml
International NGO Journal
www.academicjournals.org/INGOJ
African Journal of Political Science and International Relations
www.academicjournals.org/ajpsir
The CoNGO E-Update is a weekly email information service of the Conference of NGOs, informing members and affiliated networks of relevant upcoming events sponsored by the UN, CoNGO, CoNGO members and its affiliated committees and task forces, and other major civil society-related initiatives. CoNGO’s E-Update does not endorse events listed herein. Subscription to the E-Update is generally restricted members of the Conference of NGOs and UN offices. For more information or to advise on an event, please send a message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with “E-Update” mentioned in the subject field at least three weeks prior to the event. To unsubscribe please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with “unsubscribe” in the subject field.
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Conference of NGOs (CoNGO)
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The Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN is an international membership association that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, CoNGO's major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global concern. CoNGO has its offices and international secretariat in New York, Geneva and Vienna.
Dr. Ani Kalayjian
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Fordham University
President, Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention
Board of Directors, United Nations, NGO Human Rights Committee
Chair of Mentoring & Disaster Prevention Committees, APA International Division
President, Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress & Genocide
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