May 29, 2006
Posted 10:17 PM
by Mary
Summary The DPI/NGO Section held its regular weekly NGO briefing on 25 May 2006 on the UN Study on Violence against Children: From Children’s Perspective. Amaya Gillespie, Director, Secretariat of the Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children opened the briefing by providing an update of the Study leading up to its launch in October 2006. Mali Nilsson, Chair, International Save the Children Alliance Task Group on Physical and Humiliating Punishment then introduced a group of 22 children, aged 15-17, who participated in the nine regional consultations of the Study. The children then took the floor and through role play presented a series of situations involving violence against children. These included parental, sexual and verbal abuse in the home, schools and communities. The children, who came from all parts of the world, participated in the various skits and spoke in their native languages, including French, Russian and Spanish. A girl from India sang a song in her local language, which was translated into English later. The girl, who was a representative of working children in India, sang about the rights of girls who are given away for marriage at a very young age. In conclusion, the children invited the audience to stand up and sing a song that made no sense, similar to violence. During the question-and-answer period, questions were asked about violence against children in religious context and conflict situations. The children responded by providing examples from their respective geographical areas. The main message that the children left behind was that violence was always senseless and harmful, regardless of the circumstances. They also recognized that typically violence directed at boys was largely of physical nature and the one directed at girls largely psychological. In response to a question about the effect of the violence portrayed by the media, the children recognized the negative influence the media may have on the society and themselves but felt that although they may choose to ignore the violent programmes in the media, it was up to the adults to tackle the problem on the institutional level. During the second part of the briefing, Ditsi Carolino, a film director from the Philippines introduced her recently released documentary, entitled “Bunso” (The Youngest), graphically depicting the conditions of children in the Philippine prisons. Ms. Carolino started by explaining that in her country there were no juvenile correction facilities. Instead, children as young as nine could be imprisoned together with adult criminals. Their crime may be as petty as public urination or stealing food. A 15-minute segment of the film was then screened, followed by a question-and-answer period. Ms. Carolino was happy to announce that as a result of the film a new bill was passed in the Philippines just last week, calling for the minimum age for children to be incarcerated be raised to 15.
May 25, 2006
Posted 12:41 AM
by Mary
Iran – What Now? Are fears of nuclear proliferation pushing the West and Iran to the brink of hostilities? What are the politics behind the recent escalation of tension? On June 7 at 7:30 PM, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Professor Gary Sick of Columbia University will help the public to understand and evaluate the facts behind the angry noises emerging from both Washington and Teheran. Professor Sick served on the National Security Council under Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan and as principal White House aide during the Iranian revolution and hostage crisis. He was Director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University and is presently independent researcher on Iranian politics and economics who appears frequently on TV. This occasion is an unusual opportunity for the public to hear from a distinguished speaker on a complex situation which could further destabilize the Middle East. Ample time will be allowed for questions from the audience. The event is sponsored by The Bergen County Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. St. Mark's Episcopal Church is located at 118 Chadwick Road, Teaneck, NJ. (Corner of Chadwick and Grange Roads – One block south of Cedar Lane – Just behind Holy Name Hospital) The UNA-USA is a not-for-profit group that presents events to inform the public on vitally important global issues. For further information, call Phyllis Ehrenfeld, President, Bergen County Chapter, UNA-USA. Telephone 201 836-1533
May 22, 2006
Posted 8:34 AM
by Mary
Hello Activists Concerned with Human Rights! You are invited to participate in a Humanist Roundtable Discussion on Human Rights Issues. Of particular interest is the formation of the new United Nations Human Rights Council. We hope to have participants from the member Nations of the new Council. Of interest, as well, is the fact that the United States in not among the Nations voted-in to join the new Council. A representative from Human Rights Watch may participate as well. Please attend this Discussion and share your own information with others. Hoping to see you there! Beth K Lamont. ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE HUMANIST ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION SERIES Considers the continuing HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES and the continuing violations by many Nations! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Come to the Special Roundtable Meeting on TUESDAY, MAY 23RD, 6:30 PM Church Building across from the UN 777 United Nations Plaza, 7th Floor Sponsored by NGOs: the Council of Ethics Based Organizations at the UN and the American Humanist Association For More Information call: 914-588-5284 or visit our Websites: http://www.cebo.org http://www.corliss-lamont.org"
May 3, 2006
Posted 8:20 AM
by Mary
The Values Caucus at the United Nations "RE-FORM-ING THE UNITED NATIONS: A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION" THE FORM THE UNITED NATIONS WILL TAKE IN THIS NEW CENTURY SHOULD BE INTEGRALLY RELATED TO ITS MISSION. WE WISH TO BEGIN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS, CONSIDERING SUCH QUESTIONS AS: o WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE WORLD TO SURVIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY? o WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE MISSION/DIRECTION FOR THE UN IN THE 21ST CENTURY? o WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL BEST SUPPORT THE UN IN ACHIEVING ITS MISSION? o HOW SHOULD THE UN BE ORGANIZED TO CARRY OUT THESE ACTIVITIES? WEDNESDAY - MAY 3, 2006 1:15 - 2:45 PM UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK CONFERENCE ROOM E NGOS & UN STAFF INVITED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CARL MURRELL 212.803.2531 * VALUESCAUCUS@VALUESCAUCUS.ORG WWW.VALUESCAUCUS.ORG
"War does not determine who is right--only who is left." - Bertrand Russell
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