The Company of Wolves dvdrip 23 April
World Book and Copyright Day
This year’s focus will be on exploring the topic of the function of books for the development of quality education, as well as the link between publishing and human rights.
On 18 and 19 May UNCTAD, in collaboration with UN-NGLS and other partner organizations, will hold its first public symposium on The global economic crisis and development – the way forward in Geneva.
The symposium will provide a platform for people and organizations whose perspectives have not been heard enough in the debate on the causes and effects of the current global economic turmoil. It also aims to deepen understanding of the crisis and to complement other current initiatives that try to address the crisis.
Key topics which will be debated at 3 plenary sessions of the symposium are:
• The global economic crisis – its causes and its multiple impacts;
• Assessing existing responses to the crisis at the international, regional and national levels – limitations and best practices;
• Proposals for the way forward – obstacles and opportunities.
In addition, there will be focused group sessions/panels to address the issues raised and related to those of the above plenary sessions.
The symposium is open to civil society, international organizations, the media, Member States, UN agencies, Parliamentarians, the private sector and academia.
For more information on how to contribute and participate, please visit: http://www.unctad.info/en/Public-Symposium-Website/
27 April
Special high-level meeting of the Economic and Social Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and UNCTAD
Featured publications
ECOSOC Panel Discussion on ‘Civil Society Perspectives on the Financing for Development Agenda’
On 20 April, the Economic and Social Council will hold a panel discussion on “Civil Society Perspectives on the Financing for Development Agenda” in preparation for its Special high-level meeting with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (New York, 27 April 2009).
The first panel will focus on “Addressing the impact of the global financial and economic crisis on development, including issues related to the international financial and monetary architecture and global governance structures.” The panelists will include Roberto Bissio, Director, Social Watch; Jo Marie Griesgraber, Executive Director, New Rules for Global Finance Coalition and Marina Durano, Senior Policy Researcher, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era.
The second panel will address the issue of “Strengthening of the intergovernmental inclusive process to carry out the financing for development follow-up.” The panelists will include John Foster, Principal Researcher, North-South Institute; Aldo Caliari, Director, Rethinking Bretton Woods Project, Center of Concern and Barry Herman, Visiting Senior Fellow, New School University.
For more information, click here.
UNIDO: Industrial Development Report 2009
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched its Industrial Development Report 2009, entitled Breaking in and moving up: New industrial challenges for the bottom billion and the middle-income countries.
General Assembly agrees on terms for UN conference on the financial and economic crisis in June
The General Assembly has agreed on the terms and adopted the resolution of modalities for the UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, which will take place in New York from 1-3 June. The Conference will address the impact of the crisis on development as well as the ongoing international discussion on reforming and strengthening the international financial and economic system and architecture.
The President of the General Assembly Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann expects to circulate a draft outcome text for negotiation early in May. A Commission of Experts appointed by President d’Escoto and chaired by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz is providing recommendations on international financial structures and practices as part of broad-based inputs into the preparations for the Conference.
For more information, click here.
For the latest press release by the GA President on the Conference, visit: http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2009/090414_GA_President.doc.htm
Free Seminar on Training and Orientation for Representatives of NGOs, Associations and University Students for effective participation in the Durban Programme of Action
On 15-17 April, UN and academic human rights experts as well as experienced NGO and grassroots representatives, are organizing an interactive seminar and series of conference sessions to help explain the UN system and the history of its engagement against racism and racial discrimination. The aim of this Seminar is to and to develop cooperation among those attending the Durban Review Conference.
The Seminar will be held at the International Conference Centre in Geneva. For more information and registration, contact Genevieve Jourdan – WILPF & Chief Representative at UN Geneva for Association of World Citizens – Email: [email protected]; Telephone: +41 78 753 2281.
Also some other NGO events are planned around the Review Conference, including a one-day Geneva Summit for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance, which will take place on 19 April at the International Conference Centre in Geneva. Further information is available online.
Call for Governments and Civil Society Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean working on youth
To increase the impact of effective youth policies and programmes, UNESCO and Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) initiated a project that aims to identify best practices in youth policies and programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project involves various inter-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, government institutions, and civil, academic and private sectors.
The project calls upon governments and Civil Society Organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean, working on youth programmes in the field of education, employment, sexual and reproductive health, prevention of youth violence, poverty reduction, volunteer work, youth participation and leadership, and integral youth development, to have their projects and programmes registered and to get their work evaluated, recognized as a best practice case, and maybe even disseminated or replicated in other countries. Registration is open until 26 May 2009.
For registration and further information, visit: http://youthpractices.ucol.mx
FAO food price database launched
As part of its response to high food prices, FAO has developed the “National Basic Food Prices Data and Analysis Tool”, which is an interactive database of staple food prices on national markets in 55 developing countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
The database shows the prices of different food commodities in local currencies or dollars and local measurements as well as standard weights. It allows for price comparisons between domestic and international markets, between different markets in the same country, as well as between countries.