UNGA Conference 2019: Awards Ceremony

 

 

UNGA CONFERENCE 2019
Transforming Our World: Inclusive Social Development for All
25 September 2019, Wednesday

 

The UNGA Conference pays tribute to outstanding individuals and organizations that contributed to sustainable peace and development while promoting as well as protecting the culture of peace, diversity, inclusive society, human rights, empowerment of women and youth at local, national, and global levels. In 2019, the Journalists and Writers Foundation and its 36 Global Partners recognized three exceptional individuals (foundations) who have promoted and contributed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by inspiring millions of people and organizations around the world. The altruism, philanthropy, dedication, and commitment of the winners are worth it to make our world a better place for everyone.

Ken Egbas
Chief Responsibility Officer, TruContact CSR Nigeria

 

 

 

 

The Culture of Peace Award was presented to Mr. Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in recognition of his commitment to human rights and for working tirelessly to keep the legacy of Nelson Mandela alive and further Madiba’s vision of freedom and equality for all, in a spirit of solidarity, remembrance, tolerance and reconciliation. The award is presented by José Igreja Matos, President of the European Association of Judges.

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The Culture of Peace and Non-Violence Award was presented to Mr. Tushar Gandhi, Founder and President of the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, in recognition of his contribution to the defense and promotion of Gandhian values ​​and principles (nonviolence, democracy, tolerance and pluralism ) to address the challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. The UNGA Conference 2019 also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired millions of people in India and around the world to defend peace and justice for all. The award is presented by Hon. Mark Botomani, Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Technology.

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The Youth Empowerment Award was presented to Enes Kanter, NBA player for Boston Celtics, human rights defender and founder of the Enes Kanter Foundation, for his remarkable contribution to promoting the advancement of young people through the establishment of 50 Summer basketball camps in 50 states in the US, which traditionally empowered marginalized and overlooked youth to succeed in life and become productive citizens. The award is presented by Craig Foster, Football broadcaster; Author; Ambassador for Human Rights.

PANEL 3: Protection of Social, Economic, and Cultural Rights

 

UNGA CONFERENCE 2019
Transforming Our World: Inclusive Social Development for All
25 September 2019, Wednesday

PANEL 3: Protection of Social, Economic, and Cultural Rights

This session deliberated on the commitment to the protection of human rights and access to social services so as not to leave anyone behind. The speakers offered multiple perspectives and practices on how human rights could reduce inequalities, eliminate the causes of poverty and prevent internal and global conflicts. This session highlighted how the realization of economic, social and cultural rights plays an integral role in sustainable peace and conflict prevention.

The specific issues that emerged from the panel discussion were on the promotion of cultural rights in the construction of peaceful societies; creating a human rights-based approach to the United Nations Development Agenda; being aware of the violation of human rights that leads to social upheaval. Countries were identified where the violation of human rights is rampant. It meant that the country-based analysis mechanism on the abuse and violation of human rights should be included in the next policies to transform our world: inclusive social development for all.

 

 

Craig Foster

Football broadcaster; Author; Ambassador for Human Rights, AUSTRALIA

In recent years, after a series of human rights crises particularly related to Mega Sporting Events (MSE), several global sports organizations have implemented human rights policies that oblige all official bodies to audit their impacts on human rights and adhere to the ‘Protection’ Respect, remedy ‘framework of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This is a growing trend that is of extraordinary social importance to the world since the traditional call of sport to be independent of the impacts it creates is no longer relevant.

Sport has become the 21st century, a universal vehicle for universal rights and, while the United Nations can urge, collaborate and perhaps coerce, to “push”, sport is one of the biggest “attraction” factors ever known to humankind and can impose, oblige and educate a common human standard. However, as the world realizes these obligations and becomes increasingly aware of its rights, it is essential that the sport fulfills its duty. It cannot become hostage to political commitment and, as we look towards social progress through sport and rights, we must recognize that the breach of these obligations has a real human impact.

It is essential that UN Member States everywhere understand that by respecting the social contract of sport and the responsibility to provide opportunities, a safe space, equality, health and well-being for all, we bring the world closer to a community of interaction human, a greater understanding of humanitarian values, high profile role models for the next generation and respect for economic, social and cultural rights and peace and security for all.

 

 

Jose Igreja Matos

President, European Association of Judges, PORTUGAL

I believe, working intensely in recent years in different regions of the world, that the solutions to the problems facing the judiciary today are closely related to Goal # 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development and should be built in cooperation and partnership with civil society. Working together on field projects, we can address our mutual concerns. Obeying a lesson in practical behavior, which is enshrined in our European culture, developed many centuries ago by the words of Aristotle: “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them, for example, men become builders by building and reproducing lyre playing the lyre; so we also become simply doing just acts.” An alliance of goodwill between men and women to protect democratic values ​​is now the only remedy for the emergence of populism and radicalism.

 


Isaque Chande

Ombudsman, MOZAMBIQUE

Early warning mechanisms of human rights to prevent conflicts: severe inequalities in access to social services

In Mozambique, the State has the primary responsibility to promote human rights and, simultaneously, guarantee their effectiveness. In fact, in article 11 of the Constitution of Mozambique, where the main objectives of the State of Mozambique have been established, it is established that the construction of a society of social justice and the creation of material, spiritual well-being and quality of life of citizens. The defense and promotion of human rights and the equality of citizens before the law. The strengthening of democracy, freedom, social stability and social and individual harmony. There are many challenges to effectively achieve inclusive social development. Much must be done to ensure inclusive social, cultural and economic rights. Partnerships are needed to provide enough support to transform our world. It should be the primary responsibility of each state to take all necessary measures to meet basic needs. There is no country in the world that can effectively address inclusive social development alone. We have to act collectively so that no one is left behind.

 

 

James C. Harrington

Founder & Director Emeritus, Texas Civil Rights Project, USA

Promotion of social, economic and cultural rights in building peaceful societies

 

 

 

 

Antonio Alberto do Vale Cerqueira

Court of Ethics and Disciplinary at the Brazilian Bar Association – District Federal Section, BRAZIL

Violation of human rights leading to social unrest: Country-based Analysis

Although poverty is one of the main factors contributing to the increase in crime, this movement is shown in areas where poverty is related to the lack of human rights. A person who is subject to the social contract allows, to some extent, the omission of the state to provide basic human rights, such as education, health, safety, right to leisure, work, housing, food, etc. However, when this fault is large enough to violate their dignity, the individual falls below this level of dignity and there is a concrete tendency towards greater social unrest, which eventually becomes a crime-generating event.

 

 

Ekaterina Shebalina

Executive Assistant to the Vice-Rector, Institute for International Studies, Research Fellow, RUSSIA

Protection of Social, Economic and Cultural Rights

 

 

Oral Statement

 

Seda Pumpyanskaya

Director for Strategic Communications Division, UN Department of Global Communications

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 Early warning mechanisms for human rights to prevent conflicts must be identified well in advance and support the reduction of inequalities in access to social services, challenge the lack of democratic space of an active civil society and the lack of freedom of the media. To this end, the participants of the UNGA Conference join the international community to ensure that Transforming Our World: Inclusive Social Development for All is a concerted effort of all citizens of the world, people we call brothers and sisters who strive for the greatest call to universal values ​​reflected in different UN letters. The participants in the UNGA Conference reached the following resolutions.

 

 

PANEL 2: Advancing Youth through Social and Economic Empowerment

 

UNGA CONFERENCE 2019
Transforming Our World: Inclusive Social Development for All
25 September 2019, Wednesday

 

PANEL 2: Advancing Youth through Social and Economic Empowerment

This session focused on current policies and practices in the advancement of young people through social and economic empowerment, and how multiple stakeholders can work collaboratively to support youth-led initiatives and organizations. As a fundamental right recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, young people can play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development through active and inclusive participation.

Youth empowerment means helping young people to attain 21st century knowledge, develop competency skills, become responsible global citizens of people and the planet through communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. It is the responsibility of state and non-state actors to create opportunities for young people to obtain the information, skills and tools necessary to become independent, responsible and productive citizens. Specific issues that will be addressed in this sub-theme include: youth empowerment, youth participation, volunteering, education and girls and young women. It was pointed out that key priorities and challenges in accessing quality education should be addressed. Young people must be prepared to develop, improve life and acquire business skills to face the rapidly evolving labor market.

 

Emmanuel N.B. Flomo

Founder & Executive Director, Inspire Liberia Project, LIBERIA

Young people are a significant segment of the global population index and critical to the social and economic development of any country. Today, there are over 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years; indicating that Young people are key. We can play a significant role in enhancing global social and economic development and change if we are given the opportunity. Some progress has been made in many Countries in advancing Youth Development, but the challenges in the process are still overwhelming in many parts of our globe.
 
Many of the progress so far in youth development is overwhelmingly credited to developed nations, while developing nations are far from near giving serious attention to these issues. For example, the European Commission considers that “Europe’s future prosperity depends on its young people and thus deserve particular support and consideration as well as seeks to strengthen people’s current and future capacities and improve their opportunities to participate in society” (EC European Policy brief, 2014). Such a policy like this is vital for Youth Social Advancement and Empowerment, but the step taken by the EU is yet acknowledged or cheer in the entire continent of Africa.

Johnnie Lee Fielder

Director of Operations, International Youth Leadership Institute

Youth as stakeholders in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: Advocacy, awareness-raising, and capacity building

The mission of the International Youth Leadership is to nurture a new generation of visionary leaders from the African diaspora who, inspired by their rich African heritage, are committed to leaving a legacy in the world. It is important for youth to be given the opportunity to express and flex their leadership capabilities and the International Youth Leadership Institute does this cultivation of leadership by introducing the concept of being a global citizen to youth who are rising ninth graders to 12th grade. The vision of the International Youth Leadership Institute is Every day, youth of African descent are assuming leadership roles in making the world a better place, wherever they are.
 
 Leaders of the IYLI will be in multiple places simultaneously creating and generating innovative ideas and solutions to some of today’s most nuanced issues. International Youth Leadership Institute was founded in 1989 by two African American men by the name of Keith Brown, who worked in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and Dr. Micheal Webb, who worked on education development in Africa. When the two men returned to their home city of New York, they asked themselves how can more brown and black youth experience travel as an educational and leadership tool. By encouraging young Brown and Black youth to actively engage with their communities, both local and global they are furthering the mission of some of the SDGS. Through CSDPs, or Community Service Development Projects, youth are able to identify issues in their communities and then tackle them throughout the school year. Some past projects have been focused on eliminating violence, mental health awareness, urban farming, fundraising initiatives, and gender equity. 

 

Sasha E. Butler

Executive Director, Changing Destinations: Journey to Excellence, Inc., USA

Key priorities and challenges in access to quality education

Support for youth-led initiatives is an essential component to achieve learning objectives and prepare young people for success inside and outside the classroom. School districts, higher education institutions, local, state and federal governments, small businesses and large corporations must share the responsibility of equipping young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to become global citizens and leaders through the creation of grassroots and multi-stakeholder platforms where young people have opportunities to lead. Shared power is an important core value that motivates young people and teaches them to think critically about the world around them. They bring new perspectives to address challenges and generate innovative ideas. Young people are key to achieving the SDGs when they are trained to lead and develop the confidence to act and mobilize others towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

 

Alyson Neel

Policy and Advocacy Strategist, UN Foundation, USA

UNA-USA Youth member participation in human rights mechanisms and UN Summits

Empowerment may be the first piece, and we are seeing more of this, but those in power actually release some of their power to allow young people at the table to be another. In the implementation and reporting of the Sustainable Development Goals, we know that multi-stakeholder participation remains a challenge. The good practices of VNR, VLR and 2019 opportunities will also be useful for implementing change. The United Nations Fund works specifically to empower young people through the Girl Up campaign and the UNA-USA grassroots network.

 

 

Nick Hatzoglou

Head of Community Projects, Football Victoria, AUSTRALIA

The role of sports for the social and personal development of youth

Sports play a crucial role in the social and personal development of youth. I would like to explain it through my personal and professional life experiences. There are six key areas: promotion of well-being and confidence, the importance of mentoring, sports can be a level playing field, youth-led projects, promotion of a growth mindset, and more indigenous engagement and respect.

Sport helps with self-confidence, especially early on in life that helps youth integrate into new environments using sport as the common interest. Sport improves relationships and makes people happier. Everyone should have a mentor(s). In a world where people hang out in virtual communities or are less engaged in a person to person sense, it is even more vital to have that important mentor you can share ideas with, ask questions and explore life skills.

Inequality is increasing worldwide considering the disparity in the distribution of income, sport can lift the poor and humble the rich. Youth can make a stand as they are on climate change. In Melbourne, young people were leading a march to bring more attention to climate change. Let’s encourage youth-lead campaigns, invest in them and guide them in their journey. A growth mindset should be promoted where youth can embrace challenges, build resilience, have pathways to mastery, learn and apply criticism and find lessons from others that lead to their success. Finally, it’s time to connect with Indigenous communities that the collectivists’ societies hold the key to a more wholesome and resilient lifestyle. Sport can allow them to take risks and boost our cultural intelligence and meaningful engagement of Indigenous People. Youth can lead to this engagement and break the cycle of despair and welfare.

 

Kit Miller

Director, M.K. Gandhi Institute, USA

Importance of non-violence education and culture of peace for social empowerment of youth

The community is the native climate of the human spirit and face to face uses our whole brain to understand, empathize and learn from each other. Learning, connection, grieving, problem-solving and mourning are things we do in circles with children, youth and adults. Urgent need for training in conflict transformation to support the challenges that will arise regarding population change and resource use. Systemic thinking tools can be taught to people of all ages to understand how systems work and learn how the best people and groups can interact and impact systemic change. Understanding events through the lens of systemic thinking offers opportunities for perspective and intelligent action, rather than reactivity, fear or despair.

 

 

Maria Cruz Rodriguez Del Cerro

Former Vice President, UNESCO Center of Getafe-Madrid, SPAIN
Education as a tool to create peaceful and inclusive societies

My goal is to alert multi-stakeholders and representatives of different institutions involved in the Peace Education Programs about the ways in which pregnancy, the perinatal period and the first years of life play a crucial role in the structural development of the brain and the subsequent development of the behavior of individuals. The main message that we must convey to our young people is to appreciate the effects of internal and external environmental stimuli on the plasticity of the brain, which profoundly affects subsequent behavior. I want to emphasize that, as a priority, we need to introduce, in the UNGA agenda, the following statement: good care during pregnancy and the early postnatal period can promote the healthy development of relationships and social behavior and help reduce antisocial behavior. Through simple and economic educational programs, we can contribute to sustainable peace by demonstrating to children and young people the importance of their early period of brain development.

Oral Statement 

 

Vincent Tucci

Student, Changing Destinations: Journey to Excellence, Inc.

Youth Empowerment is very close to my heart. A lot of youth are addicted to their phones that when I’m at lunch in my school, people sitting across from one another—instead of talking—are texting each other. Social Action is important to tackle this problem. When I return to my community, I’m going to start a campaign called “Put Down the Phone, Pick Up a Friend™.” Everyone is so attached to their phones—worried about what’s going on and who’s doing this and that—that it’s time we put it down and look for people to connect and engage with. I’d be increasing the number of social interactions within my community.

Co-op Living is one of the greatest resources at risk for my generation. Hope has been fading away since technology has become more prevalent. Everyone’s worried about updates; who’s going to Snap them next and who’s on Instagram. Social media is enjoyable but leads to social isolation that leads youth to antisocial behaviors, suicides, and separation from the community. The solution to this issue is co-op collaboration and just becoming a part of the community. Community is what sets people up for greatness!

Conclusion

The panelists agreed that Youth represents one third (1/3) of the world’s population and cannot talk about social and economic development without significant participation of the youth who are most affected by the results of the Global Agenda 2030. The youth has always been considered as an important human resource for sustainable development by the United Nations. Young people are agents of social change, economic growth, and social development. Consequently, the participation of young people in the decision-making and implementation processes is essential for sustainable development. Resolution 58/133 of the UN General Assembly also reiterates the “importance of the full and effective participation of youth and youth organizations at local, national, regional and international levels in the promotion and implementation of the Global Program of Action and in the evaluation of the progress achieved and the obstacles encountered in its implementation ”.

The importance of quality education in the empowerment of youth must be recognized by all stakeholders, especially the public and private sectors. However, panelists recognized a gap between policies and practices when it comes to the implementation of sustainable development goals. Public funds and investment in the education of young people are not enough to obtain successful results. Recalling Jayathma Wickramanayake, the Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Youth, repeatedly stressed the importance of meaningful youth participation throughout the United Nations Development Agenda.

PANEL 1: Inclusive Social Development in achieving the Global Goals 2030

 

UNGA CONFERENCE 2019
Transforming Our World: Inclusive Social Development for All
25 September 2019, Wednesday

PANEL 1: Inclusive Social Development in achieving the Global Goals 2030

This session aimed to convene the role of inclusive social development policies and practices that help the United Nations achieve the Global Goals 2030. The panelists and participants discussed major issues concerning social inclusion and inequalities that play an important role in sustainable development and peace worldwide. The panelists focused on current challenges and potential opportunities around key aspects of social integration policies and access to basic public services. The session on inclusive social development helped lay the groundwork for the following discussions.

Tushar A. Gandhi

President & Founder, Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, INDIA
Role of the culture of peace in social cohesion and inclusiveness

Transforming our world is such an attractive notion that everyone wants to transform the world. Some want to change it for personal gain, others want to change it to meet their needs, some for their ambitions and others for their aggrandizement; What is common among all these is the selfish motive of egocentrism. True transformation occurs when one transforms one’s self, changes to improve and then inspires others to emulate the transformation. This is the kind of ethical and sustainable transformation. A mere declaration of intentions towards equality and inclusion will not bring about transformation. The transformation will have to become an individual responsibility, if we change as individuals, we can change society, nations and finally humanity.

The transformation must also be based on achieving equality. Today, in our consumption of earth’s resources, there is wide inequality. Now we are on the verge of self-destruction caused by our own greed and selfish nature. We can change, we must change, if we change individually, one at a time. We need a ‘Me First’ transformation movement. To transform humanity, we must start with children, they are the heirs of the world, education is what will empower our children to be able to inherit the world and keep it in confidence for the future. If we change individually, the result will be a global transformation, but it must begin with ‘Me first’.

Flavie Fuentes

Legal Manager, North America and the Caribbean, Thomson Reuters Foundation, USA
Importance of rule of law and democracy to reduce inequalities and implement social development policies
The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters and our focus areas are inclusive economy, media freedom and human rights. A part of our organization is TrustLaw, which is our global pro bono service that connects NGOs and social enterprises with the best law firms and internal legal teams from around the world to support the corporate / business needs on day to day basis, as well as cross-border research to support the change of policies on human rights, corruption, microcredit, health, energy and the environment, among others.

Legal pro bono assistance is vital to guarantee the protection of the rule of law and strengthen democracy. We promote the SDGs through pro bono legal assistance in two main ways:

  • legal support as an impact accelerator: we provide daily legal support to non-profit organizations so that they can fully focus on their mission and achieve greater impact
  • the law as a change agent: we support advocacy efforts and enable change of laws through our legal research work.

Examples of recent pro bono projects that strengthen the rule of law and reduce inequalities are:

  • Critics are not criminals: protect journalists from criminal defamation laws
  • Guide “Know your rights” on land rights
  • Legal and jurisprudential investigation on the prosecution of crimes of sexual and gender-based violence and terrorism
  • Research on laws related to fiscal secrecy.

 

Dr. Han Entzinger

Professor Emeritus of Migration and Integration Studies
Erasmus University Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS
Diversity and Social Inclusion

Migration is a major source of diversity in today’s world, and will continue to be so tomorrow. It is often claimed that diversity has a negative impact on social cohesion. The more people differ in a society, the less likely they will accept each other and develop mutual contacts. Is this true? Does diversity negatively affect social cohesion? And, if so, what policies can control or even correct this process?

A crucial condition for more cohesive societies is the granting of a solid legal position to immigrants. After having resided in a country for a certain number of years, they should be granted full residential status, preferably of a permanent nature, or even full citizenship. Residence security provides a perspective for newcomers, and for that reason it is a necessary condition for a fuller participation in the main institutions of society, such as the labor market, housing, education, health care and the political system.

A fuller participation of all members of a society, whether they are immigrants or not, whether at the neighborhood or national level, is essential to achieve greater social cohesion. Still, this does not come without certain challenges. An important challenge, particularly in the case of immigrants, is that more complete participation requires a certain degree of cultural adaptation. It would be tempting to say that such adaptation is reciprocal. In reality, however, newcomers adapt much more strongly to the dominant culture than vice versa. In summary, we can conclude that diversity is on the rise, especially due to increasing immigration.

 

Silvia Alejandra Perazzo

President, ANU-AR, ARGENTINA
Civil society participation to facilitate social development

In today’s global world, civil society spontaneously or collectively raises the need for structural changes. In this sense, civil society is always one step ahead of the State. In addition, it sets the agenda for major changes. Inclusive and quality education must reach all communities, as well as urban and rural areas and the vulnerable population. The educational polices need coordinated action between civil society, the state and international institutions whereas educational and financial laws ensure the intangibility of the funds allocated to education. Programs and projects should guarantee knowledge, skills attainment, behavior development that favor tolerance, dialogue and peace. Lastly, we are in need of mass campaigns against violence, discrimination, exclusion and lack of opportunities.

 

Moneeza Burney

Writer at Dawn Newspaper, Falak Sufi Scholar 2018, PAKISTAN
The role of youth in creating inclusive social societies

 Our personal traits and stories play a very important role in defining the world we live in and the challenges we face, and are an undeniable part of our human experience. But when we recognize our differences without judgment, we recognize that this only makes us stronger, more complete and more capable of addressing complex problems as a coherent whole rather than just from our limited reference point. Young people are the perennial reserve of hope, since an evolving world will always need those who see beyond the defects of the present and aspire to a better future. Only when we create inclusive platforms for young people from diverse backgrounds to interact freely, share their ideas and experiences and feed each other with the fuel of their exuberance and optimism.

 

Oral Statement 

Dr. Ada Juni Okika 

Executive Director, Center for SDG Global Education

Since the Post-2015 Era, the Center for SDG Global Education has focused on “Education Solutions in Community Classrooms” along the SDG Goal # 4 and the its targets in the Global Agenda 2030. In the course of our reach, we observed that quality education and inclusion for lifelong learning seems far fetched in communities in developing countries. Most communities still lack a curriculum on educational technology and technological facilities, qualified teachers and standard teaching and learning infrastructure. In communities with opportunities and facilities for quality education, educational practices begin with a complex curriculum that focuses on what children do not know but what they know. This hinders quality education, which is expected that SDG Goal # 4 and its targets will address globally by leaving no one behind.

In addition, we launched Barr Juni and Irene Endowment Trust to raise $80,000 to help provide schools in the Community Rehabilitation Scheme, scholarships, introduce visiting teacher services to community classrooms and Global Teacher Classroom.

We are committed to these initiatives that will help achieve the Global Agenda 2030. In addition, these initiatives will support partnerships between stakeholders and UN agencies to address quality and inclusive education in community classrooms in developing countries.

As we digress on the input from the 74th Session of the UNGA, it is pertinent to focus on the addendum that the community classrooms have an urgent need to improve the quality of education and the level of teaching and learning to meet the demands of SDG Goal # 4 and its target globally.

Conclusion

The panelists agreed that we should stop preaching but share ideas about good service delivery with humility. Therefore, a central element in the transformation of the world is to start from the self before reaching out to others. If ONE does not transform himself/herself to get rid of prejudices, how can I transform the world? Two, an inclusive economy, media freedom and human rights are important to transform our world: Inclusive social development for all. It requires respect for people’s rights to movement and migration, respect for refugees and respect for their culture and their human rights. The promotion of diversity, the reduction of barriers and the acceptance of all people where they are found help to achieve a transformed world and inclusive social development for all. Civil societies have the arduous task of removing all obstacles that hinder the direction towards the transformation of Our world for inclusive social development for all. Civic education and good communication within the respective receptive communities where refugees, migrants and internally displaced people seek comfort.

 

 

UNGA Conference 2018 Concept Note

UNGA Conference 2018 Concept Note

UNGA CONFERENCE 2018

TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD:
SDGS TO ENSURE NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND

25 SEPTEMBER 2018, NEW YORK
www.unga-reception.org
UNGA Conference 2018: Transforming Our World SDGs to Ensure No One is Left Behind

The UNGA Conference 2018: Transforming Our World SDGs to Ensure No One is Left Behind was organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation in collaboration with the Alliance for Shared Values on September 25, 2018 in New York.

The Development Agenda facilitates an intensive global engagement bringing together Governments, the private sector, civil society, and the United Nations system to mobilize all available resources. Without a doubt, civil society participation is one of the most important means of implementation for the SDGs.

As the world leaders came to the United Nations Headquarters in New York to renew their commitment to global peace and security, the UNGA Conference 2018 was organized in partnership with 18 civil society organizations from 13 different countries to raise awareness among the international community on the current agenda of UNGA; facilitate collaboration by creating a platform for the discussion of Public-Private Partnerships; and share best practices and lessons learned to work together to achieve the SDGs.

During the day-long meetings, the UNGA Conference 2018 hosted 19 panelists from 11 different countries. The international participants shared their perspectives on the culture of peace and conflict prevention, human rights and press freedom which were all among the priorities of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

PANEL SESSION 1: THE CULTURE OF PEACE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION

The UNGA Conference 2018 started with the welcome remarks of Huseyin Hurmali, the President of the Board of Trustees of the Journalists and Writers Foundation. Mr. Hurmali said that the UNGA is one of the most strategic meetings in the timeline of the United Nations as the world leaders come together in New York to discuss the global solutions for the global challenges. Mr. Hurmali highlighted “By creating a broad alliance among the Heads of States, UNGA Delegates and civil society organizations, the UNGA Conference 2018 shares the alternative perspectives towards the implementation of the Global Agenda 2030.”

The Panel Session 1: The Culture of Peace and Conflict Prevention discussed the core values of peace, opportunities that the inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogue creates for the sustainable peace, the role of diversity and cohesive societies, moving from prevention to positive peace, and the role of education for conflict prevention. The moderator of this session was Parvez Mohsin, the Director of Development and Communications at the Nashville International Center for Empowerment.

Dr. Suchart Setthamalinee, the Head of Department of Peace Studies at Payap University from Thailand started the Session 1: The Culture of Peace and Conflict Prevention with his keynote remarks. Dr. Setthamalinee said “For centuries, war and violence have been associated with religion. Even though the religion is not the main cause, the religious doctrine is often used to legitimize violence.” He also added that “We can achieve peace by visiting and learning from other faiths. Dialogue means we are all different; but we are all part of the answer and together we are all part of the solution.”

The first panelist at the session was Dr. Baukje Prins, the Professor of Citizenship and Diversity from Netherlands. In her remarks, Dr. Prins stressed the role of the diversity in today`s globalized world and cohesive societies for the culture of peace. According to Dr. Prins, “We should not only aim to prevent conflicts but also deal with them and regulate them in a peaceful way and for that we need to have a democratic culture beneath democratic governments. To have a democratic culture, we need citizens with democratic virtues, which are assertiveness and tolerance.”

Michelle Breslauer, the Program Director of Institute for Economics and Peace, discussed the breakdowns in peace and indicators of improvements. She analyzed how to move from prevention to positive peace. Ms. Breslauer defined negative peace as the absence of violence or fear of violence and positive peace is the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies. She indicated that the “High levels of positive peace are associated with: Higher per capita income, resilience, better environmental outcomes, higher GDP growth per annum, and better performance on SDGs.”

Following Ms. Breslauer`s remarks on indicators of improvement, Pishtiwan Jalal from Virginia Tech`s School of Public and International Affairs talked about the role of education in culture of peace and conflict prevention. Mr. Jalal indicated “I see education as “the” pacifying factor. We need to be easing survival, noting that educated people are less vulnerable to extreme ideologies, and cause unity. We need to educate people on both sides on basic moral principles.”

The discussants at this session were Rabbi Dr. Sonja Pilz, the New York Ambassador of House of One, and Tahmina Abdulsabur Payende, the graduate of Afghan-Turk High School in Afghanistan who held the first place in the university entrance exams. Rabbi Pilz presented the House of One as an interfaith best practice to create a harmony in society to facilitate a better understanding of different faiths. She highlighted that cross-cultural education, architecture symbolizing the similarities and shared common spaces are the pillars of this project.

Being the best example of girls’ empowerment through education herself, Tahmina Abdulsabur Payende said “Girls in families are not prioritized as boys are so even when they go to school, they are not encouraged by their parents. In my opinion, the real problem is lack of knowledge and literacy.” Tahmina has also received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Journalists and Writers Foundation as an appreciation of her strong stance for the promotion of education for the girls in conflict zones. The award was presented by Javier Cremades, the Founder of Cremades & Calvo Sotelo Law Office in Spain, who is an internationally acknowledged human rights defender.

PANEL SESSION 2: POPULATIONS AT RISK

HUMAN RIGHTS, MIGRATION AND REFUGEES

The UNGA President, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces says “We simply cannot stand by, walk on the other side of the road. Especially not when the situation continues in a way that challenges everything about our values.” In this panel session, experts discussed the human rights of the populations at risk, managing the responses to humanitarian crises across the globe, successful integration and contributions of refugees to their host societies. The panel session was moderated by Clarita Costa Maia, the chairwoman of the International Relations Committee of the Brazilian Bar Association.

The keynote speaker Javier Cremades is the Founder of the Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo Abogados, a prestigious international law firm in Spain. Mr. Cremades has globally excelled in the defense of human rights and civil liberties and has been designated by Forbes Magazine as Lawyer of the Year in Spain and Jurist of the Year by the World Jurist Association. Mr. Cremades discussed the leading and managing responses to humanitarian crises across the globe.

The first panelist of the session Kevin Appleby, the Senior Director of International Migration Policy at Scalabrini, said “Less than 1% of the world’s refugees have been resettled. 5% of the countries worldwide hosts 80-90% of the world’s refugees. There should be the creation of more regulated arrivals and under our program, there is a lot of vetting, security clearances, so it is a good model to meet that responsibility but do it in a way that is secure and is in the best interest of both parties.”

Following Mr. Appleby`s remarks, Dr. Sev Ozdowski, the Director of Equity and Diversity at the Western Sydney University from Australia presented the successful Australian migration policies as a country with plenty of experience with refugees and migrants. Dr. Ozdowski indicated “Australian multiculturalism emerged has developed incrementally over the years as successive national governments have created architecture, policies and programs acknowledging and responding to cultural diversity.”

The last panelist of this session was Angelina Makwetla, the Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission. Ms. Makwetla talked about the social Inclusion of migrants and refugees. She indicates “There is nothing that beats implementation! Challenges migrant and refugees encounter the pressure that migrants encounter from the host communities include public intimidation and verbal threats, threats and extortion, intimidation or direct physical violence against their families or properties, displacement to areas of mass shelter.”

The discussants of the session on human rights were Antonia Kuhn, the Youth Delegate of Germany to the UNGA 2018, and Hafsa Girdap, the Director of Women Affairs at the Advocates of Silenced Turkey. Ms. Kuhn said that 15,000 people were involved to welcome and accommodate and supply the refugees in Germany. The Youth Delegate Ms. Kuhn highlighted “The structure of youth engagement was very different from that of elderly people.

We engaged in very diverse ways compared to traditional methods. Mobilization happened mostly through social media. We need to involve youth for sustainable integration.” After Ms. Kuhn`s presentation, Hafsa Girdap has discussed the violation of women rights in Turkey as a case study.

The Photo Exhibition entitled Beyond the Water was also presented at the Conference. Alex Morel, Associate Professor of Photography in the Department of Art & Design at St. John’s University, presented the background of his exhibition explaining the challenges that refugees are facing, whom have been escaping the purge of dictator regimes by crossing the Evros River of the Aegean Sea to reach Greece.

PANEL SESSION 3: PRESS FREEDOM FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE

At the last session entitled “Press Freedom for Sustainable Peace”, distinguished journalists talked about the media freedom as it is an important indicator of sustainable development,

good governance and inclusive societies. Panelists highlighted that ensuring freedom of opinion and expression is a key to raise awareness on the protection of human rights and democracy. Sophie Mokoena, a prominent journalist and the Foreign News Editor of SABC TV from South Africa, has moderated the discussion.

The afternoon session started with the remarks of Dr. Alp Aslandogan, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Shared Values. Dr. Aslandogan stated that when individuals come together with an open mind to understand each other, there is a magical development taking place at that moment. He shared several highlights from the academic perspective on the importance of inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. Dr. Aslandogan also indicated that the true knowledge is the experiential knowledge and said that in today`s world majority of the journalists are being forced to face challenges created as a result of the lack of media freedom.

Robert Mahoney, the Deputy-Executive Director of Committee to Protect Journalists, talked about the challenges that journalists face while working in conflict areas. Mahoney indicated that the ” Press freedom is under attack in many countries. We need to help local and freelance journalists to get the protection they need. We cannot do it alone; we want to empower freelance and get the fair wages they need.”

The following panelist was Sudheendra Kulkarni, the Columnist of the Indian Express. Kulkarni indicated that “Freedom of the press ─ be it the mainstream media or the social media ─ must be exercised with an utmost sense of responsibility. Just as sustainable development cannot be thought of without press freedom, press freedom also cannot be thought of without diversity of ideas and viewpoints, to criticism and counter-criticism, to frank, fearless but constructive debate.”

Mohamed Amin El Masry, the Deputy Executive-in-Chief of Al Ahram Newspaper from Egypt, talked about the role of the press to enlighten public opinion and visualize all current developments and facts. El Masry indicated that “The media must be strong and have the correct and accurate information to compete and publish good content.”

Abdulhamit Bilici, the Former Editor-in-Chief of now-closed Zaman Daily, talked about the shrinking space of journalists in Turkey, as the country with the highest number of journalists in jail. He started his remarks by asking “Without the democracy how do people protect themselves?” and talked about this own experience being forced to live in exile as a purged journalist.

The conference ended by the closing remarks of Mehmet Kilic, the President of the Journalists and Writers Foundation. Mr. Kilic thanked all the global partners of the UNGA Conference for their collaboration to make this platform an international arena to discuss the most pressing issues of the development agenda.

The UNGA Conference 2018 had 18 Global Partners coming from 13 different countries: Friede Institute for Dialog from Austria, Australian Intercultural Society and Affinity Intercultural Foundation from Australia, Cultural Center Brazil Turkey from Brazil, Mekong Dialogue Institute from Cambodia, Harmony Institute from Kenya, Platform Ins from Netherlands, Atlantic Institute and Turkish Cultural Center Brooklyn from USA, Kilimanjaro Dialogue Institute from Tanzania, Pacific Dialogue Foundation from Philippines, Hira Magazine and Zaman Arabic Newspaper from Egypt, Turquoise Harmony Institute and Universal Rights Association from South Africa, Arco Forum from Spain, Educational Endowment Trust and Indialogue Foundation from India.