UNANZ 2014 May, June, July newsletter

UNANZ NEWS MAY, JUNE, JULY 2014 ISSUE No 2

UNANZ NEWS

ISSN 1179-8009 (print) ISSN 1179-0817 (online)


THE PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS 2 UNANZ.ORG.NZ

UNANZ News Contents In this issue: 3 2014 National Conference

4 Secondary Schools Speech Contest

4 UNANZ Special Officer Roundtable

4 Adcock memorial dinner

6 Global Governance, Global Commons & Global Public Goods: The State of Play 6 UNANZ Annual General Meeting

7 UNANZ Intern—Tamilla Dauletbayeva

8 UN Family—Issues under watch

9 UN Messenger for Peace visits NZ

10 World Environment day

10 Opening address at Un Youth Model UN

13 UN DPI/NGO ‘Education for Global Citizenship’

16

17 Threats to International Peace & Security: Prevention and Fight against Genocide

20 UNANZ President’s Column

21 UN Youth President’s Column

21 Helen Clark among worlds most powerful women

22 News from around the country

23 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict

UN International Year of Small Island UN International Year of Crystallography

UN International Year of Family Farming



UNANZ’ highly successful National Conference for 2014, held in Wellington on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th May, attracted some 200 participants. The first day, convened in the Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber, comprised a morning session on “New Zealand at the United Nations, the Secondary Schools Speech Contest and a Special Officer Round-table, in the afternoon, and the Adcock Memorial Dinner in the evening.

The day commenced a welcome to Parliament by Dr Kennedy Graham, MP, who pointed to the urgent need for member countries of the UN to pay attention to UN Charter provisions concerning the

peaceful resolution of conflict. UNANZ National President Graham Hassall then outlined the objectives of the session on the theme “New

Zealand at the United Nations”, as a contribution by UNANZ to promoting understanding of how government departments interact with diverse UN agencies. Charlotte Darlow then spoke about the activities of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials in New York, and Rachael Milicich explained Statistics New Zealand’s involvement in standards setting activities within the UN’s Statistics Division.

After the morning break, New Zealand Defence Force Colonel Martin Dransfield shared his experience of leading peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan and Timor Leste, and Alyn Ware spoke to the audience via the internet from New York about current Peace and Nuclear Disarmament negotiations and campaigns. Each of these sessions included questions from the audience, which flowed across the lunch break.



The first session after lunch, chaired by Shona Hutchison, Contest facilitator, featured UNANZ Secondary Schools Speech Contest for 2014, in which seven regional finalists addressed the theme “Education for Peace: What is to be done?”

These finalists were Methmi Perera (Wanganui), Gabrielle Penn (Wanganui), Katie Mills (Papanui High School), Seb Klinkum (Wellington College), Cheska Saavedra (Hamilton Girls High), Aine Blackman (Tauranga Girls College) & Mattias Tolhurst (Sacred Heart College). Whilst judges Priscilla Williams, Professor Brad Jackson, & Keari Harvey deliberated on their performances, UNANZ member Ella Cavander gave an address on the theme of citizenship. All the contestants then received some feedback from the Judges, and Katie Mills was declared the winner. She also presented her speech in Christchurch, and this can be viewed online at

http://www.canterburywomen.org/page13.html

Late afternoon on the first day Dr Rod Alley chaired a UNANZ Special Officer Round-table, which featured addresses on Peace and Security by Helena McMullin; on Sustainability by Dr Valentina Dinica; and on Human Rights, by John Morgan. The round-table provided these UNANZ special officers with the opportunity to outline key issues, and potential work programs.

On Friday evening 50 conference participants gathered in the Parliament Building’s Grand Hall for a dinner named in honour of Professor John Adcock, President of UNANZ 1978-1981. Guest speaker was Marilyn Duckworth, one of his two daughters. Marilyn shared her recollections of her father’s special interests in the UN, in the Worker’s Educational Association, and Esperanto.

Ella Cavander researched some of the background on Cyril John Adcock and this is reproduced below:

Professor C.J. Adcock lecturing at UBC, 1986, photographer unknown.

http://www.canterburywomen.org/page13.html



Cyril John Adcock, known by the name of John, was National President of the United Nations Association of New Zealand from 1978 until 1981. Adcock was part of the peace movement, chairman of the National Consultative Committee on Disarmament, involved in the Worker’s Educational Association (WEA), and also a practitioner of the international language Esperanto. Adcock taught at the primary level at rural New Zealand schools and eventually became Professor of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington.

Adcock was born in Manchester, England, and arrived in New Zealand Aotearoa at the age of eleven. The family found their home on a farm in Te Rau, 24kms from Kawhia in the Waikato region of the North Island; Adcock helped to run the farm while attending a small country school. He completed his secondary education by correspondence.

At the age of sixteen Adcock was appointed trainee teacher at Te Awamutu District High school, and four years later he gained his Trained Teacher Certificate at the Auckland Teachers College with the highest average marks for his year. In his University studies Adcock gained the highest marks in education and the third highest in philosophy, which he studied part time and by correspondence whilst in his second year at Teachers College. This part time study could not, unfortunately, be credited to a B.A. due to Adcock not having undertaken foreign language study (as this could not be done via correspondence), and this prohibited him from gaining University entrance. However, he made up for this later in life becoming a graduate of the British Esperanto Association and an honorary ‘fratulo’ of the New Zealand Esperanto Association.

Adcock continued to study whilst teaching at a sole charge school. He qualified for a Diploma of Social Science and upon turning twenty five was able to continue with study toward a B.A. due to being entitled to provisional matriculation.

Adcock’s B.A. degree focused on education, political science, philosophy, history, and economics. Working via correspondence certainly had its difficulties: without access to the benefits of the library and contact with lecturers, he ordered his books via post and was very much an independent learner. Despite these difficulties, Adcock gained top marks in New Zealand in third year philosophy.

On the subject of later writing an M.A. with no University contact Adcock commented “I had never even seen a thesis” however he noted that he was able to draw on his experience of writing a paper which was published in the Australian Journal of Psychology. Adcock passed his Masters with second class honours.

In 1932 Adcock married Irene Robinson and the couple had two daughters, Fleur born 1934 and Marilyn born 1935. After John and Irene’s divorce, John married Ngaire Valmai (nee Sadler).

1939 marked a new chapter in Adcock’s life as he left teaching to travel to the University of London to study for his Doctorate in Psychology. Adcock was able to begin his study after sitting a special examination for the London B.A. Honours degree, required as his focus on psychology had been part of a degree in philosophy. With the advent of war, Adcock gave some 84 hours a week to first aid and ambulance work, as superintendent of a first aid and rescue depot. He also lectured for the University's extension service around military camps, and at WEA classes five nights weekly. In 1947, he gained his Doctorate. Adcock obtained a position as a psychology lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington’s then Philosophy Department. He was appointed Professor of Psychology in the 1960s.

Adcock’s activity in UNANZ focused largely on peace and disarmament. On the subject of nuclear war Adcock commented in 1985: “We have succeeded so well in making our countries safe from attack, we stand a good chance of not only annihilating other countries which may oppose us but of completely destroying ourselves”.

Adcock passed away in Wellington at age 83 on June 5th 1987; at the time he was engaged in the writing of a book in Esperanto on the subject of psychology and cybernetics. In 1986 Adcock had been appointed Professor of Human Cybernetics in the International Academy of the Sciences, San Marino, and in the year of his passing was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to New Zealand and in Education and Psychology. Several days before his death Adcock had said “I want only for you and everyone to be happy and for the world to be at peace”.



On day two, the conference moved to Rutherford House at Victoria University of Wellington, and a program offered in collaboration with the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies together with the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies. The topic for the day was “Global Governance, Global Commons, & Global Public Goods”. Unfortunately the invited

keynote speaker Dr. Inge Kaul Hertie of the School of Governance in Berlin was unable to travel at the last moment, so had her paper read by Dr Adrian Macey, with a response given by Dr Geoff Bertram. Subsequent papers were given on The New Idea of Planetary Boundaries (Dr. Adrian Macey (VUW) with a response from Brian Fallow (NZ Herald); on The Global Commons: The Atmosphere, by Prof. Klaus Bosselmann (Environmental Law Centre, University of Auckland) with response by Prof. David Frame (School of Geography, Environment & Earth Sciences VUW); on The Global Commons: The Oceans (by Prof. Karen Scott (School of Law, Canterbury University); on Global Governance for Global Public Goods and the Global Commons by Assoc. Prof. Graham Hassall (VUW & UNANZ), with response by Dr Oliver Hartwich (Director, NZ Initiative). Session summaries were provided by Peter Kennedy Director (NZIIA) and Dr. Kennedy Graham (Canterbury University & Director NZCGS). It is expected that some or all of these presentations will be published and made more widely available.

On Saturday 10th May, from 4:30 pm to 6pm, UNANZ held its 2014 Annual General Meeting at Victoria University’s Rutherford House, Wellington. There were 32 members present, of whom 17 were voting members. The meeting came at the end of a busy two days for the principal purpose of electing office bearers for the coming year. UNANZ President Graham Hassall welcomed the presence of new members, a definite sign that UNANZ is expanding in some Branches.

In addition to attending to agenda matters, the Meeting acknowledged the passing this past year of Richard Archer, a long-time member of the Wellington Branch. After passing the minutes of the 2013 AGM, office bearers and special officers for the coming year were formally elected:

President Graham Hassall Vice President Joy Dunsheath Treasurer Izolda Kazemzadeh Secretary Robert Mackay NC Rep & Dev Officer Emma Holloway, Affiliated Societies Affiliated Societies Joycelyn Foo (Soka Gakkai) Affiliated Societies Ordinary Member Vicki Soanes, Ordinary Member Martin Dransfield SO for Sustainable Dev Valentina Dinica SO for Peace & Security Helena McMullin SO for Human Rights John Morgan SO for WFUNA Liaison Mary McGiven SO for Model UN Jonathan Gee SO for UN Renewal Kennedy Graham, M.P. SO for Humanitarian Aff Jean-Paul Bizoza

UNANZ President Graham Hassall congratulated the incoming members of the National Executive and


UNANZ 2014 Calendar

1 March UNANZ Newsletter

31 March All Branch AGMs to be completed

9–10 May 2014

Friday

Saturday

UNANZ National Conference

NZ at the UN

The Global Commons, Public Goods & Governance

1 June UNANZ Newsletter

1 September UNANZ Newsletter

Sun 21 September

International Day of Peace

Sat-Sun 18-19 October

National Council Meeting in Wellington

Mon 20 October United Nations Day reception at Government House

1 December UNANZ Newsletter

Wed 10 December

Human Rights Day - UNANZ

National Event


the National Council, especially a number of new members, but also noted that some positions were not filled for lack of nominations. The Council is thus short of one Vice-President, one National Council Representative, one Corporate member, one affiliate representative, and two “ordinary members”.

Outgoing National Treasurer Johanna Clayton presented the Financial Statements for 2013, which were adopted by the AGM, with the note that they were still to be audited. Annual Reports and Statement of Accounts were received from the Northern, Tauranga, Wanganui, Wellington, Canterbury, and UN Youth branches, and from the National President, and the Special Officers for Human Rights, and Peace and Security.

The UNANZ Three Year work program was circulated to members to keep them informed.

Tamilla Dauletbayeva,

From July to September 2014 Tamilla Dauletbayeva, a citizen of Kazakhstan, is interning with UNANZ, as part of her university studies in Hungary.

Tamilla is a student at the School of Public Policy of Central European University in Budapest, with a particular interest in refugee issues and policies, and post-conflict development.

Prior to her graduate studies Tamilla worked as a program manager of Democracy Commission Grants Program at the US Embassy in Kazakhstan. Her major project was a Women’s Empowerment Project, which was follow-up program to former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s 2011 global initiative on Women’s Economic Symposiums. The regional program’s aim was to educate, empower and provide basis of financial education therefore independence and security for girls and women in Central Asia. At the School of Public Policy in

Hungary, Tamilla’s interest concentrates on the projects focusing on refugee issues and their involvement in reconstruction processes in post-conflict scenarios.

Whilst in New Zealand, Tamilla will write policy papers for UNANZ on refugee issues and on post-conflict reconstruction. She will also visit other New Zealand centres and is available to address UNANZ branch meetings. Visiting various cities and campuses will allow her to meet a cross section of New Zealand society, including those who are refugees or who have worked with the refugee community, and those interested in issues of peace-building. She can be contacted at Tamilla Dauletbayeva ([email protected])



Campaigns & Cases to Watch

Special Officer for Peace and Security, Helena McMullin (LLM)

Climate Voter (www.climatevoter.org.nz) is a joint new New Zealand campaign by Oxfam, Greenpeace, Forest &

Bird, WWF, Generation Zero and 350 Aotearoa. The aim is to mobilise Kiwi voters make their vote count this September by getting real action on climate change. Climate Voter will ask political parties where they stand on climate change policy and close to Election Day hold a live debate for politicians to explain what they will do to take action on climate change.

UNfold Zero (www.unfoldzero.org) is a new international platform for UN focused initiatives for the achievement of a nuclear free world, launched in New York in May by the Basel Peace Office, Prague Vision, Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign, PNND and Aotearoa Lawyers for Peace.

The Marshall Islands Case (www.nuclearzero.org) has the potential of changing how we handle breaches of international law relating to nuclear weapons. The Republic of Marshall Islands on 24 April filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, suing US, Russia, UK, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea for breaching their obligations under the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and for violating customary international law, by failing to pursue negotiations for the worldwide elimination of nuclear weapons. A related lawsuit was brought in US Federal District Court in San Francisco against the US. Marshall Islands were for 12 years used by the US as a nuclear bomb testing ground. In the lawsuit press release, Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum said “Our people have suffered the catastrophic and irreparable damage of these weapons, and we vow to fight so that no one else on earth will ever again experience these atrocities. The continued existence of nuclear

weapons and the terrible risk they pose to the world threaten us all.”

Joseph Kony wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity remains at large. Kony, initially from Uganda, has allegedly killed more than 100,000 people and enslaved and abused more than 60,000 children during nearly three decades. Human Rights Watch estimates that since 2008 alone, Kony has killed more than 2,600 people and kidnapped more than 4,000, mostly children. Recent UN reports places Kony in South Sudan bordering the Central African Republic (CAR). Some of his senior co-criminals are reportedly hiding in north-eastern CAR.

“UN family” consultation On 30th June 2014 UNANZ hosted the third “UN Family” consultation, in Rutherford House at the Victoria University of Wellington. There were eleven participants from three UN agencies plus UNANZ: Sam Allen (UNESCO NZ Youth Reference Group); Peter Cowley (UNANZ); Tamilla Dauletbayava (UNANZ intern), Joy Dunsheath (UNANZ), Jonathan Gee (UNANZ - UN Youth Branch), Ruth Harrison (UN Women), Graham Hassall (UNANZ), Izolda Kazemzadeh (UNANZ) Sarah Morris (UNICEF), Elizabeth Rose (UNESCO NZ), Vicki Soanes (UNESCO NZ).

The meeting provided an opportunity for Tamilla Dauletbayava, who is visiting New Zealand from Central Eastern University as a UNANZ intern until late August 2014, to explain her interest in meeting Syrian refugees in New Zealand. Sarah Morris explained that UNICEF is holding an event at Parliament on July 22nd, with live-streaming of a

UN Family— Issues under Watch



debate between young people and MPs. is also holding a Youth congress in Christchurch for 50 youth training in leadership and advocacy, and the theme domestic advocacy agenda. UNICEF is planning for the International day of the girl child - empowering girls and ending the cycle of violence. Denis McKinley has resigned from UNICEF and is replaced by Vivian Maidaborn, formerly with Disability Support Network, UNICEF.

Vicki Soanes and Elizabeth Rose reported UNESCO’s ongoing activities, which include a youth reference group, established in 2013, which advises the National Commission on youth matters and also a project “Looking Beyond Disaster” which was established post Christchurch earthquakes. The Associated schools network has now increased to 19 schools and will focus on the theme of global citizenship education for the next 8 years. UNESCO is setting up a discretionary fund and will invite funding applications on six strategic priorities and international days and decades. A big inter-regional conference of national commissions is being held in Kazakhstan; the International Year of Light and light based technologies is being recognized in 2015. UNESCO is working on a program on biodiversity and ecosystems - wants to build public awareness; UNESCO is seeking New Zealand responses to World social science report - possibly a webinar. Sam Allen reported that-the UNESCO youth reference group has identified amnesty international as largest group engaged with Human Rights Day. They have just launched 4th campaign against torture, and local branches may organise a breakfast for human rights day.

Jonathan Gee (UN Youth) reported that a Central North Island Model UN was held in Palmerston North, universities model UN had 47 delegates. UN Youth has held its 15th birthday dinner. They recently had US Consulate officer Jim Donegan speak and are planning to make a panel discussion UN-focused in July- August. The NZ model UN on Conflict and Reconciliation was about to open (Saturday 5th July).

Ruth Harrison (UN Women) reported on forthcoming Beijing plus 20 platform. UN Women has contributed to CID’s SDG goal for women. There is a project in the Solomon Islands in 2014 training paralegals and flooding in Honiara has slowed a building project.

Dr. Jane Goodall visited New Zealand recently on her latest round of tours promoting her work and the launch of Roots and Shoots in New Zealand all the while celebrating 80 years of a wonderful life.

The UN Messenger for Peace caught up with Robert Mackay while in Wellington. A challenge was given to UNANZ by Jane who encouraged UNANZ members to support the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots and Shoots Initiative specifically focusing on the conservation, sustainable environment and animal protection projects.

For more information on Jane or her Institute: http://www.janegoodall.org/

For more information on the Roots and Shoots Initiative: https://www.rootsandshoots.org/

http://www.janegoodall.org/

https://www.rootsandshoots.org/



PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS 5 JULY 2014

Opening address by Tony Browne

Wellington’s place as the seat of government is particularly relevant when we talk of our role at the United Nations. It is where the details of New Zealand’s involvement in the United Nations are formulated, where the positions we take on major global issues are worked through; it is where our Missions at UN Headquarters in New York, Geneva and Vienna send their reports, where the instructions for the positions to take in debates emanate. It is the central hub of New Zealand’s UN participation

Victoria University is part of the policy and intellectual environment that has shaped New Zealand’s UN participation. Those of you who choose to attend our capital city’s university will be able to study at a law school with an outstanding reputation among international lawyers. We have a strong school of International Relations and the nation’s only Centre for Security Studies. We also have New Zealand’s only School of Government and the associated Institute for Governance and Policy Studies. We are developing our strength in international trade policy. The skills that are taught are Victoria are what is needed to equip a successful United Nations representative and we pride ourselves at Victoria that our University provides students and, in time, diplomats with the intellectual underpinnings necessary to represent our country in international forums.

I speak to you today not only as a representative of the University, but as a model UNer myself. Yours is an infinitely better organised and more challenging forum than existed when I was one of only four from the South Island to go from to Hamilton in 1965.



Decades later my daughter became president of the model UN club at her school in Beijing, and went to assemblies in Sri Lanka and in Cairo. And I speak to you also as someone who spent a couple of years as a New Zealand representative at the UN in New York.

There is any amount of criticism of what happens in the 38 floors of the UN building on 1st Avenue in New York. Much of it is justified; much deserves to be approached with a hefty sense of scepticism. But by no means all. In New York, in Geneva, in Vienna and in UN meetings at venues around the world much of the framework of the international rules based systems that are so important for smaller countries such as ours, is argued, codified and adopted. Even if we put aside the moment all the good that has been done through its various specialised agencies, the UN has provided New Zealand with the opportunity to shape key aspects of our modern world – the end of colonialism, the very wide acceptance of a set of universal human rights standards, an open trading system, efforts made (even if as yet inadequate) to address climate change, a framework that guides international peacekeeping operations, an international disarmament regime. In all of these New Zealand diplomats have been to the forefront.

This is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that New Zealanders have made to the UN, and to give you models to inform and perhaps to encourage you in your discussions. I acknowledge Helen Clark occupying the most senior place ever filled by a New Zealander in the United Nations but many of those who have played key roles are much less well known. in many cases they are much better known internationally than they are in New Zealand.

I think of the negotiations on the Law of the Sea where much of the key intellectual shaping of that document was provided by the brilliant work of the team of Malcolm Templeton, Chris Beeby and Bill Mansfield. I recall the role played by Colin Keating in the Security Council last time New Zealand was a member of that body. International trade rules have been shaped in a significant way, not least by two Victoria graduates, Crawford Falconer and Tim Groser. New Zealand has been an articulate advocate for human rights ever since former professor of law at Victoria, the late Colin Aikman, represented New Zealand at the drafting of the

Universal Declaration on Human Rights in Paris in 1948. More recently my former classmate at school, Adrian Macey, now on the staff at Victoria University, has been a key figure in global climate change negotiations. At a conference with the theme of Conflict and Reconciliation there are few people anywhere in

the world who better encapsulate the efforts made here than Ross Mountain, a graduate of Victoria in Asian studies and political science. For the last four decades he has been at the sharp end of UN humanitarian, disaster recovery, development and peacekeeping operations in Africa – he ran the UN effort in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Asia, in Lebanon and Syria, in Timor and Afghanistan. When Sergio de Mello was tragically killed in a Baghdad bombing in 2003 it was Ross Mountain who Kofi Annan asked to go in and replace him. We do not do enough in New Zealand to recognise the achievements of people such as him. New Zealanders have done and are continuing to make a difference in the UN.

Tony Browne opening the UN Youth Model UN at Parliament



You may get some sense of their achievements as you confront the intricacy of the issues you are being asked to address in this conference. There is the intellectual challenge of grappling with the issues before you, of analysing them, seeking to bring differing viewpoints to a point that a consensus on action becomes possible. But simple intellect is not enough. You will learn the abiding importance of precision with language if one is to make progress in an international negotiation; you will come to understand the importance of skilful personal relations in forging a diplomatic consensus; you will learn to listen carefully to those whose views you may deeply disagree with; you will learn when to push a point, when to step back, when one must be prepared to abandon a set of words or a position to which one has a particular attachment if one is to make progress in the bigger picture of reaching shared solutions to common problems.

Being a representative at the UN carries with it a sense of some distinction. There is a responsibility you feel as you sit in a UN meeting behind the nameplate of your country. I hope that some sense of this transmits itself to you in your deliberations over the next few days. You feel it when you respond to a call for New Zealand’s views to be heard knowing that you are not simply expressing your thoughts but laying out the position of the New Zealand government. It comes with knowing that what you say is likely to be read and analysed in other missions and in other capitals. I can assure you that there is something quite stimulating being in the General Assembly Hall as the Assembly votes, and adopts a resolution that you have been instrumental in drafting and shepherding through to a conclusion.

You are meeting just a few weeks before New Zealand’s candidacy for a seat on that Council is voted on. The theme of your conference, Conflict and Reconciliation, is fully consistent with the aspirations and the concerns that lie behind New Zealand’s bid for this Security Council seat. So as you go through your debates and discussions over the next three days bear in mind that they are not abstract intellectual concepts you are debating; these are the sort of issues that New Zealand is seeking to involve itself in over the next two years as a member of the UN’s most important organ.

Some of you will want to go on to careers that will take you to New York, to Geneva, Vienna and to many other places where UN special meetings are held, either as members of the UN’s own staff or as national representatives of a member state. In my

own case the interests that led me to take part in a model UN certainly helped shape my subsequent career path which, among other destinations, landed me at the UN in New York. Most of you, however, will have other career aspirations, but will have your interest in international affairs finely tuned by being part of this event and that in itself is reason for our university to support the continuation of such gatherings. For we as a nation are much better off if we have an articulate and informed public commenting on international issues and New Zealand’s proper response to them. Whatever you ultimately may do the skills you learn at this Model UN are skills that will help you in real life, and will be useful to you as you pursue your tertiary studies.

Many of you we will, I hope, see at Victoria University, or if not here at other institutions where you can explore these issues in more depth. Wherever you go to continue your studies I hope that the next few days will indeed be energising, and will hone your skills in ways that will be useful in the years to come. I congratulate you all for coming here and I wish you and your hardworking organising committee a most successful and thought-provoking conference.

Tony Browne was New Zealand Ambassador to China from 2004 to 2009; New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu in 1987; 1990 to 1994 Director of the Domestic and External Security Secretariat in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. From 2011 Chair of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre and Chair of the Victoria University of Wellington Confucius Institute.


Summary by Anne Creter from the 3 April

2014 meeting in New York.

~ NGO-led by the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace ~

Briefing Overview:

“Education for global citizenship” is vital for fostering the culture of peace. This is an important topic as evidenced by the large (youth) turnout - plus results of the UN My World Global Survey (www.myworld2015.org) taken by 1.5+ million global citizens in 194 countries who voted on what is most important achieve a better world. Across every category of civil society, the top priority is education. (See website to take survey). The 2012 Global Education First Initiative (UN GEFI) is a major focus for the Secretary-General with these aims: 1) every child in school - especially girls 2) quality learning 3) education for global citizenship to help the UN respond as one human family.

Moderator: * Ms. Ozioma Egwuonwu, New Futures Foundation NGO and BurnBright Int’l

Speakers: * H.E. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN

* Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO NY Director & Global Education First Initiative Secretariat

* Mr. Hiro Sakurai, Soka Gakkai Representative to the UN

Key points discussed and questions raised:

* Ozionma Egwuonwu opened with the exciting idea of global citizenship awakening our potential to connect and unify in becoming something larger than what we are individually -- to build a better tomorrow. “Education for global citizenship” is not just about what happens in schools but also about the online platforms and ways all stakeholders come together. Certain ideas, visions, perspectives make all the difference for what is possible in the world. Promoting “education for global citizens” is one of the most powerful ideas we can embrace today to create the foundation for the culture of peace. The September, 1999 General Assembly UN Declaration and Programme of Action of a Culture of Peace sets guidelines on how people, governments and the UN can work together towards the common goals of creating the future civilization that is possible. The Programme of Action includes fostering the culture of peace through education and encouraging nation states to include values of peace, human rights and democracy within their education systems. It helped lead to the Secretary General’s September, 2012 five-year Global Education First Initiative which aims to accelerate progress in supplying children around the world with the basic competencies necessary to address the problems of the 21 century. This Briefing is part of our “education for global citizenship” helping us move from thought into action, using education as a conduit to create powerful actions to

take in the world.

Short Video: Various definitions were given from people all over the world of what it means to be a global citizen (inter-connectedness, the good of all, one planet - one humanity, beyond national boundaries, basic human rights, what we do makes a difference, the world we envision is the world we will make and it will be beautiful).

* H.E. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury emphasized the importance of childhood as the formative time when global citizen skills of compassion and empathy must be learned to resolve the interconnected challenges of the 21st century.



He spoke of four essential elements (the 4 “I’s”) Individual self-transformation, Intergenerational dimension, Inclusivity of all, not just children in school and Institutional measures. The Global Education First Initiative’s first two goals of more children to school (girls) and improving the quality of education, lead to the ultimate objective of global citizenship. The Initiative interfaces closely with the concept of the culture of peace in that both deal with human minds, trying to change every individual into an agent of peace, able to handle life conflicts in a nonviolent way. The UNESCO Constitution says war is created in the minds of men and it is in the minds of men (and women) that we need to construct the defences of peace.

The General Assembly in 1999 adopted by consensus the monumental UN Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace Resolution A/RES/53/243 that transcends boundaries. The principle underlying it is that peace cannot be gained by governments alone. It is individuals and communities who can secure lasting peace through transforming attitudes and actions. Peace is the result of positive dynamic, participatory processes linked intrinsically to understanding, democracy, justice and development for all, by which differences are respected, dialogue encouraged and conflicts transformed into cooperation. The core rests on people’s capacity for respect, nonviolence and equality and that these qualities can be developed through little acts. Such ideas need to be built into education systems. He concluded by noting the many rich learning materials developed by NGO’s which he hopes can be gathered by DPI into a compendium of resources to be shared.

* Ms. Vibeke Jensen stated that “global citizenship education” is a concept that articulates the overall purpose of education. It recognizes the relevance of education in resolving social, political, cultural and global issues and its role (beyond knowledge and skills) in promoting attitudes for social transformation and empowering learners to become proactive contributors to the culture of peace. The

Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative focuses on 3 priority education areas in order to finish the MDG agenda. Progress has been made but there is still not access to all and quality of education has suffered. Plus, 125 million children have gone to school but still have not learned basics language skills to continue learning and participate in the educational system. Quality education is also about teaching global citizenship education. As the end of the MDG’s nears, with a Post 2015 agenda now being set, education has to be there -- teaching a mindset towards creating peace, inclusiveness and human rights. It is not enough to talk about it. We must be sure global citizenship is practiced as a transformative shift. Good teachers are needed to engage all types of children. UNESCO was created in 1945 to build peace in the minds of men and women and now it is the lead agency in global citizen education. Many excellent manuals are out there to help develop participatory learning. They need to be mainstreamed into the education system.

* Mr. Hiro Sakurai acknowledged all the youth present at the Briefing. He stated that “education for global citizenship” is a dynamic, multi-dimensional concept that combines two powerful elements -- education and global citizenship. It involves not only schools but family, local community and civic engagement. It can

help personal and environmental transformation plus is a life-long endeavor. There are many linkages such as the importance of women’s leadership. He stressed its relation to the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace through 8 action areas on a broad set of issues such as education, gender, sustainable development and human rights in a holistic way. It promotes efforts for global goals including peace and disarmament, sustainable development and human rights. It recognizes a wide range of actors such as the important role of teachers, parents, politicians and journalists. Essential elements are: breaking down silos, moving from confrontation to coexistence, transcending divisiveness to solidary and sharing responsibility, plus the importance of rooting ourselves in our local communities as the site of learning. The Global Education First Initiative is indication “education for global citizenship” is



gaining interest at the UN. In early March, the Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals briefly mentioned it. But this is not enough. In 1992 education took up one whole chapter of agenda 21 in the Programme of Action at the UN Conference on Environment and Development. Since then education has been treated in a more limited manner at Johannesburg in 2002 and at the Rio +20 Sustainable Development Conference in 2012. “Education for global citizenship” is an embracing, holistic concept that must receive much wider government and civil society participation.

* The question / answer period was engaging with many good questions.

How do I spread word around globe about the youth (under 18) Peace in the Street Global Film Festival global video contest? www.psgff.com

What can be done to ensure the LGBT community has fair access to education in hostile nations? Ambassador Chowdhury stated it is a concern. Making education available to all is a major challenge. UNESCO is helping that process of access.

How do we integrate the trans-Atlantic slave trade in education? Ms. Jensen commented that UNESCO is working on a General History Project of Africa that is being translated into curriculum materials for schools all over the world.

How do we overcome barriers if stakeholders are unwilling to participate? How do we expect teachers to model certain positive behaviors when they are not valued? Ambassador Chowdhury reminded us that any transformation always faces obstacles but that should not dishearten us, citing example of the suffrage movement. To make global citizenship a daily part of life will be challenging. Yet we can be true global citizens by simple acts. It is inside us. If we start there, it will become easier. ** The questioner prefaced her question identifying herself as “a global citizen” which received hearty applause

and prompted the Moderator to invite the audience to declare out loud then and there … “I am a Global Citizen.”

Mr Sakuri pointed out the value of networking and belonging to working groups to maximize resources by getting help from colleagues. Ms. Jensen talked of the need to mobilize everyone – governments, parents, NGO’s and civil society in favor of education. We cannot achieve any other development goals without education.

Twitter questions: How do we get information about global citizenship as journalists and social activists? How can we make it happen where we are? Ms. Jensen said it is not just about having knowledge but about using that knowledge to launch ourselves into action in all areas. Ambassador Chowdhury said materials are listed on the program. For more, contact the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace (www.gmcop.org ). Journalists can write more to let people know. Mr. Sakuri remarked that it is connected to everything we do in our daily life, so be mindful. Ms. Egwuonwu said the only way to transform is to change perspective from “Me” to “We.”

What is happening in k-12 to directly involve students in service learning? The Ambassador believes it is necessary to teach students to become confident in finding solutions to challenges in their own personal lives.

What is the role of meditation in transformation? How would the

arts be a conduit for social change? Ambassador Chowdhury regrets spirituality and self-tranquility are not build into the education system. Today’s education does not create the values and mindset we need. Mr. Sakuri said the process of meditation helps bring forth goodness so is important. Ms. Jensen cited the value of meditation and the arts as important mediums that schools are not paying enough attention to.




Are you planning to be in New York on or around 27 –29 August 2014? If so, the 65th Annual DPI/NGO conference is taking place and as UNANZ has consultative status with DPI so we would be able to get you into this conference.

The theme of the Conference is:

The Role of Civil Society in the Post-2015 Development Agenda Conference registrations are now open but close on 13 August. If you would like to attend and represent UNANZ please advise [email protected] as we will need to register you.

Information on the Annual Conference

Organized by the Department of Public Information (DPI) in partnership with the NGO community, our annual Conference is unique. It is the largest gathering of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) jointly organized by the UN Department of Public Information and NGOs and relevant partners, as appropriate. We welcome all representatives of NGOs worldwide.

The Conference brings together over 1,500 NGO representatives from around the globe to focus on a theme related to current UN and NGO priorities. This three-day conference includes:

•Roundtables: you can exchange ideas and experiences with diverse experts •NGO workshops: interact with NGO colleagues about your work. •Exhibits: showcase your work and network with others that share your interests. •Youth-led activities: build partnerships across generations. •Networking opportunities: meet NGOs from other regions who share common interests and goals.

•Side Events: participate in related side activities which reflect the theme of the Conference.

For 60 years the Annual Conference was held in New York at UN Headquarters. In recent times however, in an effort to attract a more diverse community, the Conference has gone “on the road.” It has been held in different regions of the world beginning in 2008 with the Paris Conference focusing on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With each successive Conference we hope to attract new NGO partners from the host country and its neighbouring region.

The 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference chair is Jeffery Huffines, UN Representative of Civicus: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Currently, he serves as co-chair of the Conference Planning Committee.

The Visual Identity of the 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference, titled “2015 and Beyond: Our Action Agenda”, has been adopted by the Conference Planning Committee and presented to civil society during a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, 17 April, which was simultaneously webcast. It was designed by the DPI Outreach Division Graphic Design Unit. For instructions on how to use the Visual Identity (below), please contact DPI/NGO ([email protected])

mailto:[email protected]



Briefing by Ambassador Colin Keating, former Permanent Representative of New Zealand President of the Security Council for the month of April 1994 | United Nations Security Council | 16 April 2014



As this the first UNANZ newsletter since our highly successful 2014 National Conference, I want to take the opportunity thank all who participated in it, whether as interns, volunteers, panellists, or attendees. Feedback on the program suggests that there is scope for more sessions that explore current forms of engagement between New Zealand-based governmental and non-governmental actors and the various UN organs, agencies, and programmes.

Whilst much attention remains focused on New Zealand’s Security Council bid, we should not lose sight of the range of other current activities, whether ad hoc or systematic, in health, law, education, environment, transport, food and agriculture, energy, technology, and many other fields. The sessions reminded us, too, of the many New Zealanders past and present who have first-hand experience with United Nations activities.

Saturday’s session, also, which focused on “Global Governance, the Global Commons, and Global Public Goods”, highlighted the need to further our understanding of how policy developments at the supra-national level are changing the way that governments interact in problem solving and responding to emerging issues in the “planetary interest”. UNANZ was very fortunate to have as partners in this program the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies and the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies.

UN Youth have also been performing exceptionally well in recent months. On 25th April I was able to spend a day at the “Youth Declaration” held at

Auckland University, and I hope the photos included here convey something of the vibrancy of this flagship event. Most recently, I was present for the opening evening of the UN Youth Model UN conference at the National Parliament in Wellington on 5th July.

On 27th June I represented UNANZ at a dinner sponsored by the Philippines Ambassador for the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils national conference, and the following evening attended the Wellington Multicultural Association’s “Multicultural Community Gala Award Night” at Shed 6 on the Wellington Waterfront.

Apart from such engagements with other organizations, the UNANZ National Executive has been busy with a number of special projects, greatly assisted by the contributions of interns and volunteers. In the coming months we anticipate once again having two Victoria University BA interns, to follow up on the civic education and history projects commenced by last year’s interns Ella Cavendar and Robin Holdaway.

Of course, the activities of UNANZ at both branch and national levels occur against a broader backdrop of pressing global issues – the ongoing conflicts in Syria and several African states, maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the closing months of the MDGs and anticipation of a new global development agenda, and building mobilization of civil society as well as member countries around such causes as disarmament, de-nuclearization of defence systems, more effective collective security mechanisms, and more effective protection of human rights. These and other issue make the work of the UN, and the supplementary activities of organization such as UNANZ, of continuing relevance to the construction of peace and prosperity for all humanity.


UN Youth New Zealand celebrated its 15th birthday on the 30th May 2014. We are incredibly proud of how far UN Youth has come since its conception. In the last 15 years, the organisation has expanded to four regions around the country, it hosts three national events and one online competition, spearheads two international tours, and has built a myriad of partnerships with other organisations.

In the year ahead, UN Youth will adopt a new website and develop its own line of merchandise. We are looking forward to our biggest conference, the New Zealand Model United Nations, which is being held in Wellington from 5 - 8th July. Following that, the United Nations Model Security Council, our national tertiary event is being held in Christchurch in late August.

The team of directors leading the Europe study tour to The Hague International Model United Nations has been appointed and are underway in their planning. In July, the Pacific Project delegation will embark on a journey to a conference hosted by UN Youth Australia in Canberra, before travelling to Samoa for volunteering work.

The year has been very busy for the organisation so far but we have achieved well and are looking forward to a fruitful remainder of the year.


New York, USA – Forbes Magazine today announced Helen Clark, Chief of the United Nations Development Programme, as one of the world’s 100 most powerful women.

Ms. Clark has appeared regularly in the annual league table since her time as Prime Minister of New Zealand. Ranking no. 61 in 2009, she is now named amongst the top 25, with a ranking of no. 23 for this year.

Recognizing her influence as the head of the United Nations agency leading the global fight against poverty, with a budget of around US$ 6 billion and 8,000 staff in more than 170 countries and territories, the magazine called her “the most powerful woman in the United Nations.”

The world’s 100 most powerful women on the list were chosen this year for their reach and influence.



The Wellington Branch of the United Nations Association began the year with an Annual General Meeting in March in the Thistle Inn.

Professor Graham Hassall outlined the

history of the United Nations Association its current programme and its plans for the future. A Committee was formed and proposals put forward for 2014.

Following on from the successful Seminar in December on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons UNA Wellington co-sponsored a Meeting followed by a reception with Angela Kane UN High Level Representative for Disarmament – early April 150 people attended. We are now planning to hold a debrief on the Non Proliferation Treaty review Conference and an analysis of the importance of the Vienna Conference in December which follows on from the Mexican Conference – the topic of our December 2013 meeting. This will be in August.

The Wellington Regional Secondary Speech Award was held on April 15 and Seb Klinkum from Wellington College won with George Barton runner up. The National Finals was won by Katie Mills from Christchurch

All Wellington Branch members were asked to the National Conference on Friday 9 May and in Seminar on the following day held in conjunction with New Zealand Centre for Global Studies and the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies on Global Governance Global Commons and Global Public Goods. The Adcock Memorial dinner was held on the Friday evening in Parliaments Grand Hall where Marilyn Duckworth, Prof John Adcock’s daughter, spoke.

The winter series of lunch hour roundtables will focus on the upcoming UN Summit in Samoa in September. 2014 is the UN year of Small Island Developing States and Climate Change the Environment and Renewable Energy along with

sustainable economic programmes are high on the agenda and we are assembling a group of people with skills in these areas. They will be held in August over a four week period.

Given the current concern about “boat people” –Asylum seekers – we hope to be able to offer a panel discussion on this in July when the UNHCR Director is in Wellington.

Wellington Branch may also work with Continuing Education on a programme of What New Zealand Can Offer to the Security Council. This is in the planning stages but will need to be before October.

Wellington Members were invited to hear Dr Bernd Kubbig a Peace Researcher specialising in the Middle East in February and to a fascinating panel discussion on the Ukraine in March and on Drones in May and Genocide in Rwanda in June. We thank NZIIA and Diplosphere for allowing us to promote UN related topics.

Robin Halliday

President, Wellington Branch

Waikato is organising the Model UN Assembly which will be held in the Pricewater Cooper Lecture Theatre, Management School, University of Waikato on 23rd August 2014.

The topic is "The Planet and a World Population of Ten Billion in 2050: Planning to Address the Implications".


Wellington: Civic leaders campaign to end sexual violence in war Thursday, 12 June 2014, 11:33 am

Press Release: British High Commission


You’re never too old to make a difference. A group of senior UNANZ Wellington members learn the movements.

http://goo.gl/OBpxfl



2014 Calendar

UNANZ PEOPLE

National Council National President—Graham Hassall National Vice President—Joy Dunsheath UN Youth President—Sally Wu Treasurer — Izolda Kazemzadeh Secretary—Robert Mackay National Council Representative— Emma Holloway (Development Officer),

Special Officers Mary McGiven—WFUNA Liaison Helena McMullin—Peace and Security John Morgan—Human Rights Kennedy Graham—UN Renewal Valentina Dinica—Sustainable Development Jean-Paul Bizoza—Humanitarian Affairs Jonathan Gee—Model UN

Affiliate Representatives Bradley McDonald (Esperanto) Maxine Chan (Baha'i) Joycelyn Foo (Soka Gakkai)

Branch Presidents Northern: Michael Shroff and Gary Russell Tauranga: Gray Southon Wanganui: Kate Smith Wellington: Robin Halliday Canterbury: Lynette Hardie Wills

Honorary Life Members Margaret Knight, Robin Halliday, Dame Laurie Salas, Lady Rhyl Jansen, Dame Grace Hollander, Ivan Densem, Carrick Lewis, Clinton Johnson, Gita Brooke, Mary Gray, Colin McGregor, Kate Dewes, Alyn Ware

Affiliate Members AFS Intercultural Programmes, Australia New Zealand Cultural Centre, Baha’i Community, Humanist Society, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), National Consultative Committee on Disarmament (NCCD), National Council of Women NZ, NZ Assn of Rationalists & Humanists, NZ Council of Trade Unions, NZ Educational Institute (NZEI) NZ Esperanto Association Inc., NZ Federation of Women's Institutes. Operation Peace Through Unity, Oxfam (NZ), Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA), Soroptimist International SW Pacific UN Women, The Asia Network, UNICEF New Zealand,, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF),

ABOUT THE UNANZ NEWS

The UNANZ News is the quarterly publication of the United Nations Association of New Zealand.

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Rt. Hon. Helen Clark - Administrator UN Development Program

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UNANZ 2014 May, June, July newsletter

Documents

Transcript of UNANZ 2014 May, June, July newsletter