Connecting the UN, NGOs and the world: 46 countries join UN Webcast

UN Chronicle, Dec, 2003 by Patricia A. Szczerba

Of note was an address by Nasrine Gross, representing Negar-Support of Women of Afghanistan, who criticized the cultural relativist view of the situation of women in the Middle East. Fundamentalist groups such as the Taliban are politically motivated in carrying out their systematic campaigns to eliminate women's rights and are not merely a reflection of cultural values in the region, she explained. Also speaking on the gender issue was Olivia Matin, a youth activist from the Global Youth Action Network, who recalled the statement by President Cora Weiss of the Hague Appeal for Peace that "without women at every negotiating table where the fate of humanity is at stake, there can be no sustainable peace agreements". Ms. Martin received a standing ovation for her impassioned delivery on the importance of peace education. She argued that minority groups, such as youth, women and indigenous peoples, should be better represented at global forums.

The final plenary session, on "A Conversation with Eminent Persons on Global Trends and Strategies", took up the issue of the North-South divide Mary Racelis, a member of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations, said that it is important that NGOs ensure that Governments respond to the concerns of civil society, and the global South as a whole. Formed earlier this year, the High-level Panel was created to "review the guidelines and practices regarding civil society's relations with the United Nations in order to formulate recommendations for enhancing such interaction".

Representatives of more than 700 NGOs from over 100 countries, including approximately 800 participants from developing countries, attended three days of plenaries and workshops. This was a record number, lending credence to statements made by Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil and Chair of the High-Level Panel, that NGOs are more confident in the United Nations today despite concerns raised over the recent violence in Iraq.

Taking place a few weeks after the 19 August bombing attack of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, the Conference was dedicated to the memory of those killed. Many speakers felt that the current situation lent a sense of urgency to the efforts by the United Nations and civil society. Joan Levy, Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, affirmed that "NGOs will not be deterred in their work with the United Nations". Many of the speakers recognized the need for continued partnership in this endeavour, for as President Renate Bloem of the Conference of Non-governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations pointed out, "human security is still very far away in Iraq and in many parts of the world", and particularly in light of the broader understanding of security developed through the Conference.--Biko Nagara