The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), after the postponement due to the ongoing pandemic, is glad to invite you to participate to the new edition of the special program aimed to provide an opportunity to come and see the work of IFOR at the United Nations in Geneva and experience first-hand engagement within UN system.
The program will last one week, from Monday September 20th to Friday 24th 2021. It will run during the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Participants will learn more about IFOR work on conscientious objection at the UN and find out how civil society can fully engage at the UN and network.
We contemplate a group of about ten people, which can move about together and is also small enough to share reflections communally between formal meetings.
Have a look at the first edition here.
Unfortunately, this year, due to the current situation concerning covid-19, the running of the program could be subject to changes accordingly to the ongoing pandemic and some meetings at the UN may not be in person.
PROGRAMME
The detailed program will be sent to the participants prior to the start of the program.
Program will start in Geneva on Monday 20th at 4 pm with a preliminary orientation session.
During the week the participants will attend to working sessions of the Human Rights Council -which include plenary meetings, negotiations of resolutions, side events-, assist in the drafting and delivering of oral statements, participate in informal meetings with partner NGOs, explore advocacy initiatives.
The program will conclude on Friday 24th at noon.
Every day participants will have the possibility to meet together to exchange on the experience and deepen topics and procedures of interest with IFOR UN representatives; in addition there will be a tutoring opportunity to better follow the Human Rights Council working sessions, the general debates and interactive dialogues planned in the Program of Work of the UN.
ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL
IFOR has pre-arranged a single room accommodation with full board at the John Knox Centre which is located near the Palais des Nations, in Geneva. These costs (accommodation + meals) will be covered by IFOR through the Otto per Mille fund of the Waldensian Church. All participants will receive a free pass for local public transportation for the entire period.
Other costs shall be met by the participants and/or their organizations.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply you need to fill in the online form here
Deadline for application is September 1st 2021 at 1pm CEST. The confirmation of the application will be notified to the candidates within the following 48 hours.
If necessary, we will give preference to:
a) those who are prepared to commit for the entire week
b) persons with a direct connection with IFOR
c) young people.
For further information you are welcome to contact Zaira Zafarana, coordinator of the program, at zaira.zafarana@ifor.org
Due to the pandemic some meetings may have restriction and not allow participation in person.
NOTE: Given the current situation of the pandemic the program will run accordingly to the actual situation and safety measures in place. Participants are invited to check all requirements given by the Swiss Federal Office for people traveling from other countries.
Looking forward to having you in Geneva!
READ ABOUT OUR PARTICIPANTS' FEEDBACK:
"It was an intensive and interesting time with the great opportunity to get to know other committed young people and human rights defenders." - Sophia
"Introduction to the UN" was one of the eye-opening events I have ever participated in. The agenda was perfectly scheduled, the participants fit well together, all other moments organized so well that we could get most of it despite the COVID restrictions. I wish IFOR would continue to maintain such an enthusiasm to support those who are willing to speak out about their issues, thus contributing to the peace movement." - Aku
"Introduction to the UN" is an intense and brilliant way to get to know and experience how the UN functions. To me was a chance to visit Geneva and its diplomatic atmosphere as well as lifestyle. In a multicultural environment, I had the chance to know more about local cases of human rights defenders such as the ones in South America witnessed by other participants and activists. I really enjoyed it and it was really inspiring!" - Silvia
"I enjoyed the program in general a lot as it helped me to get a deeper understanding of the UN in general and IFORs international work in particular. It was super interesting to slowly realize how complex international diplomacy can be and how strategic the work of NGOs like IFOR has to be to achieve any impact on a specific topic." - Marco
"This was an enlightening experience with a really engaged group, that was put together in the midst of covid restrictions, that nevertheless conveyed the reality of how the UN works and how it is possible for civil society to engage with it." - Peter
"The UN system is incredibly difficult and convoluted, an experience like this UN introductory week can demystify your preconceptions of the world of the United Nation and show you in very practical terms how you can use the different aspects of the UN system to further your own humanitarian and sociopolitical goals either persona or within an organization." - Iskra