The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) is glad to invite you to participate in the 3rd 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 the UN system.
This year's program is titled “Strengthening civil society engagement within UN system” and is funded by the Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church of Italy.
The aim is to provide a learning opportunity to civil society representatives, with particular focus to human rights defenders from the Global South, and from minority and vulnerable groups, to take action as human rights advocates within the UN system.
The program will last one week, from Monday September 19th to Friday 23rd 2022.
It will run during the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Participants will also learn about IFOR work on the right to conscientious objection to military service and about the draft resolution negotiation expected to take place at the UN Human Rights Council on this topic.
Participants will have the opportunity to address other Human Rights topics and thus explore 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 and at the second edition here.
Due to the current situation concerning covid-19, the running of the program could be subject to changes accordingly to the ongoing pandemic.
APPLICANTS
We look for participants who are linked to a civil society organization and are willing to engage in human rights.
Priority will be given to those from the Global South, and from minority and vulnerable groups.
Participants should be:
- at least 18 years old
- fluent in spoken English
- available for the entire week period
- directly involved in the current work of a civil society organization
- inclined to teamwork
- motivated with regards to the human rights and international affairs agenda
- ready to follow up within their own organization
PROGRAMME OF THE WEEK
The detailed program will be sent to the participants prior to the start of the program.
Program will start in Geneva on Monday 19th at 3 pm.
During the week the participants will attend 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 23rd 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 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 (round trip travel to Geneva and personal leisure) shall be met by the participants and/or their organizations.
Participants will need to take care of possible Visa requirements as well.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, interested people need to fill in the online form here.
Deadline for application is August 30th 2022, 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) members of vulnerable or minority groups
For further information you are welcome to contact the coordinator of the program at zaira.zafarana@ifor.org
NOTE: Given the current situation of the pandemic the program will run accordingly to the actual situation and safety measures in place. Applicants 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!
You can download the call here.
You are welcome to share on social media here.
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 personal or within an organization." - Iskra
