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IFOR "Introduction to the UN" 2nd edition
Sept 21st Gandhi statue
The new edition of the "Introduction to the UN" program took place on September 20th-24th, 2021; 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, empowering training was part of the project "Empowering civil society representation at the United Nations", funded with the support of Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church of Italy.
The project was carried out with the full involvement of 9 participants from Colombia, Holland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, five women and four men.
During the week of the project, the coordinator Z. Zafarana, on behalf of IFOR, and IFOR's additional representative at the UN, H. Gerber. The variety of backgrounds enriched the exchanges between the participants and the insights gained; in fact, apart from the place of origin, we had people from the Caribbean, Kyrgyzstan and India among the participants. The week's stay in Geneva presented a varied learning and experiencing program that alternated between moments of in-depth study of the UN system and moments of encounter and exchange with human rights defenders. Other moments were devoted to participation in official UN meetings, such as the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council and the Geneva Peace Talks on International Peace Day.
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
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
IFOR is currently participating in the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council which is in remote modality due to the pandemic. Today program of work included the general debate with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and following the States representatives, NGOs with Consultative Status have been able to take the floor.
IFOR referred to some concerning local situations such as Colombia, Eritrea and Western Sahara and then addressed the issues of criminalization of solidarity and nuclear disarmament
Human Rights Council, 46th Session
Geneva, 26th February 2021
Item 2: General Debate
Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Madam High Commissioner,
IFOR thanks you and your office for the reports.
We are particularly concerned by the situation in Eritrea and in the region and by the lack of collaboration as also highlighted, yesterday, by the new Special Rapporteur[1] and share a deep concern for the risk and danger faced by young people who refuse to serve in the National Service.
We welcome the recommendations which have been listed in your report on Colombia[2] and highlight the importance to guarantee a comprehensive intervention by the State to reduce the violence and not just an increase in the military presence.
We are alarmed by the increasing cases of criminalization of solidarity[3] with individual cases of people being charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration because they provide first assistance to migrants or rescue them, whether at sea, in the mountains or in the middle of forests.
Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa[4], continues to be a pending decolonization case. International Law needs to be implemented.
IFOR restate the call made a few months ago “on the governments in the region and around the world to contribute to a peaceful solution of the conflict and the implementation of the fundamental rights of the Saharawi people”[5].
We would like to conclude with a positive note: nuclear weapons are finally banned!
We welcome the enter into force of the UN Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW)[6], on January 22nd 2021[7].
Thank you.
Oral update of Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, at the 46th HRC on February 24th 2021. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E
A/HRC/46/76.
In 2019 the Red Cross EU Office released a statement regarding the soaring of the criminalisation of solidarity in Europe. https://redcross.eu/latest-news/the-eu-must-stop-the-criminalisation-of-solidarity-with-migrants-and-refugees
Some recent individual cases:
Gian Andrea Franchi and Lorena Fornasir: https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/si-preso-cura-dei-migranti-sotto-accusa-nonno-andreaCarola Rackete: https://theconversation.com/sea-watch-3-captain-arrested-eu-complicit-in-criminalising-search-and-rescue-in-the-mediterranean-119670
Sean Binder and Anouk Van Gestel: https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/criminalisation-of-solidarity-how-to-protect-the-right-to-help-migrants-and-refugees/
It is on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories since 1963.
IFOR has released a statement on the situation in Western Sahara on November 13th 2020 http://www.ifor.org/news/2020/11/13/ifor-statement-on-the-current-situation-in-western-sahara. Another one was released on December 14th 2020 http://www.ifor.org/news/2020/12/14/smlf3m85b4eq2r7kexpxd76zzgvoi5.
You can watch the recording of the session here. IFOR statements is at 00:46:36.
IFOR has released a public statement regarding Western Sahara on November 13th 2020, the day before the truce was broken in the region. You can read the original statement here.
A second statement has been published December 14th 2020 on the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and on the primacy of fundamental rights and international law. You can read the original statement here.
IFOR has a long standing engagement for nuclear disarmament and on January 22nd 2021 has organized a new Day of Action to join activists worldwide to celebrate the entering into force of the UN nuclear ban Treaty adopted on July 7th 2017 by the UN General Assembly. The Treaty reached its 50th ratification on October 24th 2020, International UN Day.
You can watch here, the video message of the president of IFOR which has been released for the occasion.
You can read more about the Day of Action here and discover some actions from IFOR members published on our Facebook page.
Dear friends,
A year ago IFOR members attending council were already starting their journey back home from Zafferana Etnea, Italy. After having spent more than a week discussing constitutional and structural details while also having thought provoking discussions between sessions.
Some of us got to meet each other for the first time and make many lasting connections and friendships.
This year we are excited to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the formal establishment of International Fellowship of Reconciliation. Here is to many more years of fellowship and community working towards peace.
We are happy to announce that we are finally done with translating, formatting and editing the minutes. We thank all those who cooperated with translations, Jean-Pierre Masamba, Peter Cousins and Zaira Zafarana for overseeing the entire process.
You can download the minutes according to language here:
English Version
Spanish Version
French Version
Once again we thank all of our supporters, subscribers and good friends that are doing the work of peace around the world.
With warm regards from ICOM and IFOR staff, we wish you a great ending of the year.
In peace and all that is good,
IFOR
Dear IFOR community and friends,
It is with great joy that we present to you IFOR's newsletter September 2019. This is an issue comprised of news and updates sent in from different BGA's and UN representatives. This is a joint effort to better communicate and show the good work that is being done by different Branches, Affiliates, Groups and UN representatives around the world.
We are thankful to all the cooperated and sent in their news and updates.
We enclose the newsletter as PDF's in English, You can download it by clicking here.
You can also join the newsletter subscription by filing in your information here.
In Peace and all that is good,
The secretariat, IFOR
Estimada comunidad y amigos de IFOR,
Con gran alegría les presentamos el boletín de IFOR de septiembre de 2019. Este es un tema compuesto por noticias y actualizaciones enviados por diferentes representantes de BGAs y de la ONU. Este es un esfuerzo conjunto para tratar de comunicarnos mejor y demostrar el buen trabajo que están haciendo las diferentes ramas, afiliados, grupos y representantes de la ONU al rededor de todo el mundo.
Agradecemos a todos los que cooperaron y enviaron sus noticias y actualizaciones.
Adjuntamos el boletín como PDF, puede descargarlo haciendo clic aquí.
También puede unirse a la suscripción al boletín informativo aquí.
En paz y todo lo bueno,
La secretaria, IFOR
Chère communauté et amis d'IFOR,
C'est avec une grande joie que nous vous présentons la lettre d'information d'IFOR de septembre 2019. Il s'agit d'un numéro composé d'actualités et de mises à jour envoyées par différents représentants de BGA et de l'ONU. Il s’agit d’un effort commun visant à améliorer la communication et à montrer le bon travail accompli par différentes branches, filiales, groupes et représentants des Nations Unies à travers le monde.
Nous sommes reconnaissants à tous ceux qui ont coopéré et qui ont envoyé leurs nouvelles et mises à jour.
Nous joignons la lettre d’information au format PDF en français. Vous pouvez la télécharger en cliquant ici.
Vous pouvez également vous inscrire à la newsletter en remplissant vos informations ici.
En paix et tout ce qui est bon,
Le secretariat, IFOR
During November 2018 the quadrennial IFOR council took place, before council the Migration conference ‘On the Move’ was held. After this week a press release was released to the public mentioning the appointment of Lotta Sjöström Becker, from Sweden as the new president of IFOR. Followed by some important actions and visits made by IFOR delegates from all over the world that were attending council during this week.
Read on to find out more!