REPORT

1. REPORT 2013 JCI UN Affairs Commissioners Africa and the Middle East Paschal Dike

2. OBJECTIVES • Increase awareness of MDGs among National Organizations in Africa and the Middle East with significant activities particularly in areas of goals 3 and 6. • Promote JCI Global Partnership summit and achieve at least 30% increase in attendance over the previous year. • Achieve significant sign ups to Global compact by JCI member business owners • Ensure increased donation of nets to achieve the 2013 JCI target of $600,000 • Create contact between Local/National Organizations and various UN Agencies in their localities

3. COMMUNICATION Communication with National Organizations was established early in the year with emphasis on Nothing But Nets, Global Compact and preparation for the Partnership summit.

4. NOTHING BUT NETS CAMPAIGN At the Africa and Middle East National Presidents meeting held in Accra between February 4-7, we prepared a presentation on NBN which was shared with all present. We promoted and encouraged National Organizations and individuals to support Nothing But Nets Campaign. During the JCI President’s visit to Nigeria, which coincided with her birthday, a total of $3,000 was raised in pledges in support of NBN. We also collated and submitted to JCI, a report and statistics on the number of insecticide treated nets purchased and distributed in needing communities in three African countries of Nigeria, Botswana and Togo. We initiated and encourage JCI Trivia to be adopted by National and Local Organizations as a way of raising nets but in fun manner. On the request of JCI, information on Nets distribution was collected and submitted.

5. JCI – UN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT • We vigorously promoted and also participated at the UN Global partnership in New York in July. Unlike in the past, this event witnessed a large delegation. • Participated in the presentation of the UN MDG showcase at the Summit.

6. COUNTDOWN TO CONGRESS As we draw near to the World Congress in Rio, National Organizations are constantly reminded to participate in the “count down to Rio” campaign. We observed that there are some responses, and we hope more will come in before the congress.

7. OTHER PRESENTATIONS Presentations were made at different forums in Nigeria focusing on the eight UN MDGs. Emphasis was paid on goal number 3 which is a strong area of passion of the President.

8. UN MDGs FORUM At the Africa and Middle East conference held in Gaborone, Botswana, the UN MDGs was a strong area of focus. UN MDG’s best practices from Local and National Organizations were shared with participants and a critical look was taken on MDGs post 2015. We had a partner from United Nations Commission for Refugees who shared with member their activities and invited JCI to take action with them.

9. CHALLENGES • Restrictions and limitations on the scope and areas of influence of the Commissioner • Passive nature of the office

10. RECOMMENDATIONS • Train the UN Affairs Commissioners on the scope and responsibilities of their office • Widen the areas of authority and/representation by the Commissioners • Introduce the Commissioners to partner UN Agencies in their countries of coverage.