EUROPE AREA CONVENTION Saint Petersburg 2009

1. EUROPE AREA CONVENTION Saint Petersburg 2009 THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND Y’S MEN CONSULTATIVE STATUS ROLE

2. THE UNITED NATIONS The UN was established on 24 October 1945 in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, 192 States are the members of the General Assembly.

3. THE UNITED NATIONS The purpose and the principle of the UN system can be found in its two key documents: • The UN Charter (1945), and • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

4. THE UNITED NATIONS The UN main areas of attention are: • Peace • Refugees • Human rights and education • Development • Natural disasters • Health • Environment and space

5. THE UNITED NATIONS The three main topics currently discussed by the Chief Executive Board – attended by all Heads of UN agencies and chaired by the Secretary General are: • The global climate change • The world food market • The latest financial crisis

6. THE UNITED NATIONS The UN system, with all its political and internal problems, has survived for more than 60 years, and has provided an arena where many countries, rich and poor, could express their views and contribute towards a better future.

7. THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and proclaimed on 10 December 1948. • Then the UN Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories”

8. THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is based on the concept that “whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”.

9. THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Article 1:All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

10. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), deals with almost all international and global issues except those that are highly political and security related, which are dealt by the Security Council.

11. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) ECOSOC is the main UN organ linking the civil society and NGOs (like YMI) with the UN system. In order to take stock of the experience and expertise of the NGOs, ECOSOC established the consultative mechanism. Currently, 3172 NGOs are listed. In 2006 Y’s Men International obtained Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC. The WA of YMCAs was granted the status in 1947.

12. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS During the past decade the international community has demanded that the UN system be restructured to be able to respond to the changing needs, particularly to improve coordination among the agencies at the field level and also at the heads of agency level.

13. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS As a consequence of that, common global issues have been pursued. There has been various initiatives focusing on global issues and bringing together actors of different backgrounds to work together.

14. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS These initiatives converged into the 2000 Millennium Development Goals. In a lapse of 15 years, eight main objectives are to be achieved by the year 2015. They are:  • Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty • Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education • Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

15. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS • Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality • Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health • Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases • Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability • Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

16. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM How can Y’s Men be active within the UN system?

17. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • One:To have the Consultative Status means that YMI share its experience as an NGO in the different fields of our expertise. This is the main reason why ECOSOC established the consultative mechanism.

18. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Two:At the same time, being part of the ECOSOC consultative mechanism, our Movement is enriched at all levels and we are internationally projected with a more relevant image and identity.

19. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Three: YMI, with its 1,600 Clubs and 30,000 volunteers positioned throughout the world, has a unique structure and opportunity to provide new services in the changing world.

20. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Four: The implementation of the Millennium Development Goals set out by the UN in 2000 is an important framework for the international community and NGOs like Y’s Men. Our Rollback Malaria campaign directly contributed to one of the eight objectives laid out in the 2000 Millennium Development Goals. (Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases)

21. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Five: With our RBM donations given through the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), YMI may wish to maintain a relationship with this important international non-governmental actor whose work encompasses both humanitarian and developmental work, and which have support from the national Red Cross and Red Crescent movements.

22. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Six: Until 2015 when the 2000 Millennium Development Goals come to an end, Y’s Men at all levels, and in particular at Club level, should continue to take part in it. It would be wise if Y’s Men at all levels evaluate how their planned programmes and activities are linked to the eight Millennium Development Goals.

23. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Seven: Global climate change (one of the main agendas of the Chief Executive Board) may be selected as one of YMI’s global themes until 2015. This theme can be linked to a few of the eight Millennium Development Goals.

24. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Eight: Contributing to the 2000 Millennium Development Goals process through concrete activities is one thing. Another form of contribution is through advocacy and publicity. Can our Clubs find ways to support the 2000 Millennium Development Goals by publicizing and promoting them within their communities?

25. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Nine:The world is changing and Y’s Men has to change, giving relevant answers to the main problems today in our local and global communities. Instead of being satisfied with keeping up with the change, YMI should demonstrate what a combined capacity and wisdom of a global and mature citizen’s network can do.

26. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Ten: Having Y’s Men clubs around the globe, with members representing different communities, profession, faith and experiences, and helping one another for a common cause, is an irreplaceable asset.

27. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Eleven:IHQ, situated in the international city of Geneva, has easy access to the international actors (UN, IFRC, ICRC, ICVA, etc.).

28. THE Y'S MEN MOVEMENT AND THE UN SYSTEM • Twelve: Having been given Special Consultative Status, YMI has to maintain its credibility in its relationship with ECOSOC. The latter evaluates the performance of the enlisted NGOs based on their submitted reports.

29. THANKS ISG ROLANDO DALMAS