Registration is currently under way for the 60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, which will be held at United Nations Headquarters from 5 to 7 September 2007. To register, please visit the DPI/NGO Section website at www.un.org/dpi/ngosection. There is a limit of five participants per organization. However, organizations that register at least one person between the ages of 18 and 28 years of age will be allowed one (1) additional representative. The deadline for registration is 1 August.
Mona Gillet

MEDIA COMMITTEE FOR THE 60TH ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE: A PROGRESS REPORT

The media committee for the Annual DPI/NGO Conference has two goals: to publicize the Conference and its theme to interested parties in various parts of the world and to publicize the work of NGOs in partnership with the United Nations to combat the ills of climate change.

To date, the co-chairs of the Conference and members of the planning committee have conducted video and radio interviews on the work and goals of the Conference. A press conference was held in early May for United Nations journalists. Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, one of the opening round table speakers at the Fall Conference, spoke about climate change and responded to questions. Also, the committee was successful in placing a full-page ad in "The Interdependent", the official magazine of UNA/ USA (United Nations Association of the United States), a magazine with a wide circulation.

A Student Journalism Program, started last year as a pilot project, has been considerably expanded. College journalists are applying for accreditation to cover the three-day Conference with the intention of submitting articles to their local college newspapers. The committee has been working with the ArtCenter College of Design on climate change and global warming public service announcements, to be broadcast during the Conference. In addition, the committee has formed a core group of NGO press representatives who will relay Conference announcements and newsworthy information to their constituents.
Joan Levy

The UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee has appointed three Regional Representatives as members of the Committee to increase direct contact with NGOs in the regions of India, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. The three new appointees are:

Razia Sultan Ismail, Ph. D. (India), is a member of India Alliance. Dr. Ismail is active in NGO advocacy and capacity building . She has served as a UN professional in UNICEF, as the World President of YWCA and is very active in the UN World Conference on Children.

Eleanor Nwandinobi, Ph. D. (Nigeria), is the founder and president of the Nigerian Widows Development Organization (WIDO). She is the founder of the Tabitha Infirmary Foundation, which empowers communities to improve their health and quality of life. Dr. Nwandinobi is known for her support of programs that seek to protect the human rights of women and children.

Jorge Rojas Zegers, M.D.(Chile) is a surgeon, a distinguished Rotarian, and the founder, president and CEO of COANIQUEM, the Burnt Center Aid for Children Foundation, which benefits children in 19 Latin American and Caribbean nations. He has received many awards for his medical knowledge and skills.

These appointments are a result of changes in By- Laws of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee that were approved in 2006. The changes included a new Committee position of Regional Chair, who will serve as a member of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee and who will live within the respective region and work with NGOs to facilitate the achievement of UN goals. The Regional Representatives Sub- Committee will recommend the appointment of additional Regional Representatives from other UN regions in the fall of 2007.
Eudora Pettigrew, Ph.D.

The June Communication Workshop, "Communicating Environmental Concerns: Messages and Methods," was again held in two sessions. The morning meeting consisted of presentations by three environment experts on effective communication strategies to reach the public at large. Power point presentations, radio programs and speaking engagements were discussed at length, with each panelist exploring the merits of a particular approach.

The afternoon session opened with a presentation by the Reuters UN Chief of Bureau on the subject of "Engaging the Media." The major suggestions were: brevity, simple language, focus, interest, accuracy, and outside corroboration. The session concluded with a hands- on workshop in which volunteers from the audience were asked to select an environmental issue to communicate. Each volunteer was interviewed by professional radio people. Following the interview, professional journalists and coaches gave feedback and comments on the interview for the purpose of enhancing the interview skills of the volunteers.

Although the morning and afternoon sessions were very well received, the "interview skills" segment was particularly appreciated. Discussions continued beyond the official closing of the workshop.
Muriel Hertan

NEW STAFF MEMBERS IN THE RESOURCE CENTRE

The Resource Centre is pleased to announce the arrival of Ms. Lingyan Hu. Ms. Hu, a former United Nations tour guide, is replacing Luis Delgadillo who retired on 30 March. We are equally delighted that Ms. Sandra Voelker, also a former United Nations tour guide, joined the Resource Centre team in January.
Mona Gillet

On June 28, the NGO/DPI Executive Committee and the DPI Civil Society Outreach Service launched a new joint initiative: Deweaponization of Civil Society. With an overall objective of raising the public profile of disarmament issues on the UN agenda, the initiative aims at greater interaction with and support by the academic community in the search for a broader understanding and more active engagement by civil society. The NGO/DPI Executive Committee will explore the idea of designating deweaponization as the focal issue of the 2009 conference.  Russell Taylor, Chief of the DPI Academic Initiative Section, and Swadesh Rana of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee were officially asked to pursue this initiative.
Swadesh Rana

At the request of Sister Joan Kirby, Chair of the NGO/ DPI Executive Committee, I was privileged to represent the Executive Committee at the second annual UN-NGO Informal Regional Network/Asia- Pacific Conference hosted by the China NGO Network on International Exchanges (CNIE) in partnership with the NGO Section of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in Beijing on 22 June 2007. The conference theme was "Eliminating Poverty and Hunger - Responsibility and Role of the Civil Society." Over sixty participants from nine countries were in attendance.

Many Asia/Pacific regional representatives expressed a keen interest to attend the 60th annual DPI/NGO Conference on climate change and to apply for DPI/NGO association. Subsequently, I met with Chinese DPI NGOs to discuss further opportunities for partnerships, including the possibility of appointing a NGO/DPI Regional Representative and hosting a future DPI/NGO conference in China.

I returned to New York with a renewed sense of vitality and recognition of the importance of our work to strengthen UN-NGO relations at the international and regional levels. It is clear that the same entrepreneurial energy that the Chinese have devoted to the private sector is now being applied with equal vigor to the development of civil society. Thus we have an enormous opportunity to assist Chinese civil society in strengthening partnerships with their NGO counterparts worldwide.
Jeffery Huffines

At its March 28 2007 meeting, the UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee approved and supported a proposal presented by Long Island University's UN Graduate Studies Program to send six graduate students to Costa Rica with the purpose of increasing the number of Costa Rican NGOs associated with the Department of Public Information at UN headquarters. In early June, six student "Ambassadors" who are pursuing a United Nations Certificate and Master's Degree at Long Island University traveled to San José to spend two weeks working on the project. Professor Phyllis Lee led the group.

Because of the small number of NGOs from Central America, Costa Rica was selected as the first site for this new Executive Committee outreach venture. Costa Rica is well known for its concern for the environment and other issues of international relevance, which made it an appropriate choice. Also, it was important that LIU had an extension campus in Heredia, Costa Rica, called Global College. Staff members provided crucial logistical support to the group.

On 8 June 2007, the LIU group organized a breakfast meeting at the Barcelo San José Palacio Hotel. The UN Resident Coordinator, Sr. José Manuel Hermida, opened the meeting. The students made a formal Power point presentation, followed by a question and answer period. Participants were provided with the information necessary to complete the application process. The guests were also shown the benefits that an association with DPI at UN headquarters would bring. During the meeting, many NGOs expressed an interest and raised questions about the application process. Some NGOs invited the students to meet the following week either at their headquarters or at the LIU extension campus for further discussion.

It is expected that the outcome of this outreach program will bring a good number of NGOs from Costa Rica into a relationship with the United Nations and provide them with an opportunity to express their concerns and interests at the global level. A formal report to the Executive Committee will be forthcoming.

The outreach program in San Jose could not have been undertaken without financial assistance from the Executive Committee and a very generous grant from the Temple of Understanding. The support and participation of the UNDP Resident Coordinator, Sr. José Manuel Hermida, was also invaluable. Sra. Carolina Molina, Directora de Cooperación Internacional, and Sra. Circe Villanuevade, Coordinadora de la Unión Europea, were in the audience to bring Government support for the NGO/ DPI outreach effort in Costa Rica. Their presence, thanks to the good offices of UN Ambassador Saul Weisleder, enhanced the official stature of the project.
Juanita Carrillo

El 8 de junio del 2007, treinta y dos Organizaciones No Gubernamentales (ONGs) de Costa Rica se reunieron en el Hotel Barceló San José Palacio, Costa Rica, para informarse sobre el proceso de afiliación con las Naciones Unidas y las oportunidades que se les pueden presentar para hacerse escuchar a un nivel internacional.

El Comité Ejecutivo de las Organizaciones No Gubernamentales del Departamento de Información Pública de las Naciones Unidas aprobó y apoyó la iniciativa presentada por Long Island University de enviar a Costa Rica estudiantes de post-grado para discutir con ONGs de Costa Rica los beneficios mutuos de establecer una relación asociativa con las Naciones Unidas. Esta propuesta, muy creativa e innovadora, conllevó a que seis estudiantes de post- grado inscritos en cursos para adquirir un Certificado sobre las Naciones Unidas, se interesaran y sufragaran sus gastos para viajar a Costa Rica. Las dos semanas de trabajo formaron parte de un curso sobre ONGs. La catedrática de este curso, profesora Phyllis Lee, (empleada de Naciones Unidas), viajó a Costa Rica con los estudiantes.

El deseo de extender una invitación a las ONGs de Costa Rica a participar en el trabajo de Naciones Unidas se debió al número limitado de ONGs de Latino América que están actualmente inscritas. Costa Rica fué el primer país designado para esta prueba piloto, en consideración de su renombre internacional por mejorar el ambiente y otros puntos de interés internacional. Asi mismo, se tomó en cuenta el hecho de que la subsidiaria de Long Island University establecida en Herédia, Costa Rica, llamada Global Collage, podria proveer apoyo a los "embajadores del Comité Ejecutivo de las ONGs."

El Coordinador Residente de las Naciones Unidas, Sr. José Manuel Hermida, hizo la apertura de la reunión. Esta reunión se beneficio también de la presencia de Licenciada Carolina Molina, Directora de Cooperación Internacional, y Licenciada Circe Villanuevade, Coordinadora de la Unión Europea.

Varias ONGs expresaron su interés e hicieron preguntas específicas sobre los requerimientos para presentar su solicitud oficial a las Naciones Unidas y ser acreditadas. Así mismo, los estudiantes fueron invitados a reunirse con varias ONGs la semana subsiguiente.

Se espera que el resultado de esta iniciativa formalice la relación entre un buen número de ONGs de Costa Rica y las Naciones Unidas, y provea una avenida para las ONGs para compartir sus experiencias a un nivel nacional, regional e internacional, y poder asi expresar sus inquietudes.
Fabiola Knight

EDITORS

Lester N. Wilson, Ph.D.
Long Island University
Patrick L. Sciarratta
Friendship Ambassadors Foundation

EDITORIAL BOARD

Juan Carlos Brandt
Chief, Non-Governmental Organizations Section / UNDPI
Sr. Joan Kirby
Temple of Understanding
Joan Levy
End Child Prostitution and Trafficking
Vincenzo Pugliese
Public Information Officer for the South Region
MINUSTAH, Les Cayes, Haiti
Dr. Elaine Valdov
International Institute of Integral Human Sciences

CONTRIBUTORS

Juanita Carrillo, Ph.D.
Chair, Costa Rica Outreach Project
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Shamina De Gonzaga
Special Adviser on NGO relations in the Office of the President of the General Assembly and Vice- Chair, NGO/DPI Executive Committee
Mona Gillet
Supervisor, NGO Resource Centre
Muriel Hertan
Co-Chiar, Communications Workshop
Women's American ORT/World ORT
Jeffery Huffines
Chair-Elect, NGO/DPI Executive Committee
Baha'is of the United States
Joan Kirby
Chair, NGO/DPI Executive Committee
Temple of Understanding
Fabiola Knight
Graduate Student Participant / NGO/DPI Costa Rica Outreach Project
Long Island University
Joan Levy
Chair, Conference Media Committee
End Child Prostitution and Trafficking
L. Eudora Pettigrew, Ph.D.
Chair, Regional Representatives Committee
International Association of University Presidents
Swadesh Rana, Ph.D.
Academic Counsel on the United Nations System
Daniel Uitti
Chair, Elections Committee
Philippine Human Rights Information Center

LAYOUT
Patrick Sciarratta
Friendship Ambassadors Foundation

Comments and suggestions
Lester Wilson (Lester.Wilson@liu.edu)
Patrick Sciarratta (psglobal@faf.org)

NGO/DPI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE · 2007-2008
OFFICERS

Jeffery Huffines, Chair*
Baha'is of the United States

Aaron Etra, Vice-Chair
Academia Mexicana De Derecho Internacional

Shamina De Gonzaga, Vice-Chair
Fundación Cultural Baur

Janet Stovin, Secretary
Women of Reform Judaism

Catherine E. Moore, Treasurer
International Federation of University Women

MEMBERS

Joyce Braak, MD
International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies

Elizabeth Burns
International Association for Volunteer Effort, United Kingdom

Anne-Marie Carlson*
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Juanita Carrillo
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics

Niger Innis
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)

Richard Jordan*
International Council for Caring Communities

Stafford Mousky*
Federation of Association of Former International Civil Servants

Deirdre Mullan*
Mercy Global Concerns Office

L. Eudora Pettigrew, Ph.D.
International Association of University Presidents

Swadesh Rana, Ph.D.
Academic Council on the United Nations System

Jackie Shapiro*
Zonta International

Stephanie Sigg
The ArtCenter College of Design

Alice Slater*
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

*Newly Elected

Daniel Uitti
Chair, Elections Committee
Philippine Human Rights Information Center

Dear Colleagues, Attached please find the Information Note for Civil Society regarding the Informal Interactive of the General Assembly on Interreligious and Intercultural Cooperation for Peace, containing links to the on-line registration and on-line nomination forms.
We very much appreciate your effort to circulate this Note to your respective networks at your earliest convenience, as the deadline for submitting nominations is 26 July 2007.
Thanking you in advance for your kind collaboration, With best regards,
Shamina de Gonzaga
Special Adviser on NGO relations Office of the President of the General Assembly

Informal Interactive Hearing with Civil Society, including Non-Governmental Organizations and the Private Sector of the High-level Dialogue of the General Assembly on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace

Overview:
The General Assembly, in its resolution 61/221 of 20 December 2006, (OP. 14) decided "to convene in 2007 a high-level dialogue on interreligious and intercultural cooperation for the promotion of tolerance, understanding and universal respect on matters of freedom of religion or belief and cultural diversity, in coordination with other similar initiatives in this area". Held on Thursday and Friday, 4 and 5 October 2007 at the ministerial or highest possible level, it shall consist of three plenary meetings: one in the morning of Thursday, 4 October and two on Friday, 5 October.

The General Assembly also decided to hold in the afternoon of 4 October 2007 an informal interactive hearing with representatives of civil society, including representatives of non- governmental organizations and the private sector, to be chaired by the President of the General Assembly. The objective of the informal interactive hearing is to provide an opportunity for Member States to dialogue with experts from civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector representing diverse regions, cultures and perspectives, with a view to strengthening efforts to promote interreligious and intercultural understanding and cooperation. The highlights of the hearing will be reflected in the closing remarks of the President of the General Assembly on 5 October 2007. The outcome of the informal interactive hearing will be a summary of the President of the General Assembly for circulation to Member States at a later date.
A complete list of Task Force Members, Advisers and Ex-Officio appointed by the Office of the President of the General Assembly can be accessed on the website of the President of the General Assembly: http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/
Following the opening, the hearing will be divided into two consecutive segments on the following tentative topics:
(a) "Challenges of Interreligious & Intercultural Cooperation Today"
(b)"Best Practices & Strategies for Interreligious & Intercultural Cooperation Going Forward"

Registration, nomination, and accreditation to attend the hearings:
Representatives of civil society, including non- governmental organizations and the private sector, wishing to attend the hearing as observers must indicate their firm intention to participate by submitting a Registration form by Friday, 10 August 2007, so as to ensure that sufficient seating is available.The Registration form can be downloaded at: http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/follow-up/ interreligiousintercultural/registration.shtml The deadline for the submission of nominations is Thursday, 26 July 2007.

Criteria for the selection of speakers and respondents:
· expertise and/or experience in interreligious and intercultural dialogue
· equitable geographic representation
· religious and cultural diversity
· gender balance
· representation of diverse sectors including international, national and community-based organizations, the private sector, research, academia, media


Travel arrangements and visa process
Nominees should obtain timely information on the United States visa application process. If a visa is required, it is best to apply two months in advance of the intended date of arrival in the United States.
Funding
While not guaranteed, funding for travel and accommodation may be available for a limited number of participants. Requests for funding can be indicated on the Nomination form. Priority of funding will be given to speakers from developing countries, and on the basis of need, pending the availability of funds.

Inquiries should be directed to: hld- cultureofpeace@un.org