VOLUME 26, NO. 3   Celebrating 26 Years of Connecting NGOs Associated with UN DPI *   26 October 
2018
In This Issue
Greetings from the Chair, NGO DPI 
and NGO CO-CHAIR, 67TH UN DPI NGO CONFERENCE

Bruce Knotts, Chair NGO DPI Executive Committee and NGO Conference Co-Chair
Dear Readers,
 
We live in interesting times. We have watched with mixed emotions the opening of this year's United Nations General Assembly.  We see some powerful leaders advocate ending the multilateral system of agreements, which has kept the world from the scourge of another world war, enhanced human rights, promoted sustainable development and addressed the global problems of climate change, disarmament, and global migration.  Global cooperation on trade has brought prosperity and lower costs to the world, though the benefits have left some behind.  
 
Bruce Knotts
Chair, NGO/DPI Executive Committee
Unitarian Universalist Association


JOAN LEVY, 1931-2018
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our close and admired friend and colleague, Joan Levy. Joan was  also our co-editor and advisor in the production of the NGO Reporter. Joan was a personal confidant, sage and soothing voice at editorial meetings, and ALWAYS, always a pleasure and joy to call our best and closest professional friend at the UN.  
 
We shall remember her well, in the Reporter, and in our daily lives.  She remains for us a great and valued friend - and she shall be forever missed. Our deep condolences; we grieve but find joy in the knowledge that she now rests in eternal peace. With much love for Joan Levy and her great legacy of service to humanity.
 
Patrick Sciarratta, Co-editor 
Lester Wilson, Co-Editor
 
TESTIMONIALS TO JOAN LEVY, 1931-2018, follow

67th UNITED NATIONS DPI/NGO CONFERENCE
"We the Peoples... Reaffirming Multilateralism and Our Shared Values"
22, 23 August 2018, United Nations Headquarters, New York   
We the Peoples... Reaffirming Multilateralism and Our Shared Values
22 and 23 August 2018, United Nations Headquarters New York
 
For many, this summer's highlight was participation and contribution to the 67thAnnual UN Department of Public Information NGO Conference at UNHQ in New York City.  The event, celebrated nearly every year during the United Nation's proud history, was an opportunity for the UN to share with civil society its main aspirations and concerns. It was also a moment for the UN to address the ideas, questions, and concerns NGOs themselves bring to this important event.
 
The Conference attracted the largest number of delegates of any previous DPI/NGO New York conference (2,500 civil society registrants from over 130 countries).  One could feel the excitement of delegates as they arrived early in the morning on both days:  Some 40 workshops organized by NGOs
 from 15 different countries were well attended; exhibit areas were packed throughout the two days; prominent speakers at general sessions came from a range of backgrounds.  In short, the Conference revealed an energy and determination to engage a widely diverse civil society, youth and technology to accomplish the SDGs.

Barbara Burns,NGO/DPI Executive Committee
Patrick Sciarratta, Conference Logistics Chair

THE CONFERENCE CHAIR

Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of Oxfam International, a confederation of 20 organizations working in more than 90 countries empowering people to create a future that is secure, just and free from poverty, opened the two-day DPI/NGO Conference. Mme. Byanyima is a global women's rights leader, a human rights defender and a global authority on economic inequality. Prior to Oxfam, she led the directorates on gender and development at the UN Development Programme and the African Union People-Centered Multilateralism: A Call to Action.
THE CONFERENCE OUTCOME DECLARATION
In June of 2016 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, We the Peoples [1] committed ourselves to "an ethos of global citizenship." [2] In that spirit, We the Peoples, gathered here in New York for the 67th United Nations DPI NGO Conference, commit ourselves to foster people-centered multilateralismto address global challenges. It is a multilateralism pledged equally to uplift those whose human rights are most under threat and to protect our planet by living in harmony with nature, a multilateralism that shares responsibility and accountability among all stakeholders. The ambition of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, driven by pressing transnational problems like climate change, demands the deeper and more equitable cooperation that we urge.

READ MORE  
The 67thUN DPI/NGO Conference Outcome Declaration i
is now available in all six official UN languages. 

Read this important Outcome Document in your favorite UN language, here:
THE CONFERENCE YOUTH DECLARATION
Preamble

W e, the young peoples of the world gathered at the 67thUnited Nations DPI/NGO Conference, join our voices and efforts to uphold the value of multilateralism and re-commit ourselves to seeking global solutions for global problems, including but not limited to, achieving the targets set forth in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Youth, with our unique capacities and vibrant energy, are propelling humanity's movement towards a new future. Today, millions of families are still trapped in extreme poverty, struggling to access even basic resources like education, healthcare and employment. Today, a quarter of the world's youth still live in the shadows of violent conflict, everything from wars to human trafficking to substance abuse threatens to steal the promise of our tomorrow. And today, all on the planet earth are impacted by environmental degradation; communities of people and creatures are endangered by pollution, climate change, sea level rising, and many other byproducts of human development. If we don't join in concerted action now, we may not have an earth to live on tomorrow.

The 67thUN DPI/NGO Conference Youth Declaration 
is now available   in all six official UN languages. 

Read this important Youth Declaration in your favorite UN language, here:
THE NGO/DPI FORUM / 24 AUGUST 2018

On August 24, the NGO/DPI Executive Committee hosted an NGO-led Forum to reflect upon the 67th UN DPI NGO Conference, We the Peoples: Together Finding Global Solutions for Global Problems.
 
Scott Carlin, Ph.D.
Long Island University 
 
 
AT THE FORUM: 
NGO/DPI REGIONAL COODINATOR EMELE DUITUTURAGA 

Regional Representatives of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee and Forum attendees gathered for a workshop held at Long Island University to discuss the challenges and successes in different areas of the world. The workshop,  FIJI, the Pacific Islands and the Future, was led Emele Duituturaga, NGO/DPI Regional Coordinator in Suva and Director of Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO). 
 
Therese Folkes Plair
Regional Representative New York Liaison
 


NGO/DPI REGIONAL COORDINATOR AZZA ELSHERBINY
 
It was a great opportunity to reconnect with DPI/NGO colleagues once again and to be in the UN building for two days, which for me had a very special meaning. I have to admit I was so impressed this time by the easy and smooth registration process for attending the conference, so unlike last time, back in 2014. A great thank you to the organizers.
 
I was also very honored to finally meet with Bruce Knotts, Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive committee, for without his help I could not have made it to the conference. Most importantly, I think every one agrees with me that we have all enjoyed our Regional Coordinators workshop at Long Island University. I especially appreciated the session on communication skills offered by Terry Greiss and Sarah Chase, which was one of the best I ever attended. Hats off to everyone.
 
Azza Elsherbiny, PH.D.
NGO/DPI Regional Representative
Seeds of Peace / Cairo, Egypt

Take the Survey!
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Take the Survey here.
NEW NGO GREETS NGOs AT CONFERENCE
Congratulations Extended to the 67th UN DPI / NGO Conference
At the World Peace Association Luncheon for Civil Society

22 August 2018, Delegates Dining Room, United Nations Headquarters, NYC -   W orld Peace Association Luncheon 2018 at UNHQ in New York was greeted by Bruce Knotts, Chairman of the UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee. Chairman Knotts also delivered an important report on global peace development. Representatives of NGOs from various countries participated in the luncheon.

Participating in the Luncheon also included Professor Zhou Tianyuan, senior consultant to the World Peace Association; Professor Shaogong Chen of WPA's Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism section, Dr. Guo, World Development Foundation, and other important speakers.

Office Director of World Peace Association, Sherry Li explained the purpose of the World Peace Association and explored how NGO organizations may support global peace, harmony and sustainable development through country-to-country cooperation.


Patrick Sciarratta
World Development Foundation
Co-Editor, NGO Reporter
THE NGO/DPI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Publishers of the  NGO Reporter, the NGO/DPI Executive Committee was founded in 1962 to create a link between the United Nations and the Non-Governmental Organizations associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). It is composed of eighteen Directors and encourages and assists NGOs, as members of civil society, to communicate their interests throughout the United Nations system and to support United Nations' goals and objectives.   In partnership with the United Nations Department of Public Information, the NGO/DPI Executive Committee sponsors annual conferences for the 1500+ accredited DPI/NGOs around the world . 


USEFUL WEBSITE REFERENCES 


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Mark your calendars:
The 68th UN DPI/NGO Conference 
26 - 28 August 2019
Salt Lake City, Utah

Watch #1 Townhall on the planning 

for the 2019 Conference HERE


 About 2018 Conference


 Learn about UN DPI/NGO Conference

 
The Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations Associated
with the United Nations Department of Public Information

MAILING ADDRESS:  
P.O. Box 3382
New York, NY 10163


E-mail: [email protected] |  Phone: 001-347-850-3968






EDITORIAL BOARD 

NGO Reporter Co-Editor
Patrick L. Sciarratta 
World Development Foundation

NGO Reporter Co-Editor
Lester N. Wilson
UN Graduate Studies Program
Long Island University 

Members 

NGO Reporter Line Editor
Joan Levy
End Child Prostitution and Trafficking

Chair, NGO DPI Executive Committee
Bruce Knotts

NGO Reporter Site Technician
and
NGO DPI Web Master
Isaac Humphrie

EDITORIAL
Lester Wilson
Long Island University

LAYOUT
Patrick Sciarratta
WDF

ONLINE ARTICLE LAYOUT
Isaac Humphrie
Unitarian Universalist 
UN Office


COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS 

Patrick Sciarratta ([email protected]) 
Lester Wilson ([email protected])



NGO/DPI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE / Spring 2017

OFFICERS

Chair
Bruce Knotts
Unitarian Universalist UN Office

Vice-Chair
Kim  Quarles
World Jurist Association

Vice-Chair
Fannie Munlin 
National Council of Negro Women

Secretary
Brian Muzas
Seton Hall University

Treasurer
Elisabeth Shuman
Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)


BOARD MEMBERS

Debra Tzeng Tzehuei Boudreaux
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation

Barbara Burns
International Public Relations Association

Scott Carlin
Long Island University

Bill Hunter
Lehigh University

Bernice K. Leber
American Bar Association

Judy Lerner
Peace Action

Samantha Lu
NAFSA International Educators

Padmini Murthy  
Medical Women's International Association
                                                               
Mary Norton
Felicia University

Out Uwem Robert
African Youth Movement

Chonita Spencer
UNA New York

Janet Stovin
World Union for Progressive Judaism

Richard Yep
American Counselling Association


Jessica Rojas Alegría
Tendiendo Puentes AC
 
Emele Duituturaga
Pacific Island Association of NGOs
Suva, FIJI
 
Azza ElSherbiny
Seeds of Peace
Cairo, EGYPT

Dr. Valerie Obot
Medical Women's Association of Nigeria
Uyo, NIGERIA

Exequiel L ira 
Ibañez
Rotary Club de Santiago
Santiago, CHILE

Sylvia Wittmer
Deutsche Model United Nations e.V.,  Berlin, Germany

Graciela Yanovsky
FRANV, Buenos Aires, Argentina

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

Hawa Diallo
DPI NGO Relations
Public Information Officer

-----------------------------------


Anne-Marie Carlson
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Ex-Officio, Past Chair

Joan Levy
EX OFFICIO, 
End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT-USA)

Cyril Ritchie & 
Soon-Young Yoon
Ex-Officio, CONGO 

Aaron Etra
UNA-USA

-----------------------------------


NGO REPORTER 
ARTICLE GUIDELINES

WE REQUEST THAT YOU SUBMIT YOUR UN/NGO RELATED ARTICLES FOR CONSIDERATION.

 Please refer to the article submission guidelines for the NGO Reporter, online here:
 

* Investigations  here and elsewhere demonstrate that the  NGO Reporter , under former Editor Dorrie Weiss, was in its fifth year in 1997. That makes 2018 its 26th consecutive year of publication.
Prior to her passing, Ms. Weiss mentored Patrick, and later Lester, who have been its co-editors for over a decade. Our respected colleague, Joan Levy provided much more than co-editing - she added grace and style to our work until her recent passing, while Isaac Humphries also provides valuable online placement services for which the editors remain eternally grateful.