59th
Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference (6-8 September 2006)
Minutes of the
Planning Committee Meeting:
1.0 Pre-Meeting Comments
1.1 Michaela said she had invited some influential people to serve as her personal advisors, including Dr. Cecily Selby, who was present and was introduced to the group.
1.2 Michaela brought up the idea of inviting Robert Redford to the Conference, for a session honouring his efforts to achieve the MDG. The Committee agreed that this was a good idea.
1.3 Michaela reported that the Assistant Minister for Post and Communications of Liberia, who is 32 years old, would come to the Conference.
1.4 The speaker
list and Conference agenda were updated. Michaela stressed that it was
essential to wrap up the speaker list before Memorial Day;
2.0 Adoption of the Agenda
2.1 The Agenda was adopted.
3.0 Adoption of the Minutes
3.1 There was a typo under “Midday Workshops, 6.4.6”: it should save said “member” instead of “number.”
3.2 The minutes were approved.
4.0 StoryCorps Presentation: Nelson Simon, Facilitator “Listening is an act of love.”
4.1 Michaela thanked Sarah McCue and Vanessa for their work thus far with StoryCorps.
4.2 StoryCorps,
largest oral history project ever, aimed to archive stories and interviews from
across the
4.3 Mr. Simon played a recording for the committee. It was a glimpse into the relationship between an immigrant mother and her daughter. He played another recording for the committee, about one woman’s experience with expressions of love and affection.
4.4 Mr. Simon expressed his interest in the opportunity to record interviews from the Conference speakers. He laid out some options, logistics and potential strategies for this. There was some very positive discussion.
4.5 StoryCorps’ website is www.storycorps.net.
4.6 There would be discussion on release rights, copying and availability permissions, and other legal matters relating to StoryCorps’ involvement with the Conference.
4.7 Mr. Simon
said he would be in
5.0 Conference Agenda and Speaker List
Documents
5.1 New versions of these documents were passed out. It was noted that the names on the Conference Agenda were not confirmed.
5.2 Regarding the first panel, no formal letters had gone out.
5.3 It was noted that the names of the events (panels and round-tables) and their descriptions in the Conference Structure document would be ready for submission to the UN before the next Planning Committee Meeting. Michaela said that if anyone had questions or suggestions, to email her about it.
5.4 Michaela noted that the “Leadership, Governance, and Civil Society” was distinct from the NGO Partnership panel.
5.5 Michaela discussed the importance of an appropriate balance between speakers in each panel/round table—in ideas, expertise, genders, nationalities, etc.
5.6 There were various comments regarding the most efficient usage/labeling of our panel and roundtable themes, insofar as the interconnectedness of ideas that will be discussed at them.
5.7 Michaela
requested that, on the Conference Agenda, comments and suggestions regarding
titles and descriptions and speakers should be emailed to her and Juan Carlos
Brandt (brandt @un.org).
5.8 Fannie
noted that 3 May was “World Press Freedom Day,” where some potential speakers
might be identified. The event would be held from
6.0 Sub-Committee Reports
6.1 Media
6.1.1 Joan Levy reported that the NGO colleagues’ letter went out and was up on the website. She congratulated her colleagues for getting it done. She announced that Michaela had three interviews scheduled to promote the Conference.
6.1.2 Vanessa said that the Conference link for 2006 was www.ngodpiexecom.org/conference06
6.1.3 Joan Kirby suggested we put this information on the www.unngodpiconference.org website.
6.1.4 There was a comment that last Thursday’s briefing was an excellent example of how to raise a voice on various issues, regarding media coverage and the Conference.
6.2 Networking
6.2.1 Fannie requested that there be a co-chair meeting, especially to discuss internet-related issues.
6.2.2 The committee had developed a letter that they wanted to put on the website, regarding using best practices as a tool to implement the MDGs.
6.2.3 The committee was still working toward the tent.
6.2.4 The committee said they had been working on the logistics of selecting videos on plenary topics to show at the tent or elsewhere.
6.2.5 There was a comment regarding a discussion forum on the website, in contrast to the blog, which has been successful in the past.
6.2.6 Regarding the blog, Michaela clarified that the idea was to set up a learning tool and information exchange between the committee members.
6.3
6.3.1 Paolo said that setting up the online registration would take until 25 May. He proposed that the due date for registration be postponed to 15 June.
6.3.2 Michaela requested that, in order to expedite the registration process, at least the members of the planning committee register prior to 25 May for a trial run.
6.3.3 In response to a question about receiving donations, Joan Kirby clarified that she had neglected to send NGO representatives donation requests, but had sent other letters to NGO Headquarters requesting donations. She noted that a reminder would be sent with the invitations.
6.3.4 Michaela suggested that a few members come up with a suggestion to a problem regarding registration and mailings, to be presented next week.
6.4
6.4.1 The committee reported that it had finalized the formal guidelines, and put them on the web: www.unngodpiconference.org. The committee also adapted this letter to snail mail and sent out about 800 copies.
6.4.2
They also drafted a letter to get interns specifically
for the actual Conference, especially
6.4.3 Helen suggested that the minutes include as a header or footer of the conference website.
6.4.4 There was some concern about conflict of interest regarding those who were submitting proposals to the Midday Workshops and members on the committee. This had been brought up several times, and each time it was agreed that everyone in the committee could review proposals; however, those who submitted them could not be involved in the selection.
6.4.5 It was acknowledged that there were minority views opposed to this idea
.
6.5 Internet
6.5.1 Vanessa said that the website, while updated for 2006, was still being worked on. It was available, and the address would be posted to the blog.
6.6 Multi-generational
6.6.1 The committee had edited a survey questionnaire that they would send out, and get up on the web, in order to insure the multi-generational voice at the Conference.
6.6.2 Fannie commented that the Networking, Multi-generational, and Internet committees work together.
6.7 Events
and Fundraising
6.7.1 The committee said they have been working toward the construction of the tent. They had been investigating prices, logistics, UN protocols, selling advertising space on the tent, underwriters, viewing selected films, etc.
6.7.2 The committee said it expects financial matters to move more quickly in May and June.
6.7.3 Sherrill said that usage of the Dag Hammarsjold Auditorium might be available at a moderately affordable rate. Suzanne was in touch with a production company that might be interested in helping to facilitate film screenings for the Conference, and potential funding for this initiative.
6.8 Troubleshooting
6.8.1 Michaela advised that the committee speak with the dissenting vote regarding Midday Workshops.
6.9 Other Business
6.9.1 Sol said we had been approved to use the DHL Library for round-tables during the Conference.
6.9.2
Sol announced that the
6.9.3 Michaela recommended to the committee that they see the exhibit at Manhattanville, especially in its arrangement with the new spring light.
6.9.4 Richard Jordan expressed several concerns with list of speakers on the Conference Agenda, spelling and title.