59th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference (6-8 September 2006)

 

Minutes of the Third Planning Committee Meeting: 2 February 2006

 

Paul Hoeffel chaired the meeting.

The agenda was approved

The minutes of 26 January meeting were approved as amended.

 

Introductory Comments:

Paul Hoeffel presented Michaela Walsh’s proposal of nominating a Conference Secretary.  

 

Michaela Walsh (Co-Chair of the Planning Committee) explained her nomination of Judith Symonds as a candidate for a new position, Conference Secretary, to help build flexibility and streamline minutes and work on any administrative changes of policies to the conference structure.  She will assist the Co-Chairs. 

 

Joan Kirby explained that the members of the Planning Committee thought that the idea of having a Secretary was wise, however, some members of the NGO/DPI Executive Committees wanted to be assured that the proposed Conference Secretary would not replace the Co-Chairs when they are not able to attend the meeting.  Joan Kirby read the letter that she sent to the NGO/DPI Executive Committee including the terms of reference that would be sent to Judith Symonds.

 

Judith Symonds was approved to be the Secretary of the Planning Committee, pending her acceptance.

 

Paul Hoeffel introduced the new Interns for this semester. They include: Nita Himaduna, Johanna Öberg, Sandra Vystavel and Victor Ubeki.

 

Discussions of the Co-Chairs and Committees

 

Michaela Walsh introduced the Co-Chairs of the Subcommittees.

 

The new Troubleshooting Committee was designed to have three representatives who would work to resolve intra and inter committee conflicts before final resolution by the Co-Chairs. The members are Joseph Donnelly, Sol Oca, and Margaretha Jones.

 

The Intergenerational Committee: Discussion concentrated on the name of this Committee. Some members continued to think that this Committee must be exclusively for youth. There was still a question of the name of the Committee. It was agreed that the work of the United Nations had highlighted the multigenerational focus. The title had not been finalized. 

The Co-Chairs are Gala Narezo and Helen Hamlin.

Gala suggested the “outreach” aspect of the Committee to be incorporated in the Inter/Multigenerational focus needs to be clearly defined at the outset.  Michaela confirmed that this was the responsibility of the Co-chairs and members of the Committee.

 

Internet: Stephanie Sigg was nominated to be a Co-chair but declined.  She will be available to help as needed.

Co-Chair:  Vanessa D’Amato

 

Fundraising and Events Committee:

Discussions clarified that fundraising was the purview of the DPI/NGO Executive Committee.  Michaela explained that she would be involved directly with fundraising but did not want to be a formal member of the Committee.

Co-Chairs include Sherrill Kazan, Jonina Sutton and Janet Stovin

 

Media Committee:

Co-Chairs are: Joan Levy and Jeffrey Huffines

 

Midday Workshop Committee:

Co-Chairs are: Leslie Wright and Elizabeth Shuman

 

Networking Committee:

Co-Chairs are: Fannie Munlin and Jackie Schapiro

 

 

Discussing the Conference Theme:

 

  • Fundraising or inviting speakers cannot begin until title and theme are agreed to. 
  • There was a discussion on How to approach the MDG’s; How do we integrate different NGOs
  • Suggested topic: UN and Its Partners
  • The terminology is very important and has to have something that was not said before
  • No subtitles needed, something engaging, something that leads to peace
  • The title should be newsworthy and descriptive and that will explain, integrate the MDG’s with accountability and responsibility; accountability and responsibility to fulfill the MDG’s goals 
  • Who are we in the relationship to the conference? The theme should be the voice of the NGO’s (Voice of Civil Society)
  • The key contest of MDG’s and Civil Society
  • In order to get funding for the conference we have to come up with the specific theme that will engage Habitat, UNESCO,  and the private sector
  • Michaela said that the theme of the Conference was one of the most critical issues; MDG’s represent something concrete therefore some examples that were concrete to attract people
  • That the theme focused on full employment, which is a cross-cutting issue on the MDGs
  • Accountability can be discussed in one of the plenary sessions by the UN, Member States, NGOs and the private sector
  • Take the example of Jeffrey Sach’s report entitled “Investing for Development: A Pratical Plan to Achieve the MDGs” and get best practices on the local level so that the NGOs can take ownership.
  • Michaela’s and Paul’s views: many things has been said over and over again; start introducing the speakers and gather material for them

It was agreed the Title should be Catchy/Sexy to attract the media.  Michaela agreed to discuss it with a marketing/advertising firm.

 

 

 

Suggested titles were:

  • The UN and its Partners (making the world a better place or making a better world)
  • The New era for the UN- accountability and responsibility
  • NGO’s working with the UN for better world
  • Ushering a new world or better world
  • We the Peoples: Future of Global Peace
  • The UN – Choice for Humanity
  • The UN and Its Partners achieving the MDG’s; there is a need of MDG’s;
  • How the MDG’s are accountable to eradicate poverty
  • UN and the Choice from Humanity
  • Concrete action for better world
  • The People’s Common Agenda: Unfinished Business of the MDGs, which could include UN Reform, Human Rights Council, Peacebuilding Commission, new S-G
  • Global Partnership for Development

 

Michaela and Paul urged that the SubCommittees meet during the week and send their terms of reference, guidelines and time-frames to them before the Feb 9th meeting. 

 

February 9th meeting will be in the Trusteeship Council 3 – 5 p.m.

 

Minutes taken by Nita Himaduna Intern