A Selection of Initiatives
Alliance Towards Harnessing Global Opportunities (ATHGO)
In 2005 and 2006, young professionals and students came together
at the ATHGO youth symposium to exchange ideas about how to reach
the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The Office supported the
event and delivered keynote speeches at both symposiums.
Bending the Arc
In September 2006, the Office co-sponsored a conference Bending
the Arc - the Business of Attaining the Millennium Development Goals
in Africa" which included representatives from the NEPAD Secretariat,
the African Business Roundtable, civil society and the private sector.
Collaboration on a UN documentary
The Office collaborated with film director Romuald Sciora on a series
of short documentaries examining the leadership and accomplishments
of the last four Secretaries-General of the United Nations as well
as on a full length documentary capturing the larger picture of
the Organization today and in coming years.
Related to this documentary, the Office is collaborating with Mr.
Sciora, DPI and Marvel Comics to create and distribute comic books
featuring the work of the United Nations to over 1,000,000 children
throughout the United States.
Microsoft CEO Summit
The Office participated in the annual Microsoft CEO Summit, which
brings together over 100 CEOs from the world's top companies to
discuss emerging social, political, economic, technological and
demographic trends. This presented an opportunity to discuss strategies
for addressing global problems and present some of the activities
of the United Nations.
Our Common Humanity
The Office was a key partner to an event, “Our Common Humanity”,
held in November 2006, organised by DESA, and facilitated the participation
of actress Julia Ormond, Google CEO Larry Brilliant, and philanthropist
Louise Blouin MacBain.
US Chamber of Commerce
The Office has also supported the development of a partnership between
the UN and the US Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber engages US companies
on development issues, including human rights. The Office co-hosted
two conferences in 2006 on “The Role of the Private Sector in International
Aid and Development” with the Chamber’s Business Civic Leadership
Center, one of which was held at UN Headquarters.
