Questions related to information/DPI’s work on the question of Palestine – GA Fourth Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

Sixty-sixth General Assembly

Fourth Committee

10^th Meeting (PM)

HIGHLIGHTING EFFORTS TO EXPAND USE OF TRADITIONAL, NEW MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF

SAYS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AIMS FOR AGILITY, FLEXIBILITY, INNOVATION

As Fourth Committee Opens Information Segment, Kiyo Akasaka Emphasizes

Outreach, Partnership Programmes, Says Department’s Mission to Inform, Engage, Act

/…

Background

The Committee had before it the report of the Secretary-General on Questions relating to information (document A/66/261), which highlights recent strategic communications work of the Department of Public Information (DPI) and reviews the activities of the network of United Nations Information Centres.  The activities undertaken by the Department from February to July 2011 include three sub programmes, strategic communications services, news services, and outreach services.  The thematic issues pertaining to strategic communications services include the Millennium Development Goals, sustainable development and climate change, women’s issues, commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda, and the question of Palestine, among others.

/…

Statement by Under-Secretary-General

KIYO AKASAKA, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, …

/…

He said that the prospects for Arab-Israeli peace had been the subject of the annual International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East in July.  Co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, that event had examined the role of the media and culture in creating conditions for peace in the region.  The Department, in close consultation with the Department of Political Affairs and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People had revised and updated the permanent exhibit on the question of Palestine and the United Nations.

He said that the soft launch of that exhibit took place earlier this afternoon and would be followed by the formal launch on 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  The exhibit would be translated by the network of United Nations Information Centres into several languages, including Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Dutch, French, Greek, Hindi, Japanese, Kiswahili, Persian and Russian.  Among the first to see the new exhibit would be 10 young Palestinian journalists — five men and five women — selected by the Department for its annual training programme, which would take place from 31 October to 2 December 2011, and would include training on Internet-based media.

/…

Statements

DIEGO LIMERES (Argentina) speaking on behalf the Group of 77 and China, …

/…

He emphasized the importance of the Department’s Special Information Programmes on the Question of Palestine, which raised awareness about that issue and supported the efforts for achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.  He commended the Department for its implementation of that programme, and underscored many of its necessary and useful elements, including annual training for Palestinian media professionals from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  He reiterated the need for those and other activities undertaken by the Department and called for their enhancement and reinforcement.

/…

MOHAMMED SELIM ( Egypt) …

/…

… He also said that the information being disseminated regarding the question of Palestine should be emphasized, including Palestinian efforts to become a full Member State of the United Nations.  It was necessary to have global, objective news services, and to build the United Nations effort to achieve the just implementation of the Palestinian people’s rights.

/…

M. HERY SARIPUDIN ( Indonesia) …

/…

In that regard, he was pleased to note that the Department had used new avenues to disseminate information on the key issues.  The Department played a vital role in sensitizing the global mass media about the need to project a culture of peace and values of tolerance.  He commended the Department for the implementation of its media programme on the Question of Palestine, as well as the annual training program for Palestinian media professionals, which was designed to help them develop their media capacity and skills.  …

ABDOU SALAM DIALLO (Senegal), aligning himself with the statement made on behalf of the G-77 developing countries and China, …

/…

By broadcasting information on all United Nations activities, the Department helped to raise awareness among local populations on peace and human rights.  Senegal welcomed the Special Information Programme on the Question of Palestine, with a view to promoting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.  His delegation was pleased with the Department’s ability to involve the United Nations Information centres in its outreach programmes.

/…

ABUZIED SHAMSELDIN AHMED MOHAMED (Sudan), aligning his statement with that made on behalf of with the G-77, …

/…

… An intensification of effort was especially necessary to spread information on the question of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

/…

IDIT ABU of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel …

/…

Despite such positive achievements, Israel remained concerned about the Palestinian Information Programme, which she said had been created by an anti-Israeli resolution that “adopted and promoted one narrative” to the conflict.  Given the one-sided mandate that had established the Programme, Israeli Government officials would not attend or participate in those seminars until a more even-handed approach was adopted.  She reiterated that Israel would be willing to engage in the formulation of a more constructive and balanced resolution to mandate further activities.  Such a resolution must be aimed at the promotion of peace education, tolerance, mutual understanding and the prevention of incitement.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record