NY Events 2011

UNHQ, Conference Room C
3:00pm-6:00pm, December 6, 2011

Left to Right: Shari Spiegel (UN-DESA), John Langmore (ACUNS), Amb. Chowdhury (PGA Office), Amin Husain (OWS Social Movement)

On December 7-8 the UN General Assembly has held its 5th High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development (FfD) at UNHQ in New York.  The vision of FfD endorsed in the Monterrey Consensus 10 years ago is a long way from becoming reality.  And recent events—from the global financial crisis of 2008-9 to the ongoing democratic uprisings in the Arab World, anti-austerity demonstrations in Europe and Israel, and the Occupy movement’s protests against rising inequality—show that the current international economic system does not support equitable development and sustainable growth.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, UBUNTU (World Forum of Civil Society Networks) and the NGO Committee on FfD, organized a Civil Society Forum on December 6^th to prepare for the High-level Dialogue and to discuss both the role that rising global inequality is having on development as well as how to more effectively link the global and local agendas related to domestic resource mobilization.

Programme

Background documents:
“Thanks to Nurses Union and Occupy Wall Street, Pressure for Wall Street Speculation Tax Grows”, Sarah Jaffe, AlterNet, November 30
“Innovative mechanisms of financing for development”, Report of the Secretary General “Nurses Call the Question on Obama and Global Financial Transaction Tax — Which Side Are You On?”, Rose Ann DeMoro, Huffington Post, October 28
“The Politics of Inclusion in the Monterrey Process”, DESA Working Paper No. 23
“Pay Back Time”, Report from the May 12 Coalition
“Human Need – Not Corporate Greed!”, NGO Committee on Financing for Development “How to reduce the global financial and economic uncertainties?”, NGO Committee on Financing for Development:
“It’s time to implement an international currency transaction tax!!”, Statement of the Ubuntu Forum
“Globalizing Solidarity: The Case for Financial Levies”, Report of the Committee of Experts to the Taskforce on International Financial Transactions and Development “Grow Together or Pull Further Apart? Income Concentration Trends in New York”, Fiscal Policy Institute Report

November 10, 2011 – UNHQ

Dame Jennifer Shipley, Prime Minister of New Zealand 1997-1999

Following our recent retreat for Permanent Representatives for Rio+20, FES registered a concern expressed by many Member States that achieving success in Rio will require global leadership to pursue sustainable development.  This event allowed former Heads of State Jennifer Shipley (New Zealand), Wim Kok (the Netherlands), Ricardo Lagos (Chile) and Luisa Diogo (Mozambique) to hold a frank and open dialogue with the international community and key stakeholders, opening a discussion on what sort of road map to a green economy allows sufficient flexibility for countries to apply their own options while maintaining the overview necessary to safeguard the resources of the planet.

Programme

Background Publication
“Reflections on the State of Agreement on Key Issues of Rio+20″

November 7 – 11, 2011, New York

Already for the sixth time, FES New York hosted its annual Fall Academy for young policy analysts. This year’s group comprised 14 participants from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Russia. Throughout the week, participants met with UN diplomats, Secretariat, and NGO experts to discuss the UN’s work on peace and security issues, sustainable development and the upcoming Rio+20 summit, and the organization’s most recent reform initiatives.

Program 2011 FESNY Fall Academy

October 21, 2011

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the New York office, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung invited its friends, colleagues and partners to a reception at the United Nations. The honorary speakers were  Ms. Anke Fuchs, Honorary Chairperson, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (right) and H.E. Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General, UN Women.

FESNY’s Involvement in Global Governance

Speech Anke Fuchs

Speech Michelle Bachelet

Slideshow: Special Event with Jodi Bieber and subsequent reception

Interview with former UN-Under-Secretary-General James Jonah

October 13, 2011

The newly independent South Sudan faces challenges aplenty on its way towards a sustainable, economically viable, democratic and peaceful development. To chart the main obstacles and opportunities for the country, its neighbors and the international community, FES New York hosted a high-level conference with high-level representatives from the North and South Sudan. A Keynote Address was delivered by General (R) Martin Agwai, Formerly the Force Commander of the UNAMID peace operation in Darfur (see picture).

Program

Keynote Address

September 30-October 1,  2011

This FES-sponsored retreat set up an informal space and time for Permanent Representatives and experts from a number of UN missions to discuss issues related to upcoming preparations for the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).

Supplementary documents from Retreat:
Conference Report “Reflections on the State of Agreement on Key Issues of Rio+20″
Opening Statement by Mr. Werner Puschra (FES)
Opening Statement by Mr. Sha Zukang (UNCSD)
Opening Statement by H.E. Mr. Kim Sook (UNCSD Bureau)
Keynote Presentation | Powerpoint by Mr. Soogil Young (Rep. of Korea Presidential Committee on Green Growth)
Keynote Presentation by Mr. Michael Dorsey (Dartmouth College)

High-Level Conference, Sunday, September 25^th, 2011; 9am-6pm, IMF HQ2 Building, Room HQ2-01-280 (A&B)

Neither national nor international policies adopted in response to recent crises have translated into strong recoveries. The rebound has been especially weak in the labor markets. In addition, the limited role that public policy has played in addressing chronic and increasing inequality—especially the particular challenges presented by group inequalities, which are fuelled by perceived and real injustice, and often have international dimensions—underscores the urgency of finding ways to correct these ineffective policies.  The main objective of this conference, jointly organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Club de Madrid and Center of Concern, has been to promote this discussion among influential current and former policymakers and key thinkers in the context of the 2011 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Panelists: Alfred Gusenbauer (Chancellor of Austria [2007-2008]; Member, Club de Madrid), Sigrid Kaag (Assistant Secretary General and Director of Partnership Bureau, UNDP),  Y. Venugopal Reddy (Governor, Reserve Bank of India [2003-2008]; Member, Palais Royal Initiative), Alejandro Toledo (President of Peru [2001-2006]; Member, Club de Madrid), Sanjeev Gupta (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF), Chrystia Freeland (Editor, Thompson Reuters Digital), Isabel Ortiz (Associate Director, UNICEF), Michael Kumhof (Deputy Chief, Modeling Unit, IMF Research Department), Raymond Torres (Director, International Institute for Labour Studies, ILO), Richard Freeman (Professor of Economics, Harvard University), Josè Antonio Ocampo (Professor, School of International and Public Affairs), Jonathan Coppel (Economic Counsellor to the OECD Secretary General), Rogério Studart (Executive Director to the World Bank from Brazil), Jomo Kwame Sundaram (Assistant Secretary General, UN-DESA), Emmanuel Moulin (Economic Advisor to French President Sarkozy), Pablo Pereira (Former IMF Executive Director  from Argentina), Ulrich Volz (Senior Economist, German Development Institute), Rishi Goyal (Deputy Chief, Strategy, Policy and Review Dept. IMF)

Programme

Coppel presentation
Kumhof presentation
Moulin presentation
Ortiz presentation
Pereira presentation
Torres presentation

Background Publication
“New Directions for International Financial & Monetary Policy: Reducing Inequality for Shared Societies”

Luncheon Discussion, Thursday, July 28, 1:00pm – 2:45pm at The Century Foundation (New York)

FES New York and The Century Foundation will co-host a discussion about where the Libyan conflict and intervention are headed.

Leading the discussion will be:

• Ibrahim Dabbashi, ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Libya to the United Nations (picture, middle)

• Ian Martin, Secretary-General’s special advisor on post-conflict planning for Libya, United Nations Department of Political Affairs (picture, left)

• Karim Mezran, executive director, Centro Studi Americani, Rome (picture, right)

• Baso Sangqu, ambassador and permanent representative of South Africa to the United Nation

Video of the event

Conference on Civil Society Perspectives, Monday, July 11 9:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. UN Church Center

This year's interactive dialogue of the UN General Assembly on the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) focused on the implementing role of regional and sub-regional organizations. One day ahead, FES New York co-hosted a half-day conference featuring civil society perspectives on the implementation of R2P. One of the keynoters was Dr. Edward Luck, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the RtoP. (see picture)

Program

Concluding remarks Werner Puschra

General Assembly 12th July

Event Summary

Monday, June 27, 2011, 1:00am-3:00pm UNHQ, Delegates’ Dining Room, New York, NY

In the context of informal dialogues to take place in the UN General Assembly on June 28, 2011 regarding the UN's role in global governance, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and UBUNTU (World Forum of Civil Society Networks) co-sponsor a lunchtime event to emphasize the issue of global inequality within this debate—to UN Member States, UN Secretariat and eminent members of civil society—and to ask how the UN might achieve a greater profile in debates on global economic governance, innovative approaches, as well as how to make the G20 more accountable and responsive to social needs. One of the panelists was Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative. (see picture)

Program

Tuesday-Wednesday, June 7-8, 2011, 10:00am-6:00pm
UNHQ, NLB, Conference Room E, New York, NY

This two-day conference on international tax cooperation began with a half-day of general panels on the Role of the UN in International Tax Cooperation and the Impact of Transfer Pricing on Development."  Many delegates from UN Missions took part in the discussion, along with experts from Tax Authorities around the world.  During the remaining one and a half days, tax experts worked on the UN Tax Office's "Practical Manual of Transfer Pricing for Developing Countries."  Organized by FES New York Office, Christian Aid, and Center of Concern.

Program

Tuesday, 17 May 2011,
New York, UNHQ—Delegates Dining Room

Against the backdrop of the most recent experiences with sanction regimes in the conflicts in Côte d’Ivoire and Libya and to examine possible enhancements to the implementation and effectiveness of UN sanctions, FES New York Office convened a roundtable discussion with a unique panel of experts:

H.E. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN; (picture, middle)

Loraine Rickard-Martin, Partner, Compliance and Capacity, International (CCI); (picture, right)

Rico Carisch, Partner, CCI;

Sue Eckert, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Export Administration and Senior Fellow, Watson Institute, Brown University

Several sanctions implementations scenarios were analyzed in terms of their successes and setbacks, thereby aiming for a better understanding of conditions under which Security Council sanctions regimes work best.

Background Paper

Monday 16 May 2011,
New York, UNHQ—Delegates Dining Room

After the referendum in January 2011, which cleared the way towards secession from the North, preparations are currently underway for an independent Southern Sudan as a new member state to the UN when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ends on July 9. The discussion brought to the table different international actors in support of Southern Sudan’s transition into an independent, viable, and sustainably peaceful state.

Panelists:
H.E. Mr. Lumumba Stanislaus-Kaw Di-Aping, Representative of Southern Sudan; (picture, right)
H.E. Mr. Baso Sangqu, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN;
H.E. Ms. Tine Morch Smith; Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN;
Ms. Rajakumari Jandhyala, Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID Bureau for Africa.

Chair:
H.E. Gert Rosenthal, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the UN and Vice Chair, PBC Organizational Committee.(picture, left)

Program

Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 1:00—3:00 p.m
New York, NY

This FES-sponsored informal discussion allowed delegates involved in upcoming negotiations of a Panel of Experts to monitor systemic risks in the global economy, their root causes and the risks posed to human development the opportunity to discuss various views on the responsibilities, composition and financing of such a panel.

IMF HQ, Sunday, April 17th, 8:30am-5:00pm [meeting by-invitation]

There has been much discussion among governments and in international financial institutions recently of the need to reform the international financial and monetary system, but little talk of the how to do so in the context of development, ensuring that reforms are adequately balanced by universal social protections.  This workshop was organized to promote discussion among current and former, policymakers and key thinkers about whether, in the current debate about the need for a new paradigm for the global economy, a shared societies perspective could make an important contribution and if so how: shared societies for a shared world.  Panels will address why and how we need to reform the present international monetary system as well as policies to create a more equitable world.

Panelists:
John Williamson, Peterson Institute, Emmanuel Moulin, Office of the President of France, Rishi Goyal, IMF, Ambassador Jorge Argüello, Argentina Mission to the UN, Jomo Kwame Sundaram,  DESA-UN, Yi Gang, Peoples Bank of China, P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, 1992-2006, Jack Boorman, “Palais-Royal Initiative”, Jan Kregel, Levy Economics Institute, Pablo Pereira, Argentina Finance Ministry, Kim Campbell, Prime Minister of Canada, 1993, Ebrahim Rasool, South African Ambassador to the US, Peter Bakvis, ITUC, Isabel Ortiz, UNICEF

Program
Summary
Outcome Publication: “New Directions for International Financial & Monetary Policy: Reducing Inequality for Shared Societies”

Saturday, April 16th, 6:30pm-9:00pm, The Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington DC

“A ’shared society’ is a socially cohesive society. It is stable, safe. It is where all those living there feel at home. It respects everyone’s dignity and human rights while providing every individual with equal opportunity. It is tolerant. It respects diversity. A shared society is constructed and nurtured through strong political leadership.“ –Club de Madrid Shared Societies Project

As more countries are embracing austerity policies, which have profoundly negative social impacts, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Club de Madrid and Center of Concern present a free, public event highlighting the need instead to pursue equitable development and shared societies.

The program features Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada, who introduces concept of “Shared Societies,”  P.J. Patterson, Jamaican Prime Minister from 1992-2006, whose recent work in Haiti—combined with his long experience in Jamaica—has shaped his views on how the international community can help to create more equitable development, and Samir Radwan, the Finance Minister for Egypt’s new transitional government, who draws upon his long experience working in the International Labour Organization (ILO) to close the evening with thoughts on how the Arab World can rise to the challenge to create democratic and equitable societies.

Program

Tuesday, April 12, 2011, New York, UNHQ—Delegates Dining Room

To promote the regional and multilateral dimensions of negotiations for a peace process in Afghanistan, FES supported a project of The Century Foundation (TCF) for an international task force co-chaired by Ambassadors Lakhdar Brahimi and Thomas Pickering. On April 12, TCF and FES New York hosted a discussion at the UN with  members of the task force (pictured: Jean-Marie Guéhenno and Sadako Ogata) on their recently launched report.

Program
Report “Afghanistan: Negotiating Peace”

Thursday, March 24, 2011, New York, UNHQ—Delegates Dining Room

As South Africa re-entered the Security Council in 2011, the Council is occupied with numerous crises and conflicts on the African continent. To put these challenges in a broad political context, FES New York and the Center on International Cooperation (CIC), supported by the Mission of South Africa to the UN, organized a week-long information program at the UN for a group of South African policy makers. On March 24, this high-level delegation, with among others, Ms. Ayanda Dlodlo the Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration (picture), presented their views on the challenges for South African foreign policy to a broader audience at the UN.

Program

Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 8:00—9:45 a.m
New York, NY

This FES discussion featured President of the German Development Institute, Dirk Messner, on the need for an International Panel on Systemic Risks in the Global Economy to monitor both short-term and long-term risks, their root causes and the risks posed to human development.  The discussion included delegates from a number of missions preparing for upcoming negotiations related to a Panel of Experts on the global economy.

Friday, March 4, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Cervantes Center, New York

Our office worked in conjunction with the Mexican and Spanish Missions to organize a morning of discussions involving a number of UN Missions actively engaged in planning for the Rio+20 Summit.  Delegates were able to explore areas of agreement and disagreement regarding the general aim of IFSD, in the integration in policymaking, implementation and financing of the three pillars of sustainable development.

Thursday, February 10, 2011, 1:15—2:45 p.m.
New York, UNHQ—Delegates Dining Room

The world is facing various interconnected global crises—related to climate change, food security, water and resource scarcity, and the stability of the global economic and financial system. As a consequence, social inequality has increased, millions of jobs are being lost and human development is at stake.This situation presents unprecedented challenges to the multilateral system and its institutional framework. The elevation of the G20 to the Leaders’ level in 2008— now widely perceived as an effective and necessary emergency response to the financial crisis—has raised the stakes for the UN’s inclusive and formal multilateralism, which must now show that it can be as effective in dealing with global crises as the informal clubs of the most powerful countries. This state of affairs raises the urgent question to Member States: What reforms are necessary for the UN to play a leading role in global governance?
Keynote: Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly. (picture)

Speakers:Ambassador Puri from the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Ambassador Argüello from the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN and, Mr. Martin Lees, International Affairs Expert, The Climate Change Task Force and former Secretary General of the Club of Rome (2008-2010).

What Role for the UN in Global Governance – Program

GA President JosephDeiss’ Speech

Ambassador Argüello’s Speech

Mr. Martin Lees’ Speech

Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
New York, UNHQ-North Lawn Building, Conference Room 4

Each year the NGO Committee holds a Forum based on the theme to be addressed by the UN Commission for Social Development at its annual meeting.  The priority theme of the 49th Session of the Commission is “Poverty Eradication: Human dignity Demands It.” Coming less than five months after the MDG Summit last September, the Commission provides an opportunity for governments and civil society to discuss effective policies and practices that lead to poverty reduction. During the Forum, the focus is set on three approaches which are regarded as effective in reducing poverty: debt cancellation, microfinance (Pros and Cons) and decent work. Two of the panelists were Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, General Secretary, Gen. Agricultural Workers Union, Ghana(picture, left) and Jane Stewart, Special Representative and Director, International Labor Organization (picture, right).

CSocD CSO Forum Program

Mr. Werner Puschra’s Speech

Mr. Martin Lees’ Speech

Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
New York, UNHQ-North Lawn Building

Each year the NGO Committee conducts a Forum, based on the theme to be addressed by the UN Commission for Social Development at its annual meeting.  The priority theme of the 49th Session of the Commission is “Poverty Eradication: Human dignity Demands It.” Coming less than five months after the MDG Summit last September, the Commission will be an opportunity for governments and civil society to engage yet again on effective policies and practices that lead to poverty reduction. During the Forum, the focus is set on three approaches which are regarded as effective in reducing poverty: debt cancellation, microfinance (Pros and Cons) and decent work.

Monday, February 7, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
New York, UNHQ-North Lawn Building, Conference Room 4

A Multi-stakeholder Panel Discussion Co-sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung New York Office and the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS).

Moderated by Mr. Janos Pasztor, Director of the UN Secretary General’s Climate Change Support Team and Designated Head of the Secretary-General’s Global Sustainability Panel Secretariat

Panelists: Ms. Angela Anderson, Program Director, US Climate Action Network, Mr. Mark Fulton, Global Head of Climate Change Investment Research, Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors, Mr. Martin Lees, International Affairs Expert, The Climate Change Task Force and Former Secretary General, Club of Rome (2008-2010), Mr. Selwin Hart, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations and AOSIS Lead Coordinator on Finance, Mr. Paul Watkinson (via teleconference), Head of Delegation for France to the UN Climate Change negotiations and Lead Finance Negotiatior for the European Union, Mr. Michael Dorsey, Assistant Professor Dartmouth College, Environmental Studies Program and Director Dartmouth Climate Justice Research Project.

Mr. Martin Lees’ Speech
Mr. Mark Fulton’s Powerpoint and Remarks
Background Note
Program
Videocast