Participants at roundtable in Sheki, Azerbaijan, discuss maternal health and the Millennium Development Goals

The UN DPI Office in Azerbaijan and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) convened a gathering of medical practitioners and representatives from the government, civil society and women’s non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Sheki district, a six-hour drive from the capital, Baku, on 28 April 2009. The main thrust of the discussion was related to maternal mortality reduction through building a wider constituency by sensitizing them on health issues. The organizers also aimed to galvanize wider support to meet challenges related to improving maternal health as defined in the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

According to the National Reproductive Health Strategy, the rate of maternal mortality (the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births per year) in Azerbaijan remained high and exceeded the respective average indicator for the World Health Organization (WHO) European region. UNFPA and WHO provided technical support for formulation of the National Strategy, and advocated its endorsement. Implementation of this strategy, approved by the government in 2008, is taking place within the context of the country’s overall primary health care reforms programmatic framework.

While in Sheki, participants of the roundtable visited the Sheki District Reproductive Health and Family Planning Centre, established in 1996 by the joint efforts of UNFPA, the Ministry of Health and the national NGO "Azerbaijan Women and Development Centre." In addition, a new youth-friendly Reproductive Health Centre was sponsored by the European Commission and UNFPA as an expansion of Azerbaijan’s network. “We cover 30 districts, about half of the country’s unoccupied territories,” says Farid Babayev, UNFPA’s Assistant Representative.

The roundtable in Sheki took place in the context of the joint MDG campaign that the UN DPI Office in Azerbaijan is conducting throughout 2009 in close partnership with the Government, NGO partners and civil society.

For a complete report on this roundtable, please visit the website of the UN DPI Office in Azerbaijan.

Participants at ThessISMUN 2009, the University of Macedonia Model United Nations that took place in the city of Thessaloniki from 22-26 April 2009

More than 450 university students from all over the world participated in ThessISMUN 2009, the University of Macedonia Model United Nations that took place in the city of Thessaloniki from 22-26 April 2009. 

This year’s ThessISMUN was dedicated to the Emeritus Professor Emmanuel Roukounas, an emblematic figure in the field of international law and human rights protection. The United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) supported ThessISMUN and named Prof. Roukounas Friend of the UN (FUN).

On the sidelines of the Model UN, UNRIC also organized a seminar on employment opportunities with the UN system.

The UN DPI Office in Azerbaijan's representative, Envera Selimovic (center), talks to youth at outreach event

Continuing their collaboration on organizing youth-oriented events, the UN DPI Office in Azerbaijan together with the non-governmental organization (NGO) “Dirchalish” arranged an event on 24 April 2009 to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs, learn how to say ‘NO’ to drug abuse and to suggest solutions to the drug problem. The event, organized in Gusar, a four-hour drive from the capital, Baku, in cooperation with the State Commission on Combating Drug Abuse, brought together officials of the Gusar region Power Authority, Norwegian Embassy in Azerbaijan, Central Hospital, representatives of youth NGOs, civil society, students, parents and teachers.

The Deputy Head of the Working Group of the State Commission on Combating Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking stated “Drug abuse is a universal disaster. We need to save the growing generations from this misfortune. We need to continue our joint efforts aimed at forming the proper vision of the youth in this regard and bringing public focus on the solution of drug abuse related problems,” he emphasized. He also described similar events being conducted throughout the country to fulfill the objectives of the State Program to combat the spread of drug abuse and drug trafficking.

The Head Doctor of Gusar District Hospital spoke about the health complications of drug abuse. “There is a lot of concern about the increase of HIV-infected people as a result of drug abuse in the country,” he said. “Drug abuse is a serious public health problem resulting in severe illnesses and injuries and we hope that none of you, youngsters, will choose that path,” he emphasized.

Following the speakers, actors of the Gusar Drama Theatre presented a performance of “The Way Leading to Hell” showing how a man involved in drug abuse risks losing everything he has in his life – including joy, happiness and ultimately life itself. 

For a comprehensive report on this event, please visit the website of the UN DPI Office in Azerbaijan.

UN staff prepares for commemoration of World Book and Copyright Day

On 23 April 2009 an event dedicated to World Book and Copyright Day and Global Action Week 2009 led by Global Campaign for Education took place in the UN Office in Yerevan. The participants included members of the Armenian National Coalition of the Global Campaign for Education, librarians from different regions of Armenia, teachers, representatives from Ministries of Culture and Education, as well as international organizations and mass media.

The event was organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) and Vanadzor Armenian Constitutional Right Protective Center (ACRPC), a non-governmental organization (NGO).

The UN DPI Officer-in-Charge discussed the history of World Book and Copyright Day. She also mentioned that the Global Action Week is a campaign, organized each year by the Global Campaign for Education, to raise awareness about the global literacy challenge. The highlight of the campaign is the “Big Book”, a collection of short stories about how education changes lives. The campaign encourages the organization of “Big Read” events, during which individuals read from the “Big Book” and sign a statement calling for more commitment and investment to ensure everyone is able to read and write. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as the coordinator of “Education for All” and United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012), supported this campaign and is organizing events dedicated to “Big Read” all over the world.

The ACRPC Chairman presented the results of the activities implemented during the 2008 campaign, which included the organization of the biggest lesson and publication of the Armenian version of the “Big Book”. He mentioned that Armenia participated actively in the 2008 campaign and the campaign’s objective was to persuade countries to take action and implement their commitments and promises related to providing education for all.

The members of the Armenian Coalition of Global Campaign for Education discussed the upcoming activities for the 2009 campaign which include the reading of “The Pencil Parable” by Paolo Coelho and "My Friend Neso" by Armenian author Hovhannes Tumanian. It is estimated that 10,000 people from Armenia will take part in the “Big Reads” in 2009.

Atthe conclusion of the event, UN DPI presented the participants with about 1,800 books and posters donated by the UN Country Team. These were for 11 libraries, 14 schools and four NGOs of Armenia. In addition, the initiative “Friends of the United Nations” network of libraries, schools and NGOs was launched. This network will be the channel through which UN information will reach local communities, educational institutions and civil society nationwide. The network members will receive publications and UN electronic information through e-mail. Participants were then invited to view the exhibition of UN publications displayed in the UN lobby, which consisted mainly of local products of the UN Armenia Office.