UNIC Director Will Davis

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Washington Director Will Davis visited Michigan State University (MSU) for UN Day to discuss the benefits of US-UN reengagement, he also got the unexpected bonus of discovering how MSU itself could play a role in impacting global issues.  

Mr. Davis said he was impressed by the efforts of student groups, the presence of international scientists at the Cyclotron and university efforts to work on climate change. Among other things, the Director headlined an event with the MSU Model UN, spoke at a dinner, was a guest speaker at the East Lansing UNA Chapter in Michigan’s Annual Dinner, and gave a speech on the status of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) following presentations from the Head of Michigan Manufacturer’s Association and Michigan States Bus School Global Outreach program as well as faculty presentations on MSU’s work on the MDGs.

Mr. Davis’ goal was to elucidate a clearer idea of what the UN is and is not but was also pleasantly surprised to find his own views of MSU refined, paving the way for a potentially deeper cooperation in the future.

Over 900 people gathered at Al-Sabaeen Square Park, for a celebration organized by the Yemeni Coalition for Combating Poverty through the cooperation and support of UN Agencies in Yemen. The event included speeches by high officials and songs performed by local bands. The celebrations started by a "Stand Up" ceremony for two minutes saying “No to Poverty”.

During the celebration, speeches were delivered by the UN Resident Coordinator, the Head of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Network as well as UN representatives. In her speech Ms. Pratibha Mehta, the UN Resident Coordinator, said: "the World has six years left until 2015 to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, indicating though the goals are especially difficult to achieve in Yemen, - however, it is possible, if people have the will.

Ms. Mehta added that the human development index issued by the UNDP ranked Yemen 140th of 177 countries, indicating that Yemen needs a strong move towards reforming its economy, creating  job opportunities, developing water fields, and improving education and health in the rural and urban areas.

Head of CSO's network, Ms. Ramzia Al-Iryani made it clear that combating poverty is one of the Millennium Development Goals that the countries across the world are working on to achieve it by the year 2015. Ms. Al-Iryani added that combating poverty would be useless if there were not successful strategies for development, good ruling and combating corruption, especially in Yemen.

During the event T-shirts and hats printed with the "Stand Up and Take Action" slogan were distributed to the participants. Also, information materials containing Secretary General's message on the World Food Day were distributed to the audience.

Students at JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia in the "Stand Up"event

Several staff members from the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Washington participated in a dozen UN week activities this year. Starting with the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign on 16-18 October, UNIC Washington collaborated on 4 events.

UNIC Director, Will Davis spoke to a group of high school students who are studying international affairs, poverty and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) at Jeb Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia. He spoke to them about US/UN issues as well as the MDGs, and the "Stand Up" campaign. Mr. Davis led them in the "Stand Up" pledge where 75 students participated.

Next, UNIC Deputy Director, David Smith spoke to students at Washington International School in Washington, DC. The school consists of students from all over the world, many of whose parents are in the diplomatic community. There were about 500 students, parents, teachers and other volunteers present at the assembly.

For the other event, UNIC Public Outreach Assistant, Audrey Wood participated in an event that was co-hosted by UNIC, organized by UNA Council of Organizations, the Global Education Motivators and the UNA Chapter of Greater Philadelphia. Hosted at the World Bank, the event was a videoconference featuring participants from the University of Pennsylvania, World Bank, St. Joseph’s High School in Hammonton, New Jersey, and Byrne Creek High School in British Columbia. Attending in Washington was UNA, UNIC, and others from NGOs and civil society with about 100 people who came together for the combined effort. 

Finally, Director Will Davis spoke at an event titled "Unity Walk 2009" on 18 October, the last day of the "Stand Up" challenge. The theme of the event was to bring together faith leaders from all faiths in Washington to speak on themes of unity, compassion, ending poverty, and achieving the MDGs. The event was organized in part with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, Americans for Informed Democracy, national embassies, and a number of local religious leaders in which there were about 300 people participated in the event.

Panel launches the 2009 MDG Report in Lagos

On 31 July 2009, the United Nations System in Nigeria launched the 2009 global Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Report on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. 

The event, which brought together five UN agencies, media and non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders and representatives, was held in Lagos. It was chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Albéric Kacou, with the Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President, Mrs. Amina Az-Zubbair, as special guest of honour. Other guests and participants included Ms. Yemisi Ransome-kuti, Executive Director of Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), and Ambassador (Chief) Segun Olushola, Founder and President of Africa Refugees Foundation (AREF).

In his welcome address, the UN Resident Coordinator gave an overview of the programmes and activities of the UN System in Nigeria, highlighting the role and expectations of UN agencies in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the country.  He spoke on the implementation of the second phase of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Nigeria, which is the focal point for all UN inter-agency collaboration in the country.

In her review of the contents of the 2009 MDG Report, the Country Representative of UNFPA, Ms. Agathe Lawson, analysed the aspects of the document.  She explained that despite the impact of the global economic and financial crisis, the world economy had made major advances before the present critical challenges of recession.  She examined the way forward for the achievement of the MDGs, within the present realities, and concluded that progress on the Doha Trade Round, among other efforts, was key to stimulating the global economy.

Ms. Ransome-Kuti of NNNGO made a presentation entitled “The MDGs: Role of CSOs and the Way Forward.”  She said the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the implementation and achievement of the MDGs should include advocacy and mobilisation, education and promotion of MDGs at the community level as well as the training and capacity-building of communities.

The Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, focused in his statement on the role of the media in achieving the MDGs.  He covered the broad areas of the media’s role in the promotion of the MDGs based on the constitutional responsibilities of the press in Nigeria.  He explained what was required of the media to increase the coverage of MDGs and how the media could be effective in playing a role of increasing awareness of the MDGs in the country.

Mr. Ojo concluded that the media had a constitutional duty and a social responsibility to raise public awareness about the MDGs, enable citizen participation in the debates and to hold the government accountable.

The special guest of honour, Mrs. Az-Zubbair, spoke on the government's position on the implementation of MDGs in Nigeria and responded to several questions on the role and responsibility of the State in achieving the goals and the role the media and CSOs could play in the efforts to achieve the MDGs.