TODAY'S PROBLEMS TESTAMENT TO NEED FOR CLEAR UNITED NATIONS VOICE, SAYS ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
Press Release
GA/SPD/65
TODAY'S PROBLEMS TESTAMENT TO NEED FOR CLEAR UNITED NATIONS VOICE, SAYS ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
19951026 Today's global problems were a "testament to why the voice of the United Nations must be heard more clearly and loudly than ever before", Samir Sanbar, Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) this morning as it began its consideration of questions relating to information.With the financial crisis, a large number of delegations had expressed concern that the United Nations public information and outreach activities could be severely hampered, at a time when they should be redoubled, he said. While public interest in the United Nations was at an all-time high, its message had to compete for attention as never before. Ways had to be found to sharpen the focus on current issues and reach the widest possible audience. The Department of Public Information (DPI) had risen to meet this challenge head-on and had demonstrated its ability to do more while spending less.
He said new DPI budget proposals for 1996-1997 presented a negative growth rate of 3.2 per cent, compared to the 1994-1995 budget. The Department's sub-zero-growth budget proposal was made possible through the better use of modern technology, close cooperation with other members of the United Nations system, and the introduction of management initiatives that streamlined DPI.
A major element of DPI's overall public information strategy, he said, was to establish strong partnerships with the media. Through 29 cable stations, Time Warner Cable of Manhattan was broadcasting "UN Facts" and the "UN Minute", which were also seen in Europe and around the world. The total donated airtime, which cost DPI nothing, was worth more than half a million dollars.
United Nations Radio reached millions of listeners through taped programmes in 15 languages on 1,800 regional and national broadcasting organizations in 180 countries and territories, he said. However, taped programme distribution had its limitations and uncertainties. He asked the Committee to endorse the development of a broadcasting capacity in support of peace-keeping operations and humanitarian missions, as well as of the general public information needs of the United Nations system.
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The Department aimed to ensure that news headlines did not exclusively focus on the flashpoints of conflict at the expense of efforts in development, social justice and democratization. United Nations information centres collected nearly 7,000 articles about the recent Social Summit in Copenhagen, showing that development-oriented work could also make headlines.
Mr. Sanbar said a public information culture could be a crucial asset in gaining support for the Organization, and should be cultivated to create deeper understanding of the media's role as allies who needed information to tell the facts.
Citing recent innovations, he said important strides were being made on the information highway and DPI was determined to play a pivotal role, using new technology to heighten interest in the United Nations, particularly among young people. An interdepartmental working group had been established at DPI's initiative to coordinate information strategies for peace-keeping operations.
He paid tribute to DPI staff, whose work was so much in the public eye, saying they were the Department's most valuable resource.
Also addressing the Committee on information questions, the representative of Togo said the United Nations should promote a fairer and more equitable information order to encourage healthy cooperation between countries. It was in the interests of peace and security to ensure the transfer of technology between countries, and not allow third world countries to be kept on the periphery of the new information age.
The Department must continue restructuring and redirect its resources to priority areas to increase its effectiveness and cost-efficiency, according to the representative of Nepal. However, that effort should not be at the expense of the overall goal of forging a robust public information system. DPI's role in bringing the message of the recent United Nations global conferences to the forefront of the international agenda was outstanding. Its publications were immensely useful and its press releases were of great relevance and use for small delegations.
The representatives of Burkina Faso, Spain (on behalf of the European Union), Argentina, Romania and Jamaica also addressed the Committee.
Also, this morning the Committee elected Allan Breier-Castro (Venezuela) as its Rapporteur.
In other action, the Committee decided to extend the deadline for submission of amendments to draft resolutions on decolonization until 6 p.m. today. The representatives of Morocco and Algeria made statements on the issue.
The Committee will meet again tomorrow 27 October, at 10 a.m., to continue its general debate on information questions and to take action on a draft resolution and draft decision.
Committee Work Programme
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to begin consideration of questions relating to information. It had before it the annual report of the Committee on Information, as well as the Secretary-General's report covering the activities of the Department of Public Information (DPI) during the period from January through August 1995.
The Report of the Committee on Information (document A/50/21) contains draft resolutions on United Nations public information policies and activities, and on information in the service of humanity. It also notes that the General Assembly increased the Committee's membership from 83 to 88 with the appointment of Belize, Croatia, Czech Republic, Kazakstan and South Africa.
By the terms of a draft text on United Nations public information policies and activities, the Assembly would consolidate the role of the Committee on Information as its main body mandated to make recommendations relating to the work of DPI. It would request the Secretary-General to ensure DPI's involvement at the planning stage of future peace-keeping and other field missions through inter-departmental consultations and coordination with other departments.
Also by the text, the Secretary-General would be requested to increase his efforts for the early resumption of the publication Development Forum, or an alternative system-wide publication. The management of DPI would be asked to review its publications and publication proposals to ensure they fulfilled an identifiable need, avoided duplication and were produced in a cost effective manner. The Assembly would reaffirm the importance of the United Nations information centres in disseminating information about the Organization's activities, particularly in developing countries and countries in transition.
The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to continue the integration of the information centres with field offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) whenever feasible, on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the information functions and autonomy of the centres were not adversely affected. The Secretary-General would be called upon to continue to study how to rationalize the equitable disbursement of available resources to all the centres and to report to the Committee on Information at its next session.
The Assembly would welcome the successful conclusion of negotiations on the establishment of an information component in Warsaw; note the progress made towards establishing, within existing resources, an information centre in Bonn; and note the action taken by the Secretary-General regarding the reactivation and enhancement of information centres in Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka and Tehran. It would also take note of the requests of Bulgaria, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti and the Slovak Republic for information centres or information components.
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The Assembly would express its full support to the wide and prompt coverage of United Nations activities through a continuation of United Nations press releases in both working languages of the Secretariat. Member States would be invited to submit to the Secretary-General by 15 March 1996, their observations and suggestions on how to develop further communication infrastructures and capabilities in developing countries.
By other provisions, the Assembly would call upon DPI to continue cooperation with Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine and relevant United Nations bodies to establish and implement information activities for the tenth anniversary in 1996 of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
By a draft resolution on Information in service of humanity, the Assembly would urge States and the specialized agencies to reaffirm their commitment to the principles of the Charter and the principles of freedom of the press and freedom of information. Among other measures, States and organizations would, in the context of what has been termed "a new world information and communication order, seen as an evolving and continuous process", ensure the diversity of media sources and their free access to information.
The Assembly would have States and organizations cooperate and interact with a view to reducing existing disparities in information flows by increasing assistance for the development of communications infrastructures and capabilities in developing countries. States and organizations would also be urged to ensure journalists the free and effective performance of their professional tasks and condemn resolutely all attacks against them.
By the terms of a draft decision on Increase in the membership of the Committee on Information, the Assembly would increase the Committee's membership from 88 to 89 members with the appointment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The report contains three annexes: a statement by the Chairman of the Committee on Information; a statement by the Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information and a paper on media strategies for peace-keeping and other field operations.
The paper on media strategies for peace-keeping and other field operations states that DPI's role as the focal point and coordinating mechanism for public information activities has not been activated with regard to peace-keeping. Suggested measures to improve the situation include: inter-departmental consultations and coordination to develop an information strategy at the earliest stages of mission planning; a standing inter- departmental working group on information strategies, made up of representatives from the Department of Peace-keeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs and DPI; the preparation by DPI of rosters of information personnel to carry out the relevant functions for peace-keeping missions; the establishment by DPI of draft standards to help plan mission information strategies and related
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Headquarters activities.
The Report of the Secretary-General (document A/50/462) on questions relating to information, says that at a time of new communications technology, budget pressures on major contributing countries and increasing media power, public interest in the United Nations is at an all-time high, and public information has assumed significantly greater importance.
The DPI's most pressing task is to ensure that the United Nations central role in meeting the challenges faced by the international community continues to be widely recognized by governments and the world public. To accomplish this goal efficiently and cost-effectively, DPI has given high priority to close working relations within the Secretariat and the United Nations system as well as with outside organizations. It has used the new technologies and created information strategies and programmes that reinforce the reality of an Organization working vigorously for the betterment of humanity.
According to the report, DPI seeks to reach public opinion at every level and is strengthening partnerships with the media, educational institutions, policy and opinion-influencing groups, civic and business communities, city governments and non-governmental organizations. The role of information centres and services is also being strengthened.
Instead of fashioning a multitude of messages on all issues before the Organization, DPI has prepared a coordinated information strategy which stresses the linkage between peace, development and democratization. It has sought to project a unified image for the United Nations system, and is consulting more closely with other Secretariat departments, regional commissions and United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies through the Joint United Nations Information Committee. Such cooperation has proved especially fruitful in connection with United Nations conferences. The Department is also working to build an information and communications component into all work programmes from their inception.
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The report states that DPI has moved aggressively to exploit the enormous outreach and exchange of information offered by electronic communication. The Department's electronic database is the largest within the United Nations system, with tens of thousands of users accessing the database daily through the INTERNET and the World Wide Web (WWW). DPI has updated its electronic communication and distribution system to better connect Headquarters with information centres and services, peace-keeping operations, offices of UNDP and others. The Dag Hammarskjold Library has enhanced its capacity to provide information electronically through user-friendly on-line access and CD-ROM format. The 24-hour United Nations news audio information system enables callers to obtain updated news about the United Nations in three languages. And the Publications Service has increased its productivity and creativity through the use of new desktop publishing hardware and software.
Although new technologies are being widely used, the report states that given limited technological capacity in many regions, the Department is mindful of its obligation to ensure global access to its products. Emphasis on electronic dissemination will not diminish the need for carefully targeted, high-quality publications.
Regular consultations with the Committee on Information have provided an invaluable channel of dialogue, the report continues, creating an atmosphere of transparency, cooperation and mutual responsibility. The Department has consistently conveyed the message that all United Nations activities are efficiently promoting human welfare and democratic freedoms and are responsive to the dynamic political and economic currents of our day. The mobilization and creative utilization of DPI staff and the streamlining of operational machinery, both at Headquarters and information centres and services, has strengthened the Department's role as the focal point for public information tasks within the United Nations system.
The report states that during the first six months of 1995, the Department's Media Division provided services to 2,900 permanently accredited and 2,500 temporarily accredited media representatives at Headquarters. Since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, more than 20,000 media representatives have been accredited for conferences held away from Headquarters. The Division's production of press releases has expanded. In 1995, for the first time, an annual compilation of Security Council resolutions and President's statements was produced.
The Media Division is increasing its outreach to audiences of more than 1,800 broadcasting organizations by radio programme production in 15 languages. Monthly radio production of more than 700 news bulletins,
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updates, features, documentaries, interviews and regional news magazines has been refocused to disseminate more information on the new priorities of the Organization.
The Division has also established a partnership with Time-Warner Cable of Manhattan, Inc., for which the first eight in an ongoing series of 30-second "question and answer" public service announcements have been produced for broadcast on Time-Warner and are being actively distributed to other broadcasters. DPI continues to work with international broadcasting organizations such as Cable News Network (CNN) International, Reuters International and World Wide Television News, which distribute United Nations programmes internationally. The Associated Press TV and other syndicators receive and distribute daily feeds of UNTV video package highlights. The Media Division has also carried out a pilot project of transmitting by satellite the annual video programme "Year in Review", a programme that reaches an estimated 350 million households.
Regarding the use of new technology, the report states that DPI is in the process of laying a groundwork for a future tapeless archival system that is fully networked and that possesses a quick delivery mechanism for use with broadcasters worldwide. The Media Division has established a transmission system for audio recordings through the Integrated System of Digital Network (ISDN) to the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), an arrangement guaranteeing full high-quality audio broadcast of statements by the Secretary- General away from Headquarters and other important events. In addition, a compact disc (CD) system for the electronic storage, reproduction and dissemination of photos will be introduced.
During the first six months of 1995, 1,112,042 pages of documents and publications were disseminated electronically by the Department's information centres service. An average of 20,000 users accessed the Department's database on the INTERNET daily. At the San Francisco ceremony in June commemorating the signing of the Charter, DPI launched the United Nations Home Page on the World Wide Web, which integrates images with text and it has been accessed daily by an average of 5,000 users. To educate the world's youth, the Department is releasing in 1995 a guide to the Charter in question-and- answer format entitled "The Charter at your Fingertips".
To keep non-governmental organizations informed and involved, the Division organizes weekly briefings that attract some 200 representatives, and are addressed by senior United Nations officials and experts. A weekly newsletter DPI/NGO Link, containing information on events and new print and audio materials, was introduced in 1995 for distribution at the briefings. In addition, computer work stations are being installed in the NGO Resource Centre to provide users with access to the United Nations "Home Page" and other United Nations databases on the INTERNET. The annual DPI/NGO
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Conference, held in September 1995 on the theme "The United Nations at the turn of the century: global issues; global actors; global responsibility", was attended by more than 1,300 representatives, who examined the changing role and increasing participation of civil society in the formulation and implementation of programmes of action agreed upon during major United Nations conferences and summits.
The 1995 training programme for broadcasters from developing countries, conducted from 18 September to 26 October, involved journalists from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The report states that the Department's major books and periodicals offered extensive coverage of the work of the Organization, with a special focus on the 1992-1996 conference cycle. They also emphasized special commemorations, such as the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996) and subjects such as peace-keeping, sustainable economic and social development, human rights, decolonization and Africa. Several of these issues have been covered in the Blue Book Series.
To make United Nations documents more widely available, the Dag Hammarsjkold Library is embarking on a programme of technological innovation, which will enhance its ability to maintain its archival collection of United Nations documents and publications. The Library's United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBIS) is currently accessed on-line by 91 governments and 86 permanent missions. The Library is also helping to organize documentation posted on the UNDP INTERNET server, and to plan the World Wide Web service. The Library also disseminates information through its system of 347 depository libraries in 140 Member States.
According to the report, the Promotion and Public Services Division has continued to publish the bi-monthly newsletter Development Update, which covers United Nations conferences on economic and social development and has expanded its brief to provide an overview of United Nations activities and publications in the development sphere. There has been feature coverage of the Secretary-General's reports on An Agenda for Development and related discussions in the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. Development Update, which is receiving an increasingly positive response from its readership, is also covering the fiftieth anniversary of the Organization; United Nations human rights initiatives; economic reports and forecasts issued by United Nations bodies and agencies; international telecommunications agreements; transnational crime; conventions on desertification, biodiversity and the sea; and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's world trade summit.
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In view of the continuing priority of Africa's economic recovery and development, the Department publishes the quarterly periodical Africa Recovery, which, along with briefing papers and other publications, focuses on economic and social issues and underscores the links between the peace- keeping, humanitarian and developmental activities of the United Nations in Africa.
The Department is providing an extensive range of information support activities to the Commission for Sustainable Development as follow-up to the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and on United Nations conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, was published in three languages. An information kit on the international agreement adopted at the final session of the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, was sent to some 800 specialized media and non-governmental organizations.
The Department campaign gained extensive publicity for the Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in Cairo from 28 April to 8 May. The public information strategy called for building on the success -- in terms of substance as well as publicity -- of the World Ministerial Conference on Organized Transnational Crime, held in Naples, Italy, in 1994.
With regard to peace-keeping, an interdepartmental Working Group on Media Strategies for Peace-keeping and other Field Operations has been established at the initiative of the Assistant Secretary-General. The Group, which includes representatives of the Departments of Peace-keeping Operations, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Affairs and Public Information, holds regular consultations to enhance cooperation and coordination of the information component of peace-keeping and other United Nations operations. Key areas include developing appropriate information strategies, establishing a roster of personnel to implement the strategy, and identifying other related requirements. In addition, the Department has continued to refine a set of standards it has developed for mission information components.
According to the report, DPI has continued to provide comprehensive information about United Nations peace-keeping and peacemaking to the media, educational and research institutions, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and the general public. Publications include a poster on peace- keeping and peacemaking, a twice-yearly collection of in-depth reviews of current peace-keeping operations and a reference paper series on peace-keeping missions. The development of a central United Nations broadcasting facility is one of the main issues in discussions between DPI and other departments. A one-hour documentary on peace-keeping, entitled "No Place to Hide", narrated
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by Brian Urquhart, has been well-received by major broadcasters and cable networks. The third edition of The Blue Helmets is near completion and will be issued during the Assembly's fiftieth session.
In addition, the Promotion and Public Services Division has cooperated with the Centre for Disarmament Affairs in the preparation of public information materials related to intergovernmental meetings on disarmament issues, including the Review and Extension Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The Division held a seminar on assistance to the Palestinian people in the field of media development, and has published books, pamphlets and other information materials on the issue. A training programme for a group of Palestinian journalists has been scheduled by the Department at Headquarters from 2 October to 30 November in order to strengthen Palestinian media capability.
The Department is organizing a number of seminars for international journalists in 1995 to highlight key human rights issues. A series of in-depth articles on judicial independence, the right to development, violence against women, the sale and prostitution of children, ethnic conflict and racial discrimination is being prepared for the media in conjunction with these seminars as well as for broader distribution. The Department is also producing a number of innovative print products designed primarily for use by schools and non-governmental organizations.
Beginning with the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994, DPI has coordinated the posting of materials relating to United Nations conferences on the INTERNET and on the World Wide Web. For example, at the World Summit for Social Development, the DPI team uploaded 373 speeches and press releases into the UNDP Gopher database through an INTERNET link at the Summit. As an experimental service, a daily "photo gallery" was established on the INTERNET through the World Wide Web. Each day, about seven colour photos were captioned, scanned and uploaded; these could be accessed through the Web and downloaded for free use.
As follow-up to the Summit, an information strategy is being developed in collaboration with inter-agency partners, focusing on the eradication of poverty. In preparation for the 1996 International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, DPI is preparing a number of information products, including a brochure on the aims and purposes of the Year and an extensive in-depth backgrounder on the issues.
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At the request of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Department is producing a series of radio programmes as a follow-up to the International Conference on Population and Development for world-wide distribution in the official and other languages.
For the Fourth World Conference on Women which was held in Beijing in September, the Department targeted communities and non-governmental organizations at the grass-roots level, educational and cultural institutions and intergovernmental and parliamentary bodies. A mailing list of over 1,200 media organizations and non-governmental organizations was compiled. Specialized agencies and programmes contributed to the series of feature articles, Focus on Women.
The Department was a co-sponsor of the second edition of The World's Women: Trends and Statistics, which included new sections on women and the media and women in peace-keeping. Audio-visual products were made available to broadcasting organizations in Member States through the information centres and services. The Department also produced an edition of Notes for Speakers devoted to the advancement of women. "UN in Action" programmes on subjects related to women, a 35-minute video compilation on the advancement of women and television public service announcements were packaged in Arabic, English, French and Spanish for easy use by broadcasters. The public service announcements were also available in Chinese and Russian. A series of 10 special radio programmes on major conference issues were disseminated world-wide. The Department also entered into a co-production partnership with a number of major broadcasters and foundations to produce a two-hour programme entitled "Voices of Change", which premiered at the Beijing Conference.
According to the report, DPI will implement the information programme for the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), to be held at Istanbul from 3 to 14 June 1996. The overall strategy includes a multimedia information campaign by the Department in cooperation with the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), the host Government and Joint United Nations Information Committee partners. Work on printed material, such as a brochure and an information kit, as well as on radio and television programmes has already begun. Information centres will also publicize the Conference.
The Department's publications range from definitive, authoritative reference works, such as the Yearbook of the United Nations and the Blue Books Series, to more popular guides and educational products, such as Basic Facts about the United Nations, and from quarterly periodicals such as the UN Chronicle and Africa Recovery to the more frequently published Development Update and Development Business.
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Operationally, publishing activities have benefited enormously from the expansion of desktop publishing capacity, as designers, editors, writers, managers and other users have raised productivity, cut costs and experienced greater creative freedom. With these gains, DPI has been able to produce higher-quality publications, which are being sold to the public. The transfer of the Sales and Marketing Section to the Department is another important boost, ensuring the closest possible relationship between the development and production of major publications and effective global marketing.
A major promotional effort to restore a significant subscriber base to the French edition of the UN Chronicle is under way through the Geneva Sales Unit, which targeted 17,000 potential new subscribers with the March 1995 issue, and an additional 12,000 with the September 1995 issue. The Geneva Sales Unit is also promoting the English edition in Europe, initially targeting 13,000 additional subscribers.
The United Nations Publications Board, under the chairmanship of the Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information, has become instrumental in ensuring "that all publications fulfil an identifiable need". The Board has reviewed the United Nations publications programme for the biennium 1996-1997. The Working Group on Electronic Publishing recently completed the preparation of a CD-ROM Publication Guide for distribution throughout the United Nations system as a how-to guide to publishing in this format.
In the past year, the Department began publication of the Blue Books Series, a major innovation in the publications programme, which will capture the vital role the United Nations has played in peace-keeping and other major issues of concern to the international community. By the end of August 1995, seven Blue Books had been published, covering the Organization's involvement in the struggle against apartheid, in peace-keeping operations in Cambodia, El Salvador and Mozambique, and the pivotal role of the United Nations in nuclear non-proliferation, the advancement of women and human rights. A number of leading international book publishers have expressed strong interest in taking over the publication of the series. The publishing plan calls for each book in the series to appear in all six official languages.
With regard to a system-wide publication on development issues, the Joint United Nations Information Committee, at its twenty-first session in July, considered a report prepared by DPI, as called for by General Assembly resolution 49/38 B. Three possible approaches were put forward, including: (a) continuing and building upon Development Update; (b) revival of the World Development Supplement; and (c) development of a new publication. The Joint United Nations Information Committee agreed to look further into the feasibility of a new, system-wide publication on development and also decided
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to convene an ad hoc session in early 1996 to discuss this and other outstanding issues. It asked DPI to prepare and disseminate a comprehensive proposal on the issue.
In July, the Department and the World Bank agreed to co-produce the twice-monthly publication Development Business on development bank and United Nations procurement. A multimedia approach will combine an on-line information service with the printed word and a weekly facsimile service. The new joint effort is expected to broaden the dissemination of development project information.
In the first half of 1995, the Department's Publications Service produced a new edition of Basic Facts about the United Nations, in English, French and Spanish. Responding to the needs of various audiences, particularly the media and non-governmental organizations, the Service also introduced an important new publication, entitled A Guide to Information at the United Nations, which is designed to provide easier access to the wealth of information produced by the entire United Nations system.
According to the report, the 68 United Nations information centres and services have become, more than ever before, essential instruments in increasing public awareness of and support for the work of the Organization. As media scrutiny intensified with the fiftieth anniversary observance, centre directors assumed greater responsibilities for presenting and maintaining a positive United Nations image. At a special meeting at Geneva last January, the Secretary-General urged directors of the centres to counter erroneous reporting in the media and respond directly to negative reports. The Department developed a strategy by which centre directors can respond rapidly to negative press reports with guidance from Headquarters, particularly the Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
The provision of funds to the information centres from conference budgets, as well as from budgets of specialized agencies such as UNDP and the UNFPA, have enabled many centres to strengthen information activities and develop more dynamic approaches to promoting the conferences. In addition, through the establishment of creative partnerships with non-governmental organizations, regional media and national media women's groups in such cities as La Paz, Madrid and Maseru, some centres increased their outreach with the publication and distribution of dossiers on issues prior to major United Nations conferences.
Many information centres initiated and developed educational and youth- oriented programmes in cooperation with UN50 national committees, ministries of education, United Nations associations, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions in preparation for the global teach-in scheduled for October. As well as holding seminars and symposia, the centres have increased
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the number of model United Nations programmes undertaken in cooperation with local high schools and universities.
To date, 16 information centres have been integrated with UNDP field offices, on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with the respective host governments, with a view to achieving economies through sharing of common services and projecting a unified image of the Organization at the country level.
In August, an information office was opened in Warsaw by the Assistant Secretary-General. It is located in the UNDP office, and public information activities are currently carried out by UNDP staff, pending the recruitment of a local-level information officer and a reference librarian. A national information officer has been appointed at Bonn, working under the supervision of the Director of the United Nations Information Service in Vienna.
According to the report, 43 information centres and field offices receive United Nations materials by electronic mail; 32 receive the same materials by fax. During 1995, the Department organized training workshops for national officers and information assistants of the information centres. In cooperation with the Dag Hammarskjold Library, a training and orientation workshop was held for reference assistants on technological innovations and electronic access to United Nations information. The Library also briefed newly appointed staff of the information centres on resources available at Headquarters.
The Department continues to work towards strengthening its professional cooperation with the specialized agencies, particularly UNDP, at Headquarters and in the field. In cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), DPI continued to promote an independent and pluralistic media. In the tradition of earlier seminars for the African region, held at Windhoek in 1991, for the Asian region, held at Alma Ata in 1992, and for the Latin American and Caribbean region, held at Santiago de Chile in 1994, the Department advanced preparations for the convening of a seminar for the Arab region, scheduled to take place at Sana'a from 6 to 11 January 1996.
As a major contribution to the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, the Department issued a special edition of the Yearbook of the United Nations, in August, highlighting major achievements, milestones and turning points during the Organization's existence.
The report states that in the first half of 1995, information centres initiated and were instrumental in the creation of more than 80 UN50 national committees. As the designated focal points for United Nations activities in the countries served, the information centres, in cooperation with the
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national committees, have mobilized diverse local constituencies and generated extensive media coverage for the fiftieth anniversary observance.
The Department has produced and distributed, in English and other languages, the "50th Anniversary UN Minutes", a series of television spots featuring global issues, events and personalities associated with the United Nations during its first 50 years. These spots are being broadcast widely and repeatedly in many countries through CNN and other television organizations. They are also being made available to educational institutions and for special screenings by the information centres. The "UN Minutes", together with another programme entitled "UN Facts", have been broadcast by more than 30 major television organizations world-wide in local language adaptations, where necessary, including broadcasters in Canada, Cyprus, Germany, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.
The report states that in cooperation with CNN and CNN International, staff members of the Department hosted and co-anchored a two-hour special CNN World Report, which was broadcast internationally on 24 June 1995 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Charter in San Francisco. In addition, the Department provided editorial, production and distribution support for "A Place to Stand", a video overview of United Nations history and achievements, in the six official languages.
The Media Division has also prepared a series of 12 video compilations on the history of the United Nations on issues such as women, peace-keeping, international law, the environment and refugees. An audio compilation of sound-bites of the United Nations Secretaries-General was also prepared to meet the extraordinary demand by radio and video producers, as well as by broadcasters world-wide. The video compilations have been sold to 37 major broadcasters in Germany, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, South Africa, the Russian Federation, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. They were also distributed to United Nations offices in the field as well as to United Nations associations and UN50 national committees. The Division's Photo Unit has prepared a catalogue of historical and thematic photos marking 50 years of United Nations history.
The report contains an annex, outlining major DPI activities in accordance with General Assembly resolution 49/38 B of 9 December 1994, covering the period from January to August 1995.
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Organization of Work
The Committee Chairman, FRANCIS MUTHAURA (Kenya), said that in response to requests by a number of delegations, he proposed that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals on item 18, questions on decolonization, in particular amendments to the recommendations of the Special Committee on Decolonization, be extended to 6 p.m. today.
EL HASSANE ZAHID (Morocco) said there was a deadline for submission of draft resolutions, but there was no deadline for the submission of amendments to those drafts. He asked which drafts had not been submitted within the deadline decided upon by the Committee.
The CHAIRMAN said there were two draft resolutions related to agenda item 18, one on Gibraltar and another pending on Western Sahara. There was also a draft on scholarships for Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) asked if the drafts on Gibraltar and the scholarships had already appeared or whether they were new drafts not submitted within the deadline. He understood the only draft to be submitted was on the Western Sahara. He regretted that it had been circulated and Morocco had not been consulted, as such action broke with United Nations policy. Morocco had been shown the draft by friendly countries and would submit amendments. He noted that amendments could be submitted at any time, even when the Committee was officially taking up the draft.
He said several delegations had said the draft had not been submitted within the deadline, not in order to gain a consensus or broad support, but because more co-sponsors were being sought. He appealed for Members who wanted a consensus not to co-sponsor the draft and to wait until the document had been circulated. The question of Western Sahara was not just dealt with in the Committee, but also in the Security Council. He asked for full support from other friendly Members. He would accept the extension of the deadline as proposed and he hoped the time would be used to hold consultations to avoid a vote on a draft which in the past had been approved without one.
RAMTANE LAMAMRA (Algeria) said that in order to expedite the Committee's work, he would abide by the Chairman's decision regarding the deadline for submission of drafts on agenda item 18. As a matter of principle, he noted that there were no secondary co-sponsors, only sponsors. On another matter he said that at the Committee's fifth meeting, on 11 October, he had raised a number of legal issues and the United Nations Legal Counsel had said documentary work was needed to give a full answer. On 12 October, he had asked the Counsel for clarification on certain questions, including the balance between the main bodies of the United Nations and the rights of former and current United Nations officials. He intended to ask the International
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Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on the matter because the questions were substantive, not procedural.
Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) said that in United Nations practice there was always one main sponsor who wrote the draft and then other co-sponsors. Also, regarding the desire to have the views of the United Nations Legal Counsel, the Moroccan delegate had requested that advice and asked for it to be circulated before any decision was taken on the question of a submission by a petitioner on Western Sahara. He believed the matter was closed when the vote was taken. If a Member asked the International Court of Justice for an opinion, as was anyone's right, then the whole Committee must consider the matter and ask for an opinion. If the debate was reopened, then a decision must be taken within the Committee.
The CHAIRMAN said that the opinion of the Legal Counsel would appear in the records of the Committee.
Report of Information Committee Introduced
The Rapporteur of the Committee on Information, FATEH ZEGHIB (Algeria), introduced the Committee's report.
Statement by Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information
The Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information, SAMIR SANBAR, said that in the age of information, the production and transmission of ideas had become the world's leading growth industry. Yet hundreds of millions of impoverished people were being left in the dust, their lives becoming harder despite rapid advancements in global communications. Today's global problems were a "testament to why the voice of the United Nations must be heard more clearly and loudly than ever before". But with the financial crisis, a large number of delegations had expressed concern that the United Nations' public information and outreach activities could be severely hampered at a time when they should be redoubled. As the Secretary-General recently observed, without the support of public opinion, the effectiveness of the United Nations would diminish and its legitimacy would fade.
The Assistant Secretary-General said public interest in the United Nations was at an all-time high, but the message of the Organization had to compete for the public's attention as never before. The task was to find ways to sharpen the focus on current issues and reach the widest possible audience. The Department of Public Information (DPI) had risen to meet this challenge head-on. In coping with the financial crisis, DPI had demonstrated its ability to do more while spending less.
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He said cost effectiveness had been the key to the strengthening and successful delivery of DPI's information programmes, combined with innovative application of the latest advances in communications technology. The new DPI budget proposals for 1996-1997 presented a negative growth rate of 3.2 per cent, compared to the 1994-1995 budget. Cuts had also been made in specific areas. If the absorption of the Dag Hammarskjold Library and transfer of production units from the Office of Conference Services were taken into account, the real reduction in DPI's core budget would have been even greater. The Department's sub-zero-growth budget proposal was made possible by making better use of modern technology, through close cooperation with other members of the United Nations system, and the introduction of management initiatives that had made DPI more streamlined. The initiatives had the following objectives -- better management of mandated public information programmes; greater utilization of technology; and better planning and use of financial resources.
He expressed the hope that a public information culture could be cultivated to create deeper understanding of the role of the media as allies who needed information to fulfil their tasks and who used information to tell the facts. A public information culture could be a crucial asset in gaining support for the Organization. It was important to mobilize every resource and all energies to highlight the positive work of the United Nations.
He said a major element of the Department's overall public information strategy was to establish strong partnerships with the media. New ways of cooperation had been developed. Through 29 cable stations, Time Warner Cable of Manhattan was broadcasting "UN Facts" and the "UN Minute", which were also seen in Europe and around the world. The total donated airtime, which cost DPI nothing, was worth more than half a million dollars. The Department was also encouraging television broadcasters to produce programmes on the Organization, using compiled archival footage, which had proved to be popular. DPI was also using satellite transmission whenever possible.
A recent survey showed that the television news magazine "UN in Action", which was distributed to some 100 countries, reaching millions of viewers, was aired mostly in prime-time and enjoyed a good response by viewers, he continued. DPI's new news audio information system now provided round-the- clock telephone access to updated news in three languages. By the end of the year, the weekly radio news magazine "World in Review", which now reaches North America and Europe, would also be available in Africa and Asia through special arrangements.
Assistant Secretary-General Sanbar said radio information had proved to be the most effective medium of communications in peace-keeping and humanitarian emergency situations. While television was a powerful force influencing public opinion, radio remained the dominant medium in much of the
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world. Today United Nations Radio reached millions of listeners through taped programmes in 15 languages, through more than 1,800 regional and national broadcasting organizations in 180 countries and territories. However, taped programme distribution had its limitations and uncertainties. He said he would like to seek the Committee's endorsement to develop a broadcasting capacity in support of peace-keeping operations and humanitarian missions, as well as of the general public information needs of the United Nations system.
To increase public understanding and support for peace-keeping operations, Mr. Sanbar said he had actively sought to ensure greater DPI involvement, beginning in the earliest stages of mission planning. An inter- departmental working group had been established at DPI's initiative to coordinate information strategies in the field; it was now completing a set of guidelines, including a roster of qualified information personnel.
He said DPI's strategy sought to ensure that news headlines were not exclusively focused on the flashpoints of conflict at the expense of efforts in development, social justice and democratization, which comprised 80 per cent of the Organization's work. DPI was pooling resources with development colleagues in the field; and emphasizing the linkage of development, peace, democracy and human rights. An analysis of media coverage of the Social Summit, made with the Foreign Ministry of Denmark, revealed that the press in all parts of the world had devoted an enormous amount of attention to the United Nations development work. The Department, through its information centres, had collected nearly 7,000 articles about the Summit, affirming that development-oriented work could also make headlines.
Mr. Sanbar said that as part of the series of regional media development seminars, preparations had advanced for the holding of a seminar in Sana'a, Yemen, to promote an independent and pluralistic Arab media.
This year's annual DPI/Non-Governmental Organization Conference, which had the theme "The United Nations at the Turn of the Century: Global Issues, Global Actors, Global Responsibility", brought together all sectors of society. Workshops were organized by youth activists, so that the leaders of tomorrow could carry forward the message of the United Nations.
One of the Department's most important tools in shaping public opinion at the grassroots level, he continued, was the guided tour, which since 1952 has been taken by more than 34 million people. Agreement had been reached once again to include the Security Council and Trusteeship Council, which had been excluded for security reasons, in the tour route. In this fiftieth anniversary year, demand for information about the United Nations had increased.
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The Assistant Secretary-General said DPI was making important strides on the "information highway". But investments should not be made in a blind pursuit of the hottest technology. DPI could neither afford to be in the vanguard nor lag behind in technology. An average of 16,000 users were accessing the DPI database on the Internet daily. A "home page" on the World Wide Web was launched in June. However, to maintain the momentum, more material needed to be posted and investments needed to be made in new equipment and staff training. DPI was determined to play a pivotal role in this area to heighten interest in the United Nations, particularly among young people.
He said that DPI had made strong efforts to adapt and use all the advanced communications technologies. It had introduced the Eastman Kodak professional CD-system to electronically store, reproduce and disseminate photographs. The Department had also introduced digital technology. Yet resources only permitted the gradual implementation of these new technologies. Desktop publishing had increased speed, productivity and the quality of publications, while reducing costs.
The last year had also seen the Blue Book Series firmly established as the authoritative, consolidated source of material on United Nations operations and themes. Documents and primary material that often had to be collected from several sources were now in one volume. The decision to distribute them through sales only, while not always popular, was necessary at a time when resources needed to be maximized. DPI would seek to change present financial rules to permit the use of sales revenues to fund development and start-up costs for publications and databases on CD-ROMs. The recent issuance on CD-ROM of 11 databases available in the Dag Hammarskjold Library as "UNBIS-Plus" was only possible at no cost to the United Nations because a publisher absorbed the start-up costs. This might not be feasible with other products that had less sales potential. The Department would clearly have to make hard choices, weighing costs and benefits against the mandate to disseminate and reach as wide an audience as possible.
A review of publications policy had concluded that a greater number of books will be sold because of higher quality; duplicated publications will be eliminated; more information will be distributed electronically; and interdepartmental cooperation is needed to ensure a unified message.
Mr. Sanbar said the global network of information centres had become a more cost-effective operation following resource cuts in recent years. The centres had helped to create national committees for the UN50 commemoration in more than 90 countries. In many cases, the centres had been successful in incorporating teaching about the United Nations in school curricula. Operationally, nearly one half of the information centres were combined with field offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The centres
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had concentrated on developing cooperative arrangements with other United Nations system entities in the field, as part of the drive to streamline work and become cost-effective.
He said DPI staff, whose work was so much in the public eye, were more visible than other staff members with less externally-focused assignments. Every effort was being made to further mobilize and motivate the staff. A great number of DPI staff had devoted their time and skills to the observance of the fiftieth anniversary. The staff was the Department's most valuable resource. As a long-serving DPI staff member, he gave recognition to the dedicated and professionally skilled staff of the Department, who had not only devoted their careers to the service of the Organization, but in certain cases, had placed their lives at risk in doing so.
Currently the Department had almost 45 per cent women among its Professional staff, well above the General Assembly's target of 35 per cent women to be met this year. He said DPI should reach the Secretary-General's target of gender parity before the deadline of the year 2000. DPI also exceeded this year's target of 25 per cent women at senior levels.
In conclusion, Mr. Sanbar said in order to continue its work, DPI needed the Committee's approval, and to succeed, it needed its support.
Election of Rapporteur
Allan Breier-Castro (Venezuela) was elected Rapporteur of the Committee. He was nominated by the representative of Gabon.
Statements on Information
GUIBILA SIMPLICE (Burkina Faso) said he appreciated the work and dynamism of the Committee on Information. If information was a means of improving cooperation between people and a catalyst for change and development it should be made a part of all United Nations activities. The maintenance of peace and human rights rightfully had a monopoly in information work, but other areas such as the environment and development also deserved attention. There were still countries searching for freedom and independence. Public information would have to be mobilized if the twenty-first century was to be the century of decolonization. His Government was in favour of a legal instrument to protect the freedom of the press. The media must be objective and impartial, particularly in developing countries, where there was often a difference between what was seen and reality.
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United Nations information centres played an important role in developing countries, where the media often had only limited access to information, he continued. His Government did not support the integration of the centres with the UNDP field offices. In his country the centre had been a part of UNDP's office from 1991 to 1994, and its activities had been under UNDP supervision. As a result, information activities had been weakened. When the centre was given a full-time director in 1994, it was able to continue its work and had made an important contribution to the United Nations fiftieth anniversary celebrations. The Organization should strengthen its support for the centre and give it the financial resources to work effectively. Fifty per cent of DPI's budget should be deployed in the field to strengthen the information centres. Countries which had centres should give them free or low-rent premises, and DPI should be responsible for staff training. He noted disparities between the staff grade levels of centre directors and said those grades should be harmonized.
JOSE DIAZ (Spain), on behalf of the European Union, said the Union fully supported the efforts of DPI to build partnerships with the media and many other key groups in order to "reach public opinion within every stratum of global society" efficiently and cost effectively. It also encouraged increasing public awareness of United Nations issues, extending substantive knowledge and mobilizing greater political support and resources for action.
However, the Secretary-General's report did not adequately evaluate the results of DPI's efforts and achievements, he continued. The European Union supported DPI's goal to exploit the enormous outreach and exchange of information that electronic communication offered. Despite disparities between countries, DPI should keep pace with developments in modern technology and disseminate information, within budgetary means, to major United Nations target groups, such as the international media, through the Internet and other electronic disseminators.
He welcomed the Dag Hammerskold Library's technical innovation efforts and underlined the importance of such publications as the Year Book of the United Nations and the Blue Book Series . The success of peace-keeping operations depended to a large degree on the understanding and support of the local population and people in the troop-contributing countries. He also welcomed the establishment of the interdepartmental working group on media strategies for peace-keeping and other field operations and the development of a central United Nations broadcasting facility. The decision to restore the Security Council and the Trusteeship Council Chambers to public tours would help promote public understanding of United Nations activities. The tours should be available in the widest possible number of languages.
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ALEJANDRO NIETO (Argentina) said the report of the Secretary-General on the question of information and the statement by the Assistant Secretary-General gave a very good view of the situation. The work done by DPI at the fiftieth anniversary commemoration and for major conferences showed the commitment of the Department to its mandate. While it was commonly stated that United Nations failures commanded more attention than successes, one should not be discouraged. Some media gave coverage to the achievements of the Organization.
Argentina attached importance to the Assistant Secretary-General's initiative to establish an interdepartmental working group to coordinate information for peace-keeping operations. Integrating information centres with UNDP field offices seemed to be continuing smoothly. Of paramount importance was the continuation of information work. Integration should be viewed on a case-by-case basis, with respect given to the opinions of the recipient State. Too general or global an approach on that issue should be avoided.
He said his country appreciated the Department's publishing activities, press releases, and radio and television programmes, which helped missions to provide better coverage of United Nations activities. He noted the goodwill and good spirit displayed in the Committee on Information, saying his delegation appreciated the regular update meetings by the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General.
PETRU DUMITRIU (Romania) said the work of the United Nations in the field of information should follow a course of reform as in any other United Nations activity. The responsibilities of DPI were more complex than ever. Information influenced the political will of Member States and, therefore, their actions, decisions and attitudes. DPI should not reasonably expect increased resources; it should identify strategic priorities and realistic goals, which implied clearer lines of responsibility and greater accountability. The human resources committed should be more efficient, and every penny spent should produce concrete results and not merely help bureaucratic redundancies to survive.
He said there was a clear need to keep up with technological developments in the communication field; it was encouraging that DPI now moved on the "information superhighway". The outcome of increasing use of electronic networks would not be very satisfactory if the beneficiaries remained a restricted club. If the United Nations did not find ways to facilitate access, we could hardly expect somebody else to do it.
He said the image of the United Nations was not an end in itself. Its image should not be better than the reality, but by no means worse. Impartiality did not mean reluctance in voicing unpleasant truths. In the
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field of information, the United Nations had managed, to a considerable extent, to live up to its responsibilities. The coverage by DPI of the series of world conferences was unique and deserved appreciation. Follow-up coverage should continue.
Romania favoured a better designed role of DPI as the focal point and coordinating mechanism for public information on peace-keeping. Information activities should increase understanding of the missions. The voice of the United Nations was particularly needed when conflicting parties' propaganda was directed against the United Nations or its peace-keepers. His delegation was proud of the information centre in Bucharest and supported the integration of information centres with UNDP field offices. However, the evaluation of the process had apparently not yet taken place and could not be conclusive. Perhaps DPI could collect separate and independent views from the centres, UNDP offices, and governments in the cities where integration had taken place. Information centres were a vital link of the United Nations to the world.
VISHNU B. THAPA (Nepal) said DPI's role had never been greater in responding to heightened public interest in the fiftieth anniversary. The United Nations message of peace, justice, democracy, human rights, freedom of speech and development needed to be disseminated as widely as possible. It was imperative that the Department continue its restructuring programme and redirect its resources to areas of information priority. Such action would increase its effectiveness, both in management and cost efficiency; however, that effort should not be at the expense of the overall goal of forging a robust public information system. Considering the important relationship between peace and development, DPI must give top priority to those issues and step up its efforts to promote information on sustainable development.
Nepal welcomed DPI's outstanding role in bringing the message of the recent United Nations global conferences to the forefront of the international agenda, he continued. Its information campaign during the recent Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing was commendable. Also, DPI's various publications were immensely useful. The early resumption of "Development Forum" was necessary in view of its value in the economic and social areas. The Department deserved praise for the Blue Book Series, which were a valuable resource for researchers and a serious evaluation of United Nations activities. Similarly, the press releases were of great relevance and use for small delegations.
BAYEDZE K. DAGOH (Togo) said that information was important for political cooperation and economic trade between nations. The reports before the Committee made clear the Secretariat's role in making information an important tool to gain support for the United Nations. The information centres outreach had been strengthened and they had been given increased resources to carry out their work. Information work during the United Nations
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global conferences, including the recent Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, had been gratifying. The Department's promotion of such issues as disarmament, peace and international security sought to respond to those interested in such issues. Its thematic and background publications, particularly in the last few years, were encouraging and should be commended. However, integrating the information centres with UNDP offices should only be done if necessary and on a case-by-case basis and should take into account the views of the host country.
Information in different countries did not always have the same objective, he continued. That was particularly true in today's world. Noting the strategic importance of trade, he said developed countries controlled the media and could protect their markets, whereas the primary objective of developing countries was to use information to educate their people and further development. Developing counties did not have the resources and had become victims of information which was not always objective. The call for a new information order, despite Assembly resolutions, had not been fulfilled and there still existed glaring gaps. The United Nations should promote a fairer and more equitable information order to encourage healthy cooperation between countries. It was in the interests of peace and security to ensure the transfer of technology between countries; third world countries should not be kept on the periphery of the new information age.
SHARON J. MILLER (Jamaica) said the United Nations had endured its fair share of criticisms, largely due to ignorance, "and for this we must hold ourselves responsible". Too often, the United Nations was perceived as only a peace-keeping organization, without regard to its social and economic programmes. Programmes should be formulated to incise this layer of ignorance. Too often the information from the United Nations was seen as suitable only for academics and diplomats. A format was needed to disseminate information, which would be able to compete successfully with the plethora of information scrambling for attention. Innovative programmes should be developed in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, regional and national television and radio stations and the private sector.
She said the United Nations had much to be proud of and should not be modest in announcing its achievements. Technological advances in DPI would enable it to set up an international network with "real-time" capabilities to transmit United Nations information with a minimum of delay. DPI's orientation programme for journalists was useful and could be supplemented by programmes at information centres. She commended the Library and Publications Unit for technological innovations and expressed the hope they would work closely with the permanent missions.
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Jamaica applauded the work of the Information Centre in Port of Spain, which served the Caribbean community, and of the Caribbean radio unit, which, with limited resources, increased regional awareness of the activities of the United Nations. She called for greater resources to be given to the information centres.
She said the assignment of an information officer to the UNDP office which served Jamaica and other countries would be of invaluable assistance in promoting knowledge of the activities of the United Nations. Jamaica applauded efforts to focus on education of the world's youth, and urged greater innovation to ensure that future generations recognized the importance of the United Nations, particularly in the economic and social spheres. She welcomed new directions in interagency cooperation and expressed the hope that the trend would continue. There was only one United Nations and one message -- united for a better world.
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