DPI/NGO CONFERENCE TO BE WEBCAST AROUND GLOBE FOR FIRST TIME

DPI/NGO CONFERENCE TO BE WEBCAST AROUND GLOBE FOR FIRST TIME

In an effort to make the proceedings of the fifty-sixth Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) “Human Security & Dignity:  Fulfilling the Promise of the United Nations” available to a broader public, the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) will webcast the Conference plenary sessions through the United Nations homepage http://www.un.org for the first time.

The Conference, the premier NGO event at United Nations Headquarters, takes place from 8 to 10 September.  About 2,000 NGO representatives that work with the United Nations are expected to attend.

The interactive Web site will enable NGOs and the general public to live access of audio and video webcasts through their personal computers.  A dynamic feature of the webcast is an open discussion forum designed for each plenary session where NGOs will connect globally and will share comments on issues related to human security and dignity.

As the United Nations gears up for the World Summit on the Information Society (in Geneva from 10 to 12 December), and seeks to close the technological gap between nations, this groundbreaking initiative will bring NGOs worldwide together to share their valuable insights live.

According to Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General of Communications and Public Information, “NGOs represent diverse voices from around the world and we are determined to reach out to them with our common concerns and commitments in achieving human security.”

Fannie Munlin, Chair of the Conference and Representative to the United Nations for the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., said, “This innovative platform will enable hundreds, perhaps thousands, of our NGO partners outside of New York to participate directly in the Conference.”

The Web site will become active at the start of the Conference on 8 September through the United Nations DPI/NGO Section Web page, http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection or NGO/DPI Executive Committee’s Web page, http://www.ngodpiexecom.org/conference.  Enter username and click on the specific session you would like to join.  Then click on “Ask a question” or scroll down to the end of the panel section and “Add comments”.  Click “Create” to post your comments.  The Web site will also be archived for future reference.

The Conference will feature presentations by such notables as:  Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil, who now chairs a high-level panel to strengthen United Nations partnerships with civil society; Danny Glover, the actor and a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador; Jeffrey Sachs, world-renowned economist on development issues and a Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General; as well as Sadako Ogata, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Co-Chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Security.

The Web site will webcast the plenary sessions including five panels:  1) Psychological Aspects of Human Security and Dignity; 2) Educating for a Secure Future; 3) From Oppression to Empowerment; 4) Sustainable Development in the Context of Globalization; and 5) A Conversation with Eminent Persons on Global Trends and Strategies.

For further information please contact:  Tala Dowlatshahi, tel.: (917) 239-0653, e-mail: dowlatshahi@un.org; or Stephanie Mesrobian, tel.: (401) 523-0205, e-mail: steph4@earthlink.net.

* *** *