PRESS CONFERENCE on sixty-first annual dpi/ngo conference

 

In tribute to the sixtieth anniversary of the historic signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights partnerships between civil society, the United Nations and Member States would be at the forefront of the sixty-first annual DPI/NGO Conference, said the Conference Chair, Shamina de Gonzaga, at a press conference today at Headquarters in New York.

“We are not trying to pretend that human rights and this Universal Declaration have been fully implemented,” said Ms. de Gonzaga of the Conference.  Guided by the theme “Reaffirming Human Rights:  The Universal Declaration at 60”, the organizers sought to acknowledge the unique efforts and achievements of civil society worldwide -- working often hand-in-hand with the United Nations, Member States and others -- to make the unique vision a reality.

The Conference would be held from 3 to 5 September at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France.  That would be the first time in its history that the Conference would be convened outside of New York.

Mr. Kiyotaka Akasaka, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, explained the significance of the Paris venue.  Not only had Paris been the site of the signing of the Universal Declaration, but it also “presents us with the opportunity to reach out to new constituencies of non-governmental organizations –- particularly, in developing countries -- who would be able to participate this time”.  Some 1,639 participants were already registered for the conference, and more than 2,000 representatives of non-governmental organizations and other civil society partners from 90 countries were expected to attend.   

Ms. Gonzaga further explained that the Conference, held in collaboration with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, UNESCO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of France, would bring together participants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including experts who had been involved in the drafting of the Declaration, as well as human rights defenders and advocates from around the globe.  “These are all people of unique conviction and courage who have worked through very daunting challenges to try to bring us closer to realizing that vision of the universal declaration of human rights,” she added.

As previously announced, the keynote speech at the opening session of the Conference would be delivered by Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor, former French Health Minister and a leader in the field of human rights, Mr. Akasaka said.  The United Nations Secretary-General, the General Assembly President, and the Director-General of UNESCO would also participate in the opening.  Ingrid Betancourt, the former Colombian presidential candidate and recently released rebel hostage, would take part in the closing session, via video from New York.

During the briefing, Ms. de Gonzaga turned the tables on correspondents and, noting the role the media played in raising awareness, asked them what advice they had for those seeking to raise the visibility of human rights issues.

One correspondent suggested that more might be done to “put a bigger spin” on human rights issues by tying them into the “burning topics of the day”, such as to the Sudan, Myanmar and Georgia.  Another correspondent suggested that promotion and press materials take into consideration the possibility that the general public –- though perhaps aware of what human rights meant in general –- might not know much about the Universal Declaration, itself. 

The suggestions were welcomed by Mr. Akasaka and Ms. de Gonzaga, although Mr. Akasaka explained that, regarding the first, it was difficult to tie this particular three-day Conference into specific topics in the news.  “This is not about the individual specific human rights violations or the state of play in a particular country,” he said.  “But rather, we are addressing the state of play of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 60 years afterwards.”

In closing, Mr. Akasaka directed those interested in finding out more about the Conference and other events in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Declaration to the United Nations website, adding that the Conference itself was scheduled to be broadcast on the website as it took place.

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For information media • not an official record