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UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE VIENNA (UNIS)
For information only - not an official document
Vienna, 12 February 2004
The United Nations Information Service Vienna and
the United Nations Development Programme Regional Centre Bratislava
invite you to a
Press Briefing
on
HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and
the Commonwealth of Independent States
Reversing the Epidemic
Facts and Policy Options
on
Tuesday, 17 February 2004, at 11:00 a.m.
at the
Vienna International Centre (VIC)
Press Briefing Room C03
UNDP offers the first comprehensive profile of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the
28 countries of East and South Eastern Europe, the Baltics and the CIS. The
Report, entitled Reversing the Epidemic, describes high-risk groups and the
behaviors that make them vulnerable to infection, and offers policy advice
to effectively deal with the disease. The study also discusses why human
rights are an essential ingredient in curbing the epidemic. In this region,
with the exception of Estonia, the countries that have been successful in
fostering an open, democratic and inclusive society have also done better
at keeping the HIV/AIDS epidemic under control.
Speakers:
Marcia V. J. Kran
Practice Facilitator and Chief Technical Advisor for Democratic
Governance
UNDP Regional Centre, Bratislava
Christian Kroll
Senior Expert on HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
* * *
For further information about the press briefing contact:
Ms. Sasa Gorisek, Associate Information Officer, UNIS
Tel. : +43-1 260 60-3348; E-mail: sasa.gorisek@unvienna.org
Please present this invitation along with a valid identification document
upon entry to the Vienna International Centre (VIC)
United Nations Information Service Vienna (UNIS)
P.O.Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: (+43-1) 26060 4666, FAX: (+43-1) 26060 5899
Email: UNIS@unvienna.org
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UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE VIENNA (UNIS)
For information only - not an official document
Note to the press
Note No. 237
5 March 2003
UNITED NATIONS DAY FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE - 8 MARCH
VIENNA, 5 March (UN Information Service) -- Based on a UN resolution of
1977, the International Women's Day is annually observed on 8 March as
official UN event, to commemorate the historic struggle to improve women's
lives. It is celebrated around the world at the local and national level.
History of the International Women's Day
The first formal IWD, international in character, was the result of a
resolution to honour the movement for women's rights and to assist in
achieving universal suffrage for women, formally adopted by the
International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen in 1910. No fixed
date was selected for the observance. The General Assembly of the United
Nations passed a resolution in 1977 inviting each country to proclaim, in
accordance with its historical and national traditions, any day of the year
as United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. For most
countries, IWD is observed on 8 March. States were called upon to
contribute to creating conditions for the elimination of discrimination
against women and for their full and equal participation in social
development. That action came on the wake of the International Women's Year
(1975) and the United Nations Decade for Women (1976-1985), both proclaimed
by the Assembly.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Message on International Women's Day
Secretary-General Kofi Annan emphasised in his message on the importance
of pushing forward the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of
women, representing an important point of the Millennium Development Goals.
Annan calls with urgency the understanding that there is no effective
development strategy in which women do not play a central role. That means
that all work for development must focus on the needs and priorities of
women. "When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding
generations are given a better start in life."
Empowering Women: The Key to Achieving the Millennium Development Goals
In September 2000, at the United Nations Millennium Summit, the
largest-ever gathering of world leaders -- 147 heads of State and
Government and representatives from 189 nations in total - agreed to a
groundbreaking set of time-bound and measurable goals and targets. Of the
eight Millennium Development Goals, Goal 3 calls for empowering women and
promoting gender equality, specifically setting targets to eliminate gender
disparity in all levels of education by 2015, with additional indicators on
employment of women and the proportion of women in parliaments. However, it
is widely felt that gender equality is an essential cross-cutting component
for meeting all the targets. According to the World Bank, a growing body of
evidence confirms that when greater equality exists between men and women,
"economies tend to grow faster, the poor move more quickly out of poverty,
and the well being of men, women and children is enhanced". Many studies
also show that investing in women has clear policy payoffs, and repeatedly
recognise gender awareness and gender equality as both essential means and
an end of development.
Conferences and Events on IWD
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will hold its forty-seventh
session from 3 to 14 March 2003 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The Commission will focus on two thematic issues: participation and access
of women to the media, and information and communication technologies and
their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and
empowerment of women; and women's human rights and elimination of all forms
of violence against women and girls.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) has held its twenty-eighth session from 13 to 31 January 2003
at United Nation Headquarters in New York. The Committee, which is the only
international treaty body that deals exclusively with women's rights,
examined reports from eight States parties. While conditions in those
States differed greatly, the Committee had identified a number of
cross-cutting concerns, including the persistence of stereotypical
attitudes towards the gender roles of women and men; violence against
women, including domestic violence; trafficking in women and girls; and the
under-representation of women at the highest levels of decision-making.
Contributions from national non-governmental and grass-roots organisations
had slowly, but steadily, increased.
Seven women were elected to the International Criminal Court. The
Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court started its process of electing judges on 4 February 2003.
The procedure took into account the need for representation of the
principal legal systems of the world; equitable geographical distribution;
and fair representation of female and male judges.
Vienna International Centre to observe IWD
The VIC's Women's Group will formally observe IWD 2003 on Monday, 10
March. Ms. Haruko Hirose, Managing Director, UNIDO, will make an address on
the 2003 Women's Day theme, "Women Empowerment -- the Key to Achieving the
Millennium Development Goals." Kathleen Barmon, Counsellor, Permanent
Mission of the United States to International Organizations in Vienna, will
pay homage to the two recently-deceased female astronauts, Kalpana Chawla
and Laurel Clark, against the background of women's achievements in the
peaceful uses of outer space. Homage will also be paid to all female
international civil servants who have died while working for the goals of
the United Nations.
The press and NGOs are cordially welcome to attend the VIC Women's Group
Observance of International Women's Day at the VIC, 10 March, 12.30 pm,
Conference Room III.
***
For further information on the VIC Women's Group IWD Event please contact
Alexandra George, tel: 43-1-26060 4448
e-mail: alexandra.george@unvienna.org
* *** *
All press releases issued in Vienna can be viewed in their entirety on the
UNIS homepage: http://www.unis.unvienna.org
United Nations Information Service Vienna (UNIS)
P.O.Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: (+43-1) 26060 4666, FAX: (+43-1) 26060 5899
Email: UNIS@unvienna.org
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For information only - not an official document
Background Release
UNIS/NAR/772
26 February 2003
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD IN ANNUAL REPORT:
ILLICIT DRUG ECONOMY HINDERS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
VIENNA, 25 February (UN Information Service) -- The overwhelming share of
the profits made from illicit drug trafficking does not occur in countries
where illicit drug crops are cultivated, but in countries where finished
products are illegally sold and abused. This is the key message of the
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) annual report released here
today. This is the first time that the Vienna-based independent expert
body, which reviews the global drug situation annually, has focused its
attention on the impact of illicit drug cultivation, trade and abuse on
overall economic development.
The INCB categorically dispels the myth that drug trafficking may
constitute a route to prosperity by stressing that illicit drug production
prevents economic growth and does not lead to sustainable development in
the long-term. According to the report, the farmers growing the illicit
crops do not make the profits: in fact, only one per cent of the money
ultimately spent by drug abusers is earned as farm income in developing
countries. The remaining 99 per cent is earned at various other points
along the drug trafficking chain.
The report also notes the destabilizing effect of illicit drug production
on the state, economy and civil society, which is damaging long-term
economic development. Therefore, the Board concludes that national
long-term economic development is not possible without an effective drug
control system.
Afghanistan: need for comprehensive and coherent strategy
The Board continues to focus considerable attention on the drug cultivation
and drug trafficking situation in Afghanistan. As regards the link between
economic development and drug trafficking, the INCB is using the example of
Afghanistan to show how the illicit drug trade can destabilize a country.
As the Board points out, massive increases in opium production in the early
1990s helped fuel civil wars, and evidence suggests economic growth
declined and living standards fell.
In reviewing the most recent drug related developments in the country, the
Board stresses that Afghanistan has to develop a comprehensive and coherent
national drug control strategy to include all drugs illicitly cultivated,
produced and trafficked. Sustainable and peaceful development in
Afghanistan will not be possible without addressing the drug problem in its
totality, according to the INCB.
Recognizing the efforts of the current Government, the Board calls for
comprehensive and urgent support and cooperation from the international
community as well as from countries in the region. The Board also stresses
that eradication of illicit opium poppy can only be achieved if relevant
laws are fully respected and implemented, while sustainable alternative
livelihoods are provided for farmers.
Morphine: overproduction with under supply
The danger that the worldwide legal market in opiates for pain relief may
get out of control with supply currently exceeding demand is highlighted by
the INCB. The Board warns that cultivation and production levels are far in
excess of medical consumption and an increased risk exists that stocks
could be diverted to the illegal drugs market. The INCB adds that despite
the worldwide surplus of licit opiates for pain relief, these opiates are
often not available in many developing countries. Medical consumption of
morphine has increased in the developed world and ten countries account for
80 per cent of morphine consumed worldwide.
Synthetic drugs: chemical control
Synthetic drugs like Ecstasy could become the main future illicit drugs
according to the Board. These drugs are very difficult to control because
they can be made cheaply and easily anywhere in the world as long as drug
traffickers can obtain the necessary chemicals. The INCB has, therefore,
launched a major initiative to stop the chemicals needed to make synthetic
drugs, such as Ecstasy, from reaching the clandestine laboratories where
they are made. Project Prism aims to cut off the supply of chemical
precursors and to identify and arrest the traffickers. Similar
international tracking programmes coordinated by the Board have already
focused on the international control of the precursors used in the
clandestine manufacture of heroin and cocaine.
Regional highlights
Illicit cannabis cultivation continues to be widespread in Africa
especially in Morocco. African law enforcement authorities expressed
concern that trends in Europe and North America towards liberalizing or
even legalizing non-medical use of cannabis will undermine the efforts of
African countries to counter illicit cannabis cultivation, trafficking and
abuse.
Reduced availability of cocaine and heroin in North America has pushed up
prices. Drug seizures at airports and border crossings in Canada and the
United States have decreased possibly because drug traffickers feared
detection due to increased border controls following the terrorist attacks
in the United States on 11 September 2001.
In South America the drug problem is increasingly being linked to political
and national security issues. Guerrilla and paramilitary groups in Colombia
control drug trafficking and laboratories and are exchanging illicit drugs
for firearms.
More than 70 per cent of worldwide seizures of amphetamines took place in
countries in East and South-East Asia mainly China and Thailand.
China has become the main destination and transit area for heroin
consignments and there have been significant increases in heroin seizures
in China during the last five years.
The Board wants to see more international cooperation between law
enforcement authorities to tackle global large-scale trafficking in Ecstasy
which continues to be illicitly manufactured in Europe for the global
market.
The Russian Federation is being used as an alternative trafficking route
for illicit drugs from Asia into Europe. In 2001 law enforcement agencies
confiscated more than 75 tons of narcotic drugs, including 3.5 tons of
heroin.
The Board is concerned about the worldwide repercussions of the United
Kingdom's decision to reclassify cannabis requiring less severe controls
but welcomes the United Kingdom's announcement that it does not intend to
legalize or regulate the non-medical use of any internationally controlled
drugs, which would be in violation of the international drug control
treaties.
For further information please contact:
INCB
Tel: 00-43-1-26060-4163
Web address: www.incb.org
Or
UNIS
Tel: 00-43-1-26060-4666
Web address: www.unis.unvienna.org
(The Report and Press Kit will be available as of 26 February 00.01 GMT)
* *** *
United Nations Information Service Vienna (UNIS)
P.O.Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: (+43-1) 26060 4666, FAX: (+43-1) 26060 5899
Email: UNIS@unvienna.org
Visit our homepage: www.unis.unvienna.org
=
UNCAV leitet an seine Mitglieder nachstehende Meldung des UN Information
Service Vienna (UNIS) weiter:
Von: Johannes HEIHSENBERGER [mailto:Johannes.Heihsenberger@unvienna.org]
Sperrfrist bis 3. Februar 2003, 20:00 Uhr MEZ
Note Nr. 233, 3. Februar 2003
UNO-STUDIE BELEUCHTET URSPRUNG, AUSMASS UND AUSWIRKUNG DER AFGHANISCHEN
OPIUMWIRTSCHAFT UND SCHLÄGT LÖSUNGEN VOR
WIEN, 3. Februar (UNO-Informationsdienst) - Das in Wien ansässige Büro
der Vereinten Nationen für Drogen- und Verbrechensbekämpfung (UNODC)
veröffentlichte am 3. Februar 2003 eine umfassende neue Studie zur
Opiumwirtschaft in Afghanistan als internationales Problem. Die Studie
analysiert die Entwicklung Afghanistans zum weltweit führenden Hersteller
von illegalem Opium und schlägt Maßnahmen zum längerfristigen Umgang mit
diesem Problem vor.
Im Vorwort zur Studie charakterisiert Antonio Maria Costa,
Exekutivdirektor des UNODC, die afghanische Opiumwirtschaft als ein
äusserst komplexes Phänomen, welches über das letzte Vierteljahrhundert
"weit in die politische Landschaft, die Zivilgesellschaft und die
Wirtschaft Afghanistans hineingewachsen ist."
"Entstanden nach Jahrzehnten ziviler und militärischer Unruhe, hat es
die in Armut lebende Landbevölkerung ? Bauern, landlose Arbeiter,
Kleinhändler, Frauen und Kinder ? an die Willkür der inländischen
Kriegsherren und internationalen Verbrechersyndikate gefesselt, die nach
wie vor zahlreiche Gebiete im Süden, Norden und Osten des Landes
beherrschen. Der Abbau der Opiumwirtschaft wird ein langer und komplexer
Prozess werden, der nicht einfach durch militärische oder autoritäre
Maßnahmen bewältigt werden kann. Dies wurde in der Vergangenheit versucht
und erwies sich als nicht nachhaltig genug. Es muss mit den Instrumenten
der Demokratie nach den Richtlinien der Gesetze und der Entwicklung
vorgegangen werden.", schreibt A.M. Costa.
Das Büro der Vereinten Nationen für Drogenkontrolle und
Verbrechensverhütung führt seit 1994 jährlich Kontrollen zum Opiumanbau
durch. Gutachten stellen der internationalen Gemeinschaft Informationen zu
Gebieten und zum Umfang des Anbaus, zur Opiumproduktion und zu
Marktpreisen zur Verfügung. Afghanistans Opiumproduktion hat sich seit
1979, dem Jahr der Sowjetintervention, mehr als fünfzehnfach gesteigert.
Zum Jahr 2000 war das Land der Ursprung von 70 % des weltweit illegal
hergestellten Opiums. Nach einem Rückgang 2001, machte die im Jahr 2002
wieder auf ein hohes Niveau zurückgekehrte Produktion Afghanistan mit drei
Vierteln der weltweiten Gesamtproduktion an Opium zum führenden Hersteller
(gefolgt von Myanmar und Laos).
Die Studie ? heute im Hauptquartier der Vereinten Nationen in New York
veröffentlicht ? geht über den Bericht zu Produktion und Daten eines
einzelnen Jahres hinaus. Sie untersucht Afghanistans Opiumwirtschaft in
Hinblick auf ihre Dynamik, die Gründe ihres Wachstums, ihre Nutzniesser und
Opfer sowie die Probleme, die sie im Land und ausserhalb verursacht hat.
Der Zweck der Untersuchung ist, das Land und die internationale
Gemeinschaft bei der Umkehrung dieses Trends zu unterstützen.
"Afghanistans Opiumwirtschaft kann nur abgebaut werden, wenn die
Regierung mit Hilfe der internationalen Gemeinschaft die Wurzeln des Übels
angeht und nicht nur dessen Symptome.", sagt Costa. "Dieser Bericht legt
als ein Beitrag zu den gemeinsamen Bemühungen zur Bekämpfung illegaler
Drogen die Wurzeln offen." Zuerst unterteilt der Bericht die afghanische
Opiumwirtschaft in ihre Hauptbestandteile: Anbau, Produktion, Finanzierung,
Handel und Verbrauch, um danach den Entwicklungsprozess des Landes in Bezug
auf wesentliche Elemente nachhaltiger Anti-Drogenpolitik aufzuzeigen:
"armen Bauern Anreize für den Anbau alternativer legaler Feldfrüchte geben;
den Wucher mit Drogen durch ein angemessenes Kreditsystem und Starthilfe
ersetzen; Frauen und Wanderarbeitern Verdienstmöglichkeiten bieten;
Kindern, vor allem Mädchen, eine Ausbildung ermöglichen; Umschlagplätze für
Opium in moderne Warenmärkte umwandeln; die Versuche von Rauschgifthändlern
und Kriegsherren, den üblen Handel aufrechtzuerhalten, neutralisieren."
Bei der heutigen Präsentation der Studie wurde Antonio Maria Costa von
Sandeep Chawla, dem Direktor der Forschungsabteilung des Büros für Drogen-
und Verbrechensbekämpfung begleitet, der mit der Studie die zehnjährige
Arbeit des UNODC zu diesem Problem zusammenfasste.
Für weitere Informationen:
Sandeep Chawla, Tel.: 01-26060-4196/4654
email: Sandeep.Chawla@unvienna.org
UNCAV pass on to members the following information from UN Information
Service Vienna (UNIS):
Von: Johannes HEIHSENBERGER [mailto:Johannes.Heihsenberger@unvienna.org]
EMBARGOED UNTIL 3 FEBRUARY, 1 P.M. EST
Note no. 233, 3 February 2003
UN STUDY EXPOSES ORIGINS, DIMENSIONS AND IMPACT OF AFGHANISTAN OPIUM
ECONOMY, POINTS TO ALTERNATIVE
VIENNA, 3 February (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna has published a comprehensive new
study, The Opium Economy in Afghanistan: An International Problem,
analyzing developments that made Afghanistan the world's number one
producer of illicit opium and suggesting ways and means to deal with that
problem in a long run.
In a Preface to the study, Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director
of the UNODC, characterizes the Afghanistan opium economy as an intensely
complex phenomenon which ? over the past quarter of the century ? "reached
deeply into the political structure, civil society and economy of the
country.
"Spawned after decades of civil and military strife, it has chained a
poor rural population ? farmers, landless labour, small traders, women and
children ? to the mercy of domestic warlords and international crime
syndicates that continue to dominate several areas in the south, north and
east of the country. Dismantling the opium economy will be a long and
complex process. It cannon simply be done by military or authoritarian
means. That has been tried in the past, and was unsustainable. It must be
done with the instruments of democracy, the rule of law, and development,"
Mr. Costa wrote.
The UNODC has conducted annual opium poppy surveys in Afghanistan since
1994. Surveys provide the international community with a valuable
information on the location and extent of opium cultivation, production and
prices. Afghanistan's opium production increased more than 15-fold since
1979, the year of the Soviet intervention. By the year 2000, the country
was the source of 70 percent of all the illicit opium produced in the
world. Following a decline in 2001, production resumed at high levels in
2002, again making Afghanistan the world's largest producer (followed by
Myanmar and Laos), accounting for almost three-quarters of global opium
production.
The study ? released today at the UN Headquarters in New York ? goes
beyond reporting on a single year's production and value. It examines
Afghanistan's opium economy in order to understand its dynamics, the
reasons for its growth, its beneficiaries and victims, and the problems it
has caused domestically and abroad. The purpose of the study is to assist
the country and the international community in developing and implementing
a comprehensive response to this challenge.
"Afghanistan's opium economy can be dismantled if the Government, with
the assistance of the international community, addresses the roots of the
matter and not only its symptoms," Mr. Costa said. "This report exposes
such roots, as a contribution to the common effort against illicit drugs."
The report, first, de-constructs the opium economy of Afghanistan into
its main components: cultivation, production, finance, trade and
consumption. Then, re-constructing the country's development processes, the
report ? according to Mr. Costa ? points to the following essential
elements of a sustainable counter-narcotic policy: "to help poor farmers
decide in favour of licit crops; to replace narco-usury with a proper
credit system and micro-landing; to provide jobs to women and to itinerant
workers; to provide education to children, particularly girls; to turn
opium bazaars into modern commodity markets; and to neutralize traffickers'
and warlords' efforts to keep the evil trade alive."
In presenting the study today, Mr. Costa was joined by Mr. Sandeep
Chawla, chief of the UNODC's Research Section, which did the study,
synthesizing ten years of ODC's work on the problem.
For further information contact:
Sandeep Chawla,Tel.: +43 1 26060 4196/4654
Email: Sandeep.Chawla@unvienna.org
PRESS RELEASES ISSUED BY UNIS VIENNA
http://www.unis.unvienna.org/en/news/2003/jan.shtml
Note No. 230
21 January 2003
SURVEY SHOWS THAT ROMA MINORITY IN CENTRAL
AND EASTERN EUROPE SEEKS INTEGRATION
THROUGH JOBS AND EDUCATION
(See attached file: note230e.doc)
Note Nr. 230
21. Januar 2003
DIE INTEGRATION DER ROMA IN ZENTRAL- UND OSTEUROPA IST DER SCHLÜSSEL
ZU EINER ERWEITERTEN EU
UNDP-Bericht enthüllt chronischen Hunger und weitverbreitete Armut unter
der Roma-Minderheit in zukünftigen EU-Mitgliedsstaaten in Zentral- und
Osteuropa
(See attached file: note230g.doc)
Regards.
United Nations Information Service Vienna (UNIS)
Tel.: +43 1 260 60 - 3336; Fax: +43 1 21346 3336
Email: UNIS@unvienna.org
visit our homepage www.unis.unvienna.org
UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE VIENNA (UNIS)
For information only - not an official document
Note No. 218 - 15 October 2002
Informal Note to Correspondents
UNIS-UNMIBH JOURNALIST TRIP TO SARAJEVO
VIENNA, 15 October (UN Information Service) -- The end of 2002 will mark
the end of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (UNMIBH) and
the start of a new European Union Police Mission there. The United Nations
Information Service in Vienna (UNIS) and UNMIBH is exploring the
feasibility of a journalist trip to Sarajevo in early December to provide
the members of the UNIS affiliated press corps -- press based in Austria,
Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia -- with the opportunity to familiarize
itself with the work of UNMIBH, the current political situation in
Bosnia-Herzegovina and the preparations for the change of missions.
UNMIBH would provide air transport from Vienna to Sarajevo and back as
well as local bus transport to various sites. Participating journalists
would have to pay for their hotels and other related expenses.
(Participants would also be asked to sign a waiver of liability to travel
on the UN aircraft and vehicles -- as is customary.)
The tentatively planned dates for the visit would be from 30 November to
3 or 4 December. The programme would include meetings with the senior
leadership of UNMIBH and other international officials; familiarization
with the work of the UN-initiated new State Border Service (including
seeing the training of personnel); a visit to the Sarajevo police academy
and observation of the police at work; meeting with local officials on
political and rule of law issues, etc.
The journalists would also have the opportunity to take part in an
international ceremony on the evening of 2 December to inaugurate the
display of the Sarajevo Haggadah (the unique Jewish medieval book) in a
special facility at the National Museum. The restoration of the book and
that of the special facility has been largely financed from a UN Trust
Fund.
This is not the first time UNIS Vienna and UNMIBH are collaborating to
bring journalists to the Mission area. In 2000 November a similar, two-day
journalist trip was undertaken by the two offices and it is the success of
that trip that has triggered the idea behind the planning of the current
visit.
Please indicate to us -- by 28 October 2002 -- whether you or your media
organization would be interested in taking part in such a visit. This
current informal note is a tentative enquiry to explore the level of
interest among our press corps. Therefore, your expressed interest will not
be taken as a definite commitment to come on your part or a commitment to
offer a place on our part.(Please note, that according to information
received from UNMIBH the UN aircraft would be able to provide places for up
to 20 media representatives.)
Please send your answer to:
Ms. Anne Thomas
Public Information Officer
UNIS Vienna
anne.thomas@unvienna.org
* *** *
United Nations Information Service
Tel.: +43 1 260 60 4666, Fax: +43 1 260 60 5899
Email: UNIS@unvienna.org
Visit our web site: www.unis.unvienna.org
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UNCAV e-mail-Dienst Nr. 26 - 19.5.2002
Weitergabe von Informationen an UNCAV-Mitglieder (e-mail-Liste)
Sie erhalten heute folgende Meldungen (Sprache/Inhalt/Quelle/Datum):
* (engl.) 'Commitment to deliver" pledge made by new head of ODCCP (UNIS,
17.5.)
* (deutsch) Nachhaltige Entwicklung nicht als Last, sondern als Chance
begreifen (UNIS/15.5.)
* (engl.) Understanding sustainable development as an opportunity not as a
burden (UNIS/15.5.)
* (engl.) African ministers adopt drug control action plan for Africa (UNIS,
14.5.)
* (engl.) Trafficking of women in SE-European peace mission areas discussed
in Turin (UNIS, 13.5.)
* (engl.) International narcotics control board elects Dr. Emafo/Nigeria als
new president (UNIS, 8.5.)
* (engl.) Real time internet coverage of general assembly special session on
children (NY/UNIS, 7.5.)
* (engl.) Good governance among top priorities for UN drug control and crime
prevention office (UNIS, 7.5.)
* (deutsch) Jedes zwölfte Kind stirbt bevor es fünf Jahre alt wird (UNIS,
2.5.)
* (engl.) Five new members join narcotics control board to appraise drug
control efforts in meeting 6-17 May (UNIS, 6.5.)
* (engl.) UN commission on crime prevention and criminal justice concludes
11. Session Vienna (UNIS, 25. 4.)
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS Vienna /NAR/751/ Press Release - for information only - not an official
document
'Commitment to deliver" pledge made by new head of drug control and crime
prevention office
New Executive Director addresses Permanent Representatives in Vienna
VIENNA, 17 May (UN Information Service) In an address to Permanent
Representatives to the United Nations in Vienna today, the new
Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and
Executive Director of the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention
(ODCCP), Mr. Antonio Maria Costa said that their countries' contributions
to drug control and crime prevention programmes will be regarded by his
office as a 'commitment to deliver' rather than 'an entitlement to spend'.
Mr. Costa emphasized the importance of good governance and the
credibility that derives from it. He said ODCCP had to carry out its
mandates in an open and accountable way. Asking for guidance from Member
States on establishing priorities for the office, Mr. Costa said: "First
and foremost we must take care not to commit ourselves to more than we can
deliver." He also spoke of the need to expand the donor base and to
develop new sources of funding among all those concerned with drugs and
crime such as the private sector, foundations and civil society including
media conglomerates.
In addition to the existing formal consultation mechanisms, Mr. Costa is
considering new ways to consult Member States so that they are more
involved in decision-making. "I will invite you to join me as frequently as
necessary to study proposals before they become policy initiatives," he
said.
There was also a need to establish new instruments of compliance and
control, Mr. Costa told the Permanent Representatives. One of the
initiatives he has already implemented is the establishment of an Executive
Committee which is empowered to make all the main decisions in a collective
and transparent way, which will provide a new management framework for the
UN Office at Vienna (UNOV). "Sound management is a foundation of
credibility," Mr. Costa said.
Early support for Mr. Costa's priorities in office was expressed by Member
States at the meeting. Representatives from United States of America,
Philippines (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China), Turkey, Spain (on
behalf of the European Union), United Kingdom, China, Republic of Korea (on
behalf of the Asian group), Italy, Austria, Egypt, Hungary, Romania (on
behalf of the Eastern Europe group), Peru, and Finland (on behalf of the
Western European and other countries group) all wished Mr. Costa success in
his new role.
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS Press Release Note/188 und UNIS/SG/8238
Nachhaltige Entwicklung nicht als Last, sondern als Chance begreifen
Als Vorbereitung auf das Johannesburger Weltgipfeltreffen für nachhaltige
Entwicklung findet vom 21.-24. Mai 2002 in Wien das dritte Studentenforum
des UNO- Informationsdienstes (UNIS) für StudentInnen aus Österreich,
Ungarn, Slovenien und der Slovakei statt.
WIEN, 15. Mai (UN0-Informationsdienst) -- Der UNO- Informationsdienstes
(UNIS) hält vom 21.-24. Mai 2002 in Wien sein drittes Studentenforum ab.
Diese Veranstaltung wird von der UN Organisation für industrielle
Entwicklung (UNIDO) und der Stadt Wien mitfinanziert und soll junge
Menschen auf das bevorstehende Weltgipfeltreffen für nachhaltige
Entwicklung (WSSD), das vom 26. August bis zum 4. September in
Johannesburg, Südafrika, stattfinden wird, aufmerksam machen. Die Idee des
Studentenforums ist es, StudentInnen aus den von UNIS Wien betreuten
Ländern Österreich, Ungarn, Slovakei und Slovenien zusammenzubringen, um
ihnen einen Einblick in die praktischen Konsequenzen nachhaltiger
Entwicklung in Zentral- und Osteuropa zu gewähren.
Die Entscheidung für nachhaltige Entwicklung, so betonte der
Generalsekretär der Vereinten Nationen Kofi Annan, ist bereits für viele
Millionen Menschen und möglicherweise sogar für die gesamte Menschheit zu
einer Frage von Sein oder Nichtsein geworden. Der Erfolg nachhaltiger
Entwicklung hängt vom Willen und der Verantwortung der Regierungen, der
Privatwirtschaft, der Zivilgesellschaft und schließlich von jedem einzelnen
ab. Ein solcher Wechsel wird nicht einfach sein, aber, so Kofi Annan, er
kann großartige Chancen eröffnen: "Nachhaltige Entwicklung ist weit davon
entfernt eine Belastung darzustellen, sie stellt vielmehr eine ganz
besondere Chance dar ? ökonomisch, da sie Märkte eröffnet und Arbeitsplätze
schafft; sozial, da sie an den Rand der Gesellschaft gedrängte Menschen
integriert; und politisch, da sie Auseinandersetzungen um Ressourcen, die
zu Gewaltmaßnahmen führen können, reduziert und jedem Menschen eine Stimme
und eine Chance gibt, auf die eigene Zukunftsgestaltung Einfluss zu nehmen.
"
Daher wird das UNIS Studentenforum die Wichtigkeit des individuellen
Handelns und die Verantwortung eines jeden Menschen hervorheben, wenn es um
die konkrete Umsetzung von Themen wie Umwelt und nachhaltige Entwicklung in
der Tagespolitik geht. Das Studentenforum bietet interaktive Vorlesungen zu
sehr unterschiedlichen Themen, um das Bewusstsein der jungen Generation für
Probleme und Chancen zu stärken, mit denen die Menschheit auf ihrem
derzeitigen Entwicklungsweg konfrontiert ist. Auf dem Studentenforum werden
außerdem die Ansichten der vier Länderdelegationen zu der Frage diskutiert,
wie Individuen und die Gesellschaft am besten ihre Bedürfnisse befriedigen
können, ohne zukünftige Generationen in der Befriedigung ihrer Bedürfnisse
zu gefährden. Außerdem wird die Stadt Wien ihr "Klimaschutzprogramm" (KliP)
vorstellen und auf einer Exkursion in Wien und der näheren Umgebung
nachhaltiges Bauen und umweltschonende Lebensformen veranschaulichen.
Die teilnehmenden StudentInnen werden auch von ihren Ländervertretungen
bei den Vereinten Nationen in Wien empfangen, wo sie von Diplomaten über
die Bemühungen unterrichtet werden, die auf dem Johannesburg Gipfel zu
erfolgreichen Resultaten bezüglich des Ressourcenmanagements und der
Globalisierung führen sollen, die nachhaltige Entwicklung fördern.
Schließlich werden die StudentInnen auch die Möglichkeit haben, ihre
Meinungen über notwendige Veränderungen in der Nachhaltigkeitspolitik mit
KommilitonInnen aus anderen Ländern auszutauschen. Das Treffen stellt ein
Forum dar für Diskussionen zu den Fragen, wie man politische und
steuerliche Anreize schaffen kann, um Handel und Industrie die richtigen
Signale zu geben oder wie man Konsumenten und Produzenten bessere
Auswahlmöglichkeiten schaffen kann. Die Ergebnisse des Erfahrungsaustauschs
werden von UNIS zusammengefasst und in einem Bericht an das Sekretariat des
Johannesburg Gipfels gesandt.
Der UNO Informationsdienst in Wien hat bereits erfolgreich
Studentenforen zu den Themen "Die Vereinten Nationen im 21. Jahrhundert
" (2000) und "Rassismus, Diskriminierung, Fremdenangst und Intoleranz
" (2001) durchgeführt.
* * * * * * * * *
Understanding sustainable development as an opportunity not as a burden
The third United Nations Information Service (UNIS) students' forum from
Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia will be held in Vienna from 21-24
May 2002 in preparation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD).
VIENNA, 15 May (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations
Information Service (UNIS) is holding its third student forum from 21 to 24
May 2002 in Vienna. Cosponsored by the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) and the City of Vienna, the forum is
intended to draw the attention of young people to the forthcoming World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be held in Johannesburg, South
Africa, from 26 August through 4 September 2002. The idea is to bring
together senior students from the four countries served by UNIS (Austria,
Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia) to gain an insight in the practical
consequences of sustainable development in the Central and Eastern European
region.
As emphasized by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, transition to
sustainable development is already a life-or-death issue for millions of
people, and potentially for the entire human race. Its success will depend
on the will and responsibility of governments, the private sector, civil
society and every individual. This transition will not be simple, but,
according to Kofi Annan, it can create enormous opportunities: "Far from
being a burden, sustainable development is an exceptional opportunity --
economically, to build markets and create jobs; socially, to bring people
in from the margins; and politically, to reduce tensions over resources
that could lead to violence and to give every man and woman a voice, and a
choice, in deciding their own future".
The UNIS student forum will highlight the importance of individuals
taking responsibility for their behaviour on environmental and sustainable
development matters. To increase awareness of the next generation about
problems and opportunities faced by humanity in its present development
path, the forum will offer interactive lectures on a variety of topical
subjects. It will also discuss the views of the four country delegations on
how best individuals and society can manage to meet their present needs
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Moreover, the City of Vienna will introduce the students to the "Climate
protection progamme" (KliP) and show then sustainable living sites in and
around Vienna on a field trip.
Students will be received by representatives of their countries'
Missions to the United Nations in Vienna to be informed by the diplomats
about efforts to make the Johannesburg Summit a success in finding an
agreement on sound management of natural resources and making globalization
work for sustainable development.
Finally, students will have the opportunity to exchange views with their
colleagues from other countries on how to bring about the necessary changes
in state policy; how to use policy and tax incentives to send the right
signals to business and industry; how to offer better choices to individual
consumers and producers, and, ultimately, how to achieve sustainable
development in the region.
UNIS Vienna has already held two successful student fora on "the UN in
the 21st century" (2000), and on "racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance" (2001).
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/NAR/750
African ministers adopt drug control action plan for Africa
VIENNA, 14 May (UN Information Service) -- A plan of action against drug
abuse has been adopted at the first ever Organization of African Unity
(OAU) Ministerial Meeting on Drug Control in Africa in Yamoussoukro, Ivory
Coast. The Plan of Action for Drug Control (2002-2006) sets priorities for
action and assigns clear responsibilities to OAU member states, regional
and international organizations and civil society for their implementation.
Until recently, drug control in Africa has received little attention and
the full dimensions of drug trafficking, abuse and related problems still
need to be assessed. Increasing drug abuse in several countries could
become another contributor to HIV/AIDS in Africa. International
trafficking of all kinds of drugs is spreading across Africa to more and
more countries and is connected with growth in other organized crime, money
laundering and corruption. The evolving drug scenario, coupled with rapid
urbanization, loss of traditional family and cultural ties for young
people, unemployment, growing poverty and about one third of the African
population still affected by armed conflicts and post-conflict situations,
poses a severe threat to the renewed development process and human security
in Africa.
Ministers from more than 40 African countries and delegates from several
regional African communities, international organizations and NGOs joined
forces with the UN International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and
stressed the need for stronger drug control action which prevents drug
trafficking and abuse in the context of African development. The Action
Plan is based on the principle of integrating and mainstreaming drug
control into African development initiatives and to create the much needed
synergies with larger development programmes, such as those addressing
HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation or post-conflict rehabilitation in African
countries.
The plan contains commitments to take action in seven priority areas
ranging from measures in drug control institution-building, policy and
legal development, increased information, research, analysis and networking
on drug control problems in Africa, to technical improvements in drug abuse
prevention, rehabilitation and law enforcement measures. It also contains
a time-frame and target dates for implementation and introduces the concept
of open and participatory monitoring and review mechanisms, so as to enable
all parties to assess progress and achievements of drug control action in
Africa.
UNDCP has supported the OAU in the preparation and conduct of the
Ministerial Meeting through financial assistance and has presented
technical background papers, proposed strategic directions and defined
action priorities, which now form part of the new OAU Action Plan. In
order to support the implementation of the plan, UNDCP has almost tripled
its programme portfolio for Africa. Current interventions address the
following areas:
(i) joint drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention activities by African experts
and institutions,
(ii) creation of technologies and lasting African capacities for
information-gathering, analysis, and training on key drug-related issues,
and
(iii) provision of adequate frameworks, structures and logistics for a
better control of improved trade infrastructures and international
financial transactions in Africa.
As African parties start to implement their parts of the OAU Action
Plan, UNDCP hopes to be able to mobilize additional resources for a further
expansion of its African Programme.
For further information:
Ms.Dagmar Thomas, Programme Officer, OB/Africa, UNDCP Vienna: 01-26060/4237
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/CP/411
Trafficking of women in south eastern european peace mission areas discussed
by international experts at meeting in Turin
VIENNA, 13 May (UN Information Service) -- A two-day conference
"Trafficking, Slavery and Peacekeeping: the Balkans Case" organized by the
UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) in
collaboration with the Transnational Crime and Corruption Center at the
American University (TraCCC) has been held from 9-10 May 2002 at the UNICRI
Headquarters in Turin, Italy.
The first day conference was organized into three panels: 1) Trafficking
in women and slavery practices in peace mission areas; 2) Initiatives
against women trafficking in the South East European peace mission areas;
and 3) Specific training for International and local personnel in the South
East European peace mission areas. Participants included representatives
>from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations
(DPKO/Civilian Police Division), the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime
Prevention (ODCCP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR/Tirana)
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR/Bosnia), International
Labour Organization (ILO), World Health Organization (WHO), International
Organization for Migration (IOM/Kosovo), Council European Union, Italian
Army, UK Ministry of Defence (Defence Intelligence Staff), Office to
Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (US State Department), Office of
Overseas Prosecutorial, Development and Training (US Department of
Justice), Catholic University of America, "Lara" (Bosnian NGO),
University of Essex, UK; University of Zagreb; Centre for Strategic and
International Studies, USA; Academic Consortium for Global Education, USA.
An open-discussion brainstorming session followed on the second day
focused on concrete and specific strategies and programme activities
targeted at military, civil police and civilian peacekeeping personnel to
be implemented at national and international levels. The discussion
outlined a series of connected proposals on how to develop comprehensive
responses, including: information and research, such as the creation of a
on-line "information network" on trafficking and peacekeeping mission areas
in South Eastern Europe (a roster of international and regional sources and
contacts and a bibliographic data base resource); organization of
awareness/consciousness conferences at local/regional levels; development
of integrated training programmes for military, civil police, civilian
peacekeeping personnel; local law enforcements, NGOs and academics; support
of local activities enhancing and strengthening local authority and civil
society's capacity building.
A comprehensive module- project proposal, based on the recommendations
by the experts meeting, including short and medium term follow-up
activities will be prepared by UNICRI and TraCC. In the next few months a
full report of the meeting will be prepared and made available on line, by
UNICRI and TraCC.
***
For further information please contact United Nations Interregional Crime
and Justice Research Institute, Tel: (+39) 0116537111 or email:
peacekeeping@unicri.it
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/NAR/749
International narcotics control board elects Dr. Emafo/Nigeria als new
president
VIENNA, 8 May (UN Information Service) -- Dr. Philip O. Emafo, a
pharmacist and international drug control expert from Nigeria has been
elected President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) at
its 74th session in Vienna (6-17 May).
Dr. Emafo has been a member of the INCB since 2000 and served as Member
of the Standing Committee on Estimates since 2000 and was Rapporteur of the
Board in 2001. He is a distinguished pharmacist and has served on a World
Health Organization (WHO) advisory panel on pharmaceuticals and on a WHO
expert committee on drug dependence. He has been a member of various
expert advisory groups including UN expert groups which reviewed the UN
machinery for drug control on several occasions, most recently in 1997-98.
He has also advised the Organization of African Unity on drug control
issues.
Also elected were Mr. Jacques Franquet of France, First Vice-President;
Dr. Alfredo Pemjean of Chile, Second Vice-President and Chairman of the
Standing Committee on Estimates (SCE); and Ms. Maria Elena Medina Mora of
Mexico, Rapporteur. The officers are elected by the Board to serve a
one-year term, ending on the first day of the Board's May 2003 session.
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS / Note to correspondents / No 5730
Real time internet coverage of general assembly special session on children
NEW YORK, 7 May (Department of Public Information) -- The United Nations
Web site will provide real time multimedia coverage of the General Assembly
special session on children at
http://www.un.org/ga/children/.
On-line newsworthy content will include a live webcast of the
proceedings in the plenary sessions and press conferences. Additional
material will include texts of statements of delegations and heads of
State, the daily Journal, press releases, photos and other multimedia
information.
The conference Web site is available in six languages -- Arabic,
Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
For further information, please contact, Jean-Pierre Bugada, Internet
Coordinator, at
bugadaj@un.org.
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/NAR/748
Good governance among top priorities for UN drug control and crime
prevention office
New Executive Director sets out priorities on first day in Vienna post
VIENNA, 7 May (UN Information Service) -- Good governance, clear
strategic priorities and a stable budget are among key priorities for the
new Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and
Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime
Prevention (ODCCP), Mr. Antonio Maria Costa who assumed his functions
today.
In an address to staff on his first day as Director-General, Mr. Costa
said that good governance was fundamental for credibility and
accountability. "Good governance is indeed a question of sound management
and transparent working practices," he stated, "but it is also about
accountability through open communication with the outside. To enforce
this process I intend, with your help, to develop new instruments of
compliance, control and evaluation, and establish new venues to consult
with Member States regarding their priorities."
Five key aspects of the work of the UN Office at Vienna were highlighted
by Mr. Costa in his address: good governance, setting strategic operational
and institutional priorities, achieving stable and predictable funding,
good staff-management relations and internal and external communication.
He said that he saw credibility and funding as two sides of the same coin:
"The resources made available to us will not be regarded as 'an entitlement
to spend', but rather as 'a commitment to deliver'."
Mr. Costa thanked Mr. Steinar B. Bjornsson who was designated as
Officer-in-Charge from 1 January 2002 for his hard work during the
transition period. He also reinforced the need for action on the five key
areas to be taken quickly and he spoke in support of the UN
Secretary-General's second term reforms.
As Director-General, Mr. Costa will lead the United Nations Office at
Vienna, one of the four worldwide headquarters of the UN. Mr. Costa is
also the Executive Director of the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime
Prevention (ODCCP) which consists of the UN International Drug Control
Programme (UNDCP) and the UN Centre for International Crime Prevention
(CICP).
Formerly the Secretary-General of the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) in London, Mr. Costa of Italy was appointed by the
Secretary-General in March.
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/NAR/747
Five new members join narcotics control board to appraise drug control
efforts in meeting 6-17 May
VIENNA, 6 May (UN Information Service) -- Five new members of the
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) from Austria, Brazil, India,
Netherlands and Peru will be attending their first meeting of the INCB when
it begins its 74th session in Vienna from 6 - 17 May.
The main focus of the Board session, which meets in closed session, will
be the assessment of the measures taken by Member States to comply with the
international drug control treaties. The Board will review its cooperation
with Member States and will discuss any shortcomings in national drug
control systems. The Board will also make confidential country-level drug
control assessments, based on its most recent findings during missions to
selected countries.
A wide range of issues and activities will be reviewed during the
session, including national approaches in drug substitution treatment of
opiate addiction and the preparation of a major conference in June in
Washington, D.C. on international actions to stop the diversion of
chemicals for the illicit manufacture of stimulants, such as MDMA
(ecstasy).
The situation of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan will be one of
the key issues discussed at the Board session. The President of the Board,
Professor Hamid Ghodse has already welcomed the second decree on
eradication of drugs issued by the Interim Administration but the Board
remains concerned that widespread illicit cultivation of opium poppies is
continuing and urges the authorities of Afghanistan to make every effort to
ensure that the ban is effectively enforced.
The Vienna-based Board is an independent body, established by the 1961
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to monitor governments' compliance with
the international drug control treaties. The three treaties are: the 1961
Single Convention on Narcotic drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic
Substances and the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Its 13 members are elected by the
Economic and Social Council to serve in their individual capacities for a
term of five years. Its meetings are held in private.
The new composition of the Board is as follows: Edouard Armenakovich
Babayan (Russian Federation), Madan Mohan Bhatnagar (India), Elisaldo Luiz
de Araújo Carlini (Brazil), Rosa Maria del Castillo (Peru), Philip O. Emafo
(Nigeria), Jacques Franquet (France), Hamid Ghodse (Iran), Nüzhet Kandemir
(Turkey), Robert Lousberg (Netherlands), Maria Elena Medina-Mora (Mexico),
Alredo Pemjean (Chile), Rainer Wolfgang Schmid (Austria) and Jiwang Zheng
(China).
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/480
Jedes zwölfte Kind stirbt bevor es fünf Jahre alt wird
UNO-Bericht: gesunde Kinder mit guter Schulbildung Motor der
wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung
Wien, 2. Mai, (UNIS) - Jedes zwölfte Kind stirbt bevor es das fünfte
Lebensjahre beendet, fast
immer aus vermeidbaren Gründen. Dies geht aus der überarbeiteten Fassung
eines Berichts hervor, den UNO-Generalsekretär Kofi Annan zur
bevorstehenden Sondertagung der Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen
über Kinder vorgelegt hat. Die Angaben zur Kindersterblichkeit und andere
in dem Bericht enthaltene Statistiken unterstreichen die grundlegende
Auffassung der Vereinten Nationen, dass namhafte Investitionen auf dem
Gebiet der Rechte und der Entwicklung der Kinder entscheidend für die
Überwindung der Armut sind.
"Wir, die Kinder: Die Versprechen des Weltkindergipfels erfüllen" * ist
die umfassendste Studie, die jemals über die Lebensbedingungen von Kindern
veröffentlicht wurde. Der Bericht kann auf Daten aus fast 150 Ländern
zurückgreifen, die nachweisen, dass Ungleichheit und weit verbreitete Armut
in einem direkten Zusammenhang zu fehlenden Investitionen in junge Menschen
stehen, insbesondere in ihre Gesundheit, ihre Bildung und ihren Schutz.
Wenn die Regierungen es mit der zum Ziel gesetzten Armutsminderung wirklich
ernst meinen, dann müssen sie die Belange der Kinder zu ihrer ersten
Priorität machen, heisst es in dem Bericht.
Der Bericht wurde für die Sondertagung der Generalversammlung über
Kinder verfasst, die vom 8. - 10. Mai in New York stattfindet. Mehr als 70
Staats- und Regierungschefs und 170 nationale Delegationen wollen sich
dabei auf eine Reihe konkreter Ziele für das Überleben, die Entwicklung und
den Schutz junger Menschen verpflichten. Nach Einschätzung des
UNO-Kinderhilfswerks UNICEF ist die Konferenz eine wichtige
Folgeveranstaltung der Internationalen Konferenz zur Entwicklungs-
finanzierung, die vor kurzem in Monterrey, Mexiko, stattfand. Während die
Monterrey-Konferenz zur Zusage der Geberländer von wesentlich mehr
Entwicklungshilfe führte, soll die Sondertagung bei der Entscheidung
darüber helfen, wohin ein grosser Teil dieser Gelder fliessen soll.
Der Bericht "Wir, die Kinder" geht ausführlich auf die Fortschritte ein,
die seit dem Weltkinder- gipfel 1990 erreicht wurden. Damals hatten sich
die Regierungen auf konkrete Ziele für die Entwicklung der Kinder geeinigt.
Systematische und eingehende Überprüfungen dieser Fortschritte haben
unmissverständlich aufgezeigt, wo die Welt Erfolge erzielt hat, wo sie
gescheitert ist -- und warum sie gescheitert ist. Insgesamt zeigen diese
Untersuchungen, dass es der internationalen Gemeinschaft nicht gelungen
ist, die notwendigen Investitionen für junge Menschen aufzubringen: Mehr
als 10,5 Millionen Kinder sterben nach wie vor jedes Jahr zumeist aus
einfach vermeidbaren Gründen. Rund 150 Millionen Kinder sind unterernährt
und über 120 Millionen gehen nicht zur Schule, die Mehrheit davon Mädchen.
"Es ist eindeutig, dass die Kinder der Welt nicht den versprochenen
'ersten Zugriff' auf die Finanz- mittel gehabt haben -- trotz des
aussergewöhnlichen Wachstums der Weltwirtschaft. Folglich muss jetzt mehr
getan werden und mit grösserer Dringlichkeit", heisst es in dem Bericht.
"Nationale Politiker müssen handeln und dabei die wichtigste Lehre aus der
Vergangenheit vor Augen haben, nämlich dass Investitionen in junge Menschen
schon von frühester Kindheit an weder eine Geste der Wohltätigkeit noch ein
besonderer Luxus sind, sondern der beste Weg, um langfristige Entwicklung
zu gewährleisten."
Ein Wegweiser in die Zukunft
Die Sondertagung über Kinder findet im Rahmen einer Reihe wichtiger
internationaler Kon- ferenzen statt, die Konzepte zur Minderung der Armut
weltweit entwerfen. Für die Sondertagung ist der weitere Weg im
Kinderbericht und im Entwurf des Abschlussdokuments "Eine Welt geeignet für
Kinder" vorgezeichnet.
"Wir, die Kinder" ist die auf den neuesten Stand gebrachte überarbeitete
Fassung eines Be- richts, der im vergangenen Juni in Vorbereitung für die
ursprünglich für September geplante Sondertagung veröffentlicht wurde.
Aufgrund der Terroranschläge in New York und Washington wurde die
Sondertagung dann aber auf dieses Frühjahr verschoben. Der 102 Seiten
starke Bericht und ein völlig neuer Statistik-Anhang mit Farbgraphiken,
Tabellen und Charts analysiert den Fortschritt der Staaten im letzten
Jahrzehnt in den Bereichen Gesundheit, Bildung, Ernährung und Schutz der
Kinder.
"Dank der Vorarbeiten auf nationaler und internationaler Ebene liegen
die Erkenntnisse und Richtlinien bereits vor", sagt Mignonette Patricia
Durrant, Ständige Vertreterin Jamaikas bei den Vereinten Nationen und
Vorsitzende des Vorbereitungsausschusses für die Tagung. "Wir brauchen die
politische und finanzielle Verpflichtung der Staats- und Regierungschefs,
damit den Kindern jene Priorität eingeräumt wird, die sie verdienen.
Darüber werden wir auf der Sondertagung reden."
Investitionen in Kinder sind eine zentrale Aufgabe
Mit der Einsicht, dass wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und sozialer
Zusammenhalt mit Investitionen in Kinder beginnt, greifen die Vereinten
Nationen auf bewährte historische Belege zurück. Während der Zeit des
raschen wirtschaftlichen Aufschwungs in Europa im 19. Jahrhundert
investierten die Länder in Grundschulbildung und breiten Zugang zum
Gesundheitswesen. Im 20. Jahrhundert gingen ostasi-atische Länder in
ähnlicher Weise mit Erfolg vor. Durch umfangreiche Finanzmittel und den
erfor-derlichen politischen Willen ist dies auch im 21. Jahrhundert für
Länder möglich, in denen ungefähr eine Milliarde Menschen mit weniger als
einem Dollar pro Tag auskommen müssen.
Die Hilfsprogramme für Kinder wirken direkt und sind ausserordentlich
effizient: Es geht um Impfungen, Ernährung, Hygienemassnahmen und eine
umfassende Ausbildung für jedes Kind. Der wirtschaftliche Nutzen solcher
Investitionen ist ausreichend belegt. Eine Studie von 1998 der Rand
Corporation fand heraus, dass man für jeden Dollar, der in die körperliche
und geistige Entwicklung von Säuglingen und Kleinkindern investiert wird,
sieben Dollar zurückerhält, vor allem durch künftige Kosteneinsparungen im
Gesundheitswesen, beim Förderunterricht, bei der Arbeitslosenunterstützung
und der Kriminalitätsbekämpfung. Weitere Untersuchungen zeigen umfangreiche
Renditen aus Investitionen in Gesundheit und Bildung.
"Leider wenden viele Regierungen nicht jene Mittel für die Kinder auf,
dies diese verdienen würden. Das gilt sowohl für Entwicklungsländer wie
auch für die Geberländer, die Finanzmittel bereitstellen", sagt
UNICEF-Exekutivdirektorin Carol Bellamy. "So werden wir wohl weiterhin
feststellen müssen, was vielen offensichtlich erscheint: nämlich dass
gesunde und ausgebildete Kinder entscheidende Voraussetzungen für die
wirtschaftliche Entwicklung sind. Wenn wir die Armut wirklich überwinden
wollen, heisst das, dass wir vor allem in die Kinder investieren müssen."
"Wir die Kinder": Haupttrends
Der Bericht "Wir, die Kinder" gibt mit seinem statistischen Anhang die
Ergebnisse der bislang grössten Datenerhebung und Analyse darüber wieder,
inwieweit die Welt ihre gegenüber den Frauen und Kindern abgegebenen
Versprechen eingehalten hat. Hier ein Vergleich zwischen den 1990
festgelegten Zielen und dem Stand des Jahres 2000:
Ø Die Säuglingssterblichkeit und Kindersterblichkeit unter 5 Jahren
sollte um ein Drittel gesenkt werden. Die jüngsten Zahlen zeigen, dass die
Kindersterblichkeitsrate weltweit im Durchschnitt um elf Prozent gesunken
ist, von 93 auf 83 Todesfälle auf 1.000 Lebendgeburten. Mehr als 60 Länder
haben die Reduzierung um ein Drittel erreicht. Die Sterberaten sind aber in
Afrika und Südasien extrem hoch. Mangelernährung spielt bei der Hälfte
aller Todesfälle eine Rolle.
Ø Die schwere und mittlere Mangelernährung von Kindern unter fünf Jahren
sollte um die Hälfte reduziert werden. Der Bericht zeigt, dass in den
Entwicklungsländern weit verbreitetes Unter-gewicht -- der wichtigste
Faktor, zur Feststellung von Mangelernährung -- nur von 32 auf 28 Pro-zent
gesunken ist. Diese Zahl stellt eine der grössten Herausforderungen für die
Entwick-lungsarbeit dar. Sie führt bei Kindern zu unzähligen Krankheiten
und hemmt ihre gesamte Entwicklung.
Ø Der allgemeine Zugang zur Grundbildung sollte verbessert werden, mit
dem Ziel, dass 80 Pro-zent der Kinder die Grundschule abschliessen. Im Jahr
2000 waren rund 82 Prozent der Kinder im Grundschulalter angemeldet oder
besuchten eine Schule. 1990 waren es noch 80 Prozent. Trotzdem bleibt die
Abschlussrate viel niedriger. Ein Viertel aller Kinder verlässt die Schule
in der fünften Klasse, ausserdem gehen fast 120 Millionen Kinder überhaupt
nicht zur Schule.
* * * * * * * * *
UNIS/CP/409
UN commission on crime prevention an criminal justice concludes 11. Session
in Vienna, 16-25. April
VIENNA, 25 April (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded its eleventh
session in Vienna on 25 April. Delegates reviewed the activities of the UN
Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP), focussing on the reform
of the criminal justice system, the fight against terrorism, and current
international efforts to combat transnational organized crime and
corruption among other issues.
The Commission accepted the offer by the Government of Thailand to hold
the Eleventh UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in
Thailand. The proposed theme of the Crime Congress to be held in 2005 will
be "Synergies and responses: strategic alliances in crime prevention and
criminal justice". The topics to be covered in the eight-day meeting will
be finalized by the Commission at its twelfth session in 2003. Among the
issues proposed are: effective measures against transnational organized
crime; corruption: threats and trends in the twenty-first century; economic
and financial crimes: challenges to sustainable development; and making
standards work: fifty years of standard-setting in crime prevention and
criminal justice.
Reform of the criminal justice system
The main theme of the eleventh session of the UN Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice was the reform of the criminal justice
system: achieving effectiveness and equity. Expert panelists addressed the
Commission on various regional approaches with concrete examples from
different countries. The focus was on three areas: (i) integrated criminal
justice reforms, with particular emphasis on prosecutors, courts and
prisons, (ii) juvenile justice reform and (iii) strengthening international
criminal justice co-operation.
Crime prevention
The Commission accepted the 'Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime',
elaborated by an expert group. The guidelines lay down basic principles
for responsibility for the state at all levels for providing structures and
resources for multi-agency cooperation in preventing crime with the
involvement of the private and corporate sector. It further requested
Member States to establish or strengthen international, regional and
national crime prevention networks and take action to promote effective
crime prevention.
Restorative justice
The Commission discussed basic principles on the use of restorative
justice programmes in criminal matters, based on the findings of an expert
group report which followed a meeting hosted by the Government of Canada in
2001. The principles set out that restorative justice may be used at any
stage of the criminal justice system, subject to national law and
recommends that Member States establish guidelines and standards to govern
the use of restorative justice programmes.
UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols
The implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized
Crime and its protocols which sets out measures on international
cooperation in combating transnational crime was discussed. The Commission
requested the Secretary-General to continue to provide CICP with the
resources necessary to enable it to promote the entry into force and
implementation of the Convention and reiterated the importance of its
speedy entry into force.
Action against Corruption
The progress of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Elaboration of a Convention
against Corruption was welcomed by the Commission and the hope was
expressed that the work be completed by the end of 2003. The Commission
accepted the offer made by the Government of Mexico to host a High-level
Political Conference for the purpose of signing the UN Convention against
Corruption and invited all States to be represented at the highest possible
level of government. The next session of the Ad Hoc Committee to be held
>from 17-28 June will continue conducting the first reading of the remaining
articles of the draft convention, including holding a workshop on asset
recovery.
Combating Terrorism
The Commission adopted a resolution calling for improved international
cooperation and technical assistance to combat terrorism. It also requests
the strengthening the capacity of the CICP and in particular the Terrorism
Prevention Branch to provide Member States with technical assistance aimed
at preventing and combating terrorism.
The Commission welcomed the Austrian Government's decision to host a
meeting on international terrorism and supports holding the Symposium on
Combating International Terrorism: the Contribution of the United Nations
on 3-4 June in Vienna. The meeting will be organized by CICP with the
support of the Austrian Government and will consider ways to strengthen
concerted and coordinated action against terrorism.
Trafficking in Protected Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and Illicit
Access to Genetic Resources
The illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and flora and
illicit access to genetic resources was discussed for the first time at the
Crime Commission. The Commission encouraged all Member States to promote
judicial cooperation and mutual technical assistance with a view to
preventing, combating and eradicating illicit trafficking in protected
species of wild flora and fauna.
Other resolutions
A resolution condemning kidnapping was adopted by the Crime Commission.
It calls for international cooperation in the prevention, combating and
elimination of kidnapping and in providing assistance for the victims. The
Commission vigorously condemned the worldwide practice of kidnapping and
expressed concern about the increase in kidnapping in various countries. It
urged Member States to take legislative steps to establish it as a serious
crime and to foster international cooperation to combat it.
A resolution promoting effective measures to deal with the issues of
missing children and sexual abuse or exploitation of children was adopted
by the Commission. It calls upon Member States to cooperate with Civil
Society in tracing missing children and making toll-free hotlines available
to children. On the issue of child prostitution, it calls on Member States
to legislate against those who procure or obtain the sexual services of
children. Furthermore it calls on states to allow children to bring
criminal proceedings in cases involving sexual abuse or exploitation when
they have reached the age of majority.
The Commission requested the Secretary-General to convene an expert
group meeting to evaluate the results achieved and the progress made in the
application of existing United Nations standards and norms in crime
prevention and criminal justice.
Technical Assistance
The Commission noted the report of the Executive Director of the UN Office
for
Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP) on the work of CICP, which
focused on the centre's technical assistance activities of the three Global
Programmes against transnational organized crime, trafficking in human
beings and corruption as well as on the improvement of juvenile justice
systems.
The Commission invited the various parts of the United Nations system
particularly the UN Development Programme and the World Bank to increase
their interaction with CICP on crime prevention and criminal justice
activities. It also requested the Secretary-General to support the work of
CICP in respect of advisory services in crime prevention and criminal
justice.
Membership of Commission
The 40 members of the Commission are Algeria, Argentina, Belarus,
Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia,
Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia,
Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, United
States of America, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.
