UN
DPI/NGO conference, 7-9 September 2005>
Voices
Joined at United Nations Non-Governmental
Organization Conference
by Robert M. WEIR
Photo:
Light Millennium
(September 16, 2005) "We're six billion voices and this world will do what we say,"
was a common theme of the United Nations
Department of InformationĖs Non-Government
Organization conference at the UN 7-9
September 2005. This statement expressed
a realization that the collective voice
of people around the world is a superpower
that can and should be heard.
To citizenry who get their world news
from packaged sound bytes, this premise
may sound presumptuous. In actuality,
it was an invitation. As Jean Ping of
the Gabonese Republic and president
of the 59th UN General Assemly stated,
"It is time for sivil society to
participate actively to seek solutions
that the entire international community
faces."
Ping and others encouraged the 4,500 NGO representatives in attendance
to take stock of the United Nations'
endeavors that led to creation of the
Millennium Development Goals of 2000.
But more importantly, conference speakersĖ
urged the worldĖs populace to remind
government leaders that five of the
fifteen years allotted to implement
the MDGs have already elapsed.
To the mantra, "2015 Is Now," speakers and attendees
assessed global governance, especially
in regard to human rights with its various
sub-issues: poverty and hunger, primary
education, gender equality, child mortality,
maternal health, HIV/AIDS, environmental
stability, and global partnership for
development.
The NGO community sought fruitful dialogue with representatives
of the UN's Member States, and ambassadors
from some of countries did come to speak
and listen. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
took time out from intense negotiations
over United Nations reform to address
the NGOs in their final plenary session.
Will the voices of the planet's people and these high level peace
makers be heard? Will the actions of
NGOs individually or in conjunction
with Members States help to build a
better world? While some speakers expressed
doubt, most felt that the MGDs could
be met - if people speak as one.
More than one presenter said that on most initiatives, approximately
170 of the UNĖs 191 Member States will
agree. The problem, they reported, is
that this majority acts like a minority
while the minority, which usually includes
key members of the UN Security Council,
acts like a majority.
Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals will require
that the majority not be marginalized
by a vocal minority but align themselves
with the voices of the populace to create
a better world of peace, partnership
and renewal.
Author's bio: Robert M. Weir is a freelance writer whose
topic niche is people, environmental
issues and outdoor adventures. He is
currently writing the biography of John
McConnell, the creator of the Earth
Flag and founder of the original Earth
Day, which is celebrated at the UN on
the vernal equinox. Mr. Weir can be
reached through his web site at www.robertmweir.com;
e-mail: Robtweir@aol.com
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