No. 6 (43) November-December UN2005 IN RUSSIA Published by Translating economic growth into sustainable human the United Nations Office development with human rights in the Russian Federation
In 2006 humanitarian aid to the North Caucasus population will exceed 88 million US dollars /6
Highlight /3 Publications /9 Events /10 “I have never taken drugs. If there are people In 1991, family and maternity benefits Some 40,000 people participated in the first here who do it, please stop. If you believe accounted for 77% of all social benefits. Fight Hunger: Walk the World. Walk the me, Sergey Bezrukov, please stop!”. The By 2003 this had fallen to around 32%. World 2005 involved 200,986 participants in famous actor addressed these words to the Those figures are revealed in a new report 266 locations in 91 countries. The United young people who gathered to the presenta- “Child Poverty in Russia: Alarming Trends Nations World Food Programme invites you tion of The City without Sun feature film, and Policy Options”, published by United to take part in the next Fight Hunger: Walk dedicated to the World AIDS Day Nations Children Fund the World scheduled for 21 May, 2006 Contents UN /Highlight UNFPA The Film We Need Now 3 United Nations Population Fund: Launch of the 2005 State of World Population Report 12 UNDP Statement on the Occasion of World AIDS Day 2 UNHCR /Opinions How to Use the Multi-million Grants Meeting of the CIS Conference Process 14 to Fight AIDS in CIS Countries 4 Supporting Human Development in Central Asia 9 UNIC /Society Results of the Global Microentrepreneurship Information Future: Awards Competition Announced 18 the UN Does Not Plan to “Take Over” the Internet, Instead Stands for Its Global Reach 15 UNICEF UNICEF and UNAIDS UNESCO Launched the Global Campaign against AIDS in Russia 5 International Conference in the Kremlin: New Photo Exhibition How to Safeguard Cultural Heritage 17 ‘Mines Are Hurting Children’ Opened in Moscow 7 To Keep Lake Baikal Clean 17 The Impoverished Children in Russia 9 WHO /People OCHA /Regions Patient Safety: A Global Challenge 19 North Caucasus: International Aid in Transition 6 GFATM Funds Are Coming to Fight TB in Russia 21 WFP /Events UNA-Russia Fight Hunger: Walk the World Will Continue 10 Write to the President a Best Way to Reform UN 22
Statement on the Occasion of World AIDS Day (extract)
This year’s World AIDS Day follows on the heels of the 2005 World Despite these figures there is hope. A decade ago, less than $300 Summit where international leaders reaffirmed their commitment to million was available to developing countries to address the epi- intensify global and national HIV/AIDS responses. The fundamental demic. This year the total surpassed $8 billion. challenge now is to ensure we all adhere to that commitment, and To ensure that this money is used effectively, and to improve the take the necessary actions to deliver results. We must, as the World overall architecture of our response to HIV/AIDS, a Global Task AIDS Campaign 2005 advocates, “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” Team was formed last spring. It recommended a clearer division of The need for a harmonised response is all the more poignant in labour among UNAIDS cosponsors, and as a result, UNDP will now light of new UNAIDS figures, which show rising HIV infections play a strategic leading role in addressing the interrelationship rates across all regions of the world. between HIV/AIDS and development, governance, human rights Around the globe, 40.3 million people are now living with HIV, and and gender. nearly five million of those were infected in 2005. Eastern Europe UNDP is today supporting the launch of the first ever Red Ribbon and Central Asia show the steepest increase with a 25 percent rise Award: Celebrating Community Leadership and Action on AIDS, in new infections to 1.6 million people living with the virus. which will be presented at AIDS 2006, the sixteenth International Widespread gender inequalities including political, economic, AIDS Conference, scheduled to take place in Canada in August 2006. social and cultural factors exacerbate the vulnerability of women If we are to keep the promises we have made - if we are to achieve the and girls to infection. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, where Millennium Development Goal of halting and beginning to reverse the sixty-four percent of all new infections occurred in 2005, young spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 - then individuals, communities and insti- women between 15 and 24 years are now at least three times more tutions must support each other. This year on World AIDS Day let us likely to be HIV-positive than young men. In many countries mar- Keep the Promise, and working together let us Stop AIDS. riage and women’s own fidelity are not enough to protect them. In Kemal Dervish, Colombia, for example, 72 percent of the women who tested HIV Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme positive at an anti-natal site reported being in stable relationships. 1 December 2005
UN in Russia Founder: Address: Published once in two months United Nations Office 119034, Moscow, Circulation: 2,000 copies in the Russian Federation Ostozhenka St., 28 Tel. 787-21-00 www.unrussia.ru Editor-in-Chief: Victoria Zotikova Fax: 787-21-01 www.undp.ru Editor: Vladimir Sadakov E-mail: [email protected]
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) Photo for cover provided by WFP Highlight
United Nations The Film We Need Now
Nations Organizations in Russia, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
rochures and leaflets with the infor- Bmation on pandemia, as well as bracelets and red ribbons to support HIV- infected were distributed among those who came to watch the movie. They could visit exhibitions of posters, including the ilm by Sergey Potyomkin ‘The City exhibition of honored artist of Russia speech actor Sergey Bezrukov cited the FWithout Sun’ was shown for the first Vasily Chekashov. poet Sergey Yesenin: “The poet's gift is to time on the first winter day in the soothe and harass.” “I choose the roles Moscow House of Cinema. The presenta- rior to the film, Mr. Flavio Mirella, that both soothe and harass on purpose. tion of the film was held on 1 December PRepresentative of the United I play a creative person, a photographer to coincide with the World AIDS Day. It is Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in in this film. He is a drug addict who has not by accident that this film was select- the Russian Federation, addressed the AIDS and is at the last stage of the dis- ed, as it is about our young contempo- ease. I have never tried drugs. If there are raries who live in this country, and who people here who do it, please stop. If you die from drugs and AIDS, but to whom believe Sergey Bezrukov, please stop!” he love, compassion and support can help said. “AIDS is a terrible problem. If I were go on living. a film director I would have made the film more graphic to make the audience he Central House of Cinema was not even more horrified”, the actor empha- Tjust a venue for demonstrating the sized. film. The Union of Russian Filmmakers has conducted the International Human uring the film show the big hall full Rights Festival Stalker for a number of Dof young people was silent. This years. This year, the programme of the fes- silence is the most encouraging response tival for the first time includes Cinema the film crew could expect. In 2006, Against AIDS action, organized by the ‘The City Without Sun’ will be on in all Union of Filmmakers and the audience. In his speech he mentioned regions of Russia. Representative Office of the United alarming statistics data regarding the increase of alcohol consumption, and a growing number of HIV-infected among young people in Russia. Artistic director of the chamber orchestra of the Russian Performing Art fund conductor Valery Vorona shared his concerns and called AIDS a great tragedy comparable to dev- astating wars. The orchestra performed classical music. In the end they per- formed the final part of Haydn’s Farewell Symphony. It was performed according to the score, and the musi- cians stood up one after another, blew out candles, and left the stage. The sym- phony, composed over 200 years ago, still conveys a strong feeling of loss.
ilm director Sergey Potyomkin and Fother members of the film crew spoke about the movie. In his emotional
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 3 How to Use the Multi-million Grants to Fight AIDS UN Development Programme in CIS Countries
Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the RF a.i.
he CIS countries have already received Tconfirmation of 26 grants for over US $215 mln for the first two years of the projects, starting from 2003. The total amount of grants approved by the Management Board of The Global Fund Left to right: for a 5 years period exceeds US $600 mln. Urban Weber and Vladimir Starodubov More than US $102 mln have been trans- ferred to the key grant recipients and are rom 5-7 December, the Regional actively used for prevention and treat- FWorkshop for CIS countries – ment activities in the countries. Recipients of Grants of the Global Fund to Ercan Murat Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was he volume of funding of the pro- conducted in Moscow with support from Tgrammes aimed at fighting the UNDP. he Global Fund operates as a financial Torganization, not an implementing ver 100 representatives from 11 CIS entity. Therefore, participation of the UN Ocountries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, system technical partners (UNDP, Joint Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and (UNAIDS), World Health Organization Uzbekistan) and Serbia – recipients of (WHO), United Nations Population Fund grants form The Global Fund to Fight (UNFPA), etc.) and representatives of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and repre- bilateral agencies (USAID, GTZ, HOPE, sentatives of numerous non-governmen- World Vision International HIV/AIDS tal organizations gathered at a three days’ Alliance, etc.) was important for the meeting in Moscow to discuss the issues workshop. During a special session the of grants implementation in CIS coun- ways of enhancing the technical assis- tries. tance provided by the partners to the grant recipients of the Global Fund and he speakers at the official opening Country Coordination Mechanisms were Twere Mr. Vladimir Starodubov, First discussed. Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development of the RF, Mr. Urban Weber, Team Leader, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Global Fund, Ms. Marta Ruedas, Deputy Director, UNDP Regional Bureau Marta Ruedas for Europe and CIS, New York and Mr. Ercan Murat, UN Resident three diseases provided by the Global Fund is unique and unprecedented in its size in the modern history of the region.
he main goals of the workshop Tincluded a detailed discussion and explanation of the role of Country Coordination Mechanisms that ensure implementation of the grants provided by the Global Fund in the countries, the UNDP Tel.: (7 095) 787–21–00 role of the state, private and non-gov- Fax: (7 095) 787–21–01 ernment sectors in this process, and E–mail: [email protected] monitoring and evaluation of projects www.undp.ru realization.
4 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) UNICEF and UNAIDS UNICEF Launched the Global Campaign against United Nations Children’s Fund AIDS in Russia
very day more than 100 new cases of sion).And the epidemic is becoming About the UNICEF/UNAIDS campaign EHIV infections are registered in the ‘feminized’, with the share of women Russian Federation, with children and living with HIV more than doubling in he Global UNICEF/UNAIDS Campaign young people affected as never before. recent years, from 20% in 2000 to 43% in Taims to achieve measurable progress 2004. for children based on internationally “The epidemic in Russia has a young face agreed goals in four areas: and is fuelled by stigma and discrimina- he Government has a country-wide • Prevention of infection among adoles- tion,” said Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional THIV/AIDS programme for 2002-2006, cents and young people; Director for Central and Eastern Europe and a new programme for 2007-2010 is •Prevention of Mother to Child and Commonwealth of Independent being developed. However, the total Transmission; States, “Children are at the very epi-centre • Provision of pediatric treatment; of the epidemic, but not at the centre of • Protection of orphans and vulnerable the response.” children.
ver 21,000 babies have been born to he Ministry of Health and Social OHIV positive mothers – accounting TDevelopment with support from for more than 6% of all those living with UNICEF has already scored some success HIV, and 2,000 have been abandoned in with a scheme to prevent mother to child hospitals or orphanages. transmission, which helped reduce this transmission over the past three years. ccording to UNICEF, 80% of all those Awith HIV in Russia are under 30 years f this progress can be sustained, it will of age, and over 70,000 people under the “Ibe a major breakthrough,” said Calivis. age of 19 are living with HIV. “and it will pave the way for progress in other areas. As always, the crucial question he UNICEF/UNAIDS Global AIDS in a country of this monumental size, is TCampaign, Unite for Children. Unite how to go to scale with what works.”. against AIDS, was launched in Russia on November 14, 2005 to draw attention to y November 2005, about 3,500 people the growing impact of the epidemic on Bliving with HIV were receiving treat- children. budget for HIV and AIDS in 2004 was only ment at a cost of US $1,500-$3,000 per US $19 million, or US $0.14 per capita. In year each. Scaling up from 3,500 to 15,000 ussia’s epidemic began slowly, with 2005, the federal budget allocated just people in 2006 and to 30,000 people and Rone case of HIV registered in 1987. By US $4.5 million for HIV surveillance, pre- more over the next two to three years 2001, the country had the fastest growing vention, treatment and research. would be the major challenge as Russia’s epidemic in the world. AIDS centres have limited capacities. NICEF welcomes the September oday, around 1% of the population is Uannouncement by Russian President NICEF and UNAIDS in Russia support Tliving with HIV. While there are Vladimir Putin of a major increase in Upolicy development on HIV and chil- 331,400 officially registered cases of HIV funding for HIV, demonstrating growing dren. Work is already underway on the pre- infection, the actual number is thought to concern and awareness among policy vention of mother to child transmission, be far higher. To date, 7,500 people have makers. It looks forward to hearing what treatment, care, access to education for died as a result of AIDS and, if the epidem- percentage will go to children. children living with HIV, prevention among ic is not halted, the number of deaths is young people through youth friendly serv- likely to increase exponentially. peaking on 27 September, the ices and provision of solid information, and SPresident said: protection of children orphaned or made he epidemic, once limited to inject- vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Ting drug-users, is now moving into n 2006, the funding (for HIV/AIDS) the general population. Sexual trans- “Iwill increase 20-30 fold. Up to three UNICEF mission accounted for just 8% of regis- billion roubles (US $105.2 million) will be Tel.: (7 095) 933–88–18 tered cases in 2000. By 2004 the per- allocated for these purposes so that all Fax: (7 095) 933–88–19 centage had soared to 30% (among those who need treatment with expen- www.unicef.org/russia cases with a known mode of transmis- sive drugs will receive it.”
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 5 Regions
North Caucasus: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs International Aid in Transition
he UN and a wide community of inter- Tnational and local non-governmental organizations have been providing humanitarian assistance to the popula- tions in the North Caucasus since 1999, i.e. since the start of the second stage of hostilities in Chechnya.
he general situation has considerably Tchanged since then and the time has come for all the donor community to evaluate everything that has been done over the years of work and take a new look at the future activities in the region.
s is well known, the humanitarian Aoperation in the North Caucasus has so far been planned and funded within the framework of the so-called Consolidated Appeals Process. This well- Photo by WFP tuned mechanism is used by humanitari- an organizations worldwide to announce selves in dire circumstances caused by his period of enormous hardships is their activity plans for the next year in the hostilities. Over the last six years the Tnot over yet, although the general sit- various regions of the world in need of humanitarian community’s main task uation there has undergone significant international assistance and appeal to has been to complement the efforts of changes. A large number of people have donors for financial support. The process the government of the country aimed at returned to Chechnya from the neighbor- has many times proven its effectiveness providing acceptable life standards for ing republics and started to re-integrate in different parts of the world including many thousands of internally displaced in the homeland. However, many the North Caucasus where over USD 200 people who had lost their houses in returnees, although they have returned million has been spent over the years of Chechnya and had to live in tent camps, home, still remain displaced. The houses humanitarian operation to alleviate suf- temporary settlements and private hous- these people used to live in before the war ferings of the people who found them- ing in the adjacent republics. are destroyed and it will take a long time, strong efforts and significant funds to restore housing there. All the infrastruc- ture of the Chechen Republic needs to be restored and although the government does quite a lot and some progress is achieved, a lot of work is still ahead.
became a year of great 2005change in the approaches of the UN and its humanitarian partners to the future prospects of providing assis- tance to the region. It is clear assistance programs should be continued. But what should they focus on?
n the course of an in-depth analysis of Ithe on-going programs and comprehen- sive assessment of the current needs car- ried out in cooperation with the authori- ties the parties reached a mutual under-
Photo by OCHA standing that humanitarian assistance in Grozny, September 2005 2006 will be needed in amounts compara-
6 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) ble to or even larger than those of 2005 he total funds appealed for by the par- and preceding years. At the same time, it is Tticipating agencies exceed USD 88 obvious to everyone that the Chechen million which is higher than the last year Republic is currently at a stage of transi- CAP requirements by a factor of 1.5. This tion. The Government pays much more growth reflects the increased share of attention to recovery and development recovery and development programs in issues. Taking into account specifics of the the Work Plan. current situation and prospects of its development, the UN and its partners, he participants of the Work Plan rely focus on these sectors while building on generous donor support to Photo by UNDP T strategies and tactics of their assistance enable them to achieve all the goals programs. republic’s ministries and agencies regarding planned for 2006 and thus make lives of their priorities in humanitarian assistance the people in the North Caucasus a little lose interaction with the leadership in 2006. Later, after receiving the sectoral better. of the North Caucasus republics, in working groups’ feedback, the Government C Alexander Rezanov particular with the Government and the resubmitted the renewed document to the Senior Communications Assistant President of the Chechen Republic, help UN to be used in the assistance planning for UN Office for the Coordination the UN and humanitarian NGOs obtain a 2006. of Humanitarian Affairs, clearer picture of the regional needs and Russian Federation adequately respond to these needs while his fall the donor community worked planning their programs. hard to finalize its assistance plan for T OCHA 2006. Current realities considered, the Tel.: (7 095) 956-64-05 or instance, in response to the UN plan is referred to as the 2006 Interagency Fax: (7 095) 956-63-55 Frequest the Government of Chechnya Transitional Work Plan North Caucasus – www.ocha.ru prepared a package of proposals of the Russian Federation.
New Photo Exhibition UNICEF ‘Mines Are Hurting Children’ United Nations Children’s Fund Opened in Moscow
two-week photo exhibition ‘Mines to children who have been killed or t the opening ceremony of the exhi- Aare Hurting Children’ opened on 6 injured by mines and other unexploded A bition UNICEF Representative to December, 2005 at the State Museum of ordnance in Chechnya over the last 10 Russia and Belarus Mr. Carel de Rooy said: Contemporary History of Russia (21, years. It presents photographs and Tverskaya Street). It is prepared by information on the efforts of the “UNICEF with ECHO and other donors UNICEF and supported by the European humanitarian community to minimize support, together with the Government of Commission’s Humanitarian Aid depart- the impact of mines on civilian popula- Chechnya, has contributed to an 82% ment (ECHO). The exhibition is devoted tion. decrease in the number of children killed Photo by UNICEF Photo by UNICEF
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 7 or wounded by mines and UXO in Chechnya annually: from 41 in 2003 to 7 in 2005. Despite this important result, the danger of mines and UXO continues to linger over the daily lives of children in the republic.”
eputy Head of the European DCommission Delegation to Russia Mr. Paul Vandoren stressed that “the European Commission has a clear objec- tive in the area of anti-personnel land- mines. It is defined in the European Roadmap towards 'Zero Victim Target'. The European Commission is committed to strengthening international assistance and supporting various programmes of partners worldwide.” Photo by UNICEF
lthough the situation in Chechnya in the Republic. UNICEF and the A has stabilized in the last few years, European Commission share a commit- many civilians still continue to suffer ment to actively advocate for the global extreme mental and physical trauma, and ban of anti-personnel mines and the even death, from the wounds cause by ratification of the 1997 Mine Ban landmines and unexploded ordnance Treaty. (UXO). During recent years, UNICEF has registered over 3,000 people in the he advocacy efforts of UNICEF and Republic as mine/UXO victims. Of these, Tits partners include raising aware- over 600 children have been injured and ness among both the child and adult 132 killed. population about the dangers of mines and UXO, so that they can keep them- he only way to solve the problem is selves safe from these weapons. Mine Tto undertake the complete clear- risk education programme has brought
Photo by UNICEF ance of all mines/unexploded devices tangible results, in that the annual num- ber of new mine/unexploded devices incidents in Chechnya has been steadily decreasing since 2003. A comprehensive programme to assist mine survivors is in place, and conditions are being created for the social reintegration of mine- affected children through the provision of physical rehabilitation, psychosocial assistance and vocational training opportunities.
roviding information through mass Pmedia and organizing events such as this photo exhibition are part of these advocacy efforts.
John Brittain, Communication Officer, UNICEF Russian Federation, tel: (+ 7095) 933 8818. Cell: (+ 7095) 761 6648. email: [email protected];
Photo by UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/russia/
8 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) Publications The Impoverished Children in Russia new report ‘Child Poverty in Russia’ he report finds that social support is uggestion One: (in the short-term): to Awas launched by UNICEF in Moscow Tnot geared towards the family. More Sincrease benefits for children from poor on 15 November 2005. than 80% of single-headed households families to 25% of the subsistence mini- and more than 60% of large families are mum, with the minimum wage going up to amilies with children account for most excluded from the non-cash “privileges” 50% of the subsistence minimum. Such Fof the poor in Russia, and having more social benefit system. investment would decrease poverty by 4 than one child increases the chances of per cent and lead to an increase in income being poor by more than 50%, according n 1991, family and maternity benefits of 1.2%, thus posing little risk to inflation. to the report ‘Child Poverty in Russia: Iaccounted for 77% of all social bene- Alarming Trends and Policy Options.’ fits. By 2003 this had fallen to around uggestion Two: (to be carried out over 32%. The report also raises concerns that Sthe next three years): to raise the mini- “There is no reason for any child in the the Federal Law 122, which devolves mum wage to 100% of the subsistence min- Russian Federation to be poor,” said power to the regions, may lead to imum, with benefits for children going up Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director increased child poverty in regions facing to 50% of the subsistence minimum. for Central and Eastern Europe and the economic problems. Commonwealth of Independent States. hese two steps would lift 8.5% of the he United Nations Children’s Fund TRussian population out of poverty, the “With a robustly growing economy and a Tasks how regions that already have majority being families with children. shrinking child population, Russia can high levels of poverty will generate rev- well afford to protect its children from enues to finance child benefits. It calls UNICEF poverty. But current policies are actually for significantly greater investment in Tel.: (7 095) 933–88–18 concentrating poverty among children – children, providing policy options to Fax: (7 095) 933–88–19 those who will suffer the greatest long- reduce child poverty over the next www.unicef.org/russia term damage.” three years:
Supporting Human Development UN Development Programme in Central Asia
n December 6, 2005, UNDP presented cal catastrophes would be high, the Report Oin Moscow the Central Asia Human also maps how closer cooperation could Development Report 2005. The Report make Central Asia’s economy much larger 2005 Bringing Down Barriers: Regional and richer in 10 years. The Report provides Cooperation for Human Development an analysis of the current state of relations and Human Security was prepared by a among the countries in the region and group of experts under the guidance of the prospects of their cooperation with the UNDP (United Nations Development neighbouring countries, as well as unique Programme) Regional Bureau for Europe Russia’s role in this process. and the CIS, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. It n Moscow, the report was presented by Ms. is the second UNDP report since 1999 IMarta Ruedas, Deputy Director of UNDP devoted to the human development issues Regional Bureau for Eastern Europe and the in Central Asia that employs a comprehen- CIS in New York, and Mr. Jacek Cukrowski, sive and integrated approach to the issue. Project Coordinator and Co-Lead Author The Report was launched in Moscow in the from UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and framework of the international presenta- CIS in Bratislava. tion on 7 December 2005 in 5 capitals of Central Asian states, Brussels, Geneva, and epresentatives of a number of Russian Tokyo. Rministries and agencies, executive for achieving sustainable human develop- organs, the Eurasian Economic he aim of the Report is to assist the coun- ment and human security for the people of Community, foreign embassies in Ttries of the region, their neighbours and Central Asia. Demonstrating that the price Moscow, international and non-govern- international partners in promoting region- for non-cooperation in dealing with threats mental organizations, academia, and al cooperation and integration as a means of epidemics, natural disasters and ecologi- media took part in the presentation.
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 9 Events Fight Hunger: Walk the World UN World Food Programme Will Continue or a poor family, children are both an his is why eradicating child hunger Feconomic burden and an economic Tthrough maternal and child nutrition resource. While a child is an extra mouth to and school feeding programs is the high- feed, requires clothing and other items that est priority for WFP. cost the family, a child is also an extra pair of hands in the fields or at home. A child hrough these excellent programs and working for others is a source of income. Tusing its extraordinary operational capacity, WFP can do a lot more, given hildren of undernourished mothers get adequate resources. WFP cannot achieve Ca poor start in life. Infants who are the Millennium Development Goal of Italy hungry and do not receive the right halving world hunger by itself, nor by History and Background micronutrients do not attain and maintain continuing with business as usual, howev- good physical and mental health. School is er. Achievement of the Goal will require here are 800 million people in the a too often a luxury that many poor fami- the focused attention of WFP plus the Tworld who know what it is like to be lies cannot afford, or they must choose skills, energy, creativity and commitment hungry. Sadly, 300 million of those are between children which to send to school. of a wide variety of players. Non-govern- chronically hungry children. Although mental organizations (NGOs), national there is more than enough food in the ven if a hungry child is able to enrol in and international institutions, private world for everyone, and although United Eschool, it is hard for him or her to con- sector companies, professional associa- Nations World Food Programme (WFP) tions, children’s clubs and schools, church feeds some 90 million people per year, the groups, civic leaders and citizens will staggering problem of chronic hunger need to join together to achieve the goal. persists. tangible joint activity for any and all n 1996, 10,000 people, including high- Awho are committed to the goal of Ilevel representatives of 185 countries eliminating child hunger is Walk the and the European Community met at the World. Walk the World is an annual global World Food Summit in Rome, and walk to raise awareness and funds to and resolved to reduce by half the number of encourage action to end child hunger. undernourished people by 2015. This The event provides a platform for dis- became one of the United Nations’ eight Portugal parate groups to come together once a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). year for a public manifestation of support In 2000, 191 UN member states pledged centrate on lessons and to attend school for the cause of eliminating child hunger. to meet all the MDGs by the year 2015. regularly. In areas where hunger is preva- lent, school attendance and performance alk the World’s very history n March 4 2005, the United Nations are low and drop-out rates are high. Wdemonstrates the power of collab- OSecretary General, Kofi Annan, asked WFP Executive Director James T. Morris very year of missed schooling during to take a lead role in ensuring the achieve- Echildhood cuts deeply into the indi- ment of the Goal of halving world hunger vidual child’s potential in terms of pro- by 2015. ductivity and earnings, health and contri- butions to society. Thus the long-term he Goal of reducing hunger by half is consequences of child hunger are signifi- Tparticularly in line with the WFP cantly negative for the individuals, their mandate and programs, in that WFP tar- families and communities, and their gets its food assistance to the world’s nations. most vulnerable. Its programs—especially its school feeding and maternal and child hen children get a good start in life, nutrition programs—serve as platforms W and nutritious food is available for from which to both reduce hunger and them, their health, attendance and per- address other MDGS as well, including formance improve, and their futures Education for All, poverty reduction, and brighten. Food and education combined prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, make an excellent investment in prosper- malaria and other diseases. ity, health and peace. Argentina
10 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) The 2005 event the second year—this time in Lisbon. Science Fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke new interactive website joined, in his wheelchair, in Colombo, Sri A http://www.fighthunger.org was Lanka. Race car driver Jarno Trulli spoke established to ease communication and out against child hunger to Formula One allow “grassroots” (non-WFP and TNT) fans, in Montreal, Canada. Congolese bas- organizers to propose Walks. Launched in ketball star Dikembe Mutombo walked May, the site listed the Walk locations and signed autographs in New York City, worldwide and included a Virtual Walk. USA. Many many other notable citizens Each new visitor to the site triggered a participated worldwide, including politi- donation of 19 cents from TNT. (19 cents cians, government officials, ambassadors, is what it costs WFP, on average, for a sports heroes, artists and performers, school meal for one child) beauty pageant winners, and you(?).
small number of cities around the world erhaps most exciting was the fact that Awere targeted for significantly expand- Pmany WFP beneficiaries took part in the The Russian Federation ing partnerships and participation; and a Walk as well. In Malawi alone, over 40,000 50-50 partnership model was developed, oration between corporate and humani- through which the costs and the proceeds of tarian entities and de-centralized organ- the Walk can be shared with partners. izing. The concept of collaborative rela- tionships between the humanitarian and pectacular backdrops such as the business sector has been on the UN agen- SSphinx and Pyramids in Egypt, the da for a while. At the World Economic Great Wall in China, the Grand Prix Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2003, the Formula One race in Montreal, Battery UN Secretary General described to cor- Park and the Statue of Liberty in New York porate leaders the need for a “quiet revo- City—and more—helped to make Walk lution” to renew the United Nations in the World 2005 a grand success. Elephants the twenty-first century by building a and camels walked bearing Fight Hunger: Malawi stronger relationship with the business Walk the World signs, and zoo animals community. “Thriving markets and added an interesting background touch beneficiary children (one quarter of the human security go hand in hand; with- in Jakarta and Johannesburg. 200,000 students receiving food through the out one, we will not have the other,” he WFP school feeding program) participated! said. WFP has taken the challenge to alk the World T-shirts, hats, wrist- heart and over the last three years, espe- Wbands and other visibility items t worked! Walk the World 2005 cially, has extended its partnership base were available and prominently displayed, Iinvolved 200,986 participants in 266 to include an increasing number of pri- and—thanks to hundreds of sponsors-- locations in 91 countries. vate entities. The future n fact, the Walk evolved from the initia- Itive of WFP’s corporate partner TNT. In nding child hunger is a challenge that 2003, TNT employees in Asia undertook Ewill require worldwide a multi-party walks to raise funds in support of WFP effort sustained over time. All who are school feeding. Based on the success in interested in joining the effort are there- Asia, TNT organized a global walk in 2004, fore encouraged to view the effort as dubbed it Fight Hunger: Walk the World long-term coalition-building and public and invited WFP staff and families to join. The United States of America education process—lasting through 2015. Some 40,000 people participated in the Walk in over 70 countries and 24 time refreshments and entertainment were alk the World is the global, once-a- zones. The Walk raised US$1,000,000, or provided in many locations. All in all, Walk Wyear demonstration of our commit- enough to feed 30,000 children for one the World 2005 provided a wonderfully ment and working together. Related school year. colourful and fun family atmosphere. activities that span the months between Walks are being considered as well. NT Chief Executive Peter Bakker sub- ocal and international officials and T sequently proposed to turn the Walk L celebrities also added to the festivity. ark your calendar and stay in touch over to WFP. WFP Executive Director For example, the President of Honduras Mfor the next Walk, on May 21, 2006! Morris accepted and 2005 became a tran- Ricardo Maduro led the Walk and told the sition year, involving WFP more substan- crowd in Tegucigalpa that part of the just- WFP tially in the planning and implementa- announced debt relief package for Tel.: (7 095) 956–49–68 tion of the Walk, and pilot testing differ- Honduras will be used to support school Fax: (7 095) 956–49–89 ent ways of engaging both new and tradi- feeding. Marathon record-setter Paul www.wfp.org tional partners. Tergat participated in Walk the World for
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 11 United Nations Population Fund: Launch of the 2005 State United Nations Population Fund of World Population Report
n 12 October 2005, at the Central OHouse of the Journalist in Moscow, a press-conference took place on the occa- sion of the launch of UNFPA`s State of World Population Report, entitled “The Promise of Equality: Gender Equity, Reproductive Health and the Millennium Development Goals”. The launch of this year’s Report coincided with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Charter, which, among other things, enshrined the equal rights of women and men.
ore than 80 people took part in the Mpress conference, including repre- sentatives from the Government and from international organizations work- ing in Russia, scientists and journalists from 20 regions of the country.
resenting the report, Ms. Sietske PSteneker, UNFPA Representative in the Russian Federation, explained its focus on the promise of equal opportu- nities for men and women and on turn- Launch of UNFPA`s State of World Population Report in Central House of Journalists
ing the promise into reality. The follow- ing are excerpts of Ms. Steneker’s state- ment:
“This year’s State of World Population Report comes one month after the 2005 World Summit in New York, where leaders from practically all countries in the world, including President Putin, pledged once more to reduce extreme poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals requires healthy men and healthy women, working together hand in hand as equals.
orldwide, sexual and reproductive Whealth problems—including HIV/AIDS—remain the leading cause of death and illness in women and girls between the ages of 15 and 44. Perhaps in no other area of health are the dispar- ities between rich and poor so wide and the tragic consequences so utterly Representatives from the Government and international organizations, scientists immoral. Every year, more than half a and journalists from 20 regions of the country took part in the press conference million women and girls in the world
12 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) die from pregnancy-related complica- he report also calls for investments tions that are almost entirely preventa- Ttargeted at adolescents and youth. ble. Millions more are left to suffer out Young people today number nearly 3 the remainder of their lives with injuries billion and constitute almost one half that are unheard of in wealthier coun- of the world’s population. Today’s tries. cohort of young people is the largest in history. Investments in their well-being lobally, increased investments in sex- will engender positive effects for Gual and reproductive health are decades to come. Yet, despite their huge urgently needed to improve maternal numbers, their needs are too often health, reduce poverty and combat overlooked by policy makers—even HIV/AIDS. though young people under 25 now constitute the majority in many devel- orldwide, the face of HIV/AIDS is oping countries.” Wincreasingly female and increasing- s. Steneker also clarified that the M Millennium Development Goal on gender is related to the empowerment of women, but also, more generally, to gen- der equality. This means that it should be understood not only in terms of women’s rights, but also in terms of overcoming gender disparities that are unfavourable Ms. Sietske Steneker, UNFPA to men, like the example of premature Representative in the Russian Federation adult mortality in Russia. he UNFPA Report presentation was n closing, she stated that “today, we Tfollowed by a lively discussion and the Ihave an opportunity to fulfil the prom- participants’ answers to the multiple ises made more than half a century ago questions from mass media. and reaffirmed throughout the 1990s—in Cairo at the International Conference on UNFPA Population and Development, in Beijing Tel.: (7 095) 787-21-13 at the Fourth World Conference on Fax: (7 095) 787-21-37 Women, in 2000 with the signing of the E-mail: [email protected] Millennium Declaration, and this year at www.unfpa.ru ly young. Of the 40 million people known the World Summit.” to be living with the virus, about half are women, and infection rates among women, particularly young women, are known to be rising in every region. It will be hard to reverse the AIDS epidemic until we end discrimination and violence against women and girls.
ithout a cure, prevention remains W the first line of defence to halt the AIDS epidemic. Greater investments are needed for prevention, treatment and care. This would go a long way towards stemming an epidemic that proliferates amidst poverty, discrimination, neglect and violence.
orldwide an estimated 1 in 5 Wwomen will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. One in 3 will have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused. More often than not, the perpetrators go unpunished. Every single country in the world should take steps to end vio- lence against women.
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 13 Opinions Meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States Conference Process
UN in Russia introduces the author of the article: Bohdan Nahajlo is currently a sen- ior policy officer in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Regional Bureau for Europe. He was involved in the CIS Conference process throughout the ten years of its existence, and has also served as UNHCR Representative in Belarus and Azerbaijan.
he concluding meeting of the The Council of Europe and Organization n a concluding statement, participant TCommonwealth of Independent on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Istates agreed to build on the achieve- States Conference Process took place in represented by ODIHR and HCNM), ments of the Commonwealth of Geneva on Monday 10 October 2005, inter-governmental organizations Independent States Conference Process with the full involvement of the partici- (including United Nations Development by establishing various appropriate pating states and agencies. The UN Programme, International Labour arrangements that together would form Refugee Agency and International Organization, ICMPD), the European a flexible broader framework for work- Organization for Migration (IOM) Commission, World Bank, and represen- ing consultation and cooperation. served as co-chairs. tatives of NGO lead agencies. The pur- pose of the meeting was to conclude the articipating states recognized that t brought to an end a ten-year ten-year process, adopt a final state- Pimportant issues remain to be Iprocess which undoubtedly helped ment, and look ahead towards a new addressed as regards the implementa- the countries of the Commonwealth of flexible framework for Euro-Asian coop- tion of a fair and effective asylum system Independent States build their capaci- eration on migration, asylum and dis- involving access to the territory, ade- ty to manage challenges in the areas of placement issues. quate reception facilities, the imple- asylum, migration and displacement mentation of a refugee status determi- and promote cooperation in this uch has been achieved as a nation process and the creation of inte- regard. At the same time, it was also “Mresult of this remarkable ten- gration possibilities for those found to recognized at the Concluding Meeting year multilateral effort”, UN High be in need of international protection. that gaps still remain and that it would Commissioner for Refugees, Antуnio be desirable to establish a new frame- Guterres, said in his closing speech. articipating states invited UNHCR work to address them along with new “Compared to the situation that existed Pand other international organiza- challenges. in the mid-1990s, all the states involved tions to continue providing technical are certainly much better placed to assistance for the capacity building of he Commonwealth of Independent manage displacement and migration relevant administrative bodies and TStates Conference Process was initi- problems in a humane and effective national court systems and training of ated in the mid-1990s in response to manner consistent with international border guards, national refugee status challenges in the fields of asylum, migra- norms”. determination agencies and law tion and forced displacement after the enforcement staff for the management dissolution of the Soviet Union. It led to onsiderable challenges, however, of an adequate asylum procedure. the 1996 Geneva Conference on these Ccontinue to confront the region. issues which in turn produced a coher- “Gaps still remain, especially when it iven the importance of reliable and ent and comprehensive Programme of comes to implementation, and asy- Gcomplete data on asylum-seekers Action on which a follow-up process lum and protection are in some cases and refugees, it was agreed to strengthen involving most of the Commonwealth fragile or absent. New challenges co-operation among the concerned of Independent States countries was have appeared, especially those relat- states and with international agencies based. ed to the increased international con- in relation to the registration and docu- cern with security and combating ter- mentation of such groups. In particular, he participants in the Concluding rorism, border management, the the importance of providing refugees TMeeting included delegations from growth of movements including including children with adequate docu- ten of the 12 CIS states (Uzbekistan and migrants and asylum-seekers into and mentation was recognised. Turkmenistan did not participate), across the region, trafficking in per- neighbouring and interested countries, sons and xenophobia”, said the High articipating states pledged to the four lead agencies (UNHCR, IOM, Commissioner. Padopt or revise citizenship legisla-
14 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) tion on avoiding and reducing state- t is up to all of us now to ensure that in a new form which responds to chang- lessness as a consequence of state suc- “I we build on what has been ing realities and needs. cession and to set up mechanisms achieved and to jointly chart the way for- enabling persons to establish their ward in a spirit of understanding and has already begun nationality. cooperation – the hallmark, as we can now UNHCRfollow-up consul- say, of the exemplary Commonwealth of tations with its partners and the diplo- inally, the concluding statement Independent States Conference process”, matic missions of the Commonwealth of Femphasizes the need to speed up concluded the High Commissioner. Independent States countries in Geneva progress towards a comprehensive and on the next steps. What is awaited now durable solution of the problems still he challenge now is to agree on the are concrete proposals which could faced by remaining vulnerable groups Tscope and structure of a possible then be considered at an expert level of formerly deported peoples. Such a new framework to follow on from the meeting of all the stakeholders early in solution should be based on the pro- Commonwealth of Independent States 2006 at which the modalities of a new tection of human rights, the elimina- Conference process, ensure that there is arrangement could be worked out. tion of statelessness and the early local ownership by participating coun- Bohdan Nahajlo removal of obstacles to the acquisition tries as well as sufficient political and of citizenship by those already entitled financial support for it. to it; as well as the facilitation of volun- UNHCR tary return to the country of origin or he Russian Federation has respond- Tel.: (7 095) 232-30-11 integration on the basis of equality, Ted by offering to become a co-funder Fax: (7 095) 232-30-17/16 respect for human dignity and non-dis- of a new arrangement tailored to con- E-mail: [email protected] crimination in the country of resi- tinue the work of the Commonwealth of www.unhcr.ru dence. Independent States Conference process
Society
UN Information Centre Information Future The UN does not plan to ‘take over’ the Internet, but aims to ensure its global reach
he second phase of the World he UN views the “information soci- TSummit on the Information Tety” as one where human potential Society held in Tunis ended on is formed, developed and allowed to November 16. From the outset the unlock, providing people with access to Summit, attended by representatives necessary instruments and technolo- from 174 countries, including 50 gies through education and training in Heads of State and Government, was their efficient use. Technical, and even certain to draw the attention of mass financial capacity for the creation of media and expert community. The such a society are already in place interest in the Summit was reinforced today, so the problem lies in demon- by debate on Internet governance, strating political will to this end. which was intensifying as the Summit approached. Unfortunately, commen- echnology, information, and com- tators often present the issue of “who Tmunications merely constitute the should govern the World Wide Web?” background, the environment, and the as central because of its inherent context, while at the heart of it are the acuteness and salience. This does not, people, their potential and their con- Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, however, fully reflect the true essence cerns, above all – the problem of addresses the World Summit on the of the idea of the “information socie- inequality. Therefore, the key goal of Information Society ty.” the Tunis Summit was to ensure that poor countries, and the poor in all n this regard it is of great impor- et us see then what the informa- countries could make full use of the Itance that the participants of the Ltion society and the UN’s vision of advantages offered by new informa- Tunis Summit reaffirmed their com- the Summit’s objective are, and to tion and communication technologies mitment to the notion agreed upon what extent the Summit’s work could (ICT), including the Internet, in terms during the previous phase of the be considered successful. of economic and social development. Summit in Geneva in 2003, under
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 15 themselves and with other stakehold- he principles on which agreement ers. It is no less obvious that it is every Thas been reached include the fol- government’s responsibility to protect lowing: all nations should play an equal their citizens against, say, propaganda role and have equal opportunities in of nazism, xenophobia and other hate Internet governance and in ensuring its ideologies, inciting terrorism, spread stable and secure functioning; nations of pornography and other criminal should not intervene in decisions activities, which the Internet can be regarding other nations’ country code used for. top level domain (ccTLD); it is neces- sary to strengthen co-operation in t the same time, the very heart of developing national policies for gener- Athe information society, its under- ic top level domain names (gTLD). lying philosophy is freedom. It is free- dom that enables people all over the n his public addresses, and also in world to acquire knowledge, allows Ihis speech at the Summit, Kofi journalists to perform their profes- Annan has consistently sought to cor- sional duty and citizens to hold their rect a rather commonplace distortion governments accountable. Without relating to the work of the WSIS as a the right to seek, receive and exchange whole. According to this mispercep- information and ideas the informa- tion, the UN seeks to “take over” the Yoshio Utsumi, the ITU Secretary-General Internet, or establish some form of and the World Summit on the control over it. This is an absolutely Information Society Chairman misguided view. It is enough to con- sider merely the fact that the Working Group on Internet Governance, estab- which information and communica- lished by the Secretary General upon tion technologies are a key tool of request by the member-states, offered national development strategies. four scenarios of internationalization Therefore, financing further develop- of the Internet, none of which envis- ment of ICTs and their transfer to the aged the transfer of any controlling poorest nations of the world is vital for bodies to the UN. In other words, the achieving the Millenium Development UN does not plan to “take over” the Goals (MDG). The Summit partici- World Wide Web, but rather seeks to pants welcomed the establishment of ensure its global reach. the Digital Solidarity Fund and out- Symbol of the World Summit lined a range of areas where a more on the Information Society astly, as emphasized at the Summit, efficient functioning of financial Lthe time has come to leave behind mechanisms could be attained, build- tion revolution is unthinkable. By the the broad discussion on the “digital ing on such existing financial commit- same token, the introduction of cen- divide“. It is high time the internation- ments as the Monterrey Consensus. sorship in cyberspace or state control al community moves on to concrete over it would mean voluntarily giving measures and direct it’s efforts hat was then the response by the up one of the most powerful tools of towards the development and capaci- WTunis phase to the issues of the progress. The protection of the ty-building of digital technology. The role and governance of the Internet? Internet is the protection of freedom two years separating the phases of the The Internet was created and itself. WSIS have seen the implementation of advanced through informal, yet very more than 2,500 projects aimed at efficient, cooperation among various hus, an important result of the bridging the “digital divide” between entities within the private sector, civil TTunis Summit is continuing the dia- the developed and developing coun- society and scientific community at logue between two different cultures: tries, yet nevertheless, the Tunis com- the forefront. The Internet has rapidly the non-governmental Internet com- mitment emphasizes the need to do grown to be such an important ele- munity on the one hand and official much more, and without delay. ment of economy, education, health bodies - governments and intergovern- service, mass media, management, mental organizations - on the other. United Nations Information governance and everyday life that a Contrary to skeptics, the WSIS delega- Centre in Moscow strong interest toward it on the part of tions were able to make progress in this national governments is fully under- area. They agreed that there is a need UNIC standable. for a wider international engagement Tel.: (7 095) 241–28–01 (Library), in deliberations on the Internet gover- 241–28–94 overnments are anxious, and have nance, although the question of specif- Fax (7 095) 230–21–38 Gevery right to, shape their own ic steps to achieve this aim is yet to be E–mail: dpi–[email protected] policies with regard to the Internet resolved and debates on the issue are www.unic.ru and coordinate their actions among due to continue.
16 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) International Conference
UN Educational, Scientific & in the Kremlin: How Cultural Organization to Safeguard Cultural Heritage
he UNESCO Moscow Office made a new of the Russian Federation, Mr. Alexander he participants came to a unani- Timportant step towards implementing Sokolov, emphasized the necessity of Tmous conclusion, that safeguarding promising ideas and achieving practical qualitative improvement of preservation of the unique monuments and natural results in the field of cultural and natural and complex exploitation of cultural and reserves of global and regional signifi- heritage safeguarding in cluster countries. natural heritage as a factor of the World, cance requires not only and not so This was the international conference national and regional development. The much financing, but primarily a new “Innovative Policies for Heritage Director of the UNESCO Moscow Office management mode and mechanisms of Safeguarding and Cultural Tourism a.i., Mr. Dendev Badarch, welcomed the exploitation. All the speakers empha- Development” held on 25-27 of November participants on behalf of the UNESCO sized the necessity of the creation of a in the historical halls of the Moscow Director General. The Rector of State common tourism space in CIS coun- Kremlin Museums. The conference was University – Higher School of Economics, tries, of further dialogue among culture organized under the aegis and with the sup- Mr. Jaroslav Kouzminov, and the General specialists, businessmen and officials of port of the UNESCO Moscow Office, the Director of the Moscow Kremlin State central, regional and municipal admin- Ministry of Culture and Mass Historical and Cultural Museum-Preserve, istrations, as well as involvement of Communications of the Russian Ms. Elena Gagarina, stressed the topicality new cultural objects and natural areas Federation, State University – Higher of the conference and the role of the par- in the tourism activity. School of Economics and in collaboration ticipating institutions in safeguarding with the Moscow Kremlin Museums, cultural heritage. s a result, the conference recommen- Russian Federation Agency for Tourism and A dations to public, commercial and the Secretariat of the Interparliamentary ver 250 specialists from Armenia, civic organizations, and participating Assembly of the CIS countries. The confer- OAzerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, countries were discussed and approved ence was held within the framework of Moldova, the Russian Federation, United for implementation in heritage safe- UNESCO international programmes and Kingdom and Switzerland, including guarding, cultural and educational projects for Heritage Safeguarding and ministers of culture, tourism and youth tourism, natural reserves and ecological Cultural Tourism Development and on the affairs of the cluster countries, museum tourism development. The conference basis of recommendation of seminars on functionaries, scientists, and tourism pro- results are to make a positive impact on cultural tourism policies realized by the fessionals took part in the conference. It culture, tourism and economies of cluster UNESCO Moscow Office for Armenia, was devoted to problems of cultural-his- countries by creating favourable condi- Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and torical heritage preservation and man- tions for building of a new effective sys- the Russian Federation in 2005. agement of historical towns, natural tem including three components: cultural reserves and safeguarded areas for cultur- and natural heritage, scientific, cultural, t the opening ceremony, the Minister al, educational, scientific and recreational educational and recreational tourism, Aof Culture and Mass Communications purposes. and travel and leisure industry. To Keep Lake Baikal Clean
t the request of the 29th session of the going through the World Heritage site mented, the state would need to demon- AWorld Heritage Committee, a joint mis- would in accordance with the Decision strate that the necessary measures were sion of UNESCO and the International of the World Heritage Committee at its taken to prevent pollution of the Lake in Union for the Conservation of Nature and 28th session, make a case for inscribing case of an accident. The Ministry of Natural Resources (IUCN) went to Baikal the site on the List of World Heritage in Natural Resources informed the Mission from 20 October to 1 November 2005 to Danger. The mission therefore recom- that the newly proposed route would be assess the state of conservation of the site. mended the Russian Federation in accor- submitted to the State Ecological One of the most important concerns of the dance with its commitment under the Expertise and that any decision would be Committee is the proposed construction of Convention concerning the Protection based on the outcome of this an oil pipeline through the World Heritage of the World Cultural and Natural Environmental Impact Assessment. site. The UNESCO/IUCN mission was able Heritage to conserve the values and to verify in the field that all survey work on integrity of the site and to decline any the pipeline had indeed been halted. projects of pipelines going through the UNESCO World Heritage site. The mission further Tel.: (7 095) 230-05-54 n a meeting at the Ministry of Natural remarked that the route approved in Fax: (7 095) 238-60-85 IResources of the Russian Federation, 2004 crosses the Lake Baikal watershed www.unesco.ru the Mission pointed out that any route and that in case this option was imple-
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 17 Results of the Global Microentrepreneurship Awards UN Development Programme Competition Announced
n December 1, 2005, the • Best microentrepreneur among trade Microfinance Center Mr. M. Mamuta took O awards ceremony of the Global enterprises part in the winners awards ceremony. Microentrepreneurship Awards Aleksanin Vasily Aleksandrovich, Competition, held in Russia from August Kaluzhskaya oblast, Kirovsky district, r. Ercan Murat opened the ceremony to November 2005, took place in Berezhnki village; Mby saying that “microfinancing can St.Petersburg, in the framework of the really help change the life of people for launch of the IV National Conference •Best microentrepreneur among non- the better, especially of those who need it ‘Microfinance in Russia: Successful trade enterprises most. They will be given an opportunity Strategies for Economic Growth’. Kim Veronika Grigorievna, Nakhodka, to earn and save; they will stop fighting Promorsky krai; for survival and begin planning for the he competition was organized by future. In other words, microfinancing Tthe United Nations Development enables people to break out of poverty.” Programme (UNDP), the Citigroup Foundation and the Russian ice President of Citigroup Russia Microfinance Centre (RMC). It was held V Ms. N.Y. Nikolaeva noted: “We under the auspices the Council on the are glad that the first Global International Year of Microcredit 2005 Microentrepreneurship Awards compe- at the Ministry of Economic tition held in Russia has attracted many Development and Trade of the Russian participants. It was not an easy task for Federation. the jury to select winners among so worthy candidates. We hope that this hese competitions are aimed at high- competition will become annual and Tlighting achievements of the most will draw more attention next year.” successful micro-entrepreneurs and the most effective microfinance programmes, he United Nations General and at drawing the attention of public TAssembly has declared 2005 the and authorities to the sphere of microfi- International Year of Microcredit in nancing. order to highlight the impact of micro- finance on poverty alleviation. In he jury of the competition received •Best employer in the area of microen- November 2004, to commemorate the Tover 100 applications from microen- trepreneurship among trade enter- launch of the International Year of trepreneurs and more than 40 applica- prises Microcredit, the United Nations tions from microfinance organizations. Vorobieva Zinaida Valerievna, Republic Capital Development Fund, the The applications came from different of Chuvashiya, Cheboksary; Citigroup Foundation, and a group of parts of Russia – from St.Petersburg to students from a number of universities Kamchatka, and from Kalmykia to the • Best employer in the area of microen- united to organize business competi- Primorsky region. trepreneurship among non-trade tions for microentrepreneurs. In 2004 enterprises the “Global Microentrepreneurship he jury included representatives of Shushkov Vladimir Ivanovich, Awards” competition for the first time Tthe Chamber of Commerce and Leningradskaya oblast, Kirov. was held in 8 countries. This year the Industry of the Russian Federation, microentrepreneurs were awarded in Higher School of Economics, the United oan officers who worked with the win- 30 countries. Nations Development Programme, ZAO L ners among microentrepreneurs also KB Citibank, OAO Vneshtorgbank, New received prizes. Prizes for microfinance Eurasia Foundation, Women’s organizations were awarded in the catego- Microfinance Network, OPORA of ry “The most effective microfinance pro- Russia, League of Credit Unions, Union gramme to support entrepreneurship.” of Agricultural Credit Cooperatives, Resource Centre for Small and Medium tate Duma deputy Mr. A. Aksakov, Enterprises, National Union of Financial SUNDP Resident Representative in the Support Organizations, Russian Agency Russian Federation a.i. Mr. Ercan Murat, for Small and Medium Enterprises. Board member of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. V. Ermakov, he first prise winners in the main Vice President of Citigroup Russia Ms. N. Tnominations are: Nikolaeva, and the Director of the Russian
18 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) People Patient Safety: World Health Organization A Global Challenge
wide, nothing to say about their imple- focused on preventing infection associ- mentation world-wide. ated with health-care;
he majority of data on adverse events •Patients for Patient Safety, mobilizes Tat present comes from hospitals. patients and patient organization in However, they also occur within the implementing patient safety efforts healthcare system and outside it – in worldwide; medical doctor’s consulting rooms, nurs- ing centres, drug-stores, during provision • Taxonomy for Patient Safety is aimed at of home visiting service. At present com- developing internationally acceptable parative data from the countries in transi- data standards for collecting, coding tion is rather limited. However there are and classifying adverse events and near many indications that the issue of patient misses; safety is same acute in these countries, though potential nature of harm may be •Research for Patient Safetymeasures different to a considerable extent. the nature of patient harm in develop- ing and transitional countries and The WHO booklet dedicated n May 2004 the 57 World Health improves methodologies and tools for to patient safety IAssembly launched the World Alliance assessing the nature and extent of for Patient Safety initiative with the aim adverse events; one of the health care systems can to facilitate improvement of patient safe- Nexclude specific cases of so-called ty worldwide. The World Alliance for •Solutions for Patient Safety promote ‘adverse events’ bringing harm to a Patient Safety was endorsed in October existing patient safety interventions patient’s health. Therefore more and 2004 by the WHO Director General Dr. and actions worldwide and coordinate more countries consider issues of Jong-Wook Lee. The Alliance is intended international efforts on future solutions; patient safety their top political priority. to coordinate and facilitate interventions In 2002, the Resolution of the 55 WHO to improve patient safety all over the • Reporting and Learning generates tools Assembly called upon all countries to world. The first perspective development and guidelines for developing patient provide support and attention to plan of the Alliance focuses on six main safety reporting systems and improving improve patient safety and facilitate action areas: existing systems. development of monitoring systems in public health care worldwide. This • The Global Patient Safety Challenge for ne of the major targets in patient safe- incentive has put patient safety firmly 2005 – 2006 ‘Clean Care is Safer Care’ Oty is learning lessons from adverse on the global health agenda.
espite raising awareness and grow- Ding political commitment of policy makers and health care providers, a lot is to be done to considerably upgrade the situation with patient safety. Again and again same medical mistakes and sys- temic failures occur slowing down imple- mentation of interventions to reduce well-known risks. Many adverse-event reporting systems are still in an embryo phase of their development and often unfavorable information is withheld by medical workers. Understanding of fre- quency, nature and decisive factors of adverse events is limited. Despite existing evidences of successful political and pro- grammed initiatives, only in a limited number of cases they turned to be an inte- grated factor of a core public health pro- gramme being implemented country-
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 19 events in health care. Many member states he World Alliance for Patient Safety Perspectives”. This event brought togeth- are in the phase of implementation of their Tfacilitates analysis and comprehen- er over 100 key international experts, pol- initiatives on collecting, coding and classi- sion of information on patient health icy makers, NGOs and civil society groups, fying data on patient safety. The Alliance harm worldwide and provides for appli- donors, medical professionals and has started implementation of two initia- cation the outcomes of the research to experts from all over the world to discuss tives in support of these efforts. upgrade safety of medical care. The key patient safety issues. Technical progress target is to reach global consensus on made at regional level was highlighted he most important knowledge in provi- high level taxonomy able to facilitate data with a particular focus on the CIS and Tsion of patient safety is awareness of the accumulation and analysis by countries Baltic countries. nature of harm and means to prevent it dur- and regions. It does not envisage substitu- ing medical treatment and care. The funda- tion of the existing taxonomies; it will ir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical mental role of patient safety reporting is in only be a supplement to them by forma- SOfficer of England, President of the strengthening of patient safety by learning tion of a model providing for direct com- World Alliance of Patient Safety chaired lessons from failures and bugs in the system parison of data collected by means of var- the Alliance Day. The program of the work- of medical care. Majority of problems result ious methods. shop included a keynote speech by Dr not from some accidental and not linked Vladimir I. Starodubov, Deputy Minister of with each other events. On the contrary, the he World Alliance for Patient Safety Health and Social Development of the majority of medical mistakes are caused by Twas launched by the World Health Russian Federation on patient safety the weakness of system, they have deep Organization with the aim of raising in Russia, and a presentation of the roots which may be summarized and elimi- awareness and catalyzing high-level sup- WHO Regional Director for Europe on nated. Though every adverse event is port and commitment to tackle patient regional patient safety prospects. unique, by analyzing several events certain safety issues worldwide. As a part of its Representatives of the WHO regional similarities may be identified, in particular annual programme, the World Alliance offices spoke on a global perspective about given the nature and structure of risks for Patient Safety committed to holding the work countries in each region are which might remain hidden without system an Alliance Day every year to report on doing to improve patient safety. of reporting and analysis. progress achieved and discuss new areas of action for improving the safety of care. articipants of the workshop conclud- revention and mitigation of adverse Ped that safe medical care should Pevents requests for improved informa- ach year, the Alliance Day takes place become the must for each health care sys- tion exchange on dissemination, types, Ein a different WHO region. In 2004, tem. We now make our initial inputs nec- nature, severity and consequences of the pre-launch Alliance Day took place in essary to provide really safe medical care. adverse events both at the national level Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China. Through the World Alliance we are com- and internationally. Lack of standard This year’s event was held on 9 December mited to facilitate cooperation and part- selection sets and taxonomy of mistakes in Moscow and was followed by a work- nerships with all countries for patient and adverse events creates an obstacle to shop entitled “Institutionalization of safety, and only together we will be able to these efforts. Patient Safety: National and Hospital change the situation for the better.
20 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) GFATM Funds Are Coming to Fight TB in Russia
TB Control Programme efforts in the effective implementation process. HLWG members, main WHOin the Russian Federation of these projects through better super- national and international partners together with the Russian Health Care vision and coordination of the activi- discussed further development of the Foundation (RHCF) was fully engaged ties carried out together with the Russian TB services with the financial in preparing the Grant Agreement with Russian partners. support from the federal budget and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, from the external sources. The meet- Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). he launch of the GFATM project took ing unanimously approved recom- Grant Agreement signed on October 4, Tplace in Moscow on 14-15 mendations to request: 2005 for two years for the amount of US December, 2005. Representatives of the $49.5 million becomes effective on RHCF and the WHO TB Control •The Russian Minister of Health and December 1, 2005. The project will Programme informed Russian and inter- Social Development to consider a cover both civil and penal sectors with national partners on the aims and objec- possibility of including the TB con- trainings in TB control, infrastructure tives of the project, bi-annual activity trol issue into the agenda of the development, improvement of labora- plan and GFATM requirements when upcoming G8 summit; tory diagnostics of TB, TB/HIV control, providing financial support, etc. Special MDR TB control. Thus, all activities will focus was made on the application to •The Russian Government to consider aim to reaching Millennium the Green Light Committee so that prolongation of the Federal Target Development Goals with regard to regions where DOTS Plus programme is Programme on social diseases for fighting TB and encouraging imple- effective could receive the second-line 2007-2011; mentation of the extreme scenario set anti-TB drugs at reduced prices. up by the WHO headquarters. •To approve the revised HLWG Statute.
ccording to the Grant Agreement 11th meeting of the High-Level members agreed that Athe RHCF is the principal recipient Working Group in the Russian HLWGto achieve global tar- and the coordinator of all project activ- Federation gets of TB control in Russia, national TB ities, while WHO would provide techni- control services should have sustainable cal assistance. National TB service will eld on September 2, 2005, in financial support and common TB con- benefit from the RHCF coordinating HMoscow the 11th meeting of the trol strategy. the activities within the project as it HLWG on TB in the Russian Federation also coordinates the World Bank loan focused on the global targets of TB he 12th meeting of the HLWG held project implementation. Thus, the control, Russia’s prospects in reaching Ton 13 December 2005 reported on RHCF and WHO will consolidate their them and the HLWG role in this the HLWG activities in 2005 and the
WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with 192 Member States. It has four main functions: to give worldwide guidance in the field of health; to set global standards for health; to cooperate with govern- ments in strengthening national health programmes; to develop and transfer appropriate health technol- ogy, information, and standards.
WHO, Russia Tel.: (7 095) 787–21–17 Fax: (7 095) 787–21–19 E-mail: [email protected] Web sites: www.who.int and www.who.dk
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) 21 work plan for the next year. The meet- the WHO TB Control Programme expe- tive cooperation and coordination mech- ing also raised the issues related to the rience in implementing the incentives anism in the development of the nation- implementation of the World Bank and enablers programme, the impact of al TB control programme and other loan Project on TB and AIDS control which was presented on TB patients’ countries might benefit from the best and the project supported by the adherence to treatment that was stud- practices in Russia. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis ied in the WHO pilot regions of Russia. and Malaria (GFATM). 12th Meeting of the TB Training he World Bank and WHO organized a and Education Collaborative for the Attention to Tuberculosis Control Tsymposium on “Expansion of Revised WHO European Region at the Gatherings in France TB Control Strategy in the Russian Federation” within the 36th IUATLD or the 12th time international his fall Paris hosted the 36th Conference on 22 October 2005 chaired Forganizations working in the TInternational Union Against TB and by Mr Marquez, World Bank, Dr Blanc, European Region in the field of TB con- Lung Diseases (IUATLD) World WHO/HQ, Dr Martynov, Russian Ministry trol met in Copenhagen on 17-18 Conference on Lung Health on 18-22 of Health and Social Development, and November, 2005 to update each other October 2005 called ‘Scaling up and Professor Perelman, Research Institute of on TB related trainings held from May sustaining effective tuberculosis, HIV Phthisiopulmonology, Sechenov Moscow till November 2005. Trainings in mul- and asthma prevention and control’. Medical Academy. The event gathered tidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) Most outstanding experts in TB and over 100 TB experts who had a unique control, TB/HIV control and advocacy lung diseases from all over the world opportunity to learn about the achieve- and communication were in the focus gathered to discuss the latest achieve- ments in TB control in penal and civil of the discussion. Presentations on ments in this field. sector in 1999-2005, mechanisms for training of trainers were of great inter- cooperation between international part- est and a heated discussion was about he WHO TB Control Programme ners and national authorities, possible the methodology of training trainers. Tshared best practices through the impact of the World Bank loan project The WHO TB Control Programme four presentations on social support and GFATM project on the development updated on the progress of the TB for TB patients, advocacy, work with of the national TB control in Russia, library. Programme for Appropriate mass media, with national and interna- development of TB-HIV coordination Technology in Health (PATH) tional partners and poster displays, as and control in the country, current prob- expressed their interest to support fur- well as thematic presentations on lems and challenges of TB control in ther development of the database for it achievements of WHO pilot territories. Russia. It was highlighted that the HLWG to become a regional database of TB The audience showed much interest in might serve as a role model of the effec- materials.
Write to the President United Nations Association of Russia about the UN Reform
n an effort to ensure that the UN is he topic for the next annual essay com- March 2006. Participants not older than 18 Iprepared to meet the challenges of Tpetition, organized by the United on 1 August 2006. The authors of the best the 21st century, UN Secretary-General Nations Association of Russia, will be ‘UN in works will be invited to Moscow to take Kofi Annan published the report ‘In the 21st Century’. Young people will have an part in the second stage of the competition. Larger Freedom: Towards Development, opportunity to give their opinion on how Security and Human Rights for All’. The the UN should work in the 21st century. he winners of the competition will Secretary-General emphasizes the Thave special privileges entering importance of reforming the United he students are encouraged to give MGIMO University. Nations and urges the member states to Ttheir evaluation of the prospects of introduce changes to the General the UN reform and write a letter to the or further information please visit UNA- Assembly, the Security Council, the President of the Russian Federation with FRussia official web-page: www.una.ru Economic and Social Council, the answers to the following questions: Commission on Human Rights, and the 1. What are the most important aspects Julia Taranova, UN Secretariat. of the UN reform and why? UNA-Russia press secretary 2. What position should the Russian here is a wide range of ideas and mod- Government take on the UN reform? UNA-Russia Tels aimed at increasing efficiency, Tel.: (7 095) 680–80–67 reforming the ways of financing the UN, lease send your essays to UNA-Russia: Fax: (7 095) 680–33–58 making the organization more democrat- P129010, Moscow, 36, Prospekt Mira. [email protected] ic and enhancing its cooperation with Essays should be no longer than 5-7 printed www.una.ru civil society. pages. The deadline for sending essays is 1
22 UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) Summary You can find the full version of the UN in Russia Bulletin in English at www.undp.ru or www.unrussia.ru (Documents) UN / The Film We Need Now UNFPA / Launch of the 2005 State of World Presentation of the film “The City Without Sun” by Sergey Potyomkin Population Report in the Moscow House of Cinema took place on 1 December to coin- UNFPA presented in Moscow the State of World Population Report cide with World AIDS Day. The film is about our young contempo- The Promise of Equality: Gender Equity, Reproductive Health and the raries who die from drugs and AIDS, and who need love, compassion Millennium Development Goals focusing on the equal opportunities and support to go on living. for men and women.
UNDP / Statement by UNDP Administrator UNHCR / Meeting of the CIS Conference Process on World AIDS Day On 10 October 2005, the concluding meeting of the CIS Conference “This year on World AIDS Day let us Keep the Promise, and working process Geneva brought to an end a ten-year process, which had together let us Stop AIDS, as the World AIDS Campaign 2005 advo- helped the CIS countries to manage challenges in the areas of asylum, cates,” said Kemal Dervish in his message on World AIDS Day. migration and displacement, and promote cooperation in this regard.
UNDP / How to Use the Multi-million Grants UNIC / Information Future to Fight AIDS in CIS Countries The second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society On 5-7 December, the Regional Workshop for CIS countries – recipi- was held in Tunis in November. Control of the Internet was one of the ents of grants of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and central issues on the Summit agenda. The UN does not plan to ‘take Malaria was held in Moscow with support from UNDP. over’ the Internet, instead stands for its global reach.
UNDP / Supporting Human Development UNESCO/ International Conference in the Kremlin: in Central Asia How to Safeguard Cultural Heritage On 6 December 2005 in Moscow, UNDP presented the Central Asia On 25-27 November, the international conference Innovative Policies Human Development Report 2005 Bringing Down Barriers: Regional for Heritage Safeguarding and Cultural Tourism Development was held Cooperation for Human Development and Human Security, prepared in the Moscow Kremlin with the support from UNESCO Moscow Office. by a group of experts under the guidance of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. UNESCO / To Keep Lake Baikal Clean A joint UNESCO/IUCN mission visited Lake Baikal to assess the state OCHA/North Caucasus: of conservation of the site. It was followed by a meeting in the Ministry of Natural Resources where the mission presented its rec- International Aid in Transition ommendations. The UN and NGOs appeal for US $88 million for assistance in the North Caucasus in 2006, putting more focus on development and UNDP/ Results of the Global Microentrepreneurship recovery programmes, as defined in the 2006 Interagency Transitional Work Plan for the North Caucasus. Awards Competition Announced On 1 December 2005 in St. Petersburg, the awards ceremony of the UNICEF / UNICEF and UNAIDS Launch Global Global Microentrepreneurship Awards Competition, held in Russia from August to November 2005, took place in the framework of the Campaign against AIDS in Russia IV National Conference Microfinance in Russia: Successful Strategies The UNICEF/UNAIDS Global AIDS Campaign Unite for Children. Unite for Economic Growth. against AIDS was launched in Russia on 14 November 2005 to draw attention to the growing impact of the epidemic on children. WHO / Patient Safety: A Global Challenge More and more countries consider issues of patient safety a top polit- UNICEF / New Photo Exhibition ical priority. The World Alliance for Patient Safety facilitates analysis ‘Mines Are Hurting Children’ of information on patient health harm and implementation of the Opened in Moscow outcomes of the research to upgrade safety of medical care. A photo exhibition “Mines are Hurting Children” opened on 6 December 2005 in Moscow. The exhibition is devoted to children WHO / GFATM Funds Are Coming killed or injured by mines and other unexploded ordnance in to Fight TB in Russia Chechnya over the last 10 years. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will provide $ 49.5 million to Russia from 1 December 2005. The project will cover UNICEF/ The Impoverished Children in Russia both civil and penal sectors with trainings in TB control, infrastructure Families with children account for the majority of the poor population development, and improvement of laboratory diagnostics of TB, in Russia, and having more than one child increases chances of being TB/HIV control, and MDR TB control. poor by 50%, UNICEF report “Child Poverty in Russia says.” UNA-Russia / Write to the President about WFP / Walk the World Will Continue the UN Reform Ending child hunger is a challenge that requires worldwide a The topic for the next annual essay competition, organized by the multi-party effort sustained over time. Walk the World is an United Nations Association of Russia, is “UN in the 21st Century”. annual global walk to raise awareness and funds and encourage Young participants will have an opportunity to give their opinion on action to end child hunger. how the UN should work after the reform.
UN in RUSSIA No.6 (43) Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals is a set of specific and measurable targets aimed at reducing poverty and raising living standards, which was adopted by 191 United Nations member-states, including the Russian Federation, at the Millennium Summit in 2000.
These Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to be reached by 2015 or earlier, are as follows:
Goal 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2 Achieve universal primary education Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 4 Reduce child mortality Goal 5 Improve maternal health Goal 6 Combat HIVAIDS, malaria and other diseases Goal 7 Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8 Develop a global partnership for development
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