DOCSLIB.ORG

Newspecial-Septembre-2020.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Newspecial-Septembre-2020.Pdf DIGITAL EDITION SERVING THE PEOPLE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN GENEVA SINCE 1949PRINT & newSpecial Towards a better normal 802– SEPT 2020 BETTER NEW NORMAL GENEVA CITIES HUB Suivez-nous sur: PANDEMIC RETOUR AUX SOURCES Opportunities and Entretien avec Sami The faces of Souvenirs de l'école Challenges – p. 5 Kanaan, Maire de new.special COVID-19 response – p. 35 Genève – p. 12 www. – p. 24-27 newspecial.org Thinksafer,BETTER, longerliving. insurance for Supplemental health staff members UN, ILO and WHO www.gpafi.org www.uniqa.ch Werbung 93_20_Ins_Denk_sicher_besser_laenger_leben_210x285abf.indd 1 14.01.20 16:42 DIGITAL EDITION SERVING THE PEOPLE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN GENEVA SINCE 1949PRINT & newSpecial Towards a better normal 802– SEPT 2020 BETTER NEW NORMAL GENEVA CITIES HUB Suivez-nous sur: PANDEMIC RETOUR AUX SOURCES Opportunities and Entretien avec Sami The faces of Souvenirs de l'école Challenges – p. 5 Kanaan, Maire de new.special COVID-19 response – p. 35 Genève – p. 12 www. – p. 25-26 newspecial.org © Olivier Chamard © Olivier INTERIM EDITORIAL COMMITTEE COMITÉ DE RÉDACTION INTÉRIMAIRE Towards a better normal Vers une nouvelle normalité It is now mid-September and we are brac- Mi-septembre : nous nous préparons à ing for the rest of a year that continues to continuer cette année marquée par la pan- be characterised by the pandemic. Schools démie. Les restrictions ont été assouplies are reopening and new ways of working au niveau mondial, les écoles rouvrent et de are being implemented as restrictions are nouvelles méthodes de travail sont appa- being eased around the globe. rues. Le terme « nouvelle normalité » a été utilisé en référence principalement à l’uti- The term “new normal” has been used a lot lisation de masques faciaux et à d’autres to define this, mainly referring to the use mesures de distanciations physiques. EDITORIAL / ÉDITORIAL 3 of face masks and other physical distanc- ing measures in place. As United Nations En tant que personnel des agences des FEATURED / À LA UNE agency staff working in Geneva, it is our Nations Unies travaillant à Genève, il est de Opportunities and challenges working collective responsibility to not only adopt notre responsabilité collective d’appliquer under the “new normal” 5 a “new normal” but strive for a better one. non seulement cette « nouvelle normalité » Rencontre avec le professeur mais aussi d’être encore plus exigeants Jérôme Pugin aux services des soins The pandemic has exposed the limits of en allant au delà. La pandémie a révélé intensifs des HUG 8 the social, political and economic models les limites des modèles sociaux, politiques Entretien avec Sami Kanaan, that dominated before the outbreak. Many et économiques qui prédominaient avant Maire de Genève 12 had previously considered it unfathomable l’épidémie. Rediscovering e-learning 18 that entire organizations could function The future of work is well fully with their employees almost exclu- Beaucoup n’avaient pas réalisé que des on its way 21 sively working from home. Now, working organisations entières pourraient fonc- remotely is set to be a bigger part of the tionner pleinement avec des employés INTERNATIONAL GENEVA / future in certain sectors. The pandemic qui travaillent presque exclusivement à GENÈVE INTERNATIONALE has also exposed vulnerabilities, something domicile. Désormais, le travail à distance Unusual Fun – we knew well as the multilateral system is est appelé à devenir une réalité d’avenir Responsible COVID Style 22 always called upon to assist with easing dans certains secteurs. La pandémie a Finland, Norway, and Sweden lead hardship. The world needs to start plan- également révélé des vulnérabilités. Nous the world in 2020 Empowered People ning for the long term instead of focusing les percevions déjà au travers du système Index ranking 26 on immediate, short-lived successes. multilatéral ,dont la mission est de contri- Meet Florence 29 buer à atténuer les difficultés. Le monde Le professeur Pugin et Cuba 32 Stories in this issue express various views doit commencer à planifier à long terme on how this change can and should be au lieu de se concentrer sur des succès Retour aux sources et plaidoyer pour l’enseignement 34 made. n immédiats et de courte durée. SwissYou : Une application pour les À cet égard, les articles que vous pour- internationaux et les locaux à Genève 36 rez lire dans ce numéro vous apporteront Unanswered questions différents points de vue et expertises sur and Hesse’s advice 38 la façon dont ce changement peut être Alfred’s new epigrams 39 accompli. n ART & CULTURE La guerre et l’amour au XXIe siècle 40 Art impact for health in Peru 42 Serving the people of international Au service du personnel des organisations NAMIBIE 3/4 Rencontres d’exception 44 organizations in Geneva since 1949 internationales de Genève depuis 1949 newSpecial – September 2020 | 3 FEATURED / À LA UNE Opportunities and challenges working under the “new normal” With the rapid emergence of COVID-19, UN organizations in Geneva had to make quick decisions. BARBARA ZOLTY, WHO interviews were conducted Ms Casalis also points out that With the rapid emergence of with a number of WHO staff, “this is new for all of us. Staff COVID-19, UN organizations combined with more structured counsellors have been impacted in Geneva had to make quick questions posed to several key along with everyone else and decisions on how to ensure individuals including Nathalie we also are adjusting to a new the continuity of work while Casalis, WHO Staff Counsel- way of working. Most of us keeping staff safe. At the World lor, Catherine Kirorei Corsini, are still working at home and Health Organization (WHO), president of the WHO Staff despite the increased workload, measures including telework- Association, and Evelyn Kor- we are doing our best to learn ing were instituted from the tum, General Secretary, FICSA.1 from each other so that we can start, and once some of the Some key issues were identified better support staff”. The UN initial technical and procedural that are summarized below. staff counsellors have created a challenges were overcome, the virtual network to support each majority of staff began to adapt Everyone’s experience other, exchange information to this new way of working. As in coping during COVID-19 and share resources that can of August 2020, it is clear that has been different be adapted according to the COVID-19 will be with us for Nathalie Casalis explains that needs of each agency. some time. Although WHO has while some staff are very con- implemented a phased return- tent to continue teleworking She reiterates that, “especially to-work, the situation is still and finding that their pro- in these challenging times, evolving and it is important ductivity levels have actually there is nothing wrong in to consider some of the key increased, other staff who live asking for help, and the staff issues related to the challenges, alone are experiencing feelings counsellors are working hard opportunities, and initial les- of isolation. Many staff strug- to develop new mechanisms to sons learned from this new gle to balance work and family make it easier for staff to reach way of working so that bet- time, which is complicated by out and to get the support they ter-informed decisions can be the need to take care of young need”. Evelyn Kortum provided made as we move forward. children. For single parents, the the broader experience of staff For this article, informal challenges can be enormous. in UN agencies adding that “we newSpecial – September 2020 | 5 have seen different reactions to “A lot of staff reported being so that meetings can be sched- single parents, others have the exceptional circumstances close to burn out because of uled efficiently, with flexibility certain health conditions, etc. we suddenly found ourselves working non-stop, with some incorporated where possible. Therefore, when managers in. It seems the majority are staff working longs hours into discuss working arrangements coping well, but some are the night and others working Helping managers better sup- with staff, they should ensure overburdened (caring for small without any breaks, even for port their staff that they take these factors into children, home schooling, etc.). lunch. Although the situation These interviews also found consideration so that that the Some are fearful of contracting has improved, there are still that most managers at WHO best decisions can be made to the virus. Those that come out staff who have yet to find that are not accustomed to man- determine the most effective strong probably had good social balance”. aging remote teams and may arrangements”. support. Overall, the work has be in need of practical train- not really suffered, and some This situation is often accen- ing in this area. This includes It will take skilled managers staff were more productive due tuated by lack of clear guid- aspects of flexible working to ensure trusting, flexible, to less disturbances. Online ance from managers, who may arrangements and helping inclusive and productive work meetings remain a challenge, themselves be working 24/7. In staff ensure proper work/life environments in ’the new nor- but we are adapting well. This many situations, staff receive balance. The situation is more mal’. As Evelyn Kortum adds, is like evolution in real time in emails or WhatsApp mes- complicated now, with a mix of “This new way of working will these historic times. 2020 will sages from their manager at staff returning to office while require a lot from managers be remembered as a very spe- midnight and feel compelled others continue teleworking, who prefer to have more con- cial year that turned the world to respond. Although this or a mix of the two.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Security Implications of Digitalization: the Dangers of Data Colonialism and the Way Towards Sustainable and Sovereign Management of Environmental Data
    Faculty of Science Institute of Computer Science Research Center for Digital Sustainability Bern, 30 June 2021 Security implications of digitalization: The dangers of data colonialism and the way towards sustainable and sovereign management of environmental data Report for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA Authors: PD Dr. Matthias Stürmer, Dr. Jasmin Nussbaumer, Pascal Stöckli Research Center for Digital Sustainability Institute of Computer Science University of Bern www.digitale-nachhaltigkeit.unibe.ch Principal: Yvan Keckeis, Morgane Bousquet Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA This study was prepared under contract to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The authors bear responsibility for the content. Table of Content Glossary ..................................................................................................................... 4 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ 4 Management summary............................................................................................. 5 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 6 2 Literature overview ............................................................................................ 7 2.1 The power of Google, Apple, and Facebook 7 2.2 Concepts of data colonialism and digital sustainability 8 3 Interviews ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geneva Peace Week 2019 Evaluation Report
    Geneva Peace Week 2019 Evaluation Report I. Overview This Evaluation Report provides the key data about GPW19, including the numbers of participants and speakers and feedback on the week from participants and event organizers. It highlights innovations in terms of networking, outreach and communications, and summarizes the resources mobilized for GPW19. It also sketches out the horizon for GPW20. GPW19 took place from the 4-8 November 2019. The main substantive trends emerging during GPW19 are documented in The Pulse of Peacebuilding 2020 that provides an overview of the key messages emerging from the panel discussions, practical workshops, games and role-plays, personal testimonials, debates, exhibits and documentaries that comprised the GPW19 programme. Some of the main organizational highlights for GPW19: • An estimated 1,400 participants took part in GPW19.1 Participants came from more than 50 countries, largely from NGOs, academia and international organizations.2 • A total of 310 speakers participated in GPW19 from more than 80 cities from across the world, including Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, North America, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America. • A key innovation of GPW19 was the focus on thematic curation by the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, with accompanying networking events: peacebuilding in Europe; building trust; cyberpeace; urban peace; and the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus. • A new conferencing application was introduced for GPW19 and significantly amplified the connections between participants and with speakers, thus increasing networking opportunities and information-sharing throughout the week and beyond. • Feedback from GPW19 participants was positive, with survey respondents rating their overall experience as ‘excellent’ (41%) or ‘good’ (45%).
    [Show full text]
  • Water Conflict Management and Cooperation Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
    Journal of Hydrology 570 (2019) 875–892 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Hydrology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jhydrol Research papers Water conflict management and cooperation between Afghanistan and T Pakistan ⁎ Said Shakib Atefa, , Fahima Sadeqinazhadb, Faisal Farjaadc, Devendra M. Amatyad a Founder and Transboundary Water Expert in Green Social Research Organization (GSRO), Kabul, Afghanistan b AZMA the Vocational Institute, Afghanistan c GSRO, Afghanistan d USDA Forest Service, United States ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT This manuscript was handled by G. Syme, Managing water resource systems usually involves conflicts. Water recognizes no borders, defining the global Editor-in-Chief, with the assistance of Martina geopolitics of water conflicts, cooperation, negotiations, management, and resource development. Negotiations Aloisie Klimes, Associate Editor to develop mechanisms for two or more states to share an international watercourse involve complex networks of Keywords: natural, social and political system (Islam and Susskind, 2013). The Kabul River Basin presents unique cir- Water resources management cumstances for developing joint agreements for its utilization, rendering moot unproductive discussions of the Transboundary water management rights of upstream and downstream states based on principles of absolute territorial sovereignty or absolute Conflict resolution mechanism territorial integrity (McCaffrey, 2007). This paper analyses the different stages of water conflict transformation Afghanistan
    [Show full text]
  • Research Program 2021-2024
    — RESEARCH PROGRAM 2021-2024 JUNE 2019 — « Le progrès scientifique en général, et en particulier celui réalisé dans l’informatique, ne doit pas asservir l’homme mais au contraire être à son service. » « Der wissenschaftliche Fortschritt im Allgemeinen und insbesondere die Fortschritte in der Informatik dürfen den Menschen nicht versklaven, sondern müssen ihm im Gegenteil von Nutzen sein. » « Scientific progress in general and progress in computer science in particular should not enslave man but on the contrary be at his service. » Angelo Dalle Molle, philanthrope Research Programme 2021-2024 Idiap Research Institute Departement´ fed´ eral´ de l’economie,´ de la formation et de la recherche DEFR Secretariat´ d’Etat a` la recherche et a` l’innovation SEFRI Division Recherche et Innovation Nationales Contribution a` des etablissements´ de recherche d’importance nationale Idiap Research Programme 2021-2024 S’applique aux etablissements´ de recherche encourages´ en vertu de l’art. 15, al. 3, let. a a` c, LERI (Autres bases legales:´ art. 20 a` 23 O-LERI; art. 12 a` 14 O-LERI-DEFR) Etablissement (nom) Institut de Recherche Idiap Adresse Rue Marconi 19, Centre du Parc, 1920 Martigny Tel´ +41 27 721 77 11 e-mail [email protected] Coordonnees´ pour le paiement UBS SA, Av. de la Gare 2, 1920 Martigny IBAN: CH71 0026 4264 6259 7401 M Organe de Revision´ BDO SA, Rte des Arsenaux 9, 1700 Fribourg Directeur Prof. Herve´ Bourlard Tel´ +41 27 721 77 20 e-mail [email protected] Activites´ (parts) Recherche 64.6% Enseignement 5% Prestations de services (Groupe 10.8% Developpeurs)´ Autres (Admin, Finance, Ges- 19.6% tion de Projets, Groupe IT) The present Research Programme was discussed and validated with the Idiap Foun- dation Council on November 29, 2018 and on May 2, 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • The Blue Peace Index 2020
    The Blue Peace Index 2020 SPONSORED BY The Blue Peace Index 2020 1 Contents Acknowledgements 2 Executive Summary 4 What is the Blue Peace Index? 4 Why a Blue Peace Index? 4 Blue Peace Index: Key findings 6 Promoting Blue Peace: Key recommendations 8 Benchmarking indices: strengths and limitations 10 1. Introduction: The need for Blue Peace 11 1.1 The global freshwater crisis 11 1.2 The need for transboundary action 14 1.3 What is Blue Peace? 15 1.4 The benefits of Blue Peace: New public goods 17 2. Blue Peace in selected basins 23 2.1 Amazon River Basin 25 2.2 Mekong River Basin 28 2.3 Senegal River Basin 32 2.4 Sava River Basin 35 2.5 Tigris–Euphrates River Basin 38 2.6 Syr Darya River Basin 42 2.7 Amu Darya River Basin 47 3. Key areas for promoting Blue Peace 52 3.1 Political will: Moving water to the top of the political agenda 52 3.2 Stronger institutions: Building foundations for cooperation 53 3.3 Developing trust: Building up the “momentum of history” 53 3.4 Inclusive decision-making: Finding the common ground 54 3.5 Evidence-based decision-making: Informing and 55 communicating 3.6 Finance: Investing in Blue Peace 55 4 Annex I—Country scorecards 58 Endnotes 123 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2020 The Blue Peace Index 2020 2 Acknowledgements This report summarises the key findings of the • Dr Alan Nicol, Strategic Program Leader, Blue Peace Index research programme, developed Promoting Sustainable Growth, International by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) with Water Management Institute (IWMI) support from the Swiss Agency for Development • Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Portfolio 2016 Global Programme Water 2 Table of Contents
    Portfolio 2016 Global Programme Water 2 Table of Contents About the Global Programme Water 4 Objective 1: Water Security in the Global Agenda 6 1.1 Strategic Networks 1.1.1 Initiative for a UN Intergovernmental Body on Water .............................. 7 1.1.2 Contribution to UN-Water ..................................................10 1.1.3 Global Expanded Monitoring Initiative (GEMI), Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) ...................11 Objective 2: Water Governance 12 2.1 Strategic Networks 2.1.1 Global Water Partnership (GWP) .............................................13 2.1.2 Women for Water Partnership (WfWP) ........................................14 2.1.3 International Secretariat for Water (ISW) - Solidarity Water Europe (SWE) ..............15 2.2 Water Diplomacy Cluster 2.2.1 Blue Peace Global ........................................................16 2.2.2 Blue Peace in the Middle East ...............................................18 2.2.3 Water Diplomacy & Governance in Key Transboundary Hot Spots . .21 2.2.4 Establishment of a Global Hydrometry Support Facility and Innovation Hub ........... 25 2.3 Water Economics Cluster 2.3.1 SuizAgua Colombia...................................................... 26 2.3.2 SuizAgua Andina.........................................................27 2.3.3 Vietnam to produce more coffee with less water................................ 28 2.3.4 Scaling Up Payments and Investments in Watershed Services .....................
    [Show full text]
  • 201130 SPG Final Report of Evaluation of Geneva Water
    Revised draft report External Review of Geneva Water Hub Programme Submitted to: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Submitted by: Sthlm Policy Group Author: Nicklas Svensson Date: 30 November 2020 1 Acronyms CATIE Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza DCAF Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces GCSP Geneva Centre for Security Policy GoF Group of Friends GOWP Global Observatory for Water and Peace GPP Geneva Peacebuilding Platform GWH Geneva Water Hub GHLPWP Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace HCSS The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies hd Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue ICRC International Red Cross Committee ICWC International Centre for Water Cooperation IFI international financial institutions IHL International Humanitarian Law ISE Institute for Environmental Sciences IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature MOOC Massive Open Online Course MoU Memorandum of understandings NGO Non-governmental organizations OAS Organization American States OMVG L’Organisation pour la mise en Valeur du Fleuve Gambie / The Gambia River Basin Agency OMVS L’Organisation pour la mis en valeur du Fleuve Sénégal / The Senegal River Development Organisation OSU Oregon State University RBO River basin organization SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SIWI Stockholm International Water Institute SMAB Senegal-Mauritanian Aquifer Basin SPG Sthlm Policy Group TFDD Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database ToC Theory of change ToR Terms of Reference UNDP United Nations Development Programme
    [Show full text]
  • CAN TECH SAVE the WORLD? Swiss Solutions to Protect the Environment
    CAN TECH SAVE THE WORLD? Swiss solutions to protect the environment Foreword Switzerland’s idyllic landscapes, clear lakes and rivers, and harmonious urban planning are the result of many technological, policy and societal innovations. This development pathway, which places a responsibility towards future generations at its core, has established Switzerland as a leader in cleantech. Today, Switzerland is renowned for its expertise in fields including climate change, biodiversity, disaster management, smart waste management, sustainable finance, and urban planning. Thanks to its world-class research institutions, strong startup sector and ability to attract top talent, Switzerland constantly ranks among the most innovative countries in the world and is therefore uniquely positioned to offer cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable future. China, too, has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development through its ability to roll out innovative technologies at a large scale and high pace. Like all other countries, Switzerland and China are vulnerable to a wide range of effects associated with climate change, ecosystem degradation and pollution. As illustrated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, global challenges will require global cooperation. Bernardino Regazzoni The cooperation between Switzerland and China in the areas of Ambassador of Switzerland to China innovation and sustainability is strong. It includes over 250 partnerships between Swiss and Chinese Universities and over 300 Swiss startups with interests in China, supported by swissnex China and long-term partnerships between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Chinese counterparts in domains ranging from clean air to zero-emissions buildings. Building a sustainable future requires the active engagement of all actors, including cooperation between the private and public sectors.
    [Show full text]
  • PD Dr. Manuel Fischer – Curriculum Vitae
    PD Dr. Manuel Fischer – Curriculum Vitae 1. Personal Information Name Manuel Jonas Fischer Date of birth 22.11.1982 Family Single, one son Citizenship Swiss Contact [email protected], +41 58 765 5676 ORCID 0000-0003-3065-0891 2. Education 2017 Habilitation in Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bern. 2011 PhD in Political Science, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Geneva. 2007 MA in Political Science, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Geneva 2006 BA (Licence) in Political Science, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Geneva 3. Employment history 2017 – ongoing Privatdozent, Institute of Political Science, University of Bern 2014 – ongoing Group leader, Department of Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag (tenured since 2019) 2013 – 2017 Lecturer, Institute of Political Science, University of Bern 2012 – 2013 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag 2011 – 2012 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Geneva 2007 – 2010 Project collaborator / PhD student, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Geneva Visiting fellow at University of North Carolina (2010), Stockholm Resilience Center (2013), UC Davis (2015) 4. Institutional responsibilities 2019 – ongoing Vice Department Head, Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag 2018 – 2020 Eawag Symposium co-organizer,
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Study on Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA
    Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa: A Comparative Study of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine P a g e | 2 Comparative Study on Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA CONTENTS FOREWORD……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 INTRODUCTION: Why water diplomacy and why emphasise the role of women in water diplomacy?.......................................................................................................................6 CHAPTER 1: Baseline on Women in Water Diplomacy in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine…………………………………………………………………………………………………...13 CHAPTER 2: Cross-country analysis of findings…………………………………………………..35 CHAPTER 3: What makes a good water diplomat?.....................................................70 CONCLUSION: Taking stock of the process and taking action……………………………77 P a g e | 3 Comparative Study on Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA FOREWORD Prof. Michael Scoullos, DSc, PhD Eng. Francois Muenger, Chairperson, GWP-Mediterranean General Director of the Geneva Water Hub “Hydrodiplomacy” is an adaptive, preventive, In November 2017, the Global High Level multidisciplinary form of diplomacy centred Panel on Water and Peace, an initiative of 15 on water sharing, which apart from being a co-convening countries, launched in source of “rivalries”, could also result in Geneva its recommendations for a global benefits. Water has been recognised, in water hydrodiplomacy of the 21st century, in important International Fora, as a potentially its report “A Matter of Survival”. It is the first powerful instrument for peace and long- analytical reflection to date on the water and lasting international cooperation. peace issues, and its positioning at the global political level. GWP-Med is committed to transboundary dialogue on water cooperation, considering it As Secretariat to the Global High Level Panel an inseparable part of IWRM.
    [Show full text]
  • Geneva Thematic Consultations for the 2020 Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture
    Geneva Thematic Consultations for the 2020 Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture Background Note In resolutions A/RES/70/262 and S/RES/2282 (2016), the General Assembly and the Security Council called for a “comprehensive review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture (UNPBA) to be conducted during the 74th session of the General Assembly”. UN Member States, under the auspices of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), elaborated Terms of Reference for the review. They agreed that the review should take stock of the work done by the United Nations on peacebuilding and called for a forward-looking review, aimed at further improving the capacity of the architecture to effectively support efforts to build and sustain peace. The resolutions emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to “sustaining peace”, wherein “respect for, and protection of, human rights and fundamental freedoms” are an integral component and reaffirm that “development, peace and security, and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing”. The UN Secretary-General was tasked by the General Assembly to submit a detailed report on peacebuilding and sustaining peace in connection with the review. This report, which will be the main input to the review, is expected in mid-2020. To feed into the UNPBA review process, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, in partnership with Switzerland will facilitate a consultative process among relevant stakeholders in Geneva. The consultations aim to gather the perspectives, experiences, and recommendations of stakeholders that operate primarily out of International Geneva. Representatives of Member States, Geneva-based International Organizations, International Civil Society Organizations, the Private Sector and Academia are invited to participate.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydropolitics Towards Peace And
    Evidence-based policy and decision-making Contact 2018 August in water resources management Reliable hydro-meteorological observations and forecasts are critical to implement better water resources management practices and policies, and reduce water insecurity. However, data on water remain scarce, fragmented and difficult to access and interpret, particularly in regions affected by water scarcity and conflict. In June 2016, the Global Hydrometry Support Facility (GHSF) was launched by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to help develop an efficient, innovative and sustainable framework for operational hydrometry, to foster evidence-based policy and decision-making. The Geneva Water Hub has been instrumental in the establishment of the GHSF and will contribute to its development, by focusing on improving the analytical basis to forecast and manage With the support of water-related disputes and conflicts, especially in global hotspots and river basins at risk. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 7bis Avenue de la Paix HYDROPOLITICS TOWARDS 1211 Geneva, Switzerland Tel. +41 (0) 22 730 86 43 PEACE AND SECURITY [email protected] www.genevawaterhub.org www.genevawaterhub.org Vision and Mission Functioning Secretariat of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace and of the Group Sustainable water resources management is a major global challenge of the 21st century. Universities Global High- of Friends on Water and Peace Water is essential for public health, food security, energy, and ecosystem services. Growing Partnership for Global Strategic Level Panel on Water Cooperation tensions around large dams, mining operations and various disputes over land and water Water and Peace The Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace was launched in November 2015 in Platforms and Diplomacy illustrate how water is linked to insecurity at local, regional and global scale.
    [Show full text]