OON31.p65 1 19.01.04, 14:04 Cyan Visit of the UNESCO Director-General, Ko¿tiro Matsuura, to The UNESCO Director- Art in the presence of minis- General visited the Russian ters, including ;irst Deputy ;ederation for the second Prime-Minister of R;, Ms. time 25–26 November 2003 Karelova, Minister of ;oreign on the invitation of the Pres- Affairs, Mr. Ivanov, Minister ident of the Russian ;eder- of Culture, Mr. Shvydkoy, as ation, Mr. . well as Chairperson of the The programme of the visit Commission of the Russian included a meeting of Mr. ;ederation for UNESCO, Matsuura with Mr. Putin, Mr. ;ortov, Permanent Del- the participation of the egate of the Russian ;edera- UNESCO Director-General tion to UNESCO, Mr. Kala- in the meeting of the Presi- manov, Assistant to the dential Council for Culture UNESCO Director-General and Art, a meeting with the for Culture, Mr. Bouchenaki, ;irst Deputy Prime-Minister Director of the UNESCO of the Russian ;ederation, Mr. Vladimir Putin greets Mr. Ko¿tiro Matsuura Office, Mr. Quéau, Ms. Galina Karelova, and in the Kremlin and other representatives of participation at the ceremo- the UNESCO Headquarters. ny of awarding Mr. Matsuura with After the meeting with Mr. Putin in the Opening the meeting, President the title of Honorary Professor of Kremlin Ko¿tiro Matsuura made a Moscow State University. speech at the Council for Culture and (To be continued on p. 8)

Contents: UNESCO UNA Visit of the UNESCO Director-General, Students and Journalists Discuss the Present Ko¿tiro Matsuura, to Russia ...... 1 and Future of the UN ...... 8 UNDP Announcing the UN Association of Russia’s UN Millennium Development Goals Open Perspectives Competition 2004 ...... 9 for Russian Regions ...... 2 UNICE) UN)PA Robbie Williams: Solo for Children ...... 9 UNFPA Executive Director Visits Russia...... 4 Telebridge Brings People Together OCHA in the Fight Against AIDS ...... 11 United Nations and NGOs Present WHO their Assistance Programme for Chechnya The Eighth Meeting of the High-Level Working and Neighbouring Republics in 2004 ...... 6 Group on Tuberculosis in the Russian Federation . 12 UNHCR Russian and International Partners Meet To Mobilize UNHCR Assisted Ex-Inhabitants of Alina Camp Resources for TB and HIV/AIDS Control ...... 12 in Ingushetia ...... 7 Launch of the WHO “3 by 5” Initiative ...... 14 Award to Sergio Vieria de Mello ...... 7 Patients’ Rights: New Notional Accents International Film Festival on Human Rights ...... 7 and Outlooks for International Cooperation...... 15 UNESCO UNIC Meeting of the “Scientific” Advisory Committee The UN and International Law’s Future: of the UNESCO Volga Initiative ...... 8 A Look from Moscow ...... 16

OON31.p65 1 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA UN Development Programme UN Millennium Development Goals Open Perspectives for Russian Regions A regional forum "UN Millennium Development Goals - Perspectives for the North-Western Region" was held in Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, on 20 November 2003 with support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The forum became one more of UNDP efforts to mobilize support for reaching Millen- nium Development Goals (MDGs) at the regional level in Russia and to help regional authorities and commu- nities use the MDGs as tools in establishing their development priorities. Representatives of the Komi Republic authorities, public sector, education institutions, academia and mass media participated in this meeting. A UN Country Team delegation, headed by Mr Eric Brunat, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, on behalf of Mr Stefan Vassilev, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative took active part in the fo- rum's work as well. UN in Russia presents an extract of Mr Brunat's speech addressed the participants of the forum. – Achieve universal primary educa- Among the Millennium Develop- tion; ment Goals, Goal No. 1 (halving the – Promote gender equality and em- proportion of people living in ex- power women; treme poverty) occupies the most – Reduce child mortality; prominent position. Today, more – Improve maternal health; than 1.2 billion people – one in ev- – Combat HIVAIDS, malaria and ery five on Earth – survive on less other diseases; than USD 1 a day. – Ensure environmental sustainabil- ity; The world needs a clear understand- – Develop a global partnership for ing of why global poverty endures, development. where and what the biggest obstacles are and what needs to be done to The Millennium Development address them. A lack of sustained Mr Eric Brunat, UNDP Deputy Goals’ message is simple: escaping poverty-reducing growth has been Resident Representative addresses poverty traps requires countries to identified as one of the major obsta- the forum's participants reach certain critical thresholds – cles to achieving a significant reduc- for health, education, infrastructure tion of poverty. Economic growth The new century opened with an un- and governance – that will enable alone is not enough. Growth can be precedented declaration of solidari- them to achieve sustainable human ruthless or it can be poverty-reduc- ty and determination to rid the world and economic growth. These ing – depending on its pattern, on of poverty – let’s remind that at the thresholds, in turn, can be reached structural aspects of the economy beginning of this century a child of only through stronger partnerships and public policies. Consider that, less than ten years dies of hunger among all development actors and according to UN statistics, poverty each 7 seconds, as well as around through increased international ac- has increased in some countries that 100,000 people a day! In 2000, the tion, including trade expansion, actually have achieved overall eco- UN Millennium Declaration, adopt- debt relief, technology transfers and nomic growth, and over the past two ed at the largest-ever gathering of aid provision. decades, income actually worsened heads of state, committed countries in 33 of 66 developing countries. – rich and poor – to doing their best The Millennium Development Goals to eradicate poverty, promote hu- are not proposing yet another pana- Therefore, all countries – especially man dignity and equality and achieve cea or one-size-fits-all solution to the those that are doing well on average peace, democracy and environmen- world’s problems. Rather the MDGs but with entrenched pockets of pov- tal sustainability. At the 2000 sum- seek to highlight the key areas of in- erty – should implement policies that mit the UN General Assembly also tervention that should guide nation- strengthen the links between eco- asked the UN Secretary General to al efforts and international support. nomic growth and poverty reduc- prepare a road map for achieving the The MDGs also provide a means for tion. Growth is more likely to bene- Declaration’s commitments. The re- benchmarking and assessing devel- fit poor people if it is broadly based sulting 8 UN Millennium Develop- opment progress. Any policy re- rather than concentrated in a few ment Goals, to be reached by 2015 forms, institutional changes or bud- sectors or regions, if it is labour in- or earlier, are as follows: get reallocations may be implement- tensive (as in agriculture) rather than ed in a more efficient manner if cen- capital intensive (as in oil) and if gov- – Halve the proportion of people liv- tered on concrete time-bound objec- ernment revenues are invested in ing in extreme poverty; tives. human development such as basic 2

OON31.p65 2 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA UN Development Programme

The private sector is levels. At the global level, the Sec- similarly an impor- retary General is to report annually tant player in the de- to the General Assembly on velopment process as progress towards a sub-set of the it creates jobs and MDGs and to report more compre- raises incomes. Pri- hensively every two years. These re- vate businesses ports support a dynamic campaign should support the to help keep poverty issues centre Millennium Devel- on the national and global develop- opment Goals in a ment agenda. variety of ways: through corporate The world has made tremendous philanthropy, tech- progress in its knowledge and prac- nology transfers, tice of development policies. The Meeting with Mr Ivan Kulakov, Chairman of the greater investment, Millennium Development Goals State Council of the Komi Republic etc. aim to bring this knowledge and health, education, nutrition and wa- practice together in a more coher- ter and sanitation services. Growth National efforts, both public and ent framework that recognizes the is less likely to benefit poor people if private, may still leave a large re- need for a multi-pronged approach it is narrowly based, if it neglects source gap in terms of Millennium to addressing the roots of develop- human development or if it discrim- Development Goals implementa- ment problems and significant inates in the provision of public ser- tion. ;illing this gap may require progress has been made based on vices against rural areas, certain re- additional technical and financial the promises of partnership in re- gions, ethnic groups or women. assistance, which can be made avail- cent international declarations. By able through international organiza- adopting the MDGs, all countries Meeting the Millennium Develop- tions such as the UN. reaffirmed their readiness to accept ment Goals should start with the rec- the responsibilities of their commit- ognition that each country must pur- Through expert assistance in design- ments. Bilateral donors, interna- sue a development strategy that ing and implementing development tional organizations, UN special- meets its specific needs. Only programmes, UN Agencies play a ized agencies, private actors and civ- through a systematic assessment of vital role in helping countries meet il society organizations should step what is needed for efforts to be prop- the Millennium Development Goals. forward with bold specific commit- erly resourced, and for services to be Each of the main UN Agencies has ments and actions to ensure success distributed more fairly and efficient- developed a plan of action for help- in reaching the Millennium Devel- ly, can governments assume the full ing the countries implement their na- opment Goals. responsibility for the well-being of tional strategies. their citizens and meet international commitments. The UN system also has a global role to Civil society groups – from commu- play. It is mobilized nity organizations to professional to: associations, women’s groups and networks of non-governmental orga- – Monitor progress nizations – have an important role globally; to help implement and monitor – Track progress na- progress towards the Goals. Indeed, tionally; the momentum for policy change – Identify key obsta- must come from a country’s people, cles to the Goals – and pressing for more schools, better solutions; health care, improved water supplies – Engage broad seg- and other essential elements of de- ments of society velopment. The Goals provide an en- around the world try point for applying such pressure. through the Millenni- They also empower communities um Campaign. The UN Country Team delegation and Ms Damira and people to hold authorities ac- Sartbaeva, Director of Regional Office for CIS countable by offering a scorecard to Millennium Develop- countries of UN Development Nund for Women assess the performance of political ment Goals monitor- (UNINEM) (second from the right) meet Mr leaders - from local to national gov- ing takes place at the Vladimir Torlopov, Head of the Republic of Komi ernment officials. global and country (centre)

3

OON31.p65 3 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA United Nation Population Fund UN)PA Executive Director Visits Russia

Specialist, Division for Arab States ties with Y;C “Juventa” arises from and Europe, Mr. Vassiliy Nebenzya, the fact that adolescents using drugs Deputy Director of the Department need to be referred for reproductive of International Organizations of the health services to the clinic. The “Ju- Ministry for ;oreign Affairs and venta” Youth ;riendly Clinic and Mrs. Lidia Bardakova, UN;PA Of- “Humanitarian Action” were pre- ficer in Charge. sented with UN;PA certificates of recognition and appreciation. Mrs. Obaid visited St. Petersburg, which is one of the project fields, well In Moscow UN;PA Executive Di- known for its youth-friendly servic- rector had meetings with represen- es and HIV prevention among vul- nerable groups, such as commercial sex workers. It is also one of the re- gions of piloting project on popula- tion development strategy. Mrs. Thoraya Obaid In the course of her visit the Execu- tive Director met with the acting The official visit of the UN;PA Ex- Governor of St. Petersburg, the Vice- ecutive Director Mrs. Thoraya Governor in charge of health and Obaid to the Russian ;ederation social services, the Deputy Minister took place on 4–7 October 2003 and of Labour and Social Affairs, and was aimed at reviewing the current various officials of the social and status of population and develop- health department of the St. Peters- The main physician of “Juventa” ment issues and advocating for great- burg municipality. er recognition of pressing population Clinic Professor Pavel Krotin is and reproductive health issues in the presented with UNNPA Certificate The UN;PA team visited Youth of recognition and appreciation country. The UN;PA Executive ;riendly Clinic “Juventa”. It offers Director was accompanied by Mrs. comprehensive health services, in- tatives of such UN;PA partners as Ann Erb Leoncavallo, the UN;PA cluding reproductive healthcare, and the Ministry of ;oreign Affairs, the Information Officer and Mr. Ramiz prevention, educational and social/ Ministry of Labour and Social De- Alakbarov, UN;PA Programme psychological rehabilitation services. velopment, the Ministry of Health, The visit to the clinic was the , the State Commit- continued with a meet- tee on Statistics, and NGOs. ing with youth volun- teers and representatives At the meeting in the Ministry for of the NGO “Humani- ;oreign Affairs Mr. Yuri ;edotov, tarian Action”. Volun- the Deputy Minister recognized the teers and the NGO made importance of external assistance to a comprehensive presen- the Russian ;ederation in stabiliz- tation of their joint ing the population, encouraging project. higher fertility, reinforcing the fami- ly through family support policies “Humanitarian Action” and practices, improving reproduc- is a non-government or- tive health services, and optimizing ganization concerned migration processes. with HIV/AIDS preven- tion among street youth The Ministry of Labour and Social and intravenous drug Development is the lead agency in The Deputy Minister for Noreign Affairs Yuri users. The need to imple- the country responsible for popula- Nedotov greets the UNNPA Executive Director ment some joint activi- tion and social policies. Minister Al- 4

OON31.p65 4 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA United Nation Population Fund

exander Pochinok recognized a fruit- through the ful cooperation between the Minis- provision of try of Labour and Social Develop- equipment and ment, and UN;PA in supporting the training. There demographic policy. The example of are a number of such policy could be a new project other initia- “Strengthening of National Capaci- tives, including ty in the Development and Imple- continuation of mentation of Regional Population the project in Development Strategy”. This project the Smolensk was signed on 1 July 2003 and is im- region, the Pre- plemented in four regions: vention of St.Petersburg, Smolensk and Sara- Mother to tov regions, the Khanty-Mansiisk Child Trans- Autonomous Area. mission of HIV Conference, A heart-to-heart talk with Olga Sharapova Minister spoke about current pop- and the prepa- ulation projections, which show an ration of ICPD + 10 report. At the meeting Mr. Gerasimenko The meeting with noted that the relationship with Rus- the Chairman of sian ;amily Planning Association the State Duma was cordial and welcomed UN;PA Committee on participation in drafting legislation public health and on reproductive health and repro- sport Mr. Nikolai ductive rights if necessary. Gerasimenko fo- cused on the new There were a few other important abortion regula- meetings with the Chairman of the tions approved by State Statistics Committee Mr. the Government Sokolin, the Chairman of the CIS and restrictions on Statistics Committee Mr. Korolev, the availability of President of Russian ;amily Plan- A Russian souvenir from Alexander Pochinok services, as well as ning Association Ms. Inga Grebe- the overall support sheva, and working lunch with the annual decline in population of that the Duma is providing to repro- UN Country Team in UN;PA Of- 700,000 persons, and a progressive ductive health and rights law-making. fice in Moscow. decline in the labour force. Mr. Al- exander Pochinok noted that one of the possible ways to resolve the eco- nomic impact of negative population growth is to encourage migration from neighboring countries, and to ensure the legal status of migrants.

During the meeting with the Dep- uty Minister of Health, Ms. Olga Sharapova it was stressed that UN;PA enjoys good cooperation with the Ministry of Health, which has been implementing UN;PA funded projects since 1999.

UN;PA was working with the Ministry of Health on improve- Meeting with volunteers and representatives of NGO “Humanitarian ment of reproductive health services Action” 5

OON31.p65 5 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs United Nations and NGOs Present their Assistance Programme for Chechnya and Neighbouring Republics in 2004

On 19 November 2003 in Moscow, appearances, summary executions, pursue the dual objectives of provid- the United Nations and non-govern- rape, torture, and terrorist bombings ing relief and recovery assistance to mental organizations (NGOs) pre- has caused many civilians to live in alleviate suffering, while building ca- sented the 2004 Consolidated Inter- fear. Serious security incidents have pacity of local civil society and gov- Agency Appeal for Chechnya and also occurred in Chechnya's neigh- ernment structures. Neighbouring Republics (North bouring republics. Hostilities have Caucasus – Russian ;ederation) for destroyed much of Chechnya's eco- The current level of federal and lo- humanitarian assistance to the civil- nomic and social infrastructure cre- cal government assistance in Chech- ian population affected by the events ating a dire humanitarian situation. nya and Ingushetia needs to be com- in the Republic of Chechnya seek- Most people in Chechnya are unem- plemented by additional relief and ing about US $ 62 million from the ployed, and a vast majority live be- recovery aid to sustain life in digni- international donor community. low the poverty line. ty for about 1,220,000 affected per- sons in the region. This year, for the first time, 12 Despite the government work to re- NGOs have appealed for funds habilitate infrastructure in 2003, The right to seek safe haven in oth- through CAP. The Appeal is part of much remains to be done to ensure er regions of the Russian ;edera- a global effort launched by the UN the availability of shelter to all and tion, in particular in Ingushetia, and Secretary-General in New York on the functioning of public services at to return to Chechnya voluntarily 18 November to help save the lives minimum levels. Because of instabil- will remain central to the pro- of some 45 million people in 21 of ity, displaced persons in Ingushetia gramme of the humanitarian com- the world's worst crises. may be unwilling to return to Chech- munity. nya in 2004 and could seek to stay ;our years after the resumption of where they are until the situation Various UN agencies and NGOs hostilities, extreme violence contin- improves. plan to continue working in the sec- ues to have a devastating effect on tors of protection, food, shelter and the lives of civilians in Chechnya. A To meet the needs of the civilian non-food (clothes, footwear, house- climate characterized by frequent dis- population, the aid community will hold articles, hygienic items, etc.), health, water and sanitation, edu- cation, mine awareness, and eco- nomic recovery. The UN ;ield Se- curity Coordinator's Office manag- es staff safety and security arrange- ments.

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, supported by the Of- fice for the Coordination of Human- itarian Affairs (OCHA), facilitates overall coordination of humanitar- ian agencies in Chechnya and neigh- bouring republics of the Russian ;ederation.

;urther information on the human- itarian activity in the region is avail- UN Humanitarian Coordinator a.i., Dr Mikko Vienonen, presents the 2004 able at the OCHA Office in Moscow Appeal to representatives of the government (N. Chulkov, MNA, on and Nazran or on OCHA web-site: the photo), donor and humanitarian community www.ocha.ru 6

OON31.p65 6 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UNHCR UN in RUSSIA United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Haut Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés UNHCR Assisted Ex-Inhabitants of Alina Camp in Ingushetia

On 11 December 2003 the last dis- another 75 went to stay with relatives placed Chechens remaining in Camp or friends in Ingushetia. A total of A (Alina camp) in Ingushetia relo- 226 people returned from Alina cated to Camp C (Satsita camp). camp to Chechnya, primarily to tem- porary accommodation centres, The ;ederal Migration Service of the from December 1 to 11. Russian ;ederation had decided to close Alina camp, and the authori- New tents were provided in Satsita ties stated that camp residents who camp for the displaced people relo- did not wish to return to Chechnya cating from Alina. UNHCR provid- at this stage could move to alterna- ed 41 tents for the families, and Me- tive accommodation in Satsita camp decins Sans ;rontieres–Holland pro- or in rehabilitated rooms in tempo- vided 30 tents. MS;–Belgium and At Satsita camp in Ingushetia rary settlements. Camp A is the third MS;–;rance assisted with the floor- tent camp for displaced Chechens in ing and installation of 25 of the tents. As of early December, there were Ingushetia to be closed in last and UNHCR provided eight additional nearly 70,000 displaced Chechens in this years. tents for school and medical facili- Ingushetia, according to the data- ties in the camp. While some techni- base of UNHCR’s implementing Of the 818 displaced people who re- cal problems with electricity and gas partner the Danish Refugee Coun- mained in Alina camp at the begin- supplies occurred during the reloca- cil. Some 7,900 were sheltered in tent ning of December, 351 people relo- tion, the utilities were functioning in camps and the remainder in tempo- cated to Satsita, 166 moved to tem- all camps (including Alina) on De- rary settlements or private accom- porary settlements in Ingushetia and cember 11. modation.

Award to Sergio Vieria de Mello

Tuesday 19 August 2003 was one of On 11 December 2003, Sergio Viei- fice collected the award (a medal and the darkest moments in the UN’s ra de Mello received posthumous a diploma) on behalf of Sergio. The history. The unprecedented attack award “;or the Protection of Hu- diploma is awarded to Sergio in “rec- against the UN on that day took the man Rights” from the Russian ;ed- ognition of his personal contribution lives of 22 of our colleagues and eration Commissioner for Human to international efforts for the pro- friends and badly injured many oth- Rights Oleg Mironov. A picture of tection of human rights”. ers. Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Sergio was displayed on the podium. former Assistant High Commission- Besides S. V. de Mello some 20 Rus- er on Refugees, was among the vic- The annual ceremony is traditional- sian personalities and organisations tims. He was a great colleague and a ly taking place on the 11 December, were awarded for their activities in dear friend for many of UNHCR between 10 December, UN Human favour of human rights, including staff during his over 30 years of tire- Rights Day, and 12 December, Day one Chechen NGO, several regional less, passionate work in the service of the R; Constitution. A represen- ombudsmen and famous film direc- of refugees and humanity. tative of the UNHCR Moscow Of- tor Nikita Mikhalkov.

International )ilm )estival on Human Rights

UNHCR took part in the IX Inter- Guard of Refugees’ Rights” contrib- gramme. UNHCR awarded the best national ;ilm ;estival on Human utes to a better understanding of ref- of those documentaries. Gennady Rights held in Moscow during 10– ugees’ situation by the public at Sidorov, actor, producer and film 17 December 2003. ;or the last six large. Teenagers from various re- director received the UNHCR prize years UNHCR has been a sponsor gions who had shot documentaries “;or coverage of the protection of of the festival. One of the festival pro- about refugees and migrants for the refugees’ rights in cinema” for his fic- grammes “Cinematography on first time participated in this pro- tion movie “Old Women”.

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OON31.p65 7 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA UNESCO UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (Continued from p. 1) Mr. Matsuura mentioned successful Council and President of the Russian cooperation between the Organiza- ;ederation Vladimir Putin by the Vladimir Putin stressed that this meet- tion and the Hermitage. “We have UNESCO Director-General. ing will be devoted to international as- started the new project of this muse- pects of the Russian policy in the field um’s development, which could be- During the ceremony of awarding of culture and art and attracted atten- come a symbol of the universal ideal Mr. Matsuura with the title of Hon- tion to the participants on the “in- of preservation of the world cultural orary Professor of Moscow State creased potential of Russia in the in- traditions”, – he underlined. Mr. University, the future promising joint ternational cultural cooperation”. Matsuura reminded statesmen of the project of Moscow State University President underlined that “we could need to ratify international instru- and UNESCO was presented. The review the prospects of cooperation ments focused on protection of cul- project named “Open Courseware between Russia and UNESCO as well tural heritage and passing legislation Initiative” foresees the creation of a as other international organizations in for protection and preservation of web-site where coursewares based on the field of culture”. historical heritage and cultural diver- MSU courses and lectures will be sity. During the meeting of the Coun- placed for free and open access. In his speech the UNESCO Direc- cil Ko¿tiro Matsuura presented the Ko¿tiro Matsuura, announcing the tor-General expressed confidence in flagship project “Remember the ;u- agreement of counterparts of the further successful cooperation be- ture” which is focused on preserva- project, highlighted the great role of tween Russia and UNESCO. The tion and development of television this line of development of higher Director-General presented the main and radio archives. CD and DVD education. Implementation of this goals of UNESCO in the field of “Masterpieces of world classic music” project, as he mentioned, will become culture, in particular activities as from the collection of Russian State an important achievement in the field world heritage, preservation of cul- TV Radio archive (Gosteleradiofond) of providing general access to “aca- tural diversity and struggle against – the first achievement of the project demical treasures” of the most pres- illicit traffic of cultural values. – were presented to members of the tigious university in Russia.

Meeting of the “Scientific” Advisory Committee of the UNESCO Volga Initiative

On November 20-21, 2003 the the first draft of the Volga Vision of UNESCO and selected interna- UNESCO Moscow Office hosted a document. Among the participants tional experts. The meeting recog- meeting of the scientific representa- attending the meeting were represen- nized that the Vision could potential- tives of the Advisory Committee to tatives of the State Duma Commit- ly serve as a benchmark document the UNESCO Project “Sustainable tee on Ecology, the Nizhny Novgor- to donors and assist in the formula- Development of the Volga Basin and od UNESCO Chair, the Russian tion of project proposals. A final ver- the Caspian Sea”. The meeting was National Committees of the 5 Inter- sion of the document shall be pre- organized to discuss and comment governmental Scientific Programmes sented to the public in May 2004.

UNA – Russia United Nations Association of Russia Students and Journalists Discuss the Present and )uture of the UN

United Nations Today and Tomor- Kucher, from TV Tsentr; Igor row,” at the Moscow State Institute ;edukin, from the daily newspaper Ve- of International Relations. domosti; and others. Among the ques- tions they were asked were: In your Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- opinion, is the UN still alive? What is potentiary Yulii Vorontsov, a member Russia’s place in the UN? Is this place of the presidium of the UNA-Russia, adequate to today’s realities, and does The youth section of the UN Asso- was the meeting’s organizer. Taking Russia really need it? What do you ciation of Russia (UNA-Russia) part in the debates were leading politi- think the future of the UN is? marked United Nations Day, Octo- cal observers and commentators from ber 24, by organizing a meeting be- both television and the press: Sergei During the meeting, the UN’s role tween students and journalists, “The Brilev, from TV Rossiya; Stanislav as a necessary instrument of world

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OON31.p65 8 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UNA – Russia UN in RUSSIA United Nations Association of Russia

politics as a whole was especially em- The participants noted the need for structure, ought to be subject to re- phasized – as a unique forum for ne- the gradual, consistent, and ratio- form first. Those present freely ex- gotiations on an extraordinarily wide nal reform of the UN. One point of pressed their opinions on the issues range of issues, and as an extremely view expressed was that the admin- being discussed, and a lively debate valuable instrument and medium for istrative component of the UN, ensued. Russia’s foreign policy in particular. rather than its current political

ATTENTION – CONTEST Announcing the UN Association of Russia’s Competition 2004 The UN Association of Russia announces this year’s competition for the best composition. Young people 18 and younger (as of May 1, 2004) are invited to express their thoughts on the place and role of the United Nations in the contemporary world.

Compositions should be submitted no later than ;ebruary 15, 2004, to the following address: Moscow 129010 / Prospekt Mira 36 / The UN Association of Russia / Competition 2004.

You can find the Competition’s terms at the UNA-Russia website: www.una.ru UNICE) UN Children`s Fund Robbie Williams: Solo for Children World-famous singer and UNICE; It was decided in Moscow to show of homeless teenagers to agree to Goodwill Ambassador Robbie him the programme for protecting the show the UNICE; Goodwill Williams visited Moscow this rights of children who find themselves Ambassador where they were living, November. Along with doing a living under difficult circumstances. and to tell him what their lives were concert at the Olympic Stadium, Mr At the forefront of this programme is like. Williams had a special programme the problem of child neglect-which, of his own: getting acquainted with according to some estimates, affects Sasha is 15 years old, and he ought UNICE;’s programmes for the more than 30,000 youngsters in the to be living in a children’s home in protection of children’s rights. Russian capital alone. Tambov Region. Only, he doesn’t like it there: the careworkers make Robbie Williams has been working Vera Barbysheva, a worker at the him go to school, study his lessons, with the UN Children’s ;und for city’s Street Children centre (a long- and perform whatever housekeeping several years now. One of the most time partner of UNICE; in duties he’s scheduled for. This is why important joint projects has been implementing this programme in Sasha regularly runs away from his the filming of short TV spot against Moscow), coordinates the work of children’s home and heads for the exploitation of children in all its streetwise professional and volunteer Moscow. ;or the last six months, forms. social workers. These are Sasha has been living in the capital, professional teachers and sleeping in railway cars at a depot students from Moscow’s and in an empty garage. institutions of higher education who go out on It was to the garage in one of the raids at train stations and complexes at Krasnaya Presnya that other places where street the English singer came. The day was children can congregate. cold and overcast, and it had started Groups of abandoned to rain. Inside the garage, it was even children are constantly darker and more uncomfortable than on the move, exchanging usual, even though Sasha had cellars for crawlspaces prepared for the visit: he had folded under roofs and hiding his dirty rags into a pile, swept up a from the police, and bit, and even bought some candles. usually don’t like to Robbie Williams easily slid through publicize their places of a narrow chink made in the back door refuge. of the garage and crouched down on the floor. Robbie Williams while playing football Vera Barbysheva with Russian childrenmanaged to get a group (To be continued on p. 10) 9

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(Continued from p. 9)

Sasha then said that he didn’t believe until the last minute that he’d be meeting the Robbie Williams whose posters were pasted up all over town. Sasha wasn’t used to grownups keeping their word and coming to see him on his territory. He was a bit flustered at first, but the singer kept himself natural and interested as the conversation progressed, as though he had been crawling into dirty garages and talking to street children all his life. Mr Williams wanted to know what it was like not going to school and not working; to be constantly on the move and to live in fear of being arrested by the police. He didn’t try to lecture Sasha at all- on the contrary, he listened to what the boy had to say with kindness, understanding, and support. A little girl senses a kindred spirit in Robbie Williams One of UNICE;’s tasks is to show centre is playing the role of run for the football field. The the problem of street children from experimental workshop for children played as hard as they various angles. After meeting with developing collaboration between could, giving no quarter either to Sasha, the UNICE; Goodwill different agencies. Otradnoye themselves or to the singing star. Ambassador traveled to where he, opened in 1997 as a children’s Robbie Williams finally wound up just like all the other children who shelter. Since it has been operating, on the ground; however, this neither find themselves living under difficult it has helped more than 2,000 troubled nor stopped him. conditions, will always be welcome: children and adolescents. In 2003, the Otradnoye Social Rehabilitation Otradnoye was reorganized as a “You play really well!” he told both Centre for Minors, together with rehabilitation centre with a separate his teammates and opponents. “I which the UN Children’s ;und has shelter, and the accent now is on the haven’t run that fast for ten years long and successfully worked to children’s family situation. Around now! I think Manchester United’ll protect the rights of children. They 100 children aged three to eighteen soon have to worry about being have just launched a joint project, live at the centre today. beaten by some strong new “In Whose Hands is the ;ate of a Approximately 50 children from footballers in the world arena.” Child?” The project calls for the poor and dysfunctional families training of new personnel and the come there daily from nearby homes. The children took their guest into the swapping of experiences by social centre. He inspected the bedrooms workers from Moscow, Kaliningrad, When their guest arrived at and living areas, talked with some of and Orenburg. The Otradnoye Otradnoye, it was the younger children, listened to how raining for real, one of the older kids played the and the children piano, and mentioned that he were a bit put out: composed his own songs exactly the their scheduled same way: he just sits behind his football game piano for long periods at a time and would have to be repeats the same melody over and cancelled. over. The promising young pianist However, the and the football players were all once singer wouldn’t street kids, just like Sasha in his think of turning garage. They found the strength down a match: he within themselves to start a new life- exchanged his to grasp the helping hand being own footwear for offered by grownups and to make up one of his for lost time. managers’ athletic shoes, The neighbours of a little girl who A souvenir for the English guest: from Russia with love and headed at a had been abandoned by her mother

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brought her to the centre. At the age the corner. Mr Williams of four, she practically could not was deeply touched by the talk, could barely walk, and was child’s history; meanwhile, truly unmanageable. After several she sensed in him a kindred months at Otradnoye, she has begun spirit and boldly threw to emerge from her shell and become herself around his knees, a different person. One cannot say even though she normally that all of her problems have been shies away from strange solved –unfortunately, the first few adults. years of her life so precious for development were lost – but she is The singer said that he talking, playing with the other enjoyed his day very much. children, and no longer curls up in This was obvious, even without Everyone wants to get autograph of the world- words: it was famous singer difficult to get him away from the star: “Don’t feel as though you’ve football field, and then got nothing to live for. Don’t write from the concert that yourselves off. Yes, you’ve had a the children gave in his hard time, and a lot of the fault is honour. He indulged yours, but that was yesterday. I’m in a couple of delicious just like you: I understand everything pies baked by aspiring and I really believe that tomorrow chefs and, to everything will be okay for you.” everyone’s delight, even started to sing. A huge team of adult professionals Perhaps most from UNICE;, the ;und’s partners, important, however, and (of course) such famous people was that the children as UNICE; Goodwill Ambassador sensed the powerful Robbie Williams are working so that charge of support everything will be all right for these Robbie Williams: solo for children from a famous singing children, and for others like them. Telebridge Brings People Together in the )ight Against AIDS

The UN Children’s ;und organized Those who took part in the telebridge have been transformed. This, the “Moscow and Twelve Regions debated how to correctly inform and however, is still not the solution to the of Russia” telebridge for December warn the population in order to stop problem. Such children must be 1, the World AIDS Day. the spread of the epidemic. Tigran integrated into society, and they must Yepoyan, the coordinator of such be allowed to go to ordinary nursery A pointed and timely real-time UNICE; projects, presented a schools and attend regular primary dialogue between representatives of programme for informing young schools. Neither bureaucrats nor the UNICE;, the R; ministries of adults about HIV/AIDS, one which public are ready for this. health and education, non-profit is now being implemented jointly by organizations, and journalists is now UNICE; and its partner The guests assembled in the studios possible, thanks to our modern organizations in Novosibirsk, were shown video clips of the means of communication. They Irkutsk, and Irkutsk oblast. abandoned children and young people gathered in various places around affected with HIV. The telebridge the country, including Moscow, Dr Yevgeny Voronin, a physician and ended with an appeal to young Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Barnaul, head doctor of the Republic Clinical people from UNICE; Goodwill Chelyabinsk, Yoshkar-Ola, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Ambassador Oleg Gazmanov. Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, Arkhangelsk, dwelled at length on his experience in Belgorod, and Rostov. collaborating with UNICE; to see to the social and educational needs of The main topics for discussion was abandoned children born to HIV- the problem of abandoned children infected mothers. With UNICE;’s born to mothers infected with HIV help, teachers specializing in child (there are 6,300 such children in development now come to the wards Russia today), and preventative of the hospital where 35 such work with teenagers and young youngsters have lived for several years adults. Each day, around 100 people now. The one thing on which are infected with HIV in Russia. everyone agrees is that the children 11

OON31.p65 11 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA WHO World Health Organization The Eighth Meeting of the High-Level Working Group on Tuberculosis in the Russian )ederation

tice of the Russian ;eder- ;und to ;ight AIDS, TB and Ma- ation Major-General Al- laria (G;ATM) regarding TB com- exander Ko-nonets, Di- ponent was presented. A represen- rector of Central TB Re- tative of the Russian Health Care search Institute, the Rus- ;oundation made a presentation on sian Academy of Medical the implementation of the Interna- Sciences Prof Vladislav tional Bank for Reconstruction and Erokhin, Director of Development loan Project on TB Stop TB Department, and HIV/AIDS control. Communicable Diseases, WHO Headquarters Dr Reports on multidrug-resistant tu- Mario Raviglione and berculosis (MDR TB) and on the Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Regional Adviser for TB, Medecins sans ;rontieres (MS;)/ Nederation Professor Ruslan Khalfin addresses WHO Regional Office for Belgium TB Control project in Ke- the HLWG meeting’s participants Europe Dr Richard merovo resulted in an extremely an- Zaleskis, representatives imated discussion. Problem of MDR The 8th meeting of the High-Level of the Russian health care authori- TB becomes more and more topical Working Group (HLWG) was held ties and international organizations. and calls for urgent actions to be in the Russian Ministry of Health on undertaken by both Russian and in- 20 November 2003. The meeting was This meeting differed much from the ternational experts. Therefore com- chaired by Deputy Minister of previous ones as the most disputable mon approaches to treatment of Health of the Russian ;ederation issues were touched upon giving raise MDR TB should be finally agreed Professor Ruslan Khalfin and Spe- to a hot discussion. Besides discus- upon in the shortest possible time. cial Representative of the WHO Di- sion of the report of HLWG activi- rector -General in Russia Dr Mikko ties in 2003, report of some Themat- The 8th meeting has vividly proved Vienonen. The following HLWG ic Working Groups’ (TWG) activi- the efficacy of the HLWG activities members participated in the meeting: ties (TB surveillance and monitoring, especially when coping with difficult Chief TB Specialist of the Ministry laboratory services, TB in HIV-in- and disputable issues. It has demon- of Health of the Russian ;ederation fected persons), report on the activi- strated close cooperation between Academician Michael Perelman, ties of the Advisory Board of the In- Russian and international experts Deputy Head of the Directorate of teragency Coordination Committee who openly discuss problems and Corrections, Head of the Medical (ICC) information on the prepara- jointly find the best possible solu- Department of the Ministry of Jus- tion of the application to the Global tions. Russian and International Partners Meet To Mobilize Resources for TB and HIV/AIDS Control

On 21 November 2003 the Ministry 70 representatives of the leading TB Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of of Health of the Russian ;ederation research institutes, regional HIV/AIDS ;oreign Affairs, representatives of the hosted the Meeting of the Russian and prevention and control centers as well military and medical departments of International Partners on Resources as 48 representatives of the internation- the ;ederal Security Services and the Mobilization for TB and HIV/AIDS al agencies involved into joint TB con- Russian Ministry of Defense, represen- in the Russian ;ederation held on the trol projects in the Russian ;ederation tatives of the Social Development De- initiative of the Ministry of Health, the participated in the meeting. Represen- partment of the Government of the World Health Organization (WHO), tatives of some embassies and officials Russian ;ederation, Health and Sports and International Bank for Recon- from the WHO Regional Office for Committee of the State Duma as well struction and Development. Europe and WHO Headquarters were as representatives of the Ministry of among the participants. Chief TB spe- Economic Development and the Min- The main aim of the meeting was to cialists of the ;ederal Districts, deputy istry of Agriculture took part in the attract additional financial and tech- heads of local administrations, health work of the meeting. nical resources to improve effective- care officials and chief TB doctors from ness of TB control activities in the the regions implementing WHO TB Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian ;ederation. Control projects, representatives of the Russian ;ederation Professor Rus- 12

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icine to cope with ties of the international cooperation the other existing in implementation of TB control ac- problems”. Acade- tivities in the Russian ;ederation. mician Michael Perelman stressed International partners treated these that “continuation goals with understanding and ex- of the HLWG ac- pressed their intention to consider tivities in Russia is possibilities of providing financial of great importance support needed for implementation and the experience of the ;ive-Year Plan, accomplish- gained can be used ment of the National TB control by the developed strategy revision and functioning of and developing all the strategic components. countries”. The success achieved in Russia can Dr Ruslan Khalfin (left) and Dr Mikko Vienonen Divided into two serve as an example of effective im- (centre) are ready to develop further the cooperation working groups plementation of TB control activities on TB control in Russia the participants of carried out under the leadership of lan Khalfin opened the meeting pass- the meeting discussed mobilization the state bodies and provided that ing the message of the Minister of of resources and role of technical coordination of efforts of all the gov- Health Yuri Shevshenko who wished agencies in supporting training, su- ernmental and non-governmental fruitful work and emphasized impor- pervision and monitoring during the organizations is in place. tance and actuality of that meeting. implementation the International Bank Chief TB Specialist of the Ministry for Reconstruction of Health of the Russian ;ederation and Development Academician Michael Perelman; loan Project on TB Deputy Head of the Directorate of and AIDS Control Corrections, Head of the Medical and within the imple- Department of the Ministry of Jus- mentation of the ;ive- tice of the Russian ;ederation Ma- Year Plan “Provision jor-General Alexander Kononets; of Guaranteed Diag- Co-chairperson of the ICC Adviso- nostic and Treatment ry Board, TB Control Programme Procedures for TB Pa- Manager, Health Office of the Unit- tients and Develop- ed States Agency of International ment of TB Services in Development Dr Nikita Afanasiev; Russia”. The partici- Country Director for Russia of the pants of the meeting International Bank for Reconstruc- agreed on the priori- The participants of the Meeting tion and Development Mr Julian Schweitzer; Special Representative World Health Organization (WHO) works with others to improve the of the WHO Director-General in health of population, by helping Member States. WHO is a specialized Russia Dr Mikko Vienonen and Di- agency of the United Nations with 192 Member States. WHO Head- rector of Stop TB Department, Com- quarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. The European Regional Bureau is municable Diseases, WHO Head- in Copenhagen, Denmark. quarters Dr Mario Raviglione ad- WHO has four main functions: dressed the participants of the meet- – to give worldwide guidance in the field of health; ing with welcoming speech. – to set global standards for health; – to cooperate with governments in strengthening national health In the course of the meeting the sig- programmes; nificance of the HLWG on TB, es- – to develop and transfer appropriate health technology, tablished on the initiative of the Min- information and standards. istry of Health and WHO, was repeat- ;or further information please visit edly stressed. In his speech Academi- www.who.int and www.who.dk (European Region) cian Michael Perelman mentioned WHO office in Russia: 28, Ostozhenka 119034 Moscow that “the HLWG is a unique mecha- Tel: +7 095 787 21 17 ;ax: +7 095 787 21 19 nism for discussion and making ra- e-mail: [email protected]. tional decisions that can be applied Special Representative of the Director – General in Russia – Dr. Mikko Vienonen. to the fields of public health and med-

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OON31.p65 13 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA WHO World Health Organization Launch of the WHO “3 by 5” Initiative On December 1, 2003 World AIDS WHO took a leading role in eradica- being infected with HIV, abandoned Day, World Health Organization tion of small pox, poliomyelitis, etc. children born to them; high preva- launched its initiative to massively lence of hepatitis B and C in HIV increase access to treatment against Of 36–46 millions of people living infected people, which adds addi- HIV/AIDS (so called antiretroviral with HIV/AIDS globally, estimated tional threat to demographic situa- therapy). By the end of 2005 3 mil- by UNAIDS, from 1,2 to 1,8 millions tion. Epidemic of injecting drug use lion people who need it should get live in Eastern Europe and Central and related to it HIV epidemic has it. WHO office in Russia arranged a Asia. Introduction of highly active already resulted in under recruitment press conference in Moscow to antiretroviral treatment since 1995 into military service. Stigma and dis- launch this new “3 by 5” initiative. has tremendously decreased AIDS crimination of people living with mortality rate in the countries of HIV and AIDS in Russia is a seri- The panel of experts was represent- Western Europe, and improved life ous barrier in access to care. It is en- ed by Dr Gennady Onischenko, ;irst quality of hundreds of thousands visaged that in 2004 there will be up Deputy Minister of Health, Profes- people. Today only 400,000 of 6 mil- to 5000–7000 people more in addi- sor Lars Kallings, Special Envoy of lion people globally, who need treat- tion to those who already need the the UN Secretary General on HIV/ ment, receive it. treatment. 20 antiretroviral (ARV) AIDS in Eastern Europe, Dr drugs have been registered in the Vladimir Lepakhin, Assistant of AIDS treatment gap is a global Russian ;ederation and 2 are pro- WHO Director-General, Dr Mikko health emergency. To deliver antiret- duced domestically. Unfortunately Vienonen, Special Representative of roviral treatment to the millions who the cost of ARV treatment in Russia the WHO Director-General in Rus- need it, we must change the way we is still high (US$ 8,000-10,000 per sia, Mr ;lavio Mirella, UNODC act. The WHO strategy in response year per person). But there is no rea- Representative in Russia, Mr Igor to the global public health emergen- son why Russia could not follow the Pchelin, Editor-in-Chief of the mag- cy would employ a simple two- example of Brazil and negotiate the azine “Steps”, representing people pronged approach: 1) simplification price down to US$ 300 per year. who are living with HIV and AIDS, and standardisation of treatment; 2) and UN Country Team on HIV/ focus on countries with technical The issue of denial, discrimination AIDS. Dr Andrew Ball from WHO/ support and leveraging funding. and marginalization of injecting drug HQ and Dr Irina Eramova from Achieving “3 by 5” target requires a users will need to be addressed. WHO/EURO were invited for pro- minimum US$ 5,5 billion through viding technical response if such the end of 2005. There is also lack of correct public questions would have been raised. information available which is one HIV/AIDS prevention is inseparable of the reasons for discrimination. The launch of the WHO “3 by 5” ini- from treatment. HIV is a threat to Examples of discrimination as dis- tiative is a historical event in response prosperity of the Russian ;ederation missing from work and denial of to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as the and a focus should be on young peo- medical care were provided from global emergency. Such historical ple. Growing movement of non-gov- people living with HIV and AIDS. moments took place in the past when ernmental organizations and involve- ment of people Dr Onischenko confirmed the Rus- living with HIV sian government commitment to “3 by and AIDS are 5” initiative. Russian ;ederation will important com- use legal framework for domestic an- ponents of tiretroviral drugs production. Howev- overall response er Russia does not exclude assistance to HIV/AIDS through international community in epidemic. order to better response to the public health emergency. Therefore through ;irst Deputy the letter from the Ministry of Health Minister of Russian Government has officially Health Dr joined the “3 by 5” initiative and re- Onischenko quested relevant assistance. shared his con- cern regarding WHO Headquarters The press conference dedicated to launching the WHO growing num- WHO Regional Office for Europe “3 by 5” initiative bers of women WHO/Russian Federation 14

OON31.p65 14 19.01.04, 14:04 Black WHO UN in RUSSIA World Health Organization Patients’ Rights: New Notional Accents and Outlooks for International Cooperation

During the last decade the basic fun- the Russian Ministry of Health, and ance and Protection of Patients’ damentals of democracy have been officials from mandatory health in- Rights in the Russian ;ederation” increasingly actively established in surance funds, health insurance or- which has been prepared as a result Russia. The ideas of legality, abso- ganizations, including interregional of joined efforts of the staff of the lute observance of the rights and health care associations of the Rus- Scientific Research Institute of Pub- freedoms, choice and self-govern- sian ;ederation, community organi- lic Health of RAMS and published ment are reflected in the activity of zations and the press. with the support of WHO/ EURO various state bodies and community was presented to the participants of organizations which deal with issues In his greetings to the participants of the workshop. of securing and protecting patients’ the workshop Academician O. rights. Schepin, Director of the Scientific On the second day of the workshop, Research Institute of Public Health after the comprehensive presentation New notional accents in the activity of the Russian Academy of Medical of Dr. Nicole Valentine on the main aimed at the implementation of pa- Sciences remarked that patients’ principles and trends of the WHO tients’ rights were presented on De- rights are increasingly taking the cen- activity aimed at the implementation cember 8-9 during the work of the II tral place in the focus of modern of human right to health and pa- International Workshop “The Role health care. The role of the WHO tients’ rights, the Russian experience of Community Organizations in the Amsterdam Declaration concerning of implementing patients’ rights was Implementation of Patients’ Rights”. patients’ rights and its meaning for described in presentations of the The workshop took place at the Na- modern Russia has been examined leaders of professional medical orga- tional Scientific Research Institute of by Professor V.B.;ilatov, Head of nizations and community organiza- Public Health of the Russian Acad- Department at the Scientific Re- tions. ;or example, the experiences emy of Medical Sciences (RAMS). search Institute of Public Health of of the Association of haemophilia The meeting was held within the the RAMS. The presentations of patients, the Regional community framework of the programme of co- Russian participants of the work- organization “Spidinfosvyaz” operation between the WHO Re- shop described their concern about (AIDS info communication), the gional Office for Europe (WHO/ frequent lack of financial corrobo- Russian ;amily Planning Associa- EURO) and the Russian Ministry of ration and absence of adequate or- tion, the Regional community orga- Health by the collective efforts of the ganizational technologies for the nization of disabled people dealing National Scientific Research Insti- implementation of a number of pro- with tuberculosis prevention “Na- tute of Public Health of the RAMS visions of the Constitution of the bat” (Alarm bell), etc. were present- and the Office of the Special Repre- Russian ;ederation (article 41), the ed. sentative of the WHO Director Gen- ;ederal Law “;undamentals of the eral in Russia. legislation of the Russian ;ederation At the conclusion of the workshop concerning protection of the citizens’ the participants highly appreciated Experts of the World Health Orga- health” (article 30, etc.), as well as the professional level of its conduc- nization – Ms. Mary Collins, Advi- certain laws of the subjects of the tion. They accepted a resolution in sor of the WHO Programme of Russian ;ederation which are relat- which the following objectives have Health Care Policy and Stewardship ed to patients’ rights. been listed among priority activities: Initiative in Russia, Dr Synnove Amberla, Legal Counselor of the The whole first day of the workshop – legislative strengthening of the Association of ;innish Local and was dedicated to issues of legal and modern means of expanding the so- Regional Authorities, and Ms. conceptual substantiation of the as- cial foundation of health care; Nicole Valentine, Programme Coor- surance and protection of the pa- dinator, Evidence and Information tients’ rights. Dr. Synnove Amber- – informational and methodological for Health Policy Unit, WHO/HQ – la’s presentation served as an exam- support of the bodies and organiza- took part in the workshop. ple of a productive approach to solv- tions dealing with the implementa- ing the originating problems. It de- tion of patients’ rights; The Russian part was represented by scribed the experience of developing Heads of a number of Scientific Re- the system of Ombudsman – repre- – determining partners in conduct- search Institutes of the Russian sentatives in charge of protection of ing an independent expert examina- Academy of Medical Sciences and patients’ rights – in ;inland. On the tion in the area of assurance and pro- the Russian Academy of Sciences, same day the monograph “Assur- tection of patients’ rights. 15

OON31.p65 15 19.01.04, 14:04 Black UN in RUSSIA UNIC UN Information Centre The UN and International Law’s )uture: A Look from Moscow The last November Alexandre Gorelik, Director of the UN Information Centre in Moscow, on the invitation from Konrad Adenauer Woundation (Germany) took part in the International Conference “The Wuture of the UN and International Law”, held in Bonn. “UN in Russia” presents Mr Gorelik’s address to the Confer- ence, expressing his personal, not official, point of view. “radical reform” of the UN structure today that sovereign states (and re- and functioning. But the real chal- gional alliances) have a certain lati- lenge is to dovetail any radicalism tude in carrying out their multilater- with sober assessment of the UN ca- al obligations. All too often this en- pacities, an understanding it should tails a risk that those states, especially only do what it can do properly and the most powerful among them, may should not encourage excessive expec- be tempted to consider the “menu” tations. The institution is to remain of multilateral actions in an oppor- forum for debate about internation- tunistic way. That is the key prob- al security and provider of peace- lem since from a legalistic point of keepers in places where there is a view, a decision to use force or ab- peace to keep or aide workers where stain from it can not be just a func- there is a shattered society to rebuild. tion of political expediency.

Today we are witnessing a very con- Of course, few UN reforms have Whatever the unosceptics say, the tradictory situation: fears for the been complete enough to have a Security Council remains the central UN’s fate are intertwined with rec- major impact on the work of the or- stage for multilateral action for peace ognition of its unique capacity. Nev- ganization. The negotiation process and security. Over the last few years er in recent history has the Organi- has often cut ambitious proposals the body has shown a considerable zation been more important as a fo- down to the lowest common denom- capability to adjust by: rum for international debate, and inator. However, in a fresh effort to never has it been faced with such a encourage the remodeling of the – developing preventive diplomacy multitude of challenges. world body, Kofi Annan appointed tools; a blue-ribbon panel to look into glo- – having a greater recourse to the Certainly, what happened in Iraq pre- bal threats and to recommend chang- Secretary-General’s good offices; cipitated the crisis, but its ingredients es at the UN for a more effective col- – reaching out to non-traditional ac- had existed before. What started last lective action. tors in the context of ever more fre- fall at the General Assembly and then quent inter-state conflicts; moved on to the Security Council was To start with, the Security Council’s – addressing issues related to human a deliberate attempt to solve the ulti- reform means different things to dif- rights; mate dilemma of world politics: the ferent people. But in any case the – establishing international ad hoc rule of law or the rule of force? In a body has to squarely face the con- tribunals; nutshell, the task, as Kofi Annan tradiction between its established – dealing with non-proliferation of stressed at one point, is “to see power role, on the one hand, and conflict- all weapons of mass destruction; harnessed to legitimacy”. ing priorities of national policies of – breaking new ground in matters re- member states, on the other hand. lated to international terrorism. The best way to do it is to place poli- cy beyond politics. Kofi Annan is Regrettably, and contrary to the let- right to call for a rethinking, even a ter of international law, some feel To be continued in the next issue

UNDP – (095) 787-21-00, fax: (095) 787-21-01 WHO – (095) 787-21-16, fax: (095) 787-21-19 e-mail: [email protected]; http:/www.undp.ru UNAIDS – (095) 232-55-99, fax: (095) 232-92-45 UN)PA – (095) 787-21-13, 787-21-38 fax: (095) 787-21-37 UNHCR – (095) 232-30-11/12, fax: (095) 232-30-17 UNEP – (095) 787-21-56, fax: (095) 787-21-01 OCHA – (095) 956-64-05, fax: (095) 956-63-55 ODCCP – (095) 787-21-21, fax: (095) 787-21-29 UNIC– (095) 241-25-37, fax: (095) 230-21-38 ILO – (095) 933-08-10, fax: (095) 933-08-20 W)P – (095) 232-30-11, fax: (095) 232-30-17 UNESCO – (095) 202-81-66, 202-80-97, fax: (095) 202-05-68 UNA-Russia – (095) 200-42-50, 280-80-67, fax: (095) 280-33-58 UNICE) – (095) 933-88-18, fax: (095) 933-88-19 e-mail: [email protected]; http:/www.una.ru

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