International NGO Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to the DPR Korea: Past, Present and Future May 35, 1999
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International NGO Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to the DPR Korea: Past, Present and Future May 35, 1999 Beijing, China Conference Proceedings Sponsored by the InterAction DPRK Working Group, Washington, DC 1 2 PREFACE This document is the official report of a significant gathering of NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) held in Beijing, China from May 3 to 5, 1999. Initiative of the North Korea Working Group of InterAction, the conference brought together for the first time NGOs worldwide involved or interested in providing humanitarian assistance to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Since 1995, the food shortage in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has drawn considerable international attention and scrutiny. The response of the international community, spearheaded by the United Nations and the European Union, has been generous. It has also made quite a difference. According to most observers, the humanitarian assistance has prevented a worsening crisis for DPRK’s population of twenty three million, especially among the young children. The NGOs in Asia, Europe, and North America have played their own significant part in helping to alleviate the suffering of the people of DPRK. They have shipped food, grain, medicine and livestock. They have provided human and other resources. They have organized delegation visits and involved themselves in advocating for additional aid and access to the country. As in other crisis situations, the NGOs have reflected yet again an impressive mosaic of the humanitarian imperative. The Beijing Conference had several other noteworthy aspects. NGOs resident in the DPRK participated to share their experience and perspective. The chief officials of UN agencies active in the DPRK such as the Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Program, UNICEF, UNDP and WHO supported the conference with their presence and gave updates about their work. The European Union and the International Federation of the Red Cross were equally supportive and briefed the conference about their activities. The NGOs’ own Pyongyangbased Food Aid Liaison Unit staff was also present in full force to give a memorable account of their impressive activities. The necessity of convening such a conference was affirmed by the participants. A continuation committee was set up to plan for another gathering. Members are: the Carter Center, the Korean American Sharing Movement, the Korean Sharing Movement, and the Stanley Foundation. The conference organizers wish to express their deep appreciation to the Ford Foundation for its generous grant. The following organizations, several of whom served on the Conference Planning Committee, also made financial contributions: Adventist Development and Relief Agency, American Baptist Church, American Friends Service Committee, CARE, the Carter Center, Catholic Relief Service, Church World Service, Institute on Strategic Reconciliation, Joint New Society, Korea American Sharing Movement, Korea Sharing Movement, Lutheran World Relief, Mercy Corps International and the Salvation Army. Victor W. C. Hsu 3 Convenor, Planning Committee New York May 7, 1999 International NGO Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to North Korea Past, Present and the Future May 35, 1999 Beijing, China Monday, May 3 9:00 – 9:45 Opening Welcome Ells Culver, Chairperson InterAction North Korea Working Group Welcome by SouthNorth Institute for Sustainable Development Jike Yang, Chairperson Aims and Objectives of the Conference Victor Hsu, Convenor, Planning Committee Chair 10:30 – 11:00 Coffee and Tea Break, Second Floor Lobby 11:00 – 11:45 Intergovernmental Agency: Response to Date and Future Plans Session I, Moderator: Ells Culver Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance/World Food Program, David Morton, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for DPRK UN Development Program, Kirsten Jorgensen World Food Program, Judy ChengHopkins, Director, Asia and CIS Region 11:45 – 12:30 Discussion/ Question and Answer session 12:30 – 14:30 Lunch Break 14:30 – 15:30 Intergovernmental Agency Presentations, Session II 4 UNICEF, Herbert Raaijmaken World Health Organization, Eigil Sorensen, EHA Office International Federation of the Red Cross, Patrick Howard, Federation Representative, Beijing, China and Sheila Wilson, Health Delegate, DPRK ECHO, Ole Gronning, ECHO Representative in Pyongyang 15:30 – 16:00 Discussion/Question Answer session 16:00 – 16:30 Coffee and Tea Break 16:30 – 18:00 The Experience of FALU ErichWeingartner, and Thomas Hoerz, Emergency Officer 19:00 – 20:30 Welcome Reception Tuesday, May 4 9:00 – 10:30 Experience in the Food Aid Sector Moderator: Erich Weingartner, WFP Food Aid Liaison Unit USA Consortium, Chris Arthen, Catholic Relief Services, DPRK Program Coordinator Action Contre La Faim, Michel Anglade, Head of Mission, DPRK Korean Sharing Movement, Moon Kyu Kang, Director of Saemaul Movement Japan International Volunteer Center, Michiya Kumaoka, President Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Nan Hudson, United Church of Canada Area Secretary for East Asia 10:30 – 11:00 Coffee and Tea 11:00 – 12:30 Experience in the Agricultural Sector and Sustainable Rehabilitation Moderator: Kathi Zellweger, Caritas International World Vision International, Ed Reed, Director of DPRK Program 5 American Friends Service Committee, Randall Ireson, Development Assistance Coordinator German AgroAction, Uwe Muller, Agronomist Concern Worldwide, Tim Roberts, Agricultural Program Manager KADECO, Dr. Chang Won Suk, Professor and Dean of School of Agriculture, Danduk University, ROK 12:30 – 14:30 Lunch Break 14:30 – 16:00 Experience in the Medical and Health Sector Moderator: Maj. Roland Sewell, Salvation Army WFPFALU, Marilyn Weingartner, Health Unit Medical Assistant CESVI, Marzia Mongiorgi, Liaison Officer DPRK ECHO, Ole Gronning, ECHO Representative in Pyongyang 16:00 – 16:30 Coffee and Tea 16:00 – 18:30 Panel Presentations Continued Evening FREE 6 Wednesday, May 5 9:00 – 10:30 Working Groups: Grand Ballroom A (two groups), Hong Kong Macau Rooms 9 and 10 (third floor) i) Advocacy the main task of this group will be to identify the advocacy issues and develop a plan of action. It is necessary to bear in mind that the issues may be country specific. What are they? At the same time there may be issues that cut across national boundaries and concerns including developments in the United Nations system. The plan of action should address both national and international concerns. Moderator: Ells Culver, Mercy Corps International Rapporteur: Chong Ae Yu ii) Networking the main task of this group is to suggest ways and means for enabling the humanitarian aid community to be well informed about the situation and the needs of the DPRK. How can this be done? How can the experiences of this community be shared systemically and how can information be disseminated? What should be the roles of the UN, the NGO community or the WFP Food Liaison Unit? Moderator: Shawar Pataudi, OCHA Rapporteur: Nan Hudson, Canadian Foodgrains Bank iii) Modalities for Humanitarian Assistance both within and without the DPRK –the main task of this group is to suggest modalities for cooperation with the DPRK on the basis of reviewing the experience to date. What has worked best and why? What are the principles and methodologies that have been effective? How should the modalities be modified for maximum input of aid? With this in mind, what are the suggestions to the NGO community, the UN agencies and the DPRK authorities? Are there issues related to the governments that need to be addressed? Moderator: Rudy Monsalve, ADRA Rapporteur: Chris Arthen, Catholic Relief Services iv) Economic Engagement and Sustainable Development –the main task of this group would be to assess the current status of economic engagement between the DPRK and the international community, and find proactive approaches to expand economic engagement between the DPRK and other parties on “humanitarian grounds.” Considering midtolong term measures of economic engagement, the strategic recommendations may be again country specific, international body specific, or intercontinental, including ROK, US, UNDP IFAD as well as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. 7 Moderator: Roger Rumpf, Church World Service Rapporteur: Jong Park, Korean American Sharing Movement 10:30 – 11:00 Coffee and Tea, Second Floor Lobby 11:00 – 12:30 Working Groups Repeated (participants choose another group) 12:30 – 15:30 Lunch Break (working group leadership prepare written summary of discussion, recommendations, and future strategies) 15:00 – 18:00 Conference Plenary, Grand Ballroom A Working Group Reports and Recommendations, and Adjournment 8 Yang Jike Chair of the SouthNorth Institute for Sustainable Development Feasible and Efficient Technology for Agriculture and Energy Development in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea On behalf of SouthNorth Institute for Sustainable Development, I’d like to welcome you to Beijing, and to indicate to you that I feel privileged to be part of this very important gathering. When I was invited to give a keynote speech, I welcomed the invitation not only because of the critical nature of the subject matter, but also it would be a opportunity for me to thank this body for what you do everyday to help the people of the DPR Korea, and for assisting those of us in the region to think through one of the most challenging issues of our time. Although there are a number of issues that are of importance, I’d like to take this occasion to share briefly on how China, and specifically Chinese NGOs like our institute, can assist the DPRK, our friendly neighbor, during this difficult period. I preface my comment here by saying the local conditions in the DPRK are different than that of China’s, hence it is entirely up to the DPRK to determine its own development discourse. 1. Relations between SNISD and the DPRK My personal history with the DPRK goes back to 1992. As a representative of the China National People’s Congress, I attended the International Parliamentarian Union Conference in Pyongyang in 1992. At that time, I had the privilege of meeting with the late Kim Il Sung, and I was impressed with his interaction with others.