IAmAMigrant

18 December 2013: 
International Migrants Day

In his message, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon  stated: "Let us make migration work for the benefit of migrants and countries alike. We owe this to the millions of migrants who, through their courage, vitality and dreams, help make our societies more prosperous, resilient and diverse."

Read the whole message here.

“It always seems impossible until it's done.”  ― Nelson Mandela

Goodbye Madiba.

1993-2013 : 20 Years working for your Rights

Today, December, 5, we celebrate the Human Rights Day 2013, as a conclusion of a year-long commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, that was established in 1993, after the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, to represent the world's commitment to universal ideals of human dignity.

The event, held in Palais des Nations in Geneva, highlighted that the promotion and protection of human rights is a matter of priority for the international community, recalling the key message of the Vienna Declaration: “all human rights derive from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person, and that the human person is the central subject of human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

A word leads to an idea. From an idea, something concrete rises.

When we think of an ambassador, we have a solemn picture in our mind: with think of someone with a high political role, a woman or a man formally dressed, dealing with protocol and being cautiously diplomatic. Well, embassies represent a golden world, where you can find warmth and you can have an honest exchange.

While the new crucial negotiation on nuclear power is happening with Iran at the International Conference Centre in Geneva, the diplomatic heart of the world, Sister MariaGrazia and Sister Leonor, together with Maria D’Onofrio, Advocacy Officer of IIMA Office, completed a tough program of embassies visits. They didn’t deal with negotiations, but with genuine sharing.

Dear Humanity, find your lost childhood!

Today, all of us go back and we are little kids again. On November 20th, the World celebrates the International Day of the Child. This day reminds us of the date when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

Dignity. That is the magic word.

Dignity was born together with the human being, you can read it in his eyes. It is not transmitted through DNA.

Dignity is something you take care of, with devotion. Dignity must be stated, not conquered as a war chest. It is both gift and responsibility.

It is not a privilege. It is the beating heart of life.  

Dignity gives you freedom; it is not the stone that an oyster transforms into a beautiful pearl after an enduring sufferance.

My child, that pearl belongs to you, already. It should belong to you already.

Forgive me if I am forced to speak of it as a dream, instead of an actuality.

We must forgive this world that disfigures your right!

Take your brick…and believe! – Stories of Peace

When two Nobel Prizes winners, Martti Ahtisaari and José Ramos-Horta, tell about their long-time experience and their passionate fight, our wish of Peace smells like hope, because we feel it’s not just about words. Which better location than Room XX, the room of “Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations", to host a dialogue of Peace? Held in Palais des Nations on Wednesday, November 13^th, the Conference was entitled "Complexities of Peacemaking: the untold story”. In Geneva, which has been consecrated, once again, the capital of dialogue and mediation, the setting for negotiations and conciliation.

The two leaders shared a very charismatic dialogue. One is a cold and calm Nordic man, who had a written speech and a typically Finnish aplomb. The other one has the heart from the South: passionate and lively, he talked off-the-cuff, entertaining with jokes and irony and bringing the assembly to an unexpected laugh.

WELCOME BACK, ISRAEL! Israel returns to the HRC, but not without reservations.

On 14^th May 2012, Israel decided to suspend its relations with the Human Rights Council (HRC), becoming one of the most controversial countries at the United Nations in Geneva. Absent during its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 29^th January 2013, the meeting was postposed to 29^th October 2013. Israel has been the first country to do this. As a result, the international community feared for the future and legitimacy of UPR process.

Affirming the role of youth as promoters of human rights, development and peace

From October 7^th to 16^th, 2013, the IIMA Human Rights Office staff organized several seminars and workshops in Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to raise awareness on the importance of adopting a human-rights based prospective and bring local civil society’s concerns to the international level. 

China’s Takes a Big Move Forward, While Ignoring Any Steps Backwards: Universal Periodic Review of China

On 22^nd of October 2013, room XX of the United Nations office was filled with tension and excitement. Almost every State was ready to speak and contribute their opinion on the status of Human Rights in China over the four years since China’s first Universal Periodic Review (UPR). For China’s second UPR, Mr. Wu Hailong of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an opening statement, which reviewed the progress that China recently made in human rights and quality of life. China is made of over 1.3 billion people and 56 ethnic groups, but the report was simple, to the point, and only lasted 25 minutes out of the allotted 70. China painted a picture of a country made of complete equality, freedom, and progress during the report.

International Day of Rural Women

"Empowering rural women is crucial for ending hunger and poverty. By denying women rights and opportunities, we deny their children and societies a better future. This is why the United Nations recently launched a programme to empower rural women and enhance food security." 

UN Secretary General,  Ban Ki-Moon

“We must enforce and protect the rights of rural women. When women have access to land, there are improvements in household welfare, agricultural productivity and gender equality.” 

UN Women - Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Innovating for Girls' Education

 In 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. Girls face discrimination and violence every day across the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. The theme for 2013 is:  “Innovating for Girls’ Education”

“On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us work together to invest in education so that girls can advance in their personal development and contribute to our common future.”   (Ban Ki Moon)

Read the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Message