Human Rights Council Holds 25th Special Session on the Emergency Situation in Syria

On October 21, 2016, IIMA attended the 25^th Special Session of the Human Rights Council in Room XX of the Palais des Nations. This event was organized due to the urgency of addressing the emergency human rights situation in Aleppo, Syria.

The Special Session was proposed by the United Kingdom on behalf of a core group of States including Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States, and supported by 33 other Member States. The day was used as a discussion platform for Resolution A/HRC/S-25/L.1, which proposed to immediately cease hostilities, as well as end aerial and military attacks on Aleppo. It also emphasized the need for immediate and safe humanitarian access to the city.

Harnessing Youth as Positive Drivers to Prevent Violent Extremism

On 20 October 2016, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) hosted the panel discussion, “Young People as a Driving Force to Prevent Violent Extremism.” The panel discussed the capacity of young people to be drivers of positive change and leadership, particularly for youth in fragile settings. The speakers included retired Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire, Amanda Fazzone, Senior Countering Violent Extremism Officer of Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), and trained psychologist Dr. Ellis.  UNITAR Executive Nikhil Seth moderated the event that took place in Room XXIII in the Palais des Nations.

Walking the talk: transfromative pathways for achieving the SDGs

On 17th October IIMA attended the event organized by UNRISD, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, called “Walking the Talk: Transformative Pathways for Achieving the SDGs.

The conference focused on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global commitment to “transforming our world” and “eradicating poverty in all its forms everywhere”.

The panelists discussed about the progress that has been achieved until now. They underlined also the need to address the causes of the inequitable outcome, creating specific innovation policies and new practice that would lead to social, economic and ecological justice.

Mr. Paul Ladd, UNRISD director, together with the other panelists, talked about the UNRISD 2016 Flagship Report. This document gives to government and society a new definition of transformation that could be a standard for creating policies for the 2030 Agenda, respecting the imperative of “leave no one behind”.

Nobel Peace Prize is Awarded to President of Colombia

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was the recipient of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month.

This is a result of Santos’ work to end his country’s 50-year civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. President Santos initiated the negotiations that led to the signing of a peace accord between the Colombian government and the FARC guerillas.

This means that the country is currently in a ceasefire; however, a permanent peaceful solution has not yet been devised. Nevertheless, President Santos’ efforts have brought the country closer to reaching the conceivable disarmament of the FARC guerrillas and to begin a process of national reconciliation.