IAAI Initiatives presented at UN ECOSOC Conference in Geneva

IAAI secretary general Miroslav Polzer participated in the High Level Segment of UN ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review Conference 1- 4 July 2013 in Geneva/Switzerland http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/julyhls/index13.shtml and delivered as representative of Academic Council on the United Nations System www.acuns.org an oral statement in the General Debate on July 4th 2013.

MiroPolzerspeakingatUNECOSOCconf2013inGeneva

photo: Mr. Polzer’s intervention can be viewed on UN video-on-demand platform

http://webtv.un.org/watch/general-debate-contd-20th-meeting-ecosoc-high-level-segment-2013/2525757438001/#
(chapter 10 ACUNS, starting at minute 51:20)

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) constitutes one of the principal organs of the United Nations. It is responsible for coordinating the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions. ECOSOC has 54 members; it holds a four-week session each year in July. The ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system. A number of non-governmental organizations are granted Consultative Status to the Council in order to participate in the work of the United Nations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Economic_and_Social_Council

Mr. Polzer focused in his presentation on IAAI initiatives “Global Youth Music Contest” and “Vienna Initiative on Local Provision of Global Public Goods” as good practice expamples for youth engagement and empowerment related to global challenges and UN system (see more info below) and called all stakeholders in global governance to improve the effectiveness of UN system towards real sustainable development that does not infringe the development potentials of future generations (the full text of the statement can be found as attachment below).

The 2013 ECOSOC AMR session has been very important for IAAI also because of the fact that IAAI has received ECOSOC special consultative status there http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/2013/32 http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/2013/32(PartII).

Quotes from Mr. Polzer’s statement at UN ECOSOC AMr High Level Segment General Debate statement:

“.. from our work with young people around the world I know that for many many of them United Nations is the only global beacon of hope – an assurance of global community and global solidarity in times of multiple global economic, environmental and political crises.

This hope obliges us to do more than just delivering our speeches here in Geneva or New York

Let us ask ourselves – Is the level of effectiveness of UN system sufficient – or could and should we do better?

Can we honestly say that the so called sustainable development we pursue at present meets the needs of our generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?

I think we can do better! – Let us be courageous! – let us be innovative!

Let us join forces toward a new culture of global community that will be capable to carry a strong and effective UN system delivering well-being and peace both for present as well as future generations.”

IAAI Initiatives presented at UN ECOSOC Conference in Geneva