December 16, 2019

Announcements for the Civil Society Representatives | Week of 16 December 2019

Civil Society Unit | Department of Global Communications | United Nations
In focus: Annual Review Announcement for 2019, Climate Action Showcase, SDG Impact Awards Launch, Global Migration Film Festival

From UN News

An important opportunity lost as COP25 ends in compromise, but Guterres declares ‘we must not give up’

Negotiations at the COP25 UN climate conference in Madrid finally ended on Sunday, wrapping up an event which saw much progress made by the private sector, and by national, regional and local governments. However, there was widespread disappointment that no overall consensus was reached on increased climate ambition.
Read full article…
Read also “As COP25 goes into the night, Guterres calls for more climate ambition“

FYI

International Migrants Day | 18 December 2019

As the world observes International Migrants Day this year, we are drawn to stories of social cohesion which are as varied and unique as each of the 272 million migrants living new lives and building new communities in every corner of the globe.

Read more
#WeTogether
#MigrantsDay

World Migration Report 2020

First Global Refugee Forum | 16-18 December

Guided by the Global Compact on Refugees, the Global Refugee Forum, taking place from 16-18 December in Geneva, is an opportunity to translate the principle of international responsibility-sharing into concrete action. Convened at the ministerial level, the Forum will bring the international community together to announce bold, new measures to ease pressures on host countries; enhance refugee self-reliance; expand access to third-country solutions; and support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.

Global Migration Film Festival:

28 November – 18 December 2019

100 countries | 30,000+ people | 500 screenings | 30+ films
Learn more about the GMFF 2019 here

One third of poorer countries face both undernutrition and obesity: WHO report
With one in three low and middle-income countries facing the two extremes of malnutrition – undernutrition and obesity – the UN’s health agency WHO is calling for a new approach to deal with rapidly changing food systems.
A new report, published in the British medical science publication The Lancet on Monday, suggests that, globally, almost 2.3 billion children and adults are overweight, and more than 150 million children are stunted, and warns that undernutrition and obesity can lead to effects across generations.
Read full article
Read more from WHO

Share with your networks

International Human Solidarity Day | 20 December

Solidarity is identified in the Millennium Declaration as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century, wherein those, who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. Consequently, in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable.

Therefore, the UN General Assembly, convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed 20 of December as International Human Solidarity Day.

Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
Learn more…

The Human Development Report 2019

Beyond income, beyond averages, beyond today: Inequalities in human development in the 21st century
http://report.hdr.undp.org
http://hdr.undp.org/en/2019-report

Goal of the Month: SDG 7

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes, access to energy for all is essential. Working towards this goal is especially important as it interlinks with other Sustainable Development Goals.

REACH NOT PREACH

It is not enough to preach climate action, we need to act to reach climate ambition.
Learn more about UN Youth Envoy’s Climate Action here

UNESCO invites the governments of Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions, as well as international and regional professional non-governmental organizations, active in the field of press freedom, to nominate candidates for next year’s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
Nominations for the Prize should be submitted by filling out the form in English or French and sending it before 15 February 2020
Learn the details and submit your nomination here

UN DESA VOICE: December 2019

UN Democracy Fund: 2019 Call to Civil Society to Apply for Funding

The United Nations Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for project funding. Project proposals may be submitted on-line in English or French bewtween 22 November 2019 and 22 December 2019 at www.un.org/democracyfund. you can find guidelines, FAQs and lessons learned for applicants at https://www.un.org/democracyfund/content/call-project-proposals

This is the Fourteenth Round to be launched by UNDEF, which provides grants of up to US$300,000 per two-year project. Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous selection process.

More information

Civil Society Corner

LAUNCHED: SDG IMPACT AWARDS & GALA

We invite you to join us in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals & the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by registering your SDG projects or becoming an SDGIA supporter.

Free registration provides you a showcase with opportunities for increased visibility and support of your projects through the SDGIA platform.
Engage your family, friends, colleagues, and communities by inviting them to vote on the SDGIA.
Voters are eligible to win instant prizes.

Friends of the SDGIA
H.E. Dr. Michal Mlynár, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the UN & Dr. Andrea Mlynárová
H.E. Mr. Georgi Velikov Panayotov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the UN
Supporters
Montessori Model UN, NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, Youth for a Better World, AllHumanity Group, Pvblic, Blockchain for Impact, HOPSports, Oklahoma University Outreach, NG2 Solutions, Alianza de Impacto Latino, Tackle What’s Next, Youth Impact Forum, NG1 Exhaust, SDG Data Hub, Society & Diplomatic Review and Adam Twembly of the Aspen Institute.
Co-Founders
Michael Jacobson, Co-Founder/CEO of the SDGIA & GALA
Margo LaZaro, Co-Founder/CSO of the SDGIA & GALA

For more information: https://www.sdgimpactawards.org/
Contact us at info@sdgimpactawards.org
Learn more

Spiritual Caucus at the UN: Invitation to Regular Meeting for Silence and Discussion

Date: Thursday, 19 December 2019
Time: 1.30 to 2.45 p.m.
Location: Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office NY (866 United Nations Plaza, (48th Street & First Ave) New York, NY 10017
RSVP by 18 December COB to info@spiritualcaucusun.org
More information here

Civil Society Youth Corner

Climate Action Showcase by Kitchen Connection

Together with FAO, IFAD, WFP and the UNDGC Civil Society Unit, Kitchen Connection organized a Climate Action Showcase on 11 December at the UN Climate Conference, COP 25 in Madrid. The event featured Spanish MasterChef winner and ex-Real Madrid footballer Jorge Brazalez, and one of Spain’s top chefs and TV presenters, Pepa Muñoz. From agriculture to packaging, transportation, and consumption, the food system contributes to up to 30% of all greenhouse gases; simultaneously, the food system is heavily impacted by climate change, which was the main thematic focus of the event, through the lens of three countries, Chad, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka, which also served as the culinary inspiration for the tomato, olive, and tuna dishes that the chefs put together for the showcase.

The event was held in the Pavilion hosted by Chile, which holds the Presidency of COP 25, building upon the Showcase held with IFAD and the UNDGC Civil Society Unit during the Youth Climate Summit on 21 September.

DGC Civil Society Unit

Annual Review in 2019

We are pleased to inform you of the process that the Civil Society Unit will use this year for the renewal of grounds passes for civil society representatives of organizations formally associated with the Department of Global Communications. Please note the following:

Organizations that submitted the Annual Review report for 2018 and got a positive evaluation (approved)
Those organizations whose 2018 Annual Review was approved do not need to submit a new report. The issuance/renewal of grounds passes for the representatives of those organizations will follow the below process:

The head of the organization may designate up to 5 individuals (besides her/himself) using the template provided.
Each representative will need to bring a print copy of the letter to the Resource Centre at the time of retrieving their grounds pass.
Designation of Representatives 2019-2020 Template
The Civil Society Unit will process issuance/renewal of passes beginning 2 January 2020. Passes for 2019 will no longer be issued as of 13 December 2019

Organizations that submitted the Annual Review report for 2018 and their report is marked as pending
Those organizations whose 2018 Annual Review was marked as pending will be able to edit their report and submit it for evaluation beginning 13 January 2020.
If/when approved, the designated representatives may proceed to the Resource Centre to retrieve their grounds passes.
Organizations that did not submit the Annual Review report for 2018
Those organization that did not submit their 2018 Annual Review are invited to submit their Annual Review for the year 2019 and, when/if approved their representatives may proceed to the Resource Centre to retrieve their grounds passes. If the head of the organization does not have the credentials to access the system, they may reach out to our office via e-mail at undgccso@un.org and request those credentials. Please note that our office will only share the credentials with the head of the organization or any other representative duly authorized.
Organizations associated in 2018 & 2019
Those organizations that were formally associated with the Department in 2018 & 2019 do not need to submit an Annual Review report. The process to obtain passes will be as follows:

The head of the organization may designate up to 5 individuals (besides her/himself) using the template provided.
Each representative will need to bring a print copy of the letter to the Resource Centre at the time of retrieving their grounds pass.

Should you have any queries, you may reach out to us via e-mail at undgccso@un.org

UN-NGLS: Special accreditation guidelines

Did you know?
Organizations that are not in Consultative Status with United Nations ECOSOC may apply for special approval to attend High-Level Events at the UN.
Watch the video below to find out how UN-NGLS now part of UNDGC Civil Society Unit supports the special-accreditation process to facilitate stakeholder’s participation!