Mercy Global Concern - 1999 to 2001
UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS)
on the Implementation of the Outcomes of the (1995, Copenhagen)
World Summit for Social Development & Further Initiatives
Geneva, 26 - 30 June,
2000
The 3 key issues of focus of the Social Summit were the eradication
of poverty, full employment and social integration. The UNGASS
is the culmination of a process of review and a means by which
commitment to further initiatives for implementation of the
Summit goals can be generated.
There will be a series of parallel events taking place in Geneva
at the end of June:
1) The UNGASS itself, scheduled for 26 - 30 June, in which
there will be limited NGO participation.
2) Activities organised by the Swiss Government, entitled
the Geneva 2000 Forum, beginning 2 - 4 days before the UNGASS
and continuing for the duration of it. This is designed to
encourage wide-ranging participation of NGOs, business organisations,
other civil society groups, UN agencies, the World Bank, etc.
The intention is that these events also will have an influence
on the government delegates gathered for the UNGASS. A large
number of groups have already reserved space in the facilities
provided for displays, workshops, panels etc, on all kinds
of issues related to the Commitments of the Social Summit
and Further Initiatives.
3) NGO rallies and campaigns being planned outside the formal
structures provided by the Swiss government. Some of these
will take place from around 22nd June.
It is possible to take advantage of one or other or all of
this range of options. The Forum itself is likely to be worth
going for, and there will be the additional rallies and other
NGO events outside the formal processes. The form for registration
of interest in the Forum is accessible on the Geneva 2000 Forum
website below. Those who register interest will receive by mail
a formal registration form. The deadline for registration for
the Forum is 22 May.
NGO participation in the UNGASS will be limited. However, those
interested should submit their names and contact details to
Wendy Flannery by 10 May, so that the accreditation process
can be arranged in New York
Additional information about the events and activities is available
as follows:
The UN preparations for the UNGASS: <www.un.org/esa/socdev/geneva2000/index.html>
The Geneva 2000 Forum: <www.geneva2000.org>
Information on both UN and NGO activities, and access to documents:
<www.earthsummit2002.org/wssd>
Information about the 'International Peoples Rally' being organised:
email: <caroline.wildeman@novib.nl>
For excellent research documents, the United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development, which is intending to put
on a special event in Geneva: <www.unrisd.org>
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