YoUNgistan! - United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan

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July 2014 VOL. X NO. 7 Total Pages: 28
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UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan
www.unic.org.in
YoUNgistan!
Opinion
Roving Reporter
2
In The News
4
17
Report Card
20 UN-Bhutan Plus
15
Unic Album
24
YoUNgistan!
;afxLrku!
6
11
OPINION
Crisis in Syria: Civil war, global threat
By Ban Ki-moon
T
he horrific
war in Syria
continues
to worsen and
bleed beyond
its borders. A
cold calculation
seems to be taking hold: that little
can be done except to arm the parties
and watch the conflict rage. The
international community must not
abandon the people of Syria and the
region to never-ending waves of cruelty
and crisis.
The death toll may now be well
over 150,000. Prisons and makeshift
detention facilities are swelling with
men, women and even children.
Deaths by summary executions and
unspeakable torture are widespread.
People are also dying from hunger and
once-rare infectious diseases. Whole
urban centres and some of humankind’s
great architectural and cultural heritage
lie in ruins. Syria today is increasingly a
failed state.
The United Nations has tried hard to
address the conflict’s deep roots and
devastating impact. Our humanitarian
and other efforts are saving lives and
reducing suffering. But our fundamental
objective – an end to the conflict –
remains unmet. The bleak prospects
for peace have darkened further with
the flare-up of violence and sectarian
tensions in Iraq. The cohesion and
integrity of two major countries, not
just one, is in question.
First, ending the violence. It is
irresponsible for foreign powers to
give continued military support to
parties in Syria that are committing
atrocities and flagrantly violating
2 |
July 2014
Second, protecting people. The United
Nations continues to manage a huge
humanitarian relief effort. But the
Government continues to impose
unconscionable access restrictions;
it has removed medical supplies
from aid convoys and deliberately
starved and collectively punished
communities it regards as sympathetic
to the opposition. Some rebel groups
have acted similarly. Moreover, the
international community has provided
barely a third of the funding needed for
the relief effort. I continue to appeal for
an end to the sieges and for unfettered
humanitarian access across internal
frontlines and international borders.
Fourth, ensuring accountability for
serious crimes. Last month, a resolution
that aimed to refer the conflict to the
International Criminal Court failed to
pass the Security Council. I ask those
Member States that say no to the ICC,
but say they support accountability in
Syria, to come forward with credible
alternatives. The Syrian people have
a right to justice and action against
impunity.
Fifth, finishing the destruction of
chemical weapons in Syria. The United
Nations and the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
have worked together to destroy or
remove from the country all of the
declared materials in a once-large
arsenal. Many Member States have
provided critical resources and support
for this challenging task, which was
undertaken in an active war zone,
and which will now be completed at
various destruction facilities outside
Third, starting a serious political
process. The warring parties
systematically blocked the relentless
initiatives of two of the world’s leading
diplomats, Kofi Annan and Lakhdar
Brahimi. The presidential election earlier
this month was a
further blow, and
failed to meet even
minimal standards
for credible voting.
I will soon name a
new Special Envoy
to pursue a political
solution and a
transition to a new
Syria. Regional
countries have a
special responsibility
to help end this war.
I welcome recent
contacts between
Children inside a classroom at Za’atri refugee camp, host to tens of
Iran and Saudi
thousands of Syrians displaced by conflict, near Mafraq, Jordan.
UN Photo/Mark Garten
The following six points can chart a
principled and integrated way forward.
fundamental principles of human
rights and international law. I have
urged the Security Council to impose
an arms embargo. The sides will have
to sit across from each other again at
the negotiating table. How many more
people must die before they get there?
Arabia and hope that they will build
confidence and reverse a destructive
competition in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon
and elsewhere. Syrian civil society
groups are making courageous efforts
to maintain the fabric of society and
keep open channels of solidarity and
communication.
OPINION
STOP PRESS !
Security Council on Syria
On 14 July, in response to the
deteriorating humanitarian situation
in Syria, the Security Council
adopted a resolution aimed at
increasing access to civilians
in difficult-to-reach areas by
authorizing the delivery of assistance
across borders and conflict lines.
By the terms of the resolution,
which was adopted unanimously
by the 15-member Council, United
Nations humanitarian agencies and
their partners are authorized to
use routes across conflict lines and
as well as four additional border
crossings.
Sixth, addressing the regional
dimensions of the conflict, including
the extremist threat. Foreign fighters
are in action on both sides, increasing
the level of violence and exacerbating
sectarian hatreds. While we should not
blindly accept the Syrian Government’s
demonization of all the opposition as
terrorists, neither should we be blinded
to the real threat of terrorists in Syria.
The world must come together to
eliminate funding and other support
for Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic
State of Iraq and al-Sham. The ISIS
is also a threat to all communities in
Iraq; it is crucial for the region’s leaders
– political and religious – to call for
restraint and avoid a spiral of attack
and reprisal.
For the moment, the greatest obstacle
to ending the Syria war is the notion
that it can be won militarily. I
reject the current narrative that the
Government of Syria is “winning”.
Conquering territory through aerial
bombardments into densely populated
‘Conquering territory
through aerial
bombardments into
densely populated civilian
neighbourhoods is not a
victory. Starving besieged
communities into
surrender is not a victory.’
civilian neighbourhoods is not a victory.
Starving besieged communities into
surrender is not a victory. Even if one
side were to prevail in the short term,
the devastating toll will have sown the
seeds of future conflict.
Dangerous sectarian tensions, massive
movements of refugees, daily atrocities
and spreading instability make the
civil war in Syria a global threat. All
the values for which we stand, and
all the reasons for which the United
Nations exists, are at stake across the
devastated landscape that is Syria
today. The time is long past for the
international community, in particular
the Security Council, to uphold its
n
responsibilities.
The writer is Secretary-General of the
United Nations.
Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0634/Ali
UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon welcomed the adoption of
the resolution, which he said will
allow the delivery of aid to people
in need in Syria by the most direct
routes. “At least 10.8 million people
inside Syria are in urgent need of
assistance. Nearly half these people
are in communities that are difficult
for humanitarian agencies to reach,”
said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s
spokesperson.
Syria. While almost all of the killing in
Syria is being done with conventional
weapons, it has been essential to
reinforce the global norm banishing
the production and use of chemical
weapons.
July 2014 | 3
In The News
Sri Lanka: Rein in hate speech, faith-based violence,
say UN rights experts
A
“This violence
is fuelled by
the atmosphere
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
According to the Office of the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR), more than 350 violent
attacks against Muslims and over 150
attacks against Christians have been
reported in Sri
Lanka in the last
two years. Muslim
and Christian
communities
are reportedly
subjected to
hate speech,
discrimination,
attacks and
acts of violence
throughout Sri
Lanka frequently.
Heiner Bielefeldt, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
iming to stem the tide
of violent attacks and
recrimination against Sri Lanka’s
Muslim and Christian communities, a
group of United Nations human rights
experts have called on the Government
to adopt urgent measures to stop the
promotion of racial and faith-based
hatred and end “the atmosphere of
impunity” fuelling hate speech and
violence by Buddhist extremists.
Christof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions
of impunity in
Sri Lanka,” the
Special Rapporteur
on freedom of
religion or belief,
Heiner Bielefeldt,
said. “Impunity
and inadequate
response from the
police and judicial
authorities aimed
at protecting the
lives, physical
security, the
property and places of worship of
these communities may encourage
further attacks and a risk of spiralling
violence.”
For his part, the Special Rapporteur
on extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns,
called on the Sri Lankan authorities
“to take urgent and firm measures
to bring the perpetrators of killings
to justice, and ensure the immediate
adoption of robust protective
n
measures.”
Social media: Key to development in Asia-Pacific
S
ocial media is becoming an
increasingly important tool to
reach and engage people in
development initiatives. By the end
of 2014 there will be an estimated 3
billion Internet users worldwide, with
two-thirds from the developing world.
Mobile-broadband subscriptions are
also expected to reach 2.3 billion
4 |
June2014
July
2014
globally with fifty-five per cent in
developing countries and close to 1
billion in the Asia-Pacific region.
Recognizing the need to leverage
social media for socio-economic
development, the United Nations
Asian and Pacific Training Centre
for Information and Communication
Technology for Development (UNAPCICT/ESCAP) held a regional
workshop on Social Media for
Development in Incheon, Republic of
Korea.
The opening session of the workshop
was attended by over 130 people from
31 countries, including more than 80
In The News
university students as part of UNAPCICT’s efforts to engage youth. The
session brought together both today
and tomorrow’s leaders and provided
students with the opportunity to be
inspired by the current use of social
media in development. The event
also served as a platform to promote
the perspectives of young people as
leaders in development.
Workshop participants heard how in
the field of agriculture, for example,
social media has helped to increase
Photo: ESCAP
“Youth are among the most active
users of social media and using social
media has definitely helped us connect
with young people,” explained Ms.
Ediola Pashollari, Secretary General of
the World Assembly of Youth. “The
workshop was a great opportunity
to enhance understanding on how
social media can help promote their
involvement in key development areas
such as employment, environment,
health, community development and
leadership training,” she added.
farmers' access to timely and relevant
information and marketing advice. It
has also helped improve the delivery
New head of mission for UNMOGIP
U
nited Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon has
announced the appointment
of Major General Delali Johnson Sakyi
of Ghana as Chief Military Observer
and Head of Mission for the United
Nations Military Observer Group in
India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
Major General Sakyi succeeds Major
General Young-Bum Choi of the
Republic of Korea, who completed
his two-year assignment on 16 June
2014.
With more than 35 years of military
command and staff experience at
national and international levels,
Major General Sakyi served most
recently as Force Commander for the
United Nations Mission in South
of public services by facilitating
two-way communication between
government and citizens. n
Sudan. He has held command and staff
positions in the Ghana Armed Forces
including Assistant Commandant of
the Ghana Armed Forces Command
and Staff College, Junior Division and
Commander of the Army Combat
Training School.
His peacekeeping experience includes
Abidjan Sector Commander of the
United Nations Operation in Côte
d’Ivoire from 2008 to 2009 and
Commander of the Ghana contingent
in four UN and two ECOWAS
peacekeeping operations.
Major General Sakyi has a Bachelor’s
Degree (Hons) in Public Administration
and is a graduate of the Command
and Staff College, Accra, Ghana; the
Army High Command Course, Army
Command College, Nanjing, China; and
the ECOWAS Senior Mission Leaders
n
Course, Abuja, Nigeria.
June
July 2014 | 5
YoUNgistan!
UN Women: Young Sarpanch leads change
F
ew in her sleepy village would
have imagined that this young
mother of three and a homemaker would be planning bridges and
schools today. But that is Vandana
Bahadur Maida’s life in Khaalkhandvi,
in the populous state of Madhya
Pradesh, where she inspires women
and young people to dream big and
help their communities. Despite family
opposition and cultural norms that
define a woman’s place in society, she
was elected head of the village council,
the first woman Sarpanch. Her election
was path-breaking for the village and
also for Vandana’s family – as she
superseded her own husband who used
to be a member of the village council
but never the elected leader.
In India, quotas have spurred one of
the greatest successes globally for
women’s empowerment and grassroots democracy. Just a decade ago,
women comprised less than five per
cent of elected leaders in
village councils. Today
more than 40 per cent
of local council leaders
are women, bringing the
number of women leaders
at the rural level to more
th an a million.
While the other villagers
go about their daily
Sarpanch Vandana Bahadur Maida with her family
lives, working the farms,
running to fetch water
the chronic water shortage that her
or take a reprieve from the hot summer
community used to face, as well as the
sun in the afternoons, articulate and
determined Vandana plans how to bring first school, so that the village children
are not compelled to drop out of school
long-lasting change to her community.
the way Vandana had to, after class 8.
She is raising awareness among
her village council members about
Vandana says that her interest in social
government schemes that can support
development, her husband’s experience
sanitation, health and education efforts
of being in politics at the Panchayat
for the village. With a strong record of
level as panch (member), her family’s
results, today she is seen as a leader
support and most importantly the
who delivers on promises. Her council
technical guidance by UN Women
has built a village pond to counter
through trainings about the provisions
of various government schemes have
helped her in performing her roles and
responsibilities as Sarpanch.
Photos: UN Women/Gaganjit Singh
The unprecedented appointment
did not come easy to Vandana. Her
community and relatives were opposed
to her candidature and, because her
husband was previously a panch in the
same Panchayat, objected to her aiming
for a higher position.
A Panchayat meeting in progress.
6 |
July 2014
However, Vandana did not let these
hinder her ambition and soon got the
chance to participate in the Panchayat
elections. She won with a good margin,
finally getting the opportunity to work
for the advancement of her community.
Initially, the male members opposed
her actions and Vandana struggled to
learn the roles and responsibilities of
the Sarpanch and about the provisions
of government schemes. She gained
the trust of the community members
soon enough and, with their support,
undertook many developmental projects
in her panchayat, including wells, hand
pumps, roads, and toilets in the village.
When asked about what advice she
would give to young people and, in
particular, young women, Vandana
says: “Do what you think is right for
you. Be confident and get the technical
knowledge you need. The members of
this patriarchal society will definitely
oppose every action of yours. They will
criticize you, make fun of your actions,
but finally it is you who will implement
your plans. Once you achieve success,
everyone will start appreciating your
n
efforts.”
www.unwomenindia.org
MGIEP: Youth as drivers of peace and sustainable
development
Education is the pathway to saving
lives, building peace and empowering
young people.
-Ban Ki-moon
The United Nations has initiated several
programmes to mainstream the voice of
young people. One of these – the UN
Secretary-General’s Global Education
First Initiative – aims to foster global
citizenship with a view to promoting
solidarity, peace, equity, justice and
sustainable development through the
active participation of the youth. The
Global Action Programme on Education
for Sustainable Development (ESD)
which will be launched in January 2015
Photo: MGIEP/Fletcher Ng
The 2011 UNESCO Leaders Forum
debate proclaimed that youth are the
‘pulse’ of contemporary societies and
must be empowered as actors for peace
and inclusive sustainable development.
To this end, the role of education in
empowering the youth must be given due
attention. Education should enable young
people to think critically. And to create a
generation that values the common good,
we must understand how young people
see the world today, engage with them,
hear their voice, support their initiative
and nurture their capabilities.
Youth attendees at the UNESCO Forum on GCE in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2013.
has listed ‘Youth’ as one of the five
priority areas. It will seek to “support
youth in their role as change agents for
sustainable development through ESD”.
Youth comprises one of the main
areas of MGIEP’s work on peace
and sustainable development. The
Institute’s mission is to bring young
voices, aspirations, and ideas into the
world of policy, social and development
initiative. The MGIEP Youth Programme
is based on the premise of building
youth capabilities through leadership,
activism, mentorship, creativity,
grassroots experiences along with
strengthening the education systems to
build these capacities.
Through the youth programme, MGIEP
will train, support and mentor young
people who wish to start their own
social initiatives. In order to reach
out to a large section of the youth
population, MGIEP will create learnercentred, non-formal and informal
learning opportunities on peace and
sustainable development through new
media learning tools.
Through its youth programme, MGIEP
envisions the creation of young global
leaders who will be drivers of peace
n
and sustainable development.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/
education/mgiep/
July 2014 | 7
UNFPA: Gaining insights into young minds
O
UNFPA, as part of a 12-country global
initiative, has partnered with Vishakha,
an organization based in Jaipur, to
implement an initiative for adolescent
girls. The Adolescent Girls’ Initiative,
or AGI has been designed to protect
adolescent girls’ human rights and to
improve the value of girls in communities
as well as the choices and skills of
marginalized and poor girls. The aim is
to support them during the transition
to becoming healthy, productive and
successful adult women. The project is
being implemented in Salumbar block of
Udaipur district of Rajasthan.
To get insights into the aspirations of
adolescent girls for transformative change
in their lives, aspirational workshops
were conducted with adolescent girls
and key project
functionaries. The
workshops were
joyful and vibrant.
The majority of the
adolescent girls had
come to a residential
workshop for the
first time. They
were excited, yet
reserved, and the
workshop had to be
modified to make
the environment
as comfortable as
possible to enable them to share their
feelings and aspirations.
Their roles in their homes, increased
resources and strengthened family
situations emerged as the first layer of
aspirations. To elicit more responses on
life situations and challenges, a range of
expressive strategies were used.
Photo: UNFPA/Prashant Ravi
f the 240 million adolescents in
India, adolescent girls constitute
48 percent (115 million) and
most of them are denied the opportunity
to reach their full potential. Deeply
entrenched socio-cultural customs
leave them powerless to decide their
own future. The lack of autonomy also
makes adolescent girls in India extremely
vulnerable. They are subjected to early
marriage, violence at home and in the
community, they are denied education
and have few employable skills.
to school, having a rigorous domestic
routine, and early marriage. Many of the
girls spoke about their lack of resistance
to a range of lost opportunities:
‘I quit school as my friends dropped
out.’
‘I never questioned why my family
pulled me out of school.’
• What would you do if you had a
magic wand?
‘How can I challenge my parents’ choice
of a partner for me?’
• How would you complete this
incomplete picture?
Many girls felt that they could have
better lives if they could have a say
in their families. The workshop was
indeed aspirational as these adolescent
girls had never been asked about their
choices, desires and wants. n
The role play method proved effective
and helped the girls talk about their
experiences. Their sense of being
‘bound in specific roles’ was reflected in
restrictive life situations like not going
www.unfpa.org
UNIC: Young dreams becoming a reality
“I
am a nurse, but after I had my
baby I couldn’t go to work,”
said Seenya, one of the dozens
of young women who came from
8 |
July 2014
villages around Trivandrum, Kerala,
to take part in skills development
workshops run by the P.N. Panicker
Foundation. “The Foundation taught
me how to make paper jewellery and
I have been able to earn enough to
supplement my husband’s income”.
Seenya works in partnership with
a friend who left her Information
Technology job to work from home.
Other women are making jewellery,
arts and crafts, and are also being
trained to effectively market their
goods. Lalita said “Middlemen would
exploit us, not even paying us the
cost price of our goods,” said Lalita.
Now, by getting together in groups and
cooperatives, the women will be able
to sell directly to retailers.
Photo: Panicker Foundation
Addressing these intrepid women,
UNIC Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman
said the United Nations placed great
emphasis on the empowerment of
young women. “One of the first
things you can do is upgrade your
skills and use your talents to set up
micro-enterprises,” she said. “You can
then actually become employers.”
Vice Chairman of the P.N. Panicker
Vigyan Vikas Kendra (Government of
Kerala) N. Balagopal concurred, and
described the various schemes set up
by the Government of Kerala which
the women could use to get loans or
even get additional training in fields
such as motor mechanics, computer
operating and repairs, and electrical
work, traditionally thought to be
“men’s jobs”.
Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman also suggested
that in a state such as Kerala where
literacy levels were high and E-Literacy
was going to be launched as a state
project, it might also be possible
to start a business online. This
would involve training in design and
e-marketing, but would eliminate
middlemen. However, she added, it was
very important to ensure quality control
so that the customers could build a
relationship of trust, which would mean
more and larger orders and increased
income.
“Dream big!” she urged the budding
entrepreneurs, as she complimented
them on the samples of their work.
n
www.unic.org.in
UNIC: Young volunteers promote a brighter energy
alternative
T
o mark World Environment Day,
observed annually on 5 June,
the United Nations Information
Centre for India and Bhutan (UNIC)
collaborated with the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE) in an all-day event on 20 June
titled ‘Solar Energy – Our Sun, The
Bright Alternative’ at Select City Walk
Mall, Saket. The event was aimed at
increasing public awareness about
World Environment Day, solar energy
and sustainable development through a
day of fun filled activities.
The event was managed with great
enthusiasm by young volunteers –
students from engineering schools
and other institutions across Delhi –
who eagerly sought out mall visitors,
handed out information material, and
urged them to take an ‘Environment
Quiz’. Over 1000 people including
children, young adults and elders
participated in the contest that tested
their knowledge on issues such as
greenhouse gases, clean water and
sustainable development. The winners
received prizes from the sponsors,
including ‘sustainable energy torches’
provided by UNIC. Visitors were invited
to contribute their own ideas on solar
energy and how to popularize the usage
of solar appliances.
This was followed by a drawing and
painting competition for children on
environmental themes. More than 100
July 2014 | 9
children participated in the contest,
coming up with some innovative
paintings and sketches depicting the
planet, conservation of energy, ‘Mother
Earth’ and afforestation.
“We have to do much more to ensure
that Mother Earth is entirely happy,”
said Pragati Garg, one of the young
contestants when asked why she
sketched an Earth that was happy and
sad at the same time.
Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman commended the
volunteers for their support and unrelenting
commitment to the cause. “Your work is
a source of inspiration to countless young
people out there,” she said.
She also congratulated Soshan Ramung,
the 10-year old winner of the drawing
competition. “If more people of
your age become aware of global
warming, it would go a long way
in ensuring that we can continue
to call Earth a planet,” Ms. Mehran
Kerpelman said.
www.unic.org.in
Photo: UNV
“If everyone thought like you do, many
of our environmental problems could
be solved!” said Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman
to Pragati, even as she encouraged all
the young winners and volunteers to
persist in their efforts to protect the
environment.
Photos: UNIC/K. Manoharan
UNIC Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman
and IEEE Chairperson Ravindra Joshi
gave away prizes and certificates to the
top three winners.
Margaret Hmangte, a national United Nations Volunteer (UNV) Speech Therapist at The Malsawm Initiative (TMI),
Churachandpur, Manipur, gives speech therapy to Paumuanlian, a 10-year-old child with speech impairment.
10 |
July 2014
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oanuk dks ;g vHkwriwoZ in vklkuh ls ugha
feykA leqnk; vkSj lacfa /k;ksa us mudh
QksVks% ;w,u oheu / xxuthr flga
uds muhans xkao esa cgqr de yksxksa
us lkspk gksxk fd rhu cPpksa dh
;g eka tks ,d n'kd ls Hkh igys
ls ?kj x`gLFkh laHkky jgh gS og ,d fnu
iqyksa vkSj Ldwykas dh ;kstuk cuk,xhA ns'k
ds lcls cM+h vkcknh okys jkT; e/; izn's k
esa [kku[kkaMoh esa oanuk cgknqj ekbnk ds
thou dh ;gh dgkuh gSA og efgykvksa
vkSj ;qokvkas dks cM+s lius ns[kus vkSj vius
leqnk;ksa dh enn djus dh izjs .kk nsrh gSAa
ifjokj ds fojks/k vkSj lekt esa efgyk dh
txg fuf'pr djus okyh lkaLd`frd csfM+;ksa
ds ckotwn og xzke iapk;r dh igyh
efgyk ljiap pquh xbZA mldk pquko xkao
ds fy, gh ugaha cfYd mlds vius ifjokj
ds fy, Hkh cnyko ysdj vk;kA mldk ifr
xzke iapk;r ds lnL; rks gqvk djrk Fkk
ij ljiap dHkh ugha pquk x;kA oanuk us
vius ifr dks Hkh ekr ns nhA
mEehnokjh dk fojks/k fd;kA muds ifr
mlh iapk;r ds iap jg pqds Fks blfy,
ljiap in dh mudh dkeuk dk cgqr
fojks/k gqvkA
'kq: esa iq#"k iapksa us muds QSlyksa dk
fojks/k fd;kA oanuk dks Hkh ljiap ds
:i esa viuh Hkwfedkvksa vkSj nkf;Roksa rFkk
ljdkjh ;kstukvksa ds izko/kkuksa dks le>us
esa dfBukbZ gqbAZ tYnh gh mUgksua s leqnk;
ds lnL;ksa dk fo'okl thr fy;k vkSj
muds leFkZu ds cy ij viuh iapk;r
esa fodkl ds dbZ dke fd,A xkao esa
dq,a [kqnok;s] gSM
a iai yxok,] lM+dksa vkSj
'kkSpky;ksa dk fuekZ.k djk;kA
;qokvksa vkSj fo'ks"kdj ;qofr;ksa ds fy,
mudh lykg ds ckjs esa iwNs tkus ij oanuk
us dgk] ^^tks vki vius fy, lgh le>rs
gaS ogh djsa A vius Åij Hkjkslk j[ksa vkSj
vko';d rduhdh tkudkjh ysAa bl
iq#"k iz/kku lekt ds lnL; vkids gj
dne dk fojks/k djsx
a As vkidh vkykspuk
djsx
a As vkids dk;ksaZ dk et+kd mM+k,axAs
ij vkf[kjdkj viuh ;kstukvksa ij vey
djus dk nkf;Ro vkidk gSA ,d ckj
lQyrk fey xbZ rks lc vkidh esgur
dh ljkguk djus yxsx
sa As ^^ n
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July 2014 | 11
,ethvkbZbiZ h% ;qok] 'kkafr vkSj fVdkÅ fodkl ds lapkyd
f'k
¼bZ,lMh½ ds ckjs
esa oSf'od dkjZokbZ
dk;ZØe tuojh 2015
esa 'kq: fd;k tk,xkA
blesa ;qokvksa dks 5
izkFkfedrk {ks=ksa esa ls
,d ekuk x;k gSA
;g dk;ZØe bZ,lMh
ds ek/;e ls ;qokvksa
dks fVdkÅ fodkl ds
ifjorZu ,tsVa ds :i
esa mudh Hkwfedk ds
fy, leFkZu fnyk,xkA
;qok dk;ZØe
ds ek/;e ls
,ethvkbZbiZ h viuh
lkekftd igy 'kq:
djus ds bPNqd ;qokvksa
dks izf'k{k.k] leFkZu
vkSj laj{k.k nsxkA
;qok vkcknh ds cM+s fgLls rd igqp
a us ds
fy, ;g laLFkku ehfM;k ls tqMs+ lh[kus ds
u;s lk/kuksa dk mi;ksx djrs gq, 'kakfr vkSj
fVdkÅ fodkl ds ckjs esa lh[kus okyksa ij
dsfa nzr] vukSipkfjd vkSj vkSipkfjd volj
tqVk,xkA
QksVks% ,ethvkbZbiZ h / Qyspj ,uft
{kk thou cpkus] 'kkafr LFkkfir
djus vkSj ;qokvksa dks 'kfDr dk
ek/;e gSA & cku dh ewu
2011 dh ;wuLs dks yhMlZ Qksje dh cgl
esa ?kks"k.kk dh xbZ fd ;qok vkt ds lektksa
dh uCt+ gSa vkSj 'kkafr rFkk lekos'kh fVdkÅ
fodkl ds lapkyd ds rkSj ij mUgsa l'kDr
djuk gksxkA ;qokvksa dks l'kDr djus esa
f'k{kk dh Hkwfedk ij i;kZIr /;ku nsuk
t:jh gSA f'k{kk ,slh gksuh pkfg, tks ;qokvksa
dks xgjkbZ ls lkspus dh lkeF;Z nsA lcdh
HkykbZ ds ckjs esa lkspus okyh ih<+h rS;kj
djus ds fy, gesa le>uk gksxk fd vkt
dk ;qok nqfu;k dks fdl utj ls ns[krk gS]
mlls tqMu+ k gksxk] mldh vkokt lquuh
gksxh] mldh igy dks leFkZu nsuk gksxk
vkSj mldh {kerkvksa dks lgkjk nsuk gksxkA
la;Dq r jk"Vª us ;qokvksa dh vkokt dks eq[;
/kkjk esa ykus ds fy, vusd iz;kl fd, gSAa
buesa ls ,d la;Dq r jk"Vª egklfpo dh
Xykscy ,tqd's ku QLVZ igy gSA bldk
mn~n's ; ;qokvksa dh lfØ; Hkkxhnkjh ds
ek/;e ls ,dtqVrk] 'kkafr ] lekurk ]
U;k; vkSj fVdkÅ fodkl dks c<+kok nsus
ds fy, oSf'od ukxfjdrk dks izkRs lkgu
nsuk gSA ,tqd's ku QkWj lLVsucs y MsoyiesVa
vius ;qok dk;ZØe ds ek/;e ls
,ethvkbZbiZ h nqfu;k esa ,sls ;qok usrk rS;kj
djuk pgkrk gS ftuds gkFk esa 'kkafr vkSj
n
fVdkÅ fodkl dh ckxMksj gksxhA
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mgiep/
;w,u,Qih,% fd'kksfj;ksa ds fy, igy
Hk
kjr eas fd'kksjksa dh dqy la[;k 24
djksM+ gS ftlesa ls 48 izfr'kr
¼11-5 djksM½+ fd'kksfj;ka gSAa bueas ls
vf/kdka'k dks viuh izfrHkk ds iw.kZ fodkl
dk volj ugha feyrkA xgjh tM+as tek,
cSBh lkekftd& lkaLd`frd ijaijk,a muls
vius Hkfo"; dk QSlyk djus dk vf/kdkj
Nhu ysrh gSAa vius HkkX; dk QSlyk [kqn
u dj ikus ds dkj.k Hkkjr esa fd'kksfj;ka
csgn ykpkj gks tkrh gSAa mudk de mez
esa fookg gks tkrk gS] ?kj esa vkSj leqnk;
esa fgalk dh f'kdkj gksrh gS]a f'k{kk ls oafpr
jgrh gSa vkSj jkstxkj ikus yk;d dkS'ky
cgqr de gksrs gSAa
12 |
July 2014
;w,u,Qih, us 12 ns'kksa dh oSf'od igy
ds rgr fd'kksfj;ksa ds fy, ,d igy
ij vey djus ds fy, t;iqj dh ,d
laLFkk] fo'kk[kkk ds lkFk xBtksM+ fd;k gSA
vMksykslUs V xYlZ bfuf'k,fVo ;k ,thvkbZ
dk mn~n's ; fd'kksjh yM+fd;ksa ds ekuo
vf/kdkjksa dk laj{k.k djuk vkSj leqnk;
esa yM+fd;ksa dk egRo c<+kuk rFkk gkf'k;s
ij /kdsyh xbZ vkSj xjhc yM+fd;ksa ds
fy, fodYi vkSj dkS'ky c<+kuk gSA bldk
mn~n's ; mUgsa LoLFk] lkFkZd vkSj lQy
o;Ld efgyk cuus ds lQj esa lgkjk nsuk
gSA ;g izkt
s DS V jktLFkku ds mn;iqj ftys
esa lyqEcj [kaM esa pyk;k tk jgk gSA
vius thou esa cnyko ykus ds fy,
fd'kksfj;ksa dh vkdka{kkvksa dks xgjkbZ ls
le>us ds mn~n's ; ls fd'kksfj;ksa vkSj
izkt
s DS V ds ize[q k dk;ZdrkZvksa ds lkFk
dk;Z'kkyk,a vk;ksftr dh xbZAa bu
dk;Z'kkykvksa esa cgqr vkuUn vk;k vkSj
thoarrk ns[kus dks feyhA vf/kdka'k
fd'kksfj;ka igyh ckj ,slh dk;Z'kkyk esa
vkbZa Fkha ftlesa muds fy, Bgjus dh
O;oLFkk FkhA os mRlkgh ysfdu ladksph FkhaA
dk;Z'kkyk dk ekgkSy muds fy, vf/kd ls
vf/kd lgt cukus ds fy, mlesa cnyko
fd, x, rkfd os viuh Hkkouk,a vkSj
vkdka{kk,a nwljksa dks crk ldsA
QksVks% ;w,u,Qih, / ç'kkar jfo
vkdka{kkvksa dh igyh lwph esa ?kj ds
Hkhrj viuh Hkwfedk] lalk/kuksa esa o`f) vkSj
ikfjokfjd fLFkfr;ksa esa etcwrh 'kkfey FkhA
thou dh ifjfLFkfr;ksa vkSj pqukSfr;ksa ds
ckjs esa vkSj tokc ikus ds fy, dbZ rjg
ds jkLrs viuk, x,A
vxj vkids gkFk esa tknw dh NM+h vk tk,
rks D;k djsx
a h\
bl v/kwjh rLohj dks vki dSls iwjk djsx
a h\
Hkwfedk fuHkkus dh fof/k vljnkj lkfcr gqbZ
vkSj mldh enn ls yM+fd;ksa us [kqydj
viuk vuqHko crk;kA fuf'pr Hkwfedkvksa esa
ca/ks gksus dk mudk vglkl thou dh ,slh
lhfer ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa >ydk tSls Ldwy u
tkuk] ?kj esa cgqr esgur djuk vkSj de
vk;q esa fookgA vusd yM+fd;ksa us dgk fd
fojks/k dk lkgl u dj ikus ds dkj.k dbZ
volj muds gkFk ls fudy x,%
^eSua s Ldwy blfy, NksMk+ D;ksfa d dbZ
lgsfy;ksa us NksM+ fn;k FkkA^
^eSua s dHkh loky ugha fd;k fd esjs ifjokj
us esjk Ldwy D;ksa NqMo+ k fn;kA^
^esjs fy, thou lkFkh dh ekrk&firk dh
ilan dks eSa dSls pqukSrh ns ldrh gwAa ^
cgqr&lh yM+fd;ksa dks yxrk Fkk fd vxj
ifjokjksa esa mudh vkokt lquh tkrh rks
mudk thou csgrj gks ldrk FkkA bl
dk;Z'kkyk esa okLro esa vkdka{kk,a eq[kj gqbaZ
D;ksfa d bu fd'kksfj;ksa ls dHkh budh ilan]
bPNkvksa vkSj t:jrksa ds ckjs esa ugha iwNk
n
x;k FkkA
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;w,uvkbZlh% ;qok lius gq, lkdkj
QksVks% ;w,uvkbZlh / ds-,e-ds
ds
jy esa f=osæa e ds vklikl
ds xkaoksa ls ih-,u- ifuDdj
QkmaM's ku dh dkS'ky fodkl
dk;kZ'kkykvksa esa fgLlk ysus vkbZ ntZuksa
efgykvksa esa ls ,d lhU;k us crk;k] ^^eSa ,d
ulZ gw]a ysfdu cPpk gksus ds ckn eSa dke
ij ugha tk ldhA QkmaM's ku us eq>s isij
T;wyjh cukuk fl[kk;k vkSj vc eSa bruk
dek ysrh gwa fd vius ifr ds vkenuh esa
enn dj ldw*a *A lhU;k ,d lgsyh ds lkFk
feydj dke djrh gSAa lgsyh us ?kj ls
dke djus ds fy, buQes'Z ku VSDu‚y‚th
dh viuh ukSdjh NksMh+ gSA
nwljh efgyk,a tsojkr] dyk vkSj nLrjdkjh
dh phtsa cuk jgh gSa vkSj mUgsa viuh
oLrq,a cktkj esa cspus dh dyk Hkh fl[kkbZ
tk jgh gSA buesa ls yfyrk us crk;k]
^^fcpkSfy;s gekjk 'kks"k.k djrs Fks vkSj gekjh
cukbZ oLrqvksa dh ykxr ds cjkcj jde Hkh
ugha nsrs Fks**A vc lewg esa vkSj lgdkjh
lfefr;ksa esa ,dtqV gksdj efgyk,a viuk
lkeku lh/ks nqdkunkjksa dks csp ldsx
a hA
;w,uvkbZlh dh funs'kd fdj.k
esgjk&djiyeSu us bu mRlkgh efgykvksa
dks lacksf/kr djrs gq, dgk fd la;ä
q jk"Vª
efgykvksa dks l'kä djus ij cgqr tksj
nsrk gSA mudk dguk Fkk] ^^lcls igyk dke
vki ;g dj ldrh gSa fd viuk dkS'ky
c<+k,a vkSj vius çfrHkk ds cy ij cgqr NksVs
m|e 'kq: djsAa mlds ckn rks vki nwljksa
July 2014 | 13
dks ukSdjh ns ldrh gS*a *A ih-,u- ifuDdj
foKku fodkl dsUæ ¼dsjy ljdkj½ ds
mik/;{k ,u- ckyxksiky us mudh jk; ls
lgefr O;ä dhA mUgksua s dsjy ljdkj dh
fofHkUu ;kstukvksa ds ckjs esa crk;k] ftudh
enn ls efgyk,a _.k ys ldrh gSAa os enksZa
dk dke le>s tkus okys eksVj eSdfs ud]
dEI;wVj v‚ijsVj vkSj ejEer rFkk fctyh
ds dke tSls {ks=ksa esa vfrfjä çf'k{k.k Hkh ys
ldrh gSAa Jherh fdj.k esgjk&djiyeSu
us ;g Hkh lq>ko fn;k fd dsjy tSls jkT;
esa tgka lk{kjrk cgqr vf/kd gS vkSj jkT;
ljdkj bZ&lk{kjrk çkstDS V Hkh 'kq: djus
okyh gS] ogka fctusl v‚uykbu 'kq: djus
dh laHkkouk Hkh gks ldrh gSA blds fy,
fMtkbu vkSj bZ&ekdsfZ Vax dk çf'k{k.k nsuk
iM+ ldrk gS] ysfdu blls fcpkSfy;ksa dh
Hkwfedk [kRe gks tk,xhA fdUrq mUgksua s
xq.koÙkk fu;a=.k dks cgqr egRoiw.kZ crk;k]
rkfd xzkgdksa ds lkFk fo'okl dk fj'rk
dk;e gks ldsA ,slk gksus ij T;knk vkSj
cM+s v‚MZj feysx
a s rFkk vkenuh c<+x
s hA
mUgksua s bu mHkjrh m|fe;ksa ds dke ds
uewus ns[kdj c/kkbZ nh vkSj vkxzg fd;k
fd] ^^cM+s lius ns[kks**A
n
www.unic.org.in
;w,uvkbZlh% ;qok Lo;alsodksa us fd;k nedrs
ÅtkZ dk izlkj
g
fnYyh eas bathfu;fjax dkWyt
s ksa vkSj vU;
laLFkkvksa ds fo|kfFkZ;ksa us Lo;alos d cudj
iwjs tks'k ds lkFk bl vk;kstu dk lapkyu
fd;kA mUgkaus s c<+&p<+dj ekWy esa vkus okyksa
dks lwpuk lkexzh ckaVh vkSj muls i;kZoj.k
iz'uksRrjh esa fgLlk ysus dk vkxzg fd;kA
1000 ls vf/kd cPpks]a ;qokvksa vkSj cM+kas us
iz'uksRrjh esa fgLlk fy;k vkSj xzhugkml
xSl] LoPN ty rFkk fVdkÅ fodkl tSls
fo"k;ksa ij viuh tkudkjh dks ij[kkA
fotsrkvksa dks izk;kstdksa dh vksj ls iqjLdkj
feysA ;w,uvkbZlh us lrr~ ÅtkZ VkWpZ ckaVhA
ekWy esa vkus okyksa ls dgk x;k fd os lkSj
ÅtkZ ds ckjs esa vius fopkj crk,a vkSj ;g
Hkh crk,a fd lkSj midj.kksa ds mi;ksx dks
dSls c<+kok fn;k tk ldrk gSA
mlds ckn i;kZoj.k ls tqMs+ fo"k;ksa ij cPpksa
ds fy, js[kkfp= vkSj isfa Vax izfr;ksfxrk dk
vk;kstu fd;k x;kA 100 ls vf/kd cPpksa
14 |
July 2014
QksVks% ;w,uvkbZlh / ds euksgju
j o"kZ dh rjg bl o"kZ Hkh 5 twu
dks fo'o i;kZoj.k fnol ij Hkkjr
vkSj HkwVku ds fy, la;Dq r jk"Vª
lwpuk dsUnz ¼;w,uvkbZlh½ us bafLVP;wV vkWQ
bySfDVªdy ,aM bySDVªkWfud bathfu;lZ
¼vkbZbbZ bZ ½Z ds lkFk feydj 20 twu dks
,d fnu dk vk;kstu fd;kA lysDV
flVh okWd ekWy] lkdsr esa bl vk;kstu
dk 'kh"kZd Fkk] ^^lksyj ,uthZ&voj lu]
n czkbVj vkWYVjusfVo ¼lkSj ÅtkZ&gekjk
lw;]Z mTtoy ÅtkZ½**A fnu Hkj ekSt eLrh
Hkjh xfrfof/k;ksa dk mn~n's ; fo'o i;kZoj.k
fnol] lkSj ÅtkZ vkSj fVdkÅ fodkl ds
ckjs esa yksxksa esa tkx:drk c<+kuk FkkA
us i`Foh] ÅtkZ laj{k.k] /kjrh ekrk vkSj o`{k
vkjksi.k tSls fo"k;ksa ij vfHkuo js[kfp= vkSj
isfa Vax cukbZA
;w,uvkbZlh dh funs'kd fdj.k
esgjk&djiyeSu vkSj vkbZbbZ bZ Z ds v/;{k
johUnz tks'kh us igys rhu fotsrkvksa dks
iqjLdkj vkSj izek.k i= fn,A
,d cky izfr;ksxh izxfr xxZ ls iwNk x;k
fd mlus /kjrh dh ,slh vkd`fr D;kas cukbZ]
tks [kq'k Hkh gS vkSj nq[kh Hkh rks mldk
dguk Fkk] ^^gesa /kjrh dks ges'kk [kq'k j[kus
ds fy, vHkh cgqr dqN djuk gS**A
;w,uvkbZlh dh funs'kd fdj.k
esgjk&djiyeSu us izxfr ls dgk] ^^vxj
lc rqEgkjh rjg lkspus yxs rks i;kZoj.k ls
tqMh+ gekjh vusd leL;kvksa dk lek/kku
gks ldrk gS**A mUgksua s lHkh fotsrkvksa vkSj
Lo;alos dksa dks mRlkg c<+krs gq, i;kZoj.k
laj{k.k ds iz;kl tkjh j[kus dk vkxzg
fd;kA
mUgkaus s js[kkfp= izfr;ksfxrk ds fotsrk nl
o"khZ; lks'kku jkeax dks c/kkbZ nsrs gq, dgk]
^^vxj rqEgkjh mez ds vkSj vf/kd yksxksa dks
xeZ gksrs s tyok;q dh tkudkjh gks tk, rks
ge /kjrh dks vkSj yacs le; rd xzg dgrs
jg ldsx
a *s *A Jherh fdj.k esgjk&djiyeSu
us vkbZbbZ bZ Z ds Jh tks'kh dks Hkh /kU;okn
fn;k vkSj Lo;alos dksa ds lg;ksx vkSj vVwV
ladYi dh ljkguk djrs gq, dgk] ^^vkidh
esgur reke ukStokuksa dks izjs .kk nsrh gS**A n
www.unic.org.in
UN-BHUTAN PLUS
Bhutan delegates head to Youth Forum 2015
Y
eshey Choden and Kinley Dorji
are both in their early 20s.
They were selected out of 20
applicants to represent Bhutan’s youth
at the Youth Forum 2015 in New York
from 2-3 June. The two-day meeting
was organized by the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) Department
of Economic and Social Affairs, in
collaboration with the Office of the
Youth Envoy of the Secretary-General
and the United Nations Inter-agency
Network on Youth. It covered
development challenges for meeting the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
and shaping the future development
agenda.
Bhutan’s two youth representatives to
the Youth 2015 Forum were chosen
through an intensive competitive
process, which included interviews,
written statements, and presentations.
Current youth issues in Bhutan:
Fifty-six per cent of Bhutan’s population
is below the age of 25. The 2013
Millennium Development Goals
Photos: UNDP Phutan
national of the country’s development;
participation of youth in initiating
decision making processes; quality
employment for Bhutanese youth;
active volunteerism; and incorporating
skill-oriented learning and training in
the school academic curriculum.
Acceleration Framework (MAF) Report
underscores that Bhutan’s youth issues
such as unemployment prospects,
job mismatch and participation are
areas of concern. While the country’s
overall unemployment rate is low at
2.1 per cent, youth unemployment
is significantly higher–7.3 per cent
in 2012–for those in the 15- 24 age
bracket.
The report also found that
unemployment was higher among
female youth, than among males–at
11.6 per cent and 9.5
per cent, respectively.
In urban areas these
figures rise alarmingly
to 20.2 per cent for
males and 29.5 per
cent for females. These
conclusions highlight
the need for creating
quality employment for
Bhutanese youth.
They were also given
the opportunity to
make recommendations
at the Forum for the
post-2015 sustainable
development agenda.
The two representatives
said it was important
for Bhutan to ensure
youth engagement
at both local and
Kinley said they interacted with youth
from different countries at the Forum
and found similar challenges. The most
common concerns for young people
across the world were education,
employment, and better health
care. It was clear that young people
generally feel quite positive about the
achievement of the MDGs. The youth
representatives also voiced the need for
more dynamic civic engagement as well
as for strong democratic societies that
understand young people’s aspirations.
Kinley made a powerful statement at
the Youth Forum declaring, “Let us
not make the mistake of leaving young
people and adolescents behind. Our
rights cannot continue to be deemed
too controversial to be included in our
next development agenda.”
Yeshey said she learned about
the significance of ensuring the
participation of young people at
different levels of decision making
processes, strengthening youth led
initiatives, networks and organizations.
She also said quality education for all,
with “much emphasis on vulnerable
and disadvantaged youth groups” was
critical.
She believes that improving the
physical, social and mental health status
of adolescents and youth; promoting
healthy behaviours towards reducing
the risk of substance abuse; and
increase access to affordable, acceptable
and quality assured health services,
including sexual and reproductive health
are key areas for Bhutan to consider.
They also agree Bhutanese youth need
to be more proactive and forthcoming
July 2014 | 15
UN-BHUTAN PLUS
in solving issues that affect their
future. They must be confident to
voice concerns pertaining to their
wellbeing. After attending the Forum
and gaining better understanding of the
global youth issues, they are more
committed than ever to encouraging
young Bhutanese to be energetic
and promoting volunteerism in
Bhutan.
Yeshey and Kinley also shared
their experiences from the Forum at the
My World meeting in Bhutan, the local
forum debating post-2015 development
n
agendas.
Youth initiative for debate, deliberation and development
Y
outh in Bhutan have embarked on
a new initiative since 2013 – to
strengthen democratic values and
engage in meaningful discussions on
social issues.
Photos: BCMD
The idea of the Youth Initiative for
Debate, Deliberation and Development
(YIDDD) was conceived in 2012 by
Phub Dorji, a high school graduate
from Yangchenphug Higher Secondary
School in Thimphu. A volunteerism
enthusiast, Phub continued
volunteering even after finishing
high school. The idea of YIDDD was
born during his volunteering work
with Bhutan Centre for Media and
Democracy (BCMD), a civil society
organization committed towards
providing space for youth participation
in democratic discourse. The initiative
was officially launched during a Youth
Forum organized by BCMD on 13
December 2013.
The YIDDD was officially launched on 13 December 2013 in Thimphu. Phub Dorji (second from
right) is the youth who conceived the idea.
the concerns and issues of today’s
youth.
As the president, Dechen coordinates
training on public speaking for members
during vacations and keeps a track of
youth activities. He is supported by 18
other vibrant members of the initiative,
who come from all walks of life.
Dechen Rabgyal, 26, is the president
of YIDDD. Being a son of illiterate,
farming parents from a remote village
in the eastern district of Mongar,
Dechen never imagined the possibility
of attending university; to be in a
classroom of peers with whom he could
communicate on ideas such as justice
and democracy. “It all seemed like a
fantasy,” reflects Dechen.
One of them is Tshering Wangmo, 32year-old woman, who’s a teacher in the
Changzamtok Lower Secondary School
in Thimphu. She has been a member of
YIDDD for the last two years. Although
a working mother, Tshering is never
tired of coordinating youth activities
in her school during weekends. “Every
time I embark upon a new activity, I get
a thrilling experience,” says Tshering.
“Had BCMD not started this youth
initiative, I would have been as meek
as I was before, afraid of speaking
in public,” says Dechen who is now
confident, dynamic and omnipresent in
many youth forums.
YIDDD activities are organized during
school holidays as 90 per cent of
members are students. The youth
representatives initiate various activities
to address social issues. They also
create advocacy films and podcasts,
meet members of parliament
to discuss youth issues and
interact with school
children about the
A trainee at the Royal Institute of
Management in the capital Thimphu,
Dechen is passionate about highlighting
16 |
July 2014
important role of youth in Bhutan’s
democracy. One of the activities was a
mapping exercise to identify problems
faced by the communities, from
community welfare to education and
social justice. It was not just about
identifying problems in the community
but also providing opportunities and
solutions.
On 10 July 2014, the YIDDD began the
‘Second Sitting of the Youth Initiative’
with support from UNICEF. This time,
the members hope to continue their
deliberations on how youth can engage
as partners in Bhutan’s development. n
ROVING REPORTER
FAO: Empowering women to boost their livelihoods
R
This exercise is part of the South Asia
Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Programme
(SA PPLPP), a joint initiative co-funded
by the Food and Agriculture organization
(FAO) of the United Nations and the
National Dairy Development Board
(NDDB), India.
Bearing on their shoulders vaccine
carriers as a badge of their identity,
these Pashu Sakhis and Murgi Sakhis
(literally, friends of animals and chickens,
respectively, but more appropriately,
community animal health workers)
are gaining recognition and respect in
their neighborhoods because of their
knowledge and competence in handling
birds and animals. They have been doing
the rounds of the village, educating their
peers about good practices in hygiene,
feeding and housing of animals, and
sharing with them knowledge about the
importance of timely deworming and
vaccination of animals.
In one of the project
clusters (Jhirniya Block),
the trained Pashu Sakhis
completed vaccination
camps for injecting
goats against the lethal
ET (Enterotoxemia,
a bacterial disease
in goats and sheep,
triggered by change in
diet, usually with the
onset of monsoon).
Subsequently, another
set of village camps
were was organized for
administration of booster doses. This
could potentially offset mortality losses
among goat rearing households by at
least 50 percent.
In another project cluster (Rama Block),
trained Murgi Sakhis are conducting
follow-up meetings in the project
villages with assistance from project
staff, and deftly responding to queries
from participants in the meeting.
They are preparing the ground for
organization of village-level vaccination
camps, where the birds would be
vaccinated en masse against New Castle
Disease (Ranikhet), the most common
and fatal of all poultry diseases in the
country. Seventeen women from the
project cluster were provided training
on vaccination and preventive health
care by Dr. Kornel Das, one of the most
respected and experienced backyard
poultry development specialists in the
country.
Photo: FAO
amilabehen, Surtibai, Tulshibai
and 30 other women from 20
villages in the state of Madhya
Pradesh are undergoing an unexpected
transformation. They are being trained
in preventive and primary health care
for backyard poultry and goats in their
respective villages. These capable but
semi-literate women were identified
by their communities as appropriate
emissaries for provision of health care
services to the community at the village
level, and subsequently underwent a
rigorous training to gain knowledge and
hone their skills.
Building on documented learnings from
places across the South Asia region
and elsewhere, SA PPLPP designed
and initiated two field pilot projects
in Madhya Pradesh, with the purpose
of demonstrating integrated models
for backyard poultry and goat based
livelihoods improvement. At the core
of the two models is the conviction
that significant changes in household
income and nutrition security are
achievable through improvements in
preventive and primary health care
services at the village
n
level.
www.sapplpp.org
www.fao.org
UNODC: Aiming to make drug use policies
more effective
26
June – the International Day
against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking – is a day
to acknowledge and understand the
rights and needs of drug users. It also
serves to remind the global community
to move towards a society that addresses
drug use through a health-centric and
human rights approach. This year, the
United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for
South Asia commemorated the day with
July 2014 | 17
ROVING REPORTER
a series of events organized in New
Delhi.
On the eve of the Day, a panel
discussion titled 'Deliberating,
Deciding, Doing: Drug Day 2014',
was organized, which was attended
by eminent Parliamentarians from
India’s major political parties. The
panelists highlighted a variety of social,
economic, financial and legal issues
related to drug use and the responses
to them. All agreed that there is
an urgent need for more data and
evidence generation on drug use trends
and patterns in the country. This,
they pointed out, would ensure that
responses to this issue were tailored to
specific, local needs.
The speakers also stressed that laws,
policy and policing alone cannot be
the answer. Government efforts need
to be matched by individual initiative.
Citizens could work to raise awareness,
help reduce stigma and discrimination
of drug users and most importantly
help them reintegrate into society.
They also urged the audience to
involve their elected
representatives
in mobilizing
dialogues and
calling for action
from policy makers.
UNODC also
presented the
concept of the Integrated Drug
Information System (IDIS) on the
occasion. IDIS is a web-based
application that can be used to collect
and analyze information on drug
use extent and patterns. UNODC
is in discussion with South Asian
Governments about the application
of the system, which will aid law
enforcement authorities in identifying
trends in seizures and also service
providers to respond effectively to
drug use issues.
In recognition of its significant
efforts in the field of drug prevention,
treatment and care across the country,
UNODC presented a memento to
the Indian Drug User Forum – a nonprofit organization that promotes
meaningful involvement of people who
use drugs.
The evening ended with a lively musical
performance by the Delhi-based
community group ‘Dayspring’. The band
included members and supporters of the
drug using community, who through
their performance highlighted the
importance of engaging and partnering
with drug users.
The 26 June commemoration concluded
the following day with a football match
organized by UNODC, between the
Dayspring community and a joint UN
team. The nail-biting match saw strong
performances by both teams with the
n
game ending in a draw.
www.unodc.org
Raghu Rai shoots for UNHCR
A
photo exhibition by eminent
photographer Raghu Rai,
depicting the lives of refugees
living in India, got underway at the
Indian International Centre (IIC), New
Delhi, on World Refugee Day on June 20.
The exhibition – Longing to Belong:
Refugees – was a first of its kind initiative
in India by the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and
was aimed at generating public empathy
towards refugees in India.
The 50-odd colour photographs
displayed in the IIC art gallery from 2129 June highlighted the lives of the seven
largest refugee communities in India
18 |
July 2014
– their hardships, resilience and
enormous courage.
Raghu Rai, who is
considered one
of India’s best
photographers,
and known
worldwide for
his evocative and
intense images, spent a
few months with refugees
in Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Rai said he knew the pain of
the refugees as he himself had been
one. “I was also a refugee in India. I
was 4 when my family had migrated
from what is now Pakistan to India
in 1947. We
witnessed the
gore, the blood
and the violence,”
he said.
ROVING REPORTER
“Photographing refugees from different
parts of the world reminded me what
it means to be a refugee. They long to
belong. They deserve our respect,” Mr.
Rai added.
The refugees in India have fled
violence, conflict and
persecution in
Myanmar, Afghanistan,
Tibet, Somalia and
Sri Lanka. According
to Dominik Bartsch,
Chief of Mission,
United Nations High
Commissioner for
Refugees India, World
Refugee Day offered
an opportunity to
appreciate and understand the
plight of refugees.
“A refugee is no different from
you and me,” he said. “They
are like us – they laugh and cry,
they are sad and they are happy.
They have lost everything in
their country under the threat of
persecution. This is a day to salute
their struggle and perseverance.”
Today, there are some 110,000
Tibetans and 60,000 Sri Lankan Tamils
recognized by the Government of
India, while 29,000 other refugees and
asylum seekers from countries such as
Afghanistan, Myanmar, Somalia, and
Iraq are registered with the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for
n
Refugees (UNHCR).
www.unhcr.org.in
UNA BUZZ
West Bengal UNA observes day
against drug trafficking
T
Photos: WEBFUNA
he West Bengal Federation of
United Nations Associations
(WEBFUNA) observed the
International Day against Drug Abuse
with a fortnight long programme in
Kolkata titled ‘Social Costs of Drug
Abuse’ at two city schools – BDM
International School and Indus Valley
World School. The events were
organized in association with the
Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of
Home Affairs, Government of India.
Both the schools under the guidance of
their Chief Administrator Usha Mehta
provided an ideal setting with school
children forming a human chain and
holding placards depicting the effects of
drug abuse. They also enacted various
short skits on the subject.
Rajeev Maheshwari, Secretary
General, WEBFUNA, gave the
welcome address on both occasions
and read out the UN Secretary
General’s message. Sitaram Sharma,
Chairman, WEBFUNA, introduced the
subject and emphasized the need to
educate students on the ill effects and
consequences of drug abuse. Dr. Sudhir
Misra, IPS, Special Commissioner of
Kolkata Police spoke about the real
life case of a brilliant student who got
entangled into the murky world of drugs
and about the effects it had on the entire
family. Subrata Biswas, Zonal Director
of the Narcotics Control Bureau, made
a comprehensive presentation on the
subject of drug abuse. Vivid pictures of
victims of drug abuse left an indelible
mark on the 600 senior students in both
the schools, all of whom pledged never
n
to experiment with drugs.
July 2014 | 19
REPORT CARD
WIR 2014: Asia tops the world in foreign direct investment
A
sia continues to be the world's
top recipient region of foreign
direct investment (FDI),
accounting for nearly 30 per cent of
global FDI inflows, UNCTAD’s World
Investment Report 2014 reveals. Total
inflows to developing Asia (excluding
West Asia) amounted to $382 billion in
2013, 4 per cent higher than in 2012.
In 2013, FDI inflows to South Asia
rose by 10 per cent to $36 billion. The
subregion's total amount of cross-border
M&A sales surged by 70 per cent, while
that of recorded greenfield investments
dropped by 38 per cent. Outflows from
the region slid by nearly three-fourths, to
only $2 billion, owing to the prolonged
decrease of outflows from India.
India experienced a 17 per cent increase
in FDI inflows in 2013, to $28 billion
(see graph below), but macroeconomic
uncertainties remain a major concern for
investors. The opening up of
multi-brand retail in 2012 has not
generated the results that were expected.
Bangladesh continued to experience
growth in FDI inflows, with
Photo: UNIC/K. Manoharan
The report looks forward to the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
that will succeed the Millennium
Development Goals and is subtitled
‘Investing in the SDGs: An Action Plan’.
(l-r): Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, UN Information Centre; Arvind Mayaram, Secretary,
Ministry of Finance, Government of India; and policy analyst Premila Nazareth at the media
launch of the World Investment Report 2014 in New Delhi.
manufacturing accounting for a major
part of inflows and contributing
significantly to employment creation.
The garment industry has been the
major beneficiary, but continues to face
serious challenges in labour standards
and skill development. In Pakistan,
inflows surged to $1.3 billion, and
foreign investment is set to grow in
industries such as telecommunications.
Source: UNCTAD, World Investment Report 2014.
Note: Countries are ranked on the basis of magnitude of 2013 FDI flows.
20 |
July 2014
FDI inflows
to East Asia
rose by 3 per
cent to $221
billion in 2013.
With inflows
at $124 billion
(figure 1),
China again
ranked second
in the world
and narrowed
the gap with
the United
States, the
country with
the largest
global inflows.
Inflows to the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries rose
by 7 per cent in 2013, to $125 billion.
The rapid growth of FDI inflows to the
regional grouping, from $47 billion in
2009 to $118 billion in 2012, has now
slowed, the report shows.
For some low-income countries in
developing Asia, weak infrastructure
has long been a major challenge
in attracting FDI and promoting
industrial development. Today, rising
intraregional FDI in infrastructure
industries, driven by regional
integration efforts and enhanced
connectivity between subregions
through the establishment of intersubregional corridors, is likely to
accelerate infrastructural build-up and
promote economic development.
The potential establishment of the
Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar
Economic Corridor and the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor are
likely to accelerate infrastructural
development by attracting foreign
investment in related countries. n
REPORT CARD
Progress on MDGs continues across Asia, says UN report
S
outhern Asia has made great
progress on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), but
requires greater efforts to achieve most
targets by the end of 2015, according
to a new UN report. Eastern Asia and
South-Eastern Asia have met or are
within reach of meeting most MDG
targets.
MDG Report 2014 finds millions of
people’s lives have improved across
Asia, and in its sub-regions of Eastern
Asia, South-Eastern Asia and Southern
Asia. The eight MDGs, with a number of
sub-targets covering a range of poverty,
hunger, health, gender equality, education
and environmental indicators, were
agreed by all countries as an outgrowth
of the UN Millennium Summit in 2000,
most with a due date of 2015.
Gains for women and girls continue
in education, participation and jobs
Asia continues to expand access to
primary education. In Southern Asia, the
adjusted net enrolment rate of children
of primary school age increased from 80
per cent in 2000 to 94 per cent in 2012.
About 19 per cent of out-of-school
children of primary school age live in
conflict areas in Southern Asia. In 2012,
Eastern Asia’s adjusted net enrolment
rate in primary education was 97 per
cent, and South-Eastern Asia’s was 94
per cent, but these two sub-regions have
made little progress since 2000.
The three sub-regions achieved parity
in primary education between girls
and boys. However, in Southern Asia,
gender parity is yet to be achieved in
Afghanistan and Pakistan – where there
are at most nine girls for every ten boys
enrolled – and Bangladesh and Nepal –
where the gender disparity favours girls.
Photo: UNIC/S.Dhillon
The Millennium Development Goals
Report 2014 was launched by UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New
York. In New Delhi, the UN Information
Centre organized the regional media
launch.
On 16 July, at a media launch organized in New Delhi by the UN Information Centre,
Dr. Najma Heptulla, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, released the UN SecretaryGeneral’s 2014 Millennium Development Goals Report. (www.un.org/millenniumgoals)
(l-r): Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, UNIC New Delhi; Dr. Najma Heptulla; UN Resident
Coordinator Lise Grande and Dr. Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru
University.
Gender disparities persist in secondary
and tertiary education in Southern Asia.
Women in Southern Asia and SouthEastern Asia are gaining more influence
‘The MDGs have emerged
as the most powerful and
most used framework
to analyse differences
in human development
across the globe. Perhaps
most importantly, the
MDGs have been a mirror
that allows the world to
look at itself in human
development terms and
to pass judgement on
the steps that have been
taken and need to be
taken to ensure that no
one is left behind and
that everyone’s basic
needs are met.’
- Lise Grande, UN Resident
Coordinator
in politics. Between 2000 and 2014,
the proportion of seats held by women
in single or lower houses of national
parliament increased from 7 to 16 per
cent in Southern Asia and from 12 to
18 per cent in South-Eastern Asia. In
Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, parity
in the number of women and men
holding wage-earning jobs has been
nearly achieved. But Southern Asia has
one of the lowest shares of women in
non-agricultural wage employment,
with women holding only 20 out of
every 100 wage-earning jobs in the nonagricultural sector.
Maternal and child mortality
continues to decline across Asia
Asia has made impressive progress in
reducing maternal mortality. However,
Southern Asia accounted for 24 per
cent of all maternal deaths worldwide
in 2013. Compared to the universal
attendance of skilled health personnel at
births in Eastern Asia, only 51 per cent
of deliveries were attended by skilled
health personnel in Southern Asia. In
2012, only 36 per cent of pregnant
women in Southern Asia received
the recommended minimum of four
July 2014 | 21
REPORT CARD
- Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman,
Director, UNIC
antenatal care visits during their last
pregnancy.
Eastern Asia met the target of reducing
the under-five mortality rate by twothirds ahead of 2015. The mortality rate
for children under five in South-Eastern
Asia dropped more than half from 71
deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990
to 30 in 2012. In 2012, Southern Asia
accounted for 2.1 million of the 6.6
million deaths in children under five
worldwide. In 2012, with 1.4 million
children dying before reaching their fifth
birthday, India had the highest child
mortality rate worldwide.
More Asians gain access to water
and sanitation, but open defecation
remains widespread
The MDG drinking water target was met
five years ahead of schedule in the three
sub-regions. The greatest progress in
improving access to improved sanitation
facilities was made in Eastern Asia,
where sanitation coverage increased
from 27 per cent in 1990 to 67 per
cent in 2012, and the region has met
the MDG target ahead of the deadline.
In South-Eastern Asia, the proportion
of the population using an improved
sanitation facility increased from 47
22 |
July 2014
Photo: UNIC/S. Dhillon
The United Nations
2014 MDG Report is the
most up-to-date global
scorecard on various
development issues
– poverty, education,
health, environment,
gender and partnerships.
Even as the deadline
for the Millennium
Development Goals
(MDGs) is less than 550
days away, the final push
to achieve the MDGs
continues.
Gender disparities persist in secondary and tertiary education in Southern Asia
percent to 71 per cent between 1990
and 2012. South-Eastern Asia should
meet the MDG sanitation target soon.
In Southern Asia, the proportion
increased from 23 percent to 42
per cent, which, if prevailing trends
continue, is insufficient to meet the
MDG target by 2015. Southern Asia
has one of the highest levels of open
defecation, which is a practice that
needs to be brought to an end, as it
poses a huge risk to communities that
are often poor and vulnerable already.
Nearly 60 per cent of the one billion
people practicing open defecation live
in India.
Poverty and hunger remain
prominent even with targets
achieved
Extreme poverty rates of people living
on less than $1.25 per day halved in
Eastern Asia and South-Eastern Asia,
but Southern Asia needs more time.
China leads the way in global poverty
‘India is still far from
reaching the goal of
eradicating poverty...Is
anyone listening?’
- Jayati Ghosh, Economist
reduction, with extreme poverty
dropping from 60 per cent in 1990 to
16 per cent in 2005 and 12 per cent in
2010. Yet, China is home to about 13
per cent of the world’s extreme poor.
The poverty rate in South-Eastern Asia
fell from 45 per cent in 1990 to 14
per cent in 2010. Although poverty
remains widespread in Southern
Asia, progress in the region has been
substantial. In Southern Asia, poverty
rates fell from 51 per cent in 1990 to
30 per cent in 2010. However, the
World Bank projects that 40 per cent
of the estimated 970 million people
living on less than $1.25 a day will be
in Southern Asia in 2015.
Marked differences in reducing hunger
persist across Asia. In South-Eastern
Asia, the proportion of undernourished
people in the total population fell from
31.1 per cent in 1990-1992 to 10.7 per
cent in 2011-2013. Eastern Asia is on
track to meet the MDG hunger target,
with the proportion of undernourished
people falling from 22.2 per cent to
11.4 per cent over the same period.
However, in Southern Asia, the
proportion of undernourished people
fell from 25.7 per cent in 1990-1992 to
16.8 per cent to in 2011-2013, which
is insufficient to meet the MDG target
by the end of 2015. n
World Urbanization Prospects: Most populous cities
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata in top 15
T
he 2014 revision of the World
Urbanization Prospects produced
by the UN Population Division of
the Department of Economic and Social
Affairs notes that the largest urban
growth will take place in India, China
and Nigeria. These three countries will
account for 37 per cent of the projected
growth of the world’s urban population
between 2014 and 2050. By 2050, India
is projected to add 404 million urban
dwellers, China 292 million and Nigeria
212 million.
The world’s urban population is
expected to surpass six billion by
2045. Much of the expected urban
growth will take place in countries of
the developing regions, particularly
Africa. As a result, these countries will
face numerous challenges in meeting
the needs of their growing urban
populations, including for housing,
infrastructure, transportation, energy
and employment, as well as for basic
services such as education and health
care.
“Managing urban areas has become
one of the most important development
challenges of the 21st century.
Our success or failure in building
sustainable cities will be a major
factor in the success of the post-2015
UN development agenda,” said John
Wilmoth, Director of the Population
Division in the UN’s Department of
Economic and Social Affairs.
Tokyo remains the world’s largest city
with 38 million inhabitants, followed
by Delhi with 25 million, Shanghai with
23 million, and Mexico City, Mumbai
and São Paulo, each with around 21
million inhabitants. Osaka has just over
UN Photo/Kibae Park
The urban population of the world has
grown rapidly from 746 million in 1950
to 3.9 billion in 2014. Asia, despite its
lower level of urbanization, is home
to 53 per cent of the world’s urban
population, followed by Europe with
14 per cent and Latin America and the
Caribbean with 13 per cent.
20 million, followed by Beijing with
slightly less than 20 million. The New
York-Newark area and Cairo complete
the top ten most populous urban areas
with around 18.5 million inhabitants
each.
Although Tokyo’s population is
projected to decline, it will remain the
world’s largest city in 2030 with 37
million inhabitants, followed closely by
Delhi, whose population is projected
to rise swiftly to 36 million in 2030.
While Osaka and New York-Newark
were the world’s second and third
largest urban areas in 1990, by 2030
they are projected to fall in rank to the
13th and 14th positions, respectively,
as megacities in developing countries
become more prominent.
The rural population of the world
has grown slowly since 1950 and is
expected to reach its peak around 2020.
The global rural population is now
close to 3.4 billion and is expected to
decline to 3.1 billion by 2050. While
Africa and Asia are urbanizing rapidly,
the regions are still home to nearly 90
per cent of the world’s rural population.
India has the largest rural population
with 857 million, followed by China
with 635 million.
The report notes that a successful
urban planning agenda will require that
attention be given to urban settlements
of all sizes. If well managed, cities offer
important opportunities for economic
development and for expanding access
to basic services, including health care
and education, for large numbers of
people. Providing public transportation,
as well as housing, electricity, water
and sanitation for a densely settled
urban population is typically cheaper
and less environmentally damaging
than providing a similar level of services
to a dispersed rural population. n
Today, 54 per cent of the world’s
population lives in urban areas,
a proportion that is expected to
increase to 66 per cent by 2050.
Projections show that urbanization
combined with the overall growth
of the world’s population could
add another 2.5 billion people to
urban populations by 2050, with
close to 90 percent of the increase
concentrated in Asia and Africa,
www.unpopulation.org
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/index.htm
July 2014 | 23
Unic album
Let us read – in print and online
H
undreds of school children
in their distinctive uniforms
thronged the famous
Kanakakkunnu Palace in Trivandrum
on 19 June for an event to honour the
memory of the late P.N. Panicker, father
of the Kerala Library Movement who
championed the cause of literacy and
reading. A number of eminent persons
also attended the commemoration, part
of a series of activities at schools and
public institutions organized by the
Government of Kerala.
Addressing the audience, Kerala Chief
Minister Oommen Chandy said that
although the state Legislative Assembly
was in session, he had taken time out
to inaugurate the event in order to
applaud the efforts of the P.N. Panicker
Foundation in furthering promoting
reading and literacy activities. “P.N.
Panicker only talked on one subject,
and that was reading. He was
passionate about this movement,” Mr.
Chandy said.
24 |
July 2014
She thanked the
UNIC Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman visited the office of Kerala
organizers for inviting
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the State Legislative Assembly
UNIC to be part of
where she presented him with a UN-India pin, created as a symbol
of the decades-long India-UN connection.
these activities and
suggested opening a
Reading Room with UN documentation
marks could be awarded to school
and publications as has been done in
children who were prolific readers.
other parts of India. This suggestion
Prof. P.J. Kurien, Vice Chairman,
was welcomed enthusiastically, as
Rajya Sabha, pointed to P.N. Panicker’s
were others, such as taking UNIC’s
contribution to Kerala’s achievement
upcoming ‘YoUNg@70’ project to
of 100 per cent literacy. Other speakers
Kerala during the UN’s 70th year.
included M. Vijayakumar, former
P.K. Abdu Rabb, state Minister for
minister, and Mini Antony, Director,
Education, said that all schools had
Information and Public Relations,
been instructed to conduct reading
Government of Kerala, who read out a
activities for 10 minutes each day
pledge on cultivating a reading habit.
during the Reading Week. Chairman of
the P.N. Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra,
Some of the students also shared
N. Balagopal, said that the organization
their reading experiences and read out
and the Ministry of Education were
excerpts from a variety of books, a
discussing whether and how grace
fitting finale to the commemoration. n
Photo: UNIC/KMK
“Every year, the UN pays tribute to
books and authors on 23 April, which
is World Book and Copyright Day”,
said UNIC Director Kiran MehraKerpelman. “The aim is to encourage
everyone, and in particular, young
people, to discover the pleasure of
reading,” she added. Today, although
the internet and social media have
made access to the written word easier
and faster, millions of people still rely
on printed material because there is a
development gap and a digital divide
which libraries need to negotiate, she
observed. “Technology is not an end in
itself,” she said, quoting UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon. “The key is to
And Kerala seemed to
be on the right path,
Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman
added, especially in
view of its upcoming
E-Literate project which
seeks to bring basic
technology knowhow
to remote areas,
using the broadband
connectivity already
established.
Photo: UNIC
19 June is observed annually as
Vayanadinam (Day of Reading) in
Kerala. The National Literacy Mission
has also been inspired largely by the
work of P.N. Panicker who converted
the simple slogan of “Read and Grow
– Vayichu Valaruka” into a powerful
movement.
empower people to
make the most of their
own potential.”
Unic album
The e-book challenge
P
roQuest India, in collaboration
with University of Delhi South
Campus and the Asian Library
Association, New Delhi, organized a
seminar on ‘ebrary and ebook library
(EBL) models’, on 9 June 2014, at the
University of Delhi South Campus.
The seminar was aimed at addressing
the challenges of acquiring e-books in
India. ProQuest is a global information–
content and technology company
that provides solutions, applications,
databases and products for libraries.
The inaugural session began with
the Dean, University of Delhi South
Campus, Prof. J.P. Khurana,
welcoming the participants, followed by
the inaugural address delivered by
Dr. R.K. Chadha, Additional
Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat. The
Keynote Address was presented by
Stephen Parnell, Deputy Director,
Information Infrastructure, University
of South Australia. The seminar was
divided into three technical sessions.
A technical session on ‘E-books Usage:
Sharing of Experiences’ was chaired by
UNIC Librarian Dr. R.K. Sharma. Two
speakers – Dr. Nabi Hasan from the
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi,
and Dr. Sanjay Kataria from Jaypee
Institute of Information Technology (JIIT)
– presented case studies on how their
libraries began acquiring e-resources and
the challenges encountered. Sarthan
Dangayach made a presentation
on ProQuest work flow solutions for
purchasing e-resources.
In his address, Dr. Sharma advocated
a transparent price model based on
user demand, which could be used
by libraries to acquire e-books at
reasonable prices from publishers/
vendors.
Dr. Tariq Ashraf, Librarian, University
of Delhi South Campus, presented the
n
vote of thanks.
UNIC Online…
News, events, observances and more at www.unic.org.in
www.facebook.com/UNICNewDelhi
www.twitter.com/UNICDELHI
http://www.youtube.com/unicdelhi
July 2014 | 25
Unic album
Double blow faced by elderly widows
T
he United Nations Information
Centre for India and Bhutan
(UNIC) in association with
Guild for Service and the War Widows
Association organized a Round Table
Conference on ‘Ageing Widows and
Abuse’ on International Widows Day
on 1 July at UN House in New Delhi.
The discussion was chaired by Mohini
Giri, Chairperson of Guild for Service,
who announced that a list of concrete
policy recommendations would be
formulated during the seminar and
forwarded to the respective government
agencies.
The participants included Justice
Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of the
Himachal Pradesh High Court; Ghazala
Meenai, Joint Secretary in the Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment;
T.R. Meena, former Joint Secretary;
and a number of other eminent experts,
activists and policymakers.
UNIC Director Kiran MehraKerpelman commended Ms. Giri
for her work at Ma Dham, a home of
widows set up by her organization in
the city of Vrindavan. She also read out
the message of UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon which emphasized the
need to apply international norms
and standards on gender equality and
violence against women to address this
challenge. “In addition to the violence
and ill-treatment that many women
suffer, we must also acknowledge the
double blow faced by ageing widows.
Elder abuse is widely prevalent, and
mirrors the hypocrisy of goddessworshipping-while ill-treating-women,
Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman observed.
“Social, cultural and religious values
might emphasize respect and devotion
towards the elders, but we see more
and more instances of elder abuse that
leave us shaken.”
The Chief Guest, UNFPA
Representative Frederika Meijer
presented the keynote address in which
she spoke about policies relating to
ageing and their impact on elderly
widows.
The ensuing discussion focused on
gender discrimination, health issues,
social inclusion and recommendations on
old age reform policies and programmes,
and was followed by a stimulating Q&A
session. n
Photos: UNIC/K. Manoharan
26 |
July 2014
Unic album
12th edition of We Care Film Fest launched
T
he 11th edition of the We Care
Film Fest on Disability Issues
concluded on 14 July, with
12 filmmakers receiving awards for
capturing the essence of what it means
to live with disability.
We Care is the only travelling film
festival on disability issues in the Asia
Pacific region. It travels to educational
institutions across the globe to create
awareness and sensitise youth on
various disability issues through
cinema.
“This festival has helped us bring
disability rights to the forefront,”
said Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman,
Director, UN Information Centre, and
Chairperson of the Jury. “It is about real
people, real challenges and innovative
solutions.”
The UN Information Centre (UNIC)
is a founding partner of the festival,
along with UNESCO and the National
Trust, Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Government of India.
This year the festival received 58
short films and documentaries
from India and abroad. A preview
committee shortlisted 31 short films
and documentaries
for screening at the
awards ceremony.
The awards were
given to 12 films this
year, which explored
themes ranging from
the experiences of
a mother raising a
child with Downs
Syndrome; a marriage
proposal that is nearly
turned down by a
young man because
he is appalled by the
insensitive treatment
of the prospective
bride’s brother who has a disability;
and the daily, sometimes enervating,
situations faced by a young woman
and her husband who has a hearing
disability, and the redemption they find
in their love for each other.
The event also saw the formal launch
of the 12th edition of this innovative
film festival. Outreach activities
over the coming year will include an
international UNESCO Conference
on Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) to be convened in
New Delhi in November 2014. The
conference will showcase the We
Care Film Festival as a global best
practice. The Conference mandate is
based on evidence which suggests
that ICTs have the potential to make
significant improvements in the lives
of persons with disabilities, allowing
them to enhance their social and
economic integration in communities
by enlarging the scope of activities
available to them.
Selected films from the We Care Film
Fest screened over the past 12 years
are available at www.unic.org.in. n
Photos: UNIC/K.Manoharan
July 2014 | 27
Regd. No. DELBIL/2005/15087
DL (S)-17/3076/2014-16
COMING UP
UNIC Campaign: From Peace to Non Violence
I
nternational Day of Peace was
first marked on 21 September
1982, to coincide with the opening
session of the UN General Assembly
deliberations, with the aim of
"commemorating and strengthening the
ideals of peace both within and among
all nations and peoples." Every year at
the UN Headquarters in New York, the
day is inaugurated by the ringing of the
Peace Bell, forged using coins donated
by children across the world, as a
reminder of the human cost of war.
To this end, UNIC
encourages schools and
universities to organize
events as part of the
campaign. We hope you
will join us with events
through the 12-day period
between 21 September
and 2 October 2014.
The idea is to engage
students in understanding
philanthropy as peace, and recognizing
the power of everyday action.
International Day of Non-Violence,
which relatively more recent, has been
commemorated on 2 October since
2007, in honour of Mahatma Gandhi's
birthday, which we celebrate as Gandhi
Jayanti. It aims at acknowledging his
novel modes of mass mobilization
in commitment to principle of
ahimsa. "Desiring to secure a culture
of peace, tolerance, understanding
and non-violence," the UN General
Assembly invited States, UN bodies,
regional and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and individuals
to commemorate the Day.
Activities and events can include, but
are not limited to:
1. Peace Marches
2. Sports events like a Football for
Peace Intercollege Tournament
3. Lectures, seminars, panel
discussions, group discussions
and debate competitions on
themes such as:
a. Peace education: designing
activities to teach tolerance
b. Women's rights: Participation
in Peace-building
c. Women's rights: Action to
end everyday violence
d. Children's rights: Action to
end child abuse etc.
4. Quiz Competitions on themes of
peace and non-violence, the UN
etc.
5. Arts and craft exhibitions/
competitions like kite painting,
jewellery-making, doll-making,
painting a school wall, public
murals with the permission of the
MCD etc.
6. Cultural performances or
competitions - contemporary
dance, self-composed music/
band, one act plays
7. Social Entrepreneurship for Peace
and Non-Violence - Business
Plan Competition
8. NGO partnerships for Q&A
interactions with victims of
violence
9. Stand-up comedy competitions Reteaching Humour
10.Multi-lingual activities - building
respect for other cultures
11.Workshops, activities and video,
TED Talks, or movie screenings
to build peace and tolerance
among students
We encourage you to organize
your Peace and Non-Violence
promotion activities during the 12day period between 21 September
and 2 October, 2014.
We encourage you to be creative and
design activities that truly bring home
the message of cooperation, tolerance
and equal rights for all, keeping in mind
the aims of these commemorative days,
and the UN as a whole.
We look forward to your enthusiastic
participation - please contact us at unic.
[email protected] with your proposals and
n
activities.
Reproduction of material from this newsletter is encouraged; please credit UNews.
For more information on UN activities, link to: UN web site: www.un.org; UNIC web site: www.unic.org.in
www.facebook.com/UNICNewDelhi
@UNICDELHI
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