INFORMAL INTERACTIVE CIVIL SOCIETY HEARING OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, APRIL 1, 2011
Within the framework of the preparations for the 4th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, and prior to the second session of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee meeting, the Informal Interactive Civil Society Hearing of the General Assembly was held in New York on 1 April 2011. As one of the most important steps towards the Conference, the Hearing created a platform for an exchange of views and consultations among the civil society actors, UN Member States, in particular the least developed countries, the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee and the Civil Society Steering Committee for LDC-IV.
On behalf of the civil society, Dr. Arjun Karki, International Co-ordinator of LDC Watch and Chair and Spokesperson of the LDC-IV Civil Society Forum, delivered a speech at the opening.
Doctors Worldwide Chairman Prof. İhsan Karaman also addressed to the UN General Assembly during the hearing. In his speech, Karaman emphasized the importance of the role of civil society in ensuring public support for sustainable development. Mentioning that development activities should be based on the principles of equity and sustainability, Karaman also said that sustainable development not only saves the day, but also clears the way for future generations.
The hearing in which Prof. Karaman delivered his speech was organized into three thematic sessions. The first session focused on “Harnessing Productive Resources for Sustainable Development”, the second on “Enhancing Productive Capacity and Resilience against Global Crises”, and the third on “Promoting Good Governance and Effective Monitoring Mechanisms for Development.”
The speakers in the first session included Ms. Beverly Keene from Jubilee South (Argentina), Mr. Rudy de Meyer from 11.11.11 (Belgium), Mr. Camille Chalmers from PAPDA (Haiti), Ms. Odile Ndoumbe Faye from AAWAORD (Senegal), Mr. Danny Singoma from PRODDES (Democratic Republic of Congo), and the respondent Mr. Simon Stocker from EuroSTEP (Belgium).
The speakers in the second session included Ms. Njoki Njoroge Njehu from Daughters of Mumbi Global Resource Center (Kenya), Ms. Roina Vavatau from Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (Samoa), Mr. Sarba Raj Khadka from Rural Reconstruction Nepal (Nepal), Mr. Aldo Caliari from Center of Concern (USA) and the respondents Ms. Huguette Bopke from Social Watch (Benin) and Ms. Azeb Girmai from ENDA-Ethiopia (Ethiopia).
The speakers in the third session included Ms. Thida Khus from SILAKA (Cambodia), Mr. M. İhsan Karaman from Doctors Worldwide Turkey Coalition (Turkey), Mr. Roberto Bissio from Social Watch (Uruguay), Ms. Jane Nalunga from South and East African Trade, Information and Negotiation (Uganda), Mr. Amadou Taal from The World View (Gambia), Mr. Anselmo Lee from Korea Human Rights Foundation (Korea), and the respondents Mr. Seong-hoon Lee from Korea Human Rights Foundation (KHRF) (Korea), Mr. Barry Coates from Oxfam International (New Zealand) andMr. Eshetu B. Yimenu from Poverty Action Network Ethiopia (PANE) (Ethiopia).
Source: www.ldcistanbul.org
