– N EWSLETTER – A PRIL 2010 – The Geneva Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung(FES Geneva) presents its newsletter, designed to inform you of recent and upcoming events and developments at the Geneva-based international organizations and new publications. If you do not want to receive this newsletter please Unsubscribe. Das Genfer Büro der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung(FES) freut sich, Ihnen unseren jüngsten Newsletter vorzustellen. Dieser enthält Informationen über unsere Veranstaltungen und Neuerscheinungen und bringt Sie auf den neuesten Stand von Entwicklungen in Genfer internationalen Organisationen. Sollten Sie diesen Newsletter nicht erhalten wollen, dann können Sie Ihn hier abbestellen. I NDEX | Upcoming Events| Recent Events| Publications| Subscribe| ******************************************************************************* U PCOMING E VENTS Please note that participation in all events is by invitation only. 12 MAY 2010, GENEVA| WORKSHOP SCENARIO BUILDING ON“WTO REFORM AND THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION” This scenario building workshop is intended to elaborate different scenarios for possible reforms of the World Trade Organization and possible roles of the European Union in this process. Draft program 13 MAY 2010, GENEVA| CONSULTATION MEETING WITH THE UN COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS “Threats to the realization of ESCR – perspectives from environmental law and the climate negotiations” This consultation will explore in depth the new challenges brought to the realization of economic, social and cultural rights by Global Warming and the actions taken to mitigate and adapt. A background paper prepared especially for the meeting will be published shortly. 20–21 MAY 2010, GENEVA| EXPERT CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND EXTREME POVERTY In collaboration with the UN Independent Expert on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Ms. Magdalena Sepulveda, FES will host this meeting to receive experts’ input to the revision of the Draft Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, which is currently undertaken in reply to a mandate of the UN Human Rights Council. 31 MAY–18 JUNE 2010, PALAIS DES NATIONS, GENEVA| 14TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL During the upcoming session of the Human Rights Council, FES, together with partner NGOs, will again offer various parallel events, drawing the delegation’s attention to human rights issues of utmost importance. Highlights will be the situation of domestic workers and human rights responsibilities of business actors in the context of the OECD guideline review. 7–11 JUNE 2010, GENEVA| SEMINAR FOR FES TRADE UNION COORDINATORS AT THE OCCASION OF THE 99TH ILO INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE FES Geneva is hosting a group of trade union coordinators from FES offices in Central and Eastern Europe for a program on global social policy and the ILO. Also on the occasion of the ILO Annual Conference, FES will hold its traditional reception for trade union representatives from all parts of the world. 1–2 JULY 2010, GENEVA| ITC – FES CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS AND THEIR ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainable development is considered an overarching principle of development. The conference will discuss the potential of voluntary standards and codes of conduct to significantly contribute towards international value chains placing greater emphasis on social and ecological aspects. The conference is open to the public, please register with FES by phone or e-mail. Draft program 6–7 JULY 2010, GENEVA| WORKSHOP WITH STATE PARTIES TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS “Indicator use in the state report to Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – benefits of the IBSA procedure” In a multi-year academic project, the so-called IBSA procedure has been developed to allow for the use of indicators in State reporting on obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This event aims to familiarize delegations with the benefits such a standardized procedure can bring – both for measuring progress in the realization of economic, social and cultural rights and for reducing the workload for reporting Parties. ******************************************************************************* ▲ R ECENT E VENTS 25–26 JANUARY 2010, GENEVA| FES – UN OHCHR EXPERT MEETING ON PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES PROVISION The UN Independent Expert on human rights, water and sanitation and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung convened an expert consultation to discuss States’ human rights obligations in the context of private sector participation in water and sanitation services provision. Program Report 1–2 FEBRUARY 2010, GENEVA| FES – UNIDIR – GCSP WORKSHOP ON REINFORCING DISARMAMENT: COMBATING ILLICIT TRADE IN WEAPONS AND MATERIALS An international workshop on„Reinforcing Disarmament: Combating Illicit Trade in Weapons and Materials” took place on 1 and 2 February 2010 at the Palais des Nations. It brought together key actors involved in the disarmament process to meet and debate about this pressing issue. The experts discussed new technologies in combating illicit trade of conventional as well as nuclear arms. Program 12 MARCH 2010, GENEVA| FES – ICHRP PARALLEL EVENT TO THE 13TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL “The Human Rights of the Poor in a Changing Global Climate” On Friday 12 March 2010 the Geneva Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung(FES) and the International Council on Human Rights Policy(ICHRP) invited to a panel discussion and launch of the new publication by Thea Gelbspan: “Exposed – The Human Rights of the Poor in a Changing Global Climate”. The well-attended workshop gave not only an opportunity to debate the publication’s findings but also to think ahead on possibilities for the Human Rights Council on how to address the issues raised. Publication Invitation 15 MARCH 2010, GENEVA| FES – MRI PARALLEL EVENT TO THE 13TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL “Social Security for Migrant Workers” Access to social security remains a huge challenge for most of today’s 3 million migrant workers worldwide although it has been recognized by most States via international conventions as a universal human right. Experts from migrant workers organizations debated at the UN in Geneva with experts from the ILO on tools and schemes to overcome the gaps in social security coverage. Invitation 28 APRIL 2010, GENEVA| LUNCHEON MEETING ON THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT A group of 20 Geneva based Ambassadors and Delegates attended an informal luncheon on invitation of the FES to discuss how a consensus at the Human Rights Council could be forged on the future of the declaration on the Right to Development. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, who had received the FES Human Rights Award in 2003 when chairing the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, attended the meeting as special guest. ******************************************************************************* ▲ P UBLICATIONS MARION PANIZZON: TRADE AND LABOR MIGRATION: GATS MODE 4 AND MIGRATION AGREEMENTS Marion Panizzon, a distinct expert on trade law, looks into the reality and potential of GATS Mode 4 to unleash and manage global labor mobility. From the recently evolving bilateral migration treaties she derives the ingredients that Mode 4 would need to incorporate to maximize the dividends associated with labor migration for the individual migrants and their countries of origin and destination alike. Publication THEA GELBSPAN: EXPOSED: THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE POOR IN A CHANGING GLOBAL CLIMATE Both climate change and extreme poverty are human rights matters. They seriously threaten the full realization of human rights for many. This study identifies the particular effects of climate change on the human rights of people living in poverty and extreme poverty, as well as the ways in which internationally recognized human rights standards may inform both domestic and international responses. On the up-side, the author also asserts that the international and domestic actions required to address climate change represent an unparalleled opportunity for overcoming poverty, generating new levels of development, furthering the realization of human rights and building a more stable, balanced and robust global economy. Publication ******************************************************************************* More publications are available on our webpage. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your email address, send an e-mail to info@fes-geneva.org. ******************************************************************************************************************************** The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung office in Geneva is part of the overall program “Dialogue on Globalization” since 2002. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Director: Ms. Türkan Karakurt/ Dr. Winfried Veit 6 bis, chemin du Point-du-Jour 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel. 0041 22 733 3450 Fax: 0041 22 733 3545 E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org www.fes-geneva.org ***********************************************************************************************************************************