July 2013 NEWSLETTER The Geneva Office of the Friedrich ‐ Ebert ‐ Stiftung(FES Geneva) presents its newsletter, de ‐ signed to inform you about our activities and publications as well as recent and upcoming events and developments at the Geneva ‐ based international organizations. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe. Das Genfer Büro der Friedrich ‐ Ebert ‐ Stiftung(FES Genf) 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. INDEX //Upcoming Events //Recent Events //International Agenda //Publications //Subscribe //Upcoming Events vents PNND – MPI – FES Roundtable seminar for OEWG governments 24 August 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The Conference on Disarmament(CD) – the principal multilateral disarmament ne ‐ gotiating body based in Geneva – has been blocked from undertaking any substan ‐ tive work for 17 years owing to the capacity of any one member state to veto dis ‐ cussions, deliberations, decisions and negotiations. In a new attempt to unlock the CD, the UN General Assembly established an Open Ended Working Group(OEWG) to“take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations for the achieve ‐ ment and maintenance of a world without nuclear weapons.” The round ‐ table seminar will examine key developments and proposals of the OEWG sessions to ‐ date, encourage implementation of promising proposals/decisions, and offer addi ‐ tional proposals for the OEWG, particularly in shaping the report of OEWG to the UN General Assembly and providing the basis for next steps. Consultation on Fiscal Policy, Poverty, and Human Rights 16 to 17 September 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The recent financial and economic crisis, and measures to respond to it, have cre ‐ ated severe fiscal shortfalls that highlight the inequitable impacts of such measures, especially on the poorest and most vulnerable. In June 2014, at the 26th session of the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, will submit a report concerning fiscal policy and the human rights of persons living in poverty. This consultation shall bring together about 25 experts working on issues related to fiscal policy, finance, and human rights to share their experience and knowledge, and to contribute to the preparation of the report. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org

July 2013 NEWSLETTER Border Carbon Adjustment: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know(and more) 27 September 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The purpose of this workshop jointly organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development(IISD) and FES Geneva Office is clear: What is BCA and what does it mean for trade policy? International experts will give concrete answers to these relevant questions: Is leakage really an issue? If so, in what specific cases, and to what extent? Could an instrument like BCA actually address leakage? What policy alternatives are available for addressing leakage? What are their strengths and weaknesses relative to BCA? Is it possible to do BCA both legally and effectively? If so, would it be advisable? This workshop is open for delegates, experts and NGOs. Agenda How to Leverage E ‐ Commerce for Trade Development in the ACP Countries 01 to 03 October 2013, WTO Public Forum, Geneva, Switzerland E ‐ commerce is not only an integral part of today's business. Indeed, e ‐ commerce is business. However, in the Pacific, Caribbean and in Africa e ‐ commerce exists to a low extent. Thus, ITC, ACP Geneva Office an FES Geneva will organize a session to provide firsthand experience from small business practitioners located in the ACP regions. It will focus on how: (1) to lift barriers to the development of e ‐ commerce, (2) to encourage citizens and companies of the ACP region to become users of e ‐ commerce solutions, (3) to develop partnerships for technical assistance in the area of e ‐ commerce. Information on the WTO Public Forum 2013 Conference on the Human Rights Council: Role, Impact and Expectations from Civil Society 07 to 08 October 2013, Château de Bossey, Switzerland In cooperation with the German Institute for Human Rights and the German Forum Human Rights, the Friedrich ‐ Ebert ‐ Stiftung organizes each year a conference on the Human Rights Council, its developments and tendencies as well as its potential use and benefits for non ‐ state actors. This year’s topics shall include the tendency of constraining civil society space and increasing pressure on NGOs and the role of NGOs to strengthen human rights in the construction of a Post ‐ 2015 Development Agenda. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland 2 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org

July 2013 NEWSLETTER //Recent Events vents Lunch ‐ time briefing on Gender and Development 12 July 2013, 1.00 to 3.00 p.m., Room XVI, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzer ‐ land There is plenty of declaratory language on the role of women in development and the importance of gender ‐ sensitive development strategies for the realization of women’s human rights. Yet, reality in all countries differs in varying degrees from the aspirations laid down in those texts. In this briefing, we had a twofold look at the impact CEDAW may have on development planning and, on the other hand, how the Committee could integrate a development perspective in their state dialog. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women(CEDAW) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the respective UN ‐ Convention. Information on the event Information on CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Regional Dialogue: South East Asia and Multilateral Trade 24 to 26 June 2013, Jakarta, Indonesia “Current and Future Challenges for the Multilateral Trading System – Perspectives from Asia” was the title of a three days’ regional dialogue jointly organized by the World Trade Organization(WTO) and FES offices in Jakarta, Geneva and Berlin. Around 40 civil society activists and journalists participated in order to better un ‐ derstand the WTO and its role in the international trading system. The dialogue provided a platform for in ‐ depth and critical discussion of the multilateral trade regime and its consequences for development in Asia. FES Breakout Session during the UNCTAD Public Symposium on"Framing Global Finance for a Post ‐ 2015 Development Agenda" 24 June 2013, 2.30 to 4.00 p.m., Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzer ‐ land The Millennium Development Declaration did not include Global Monetary Govern ‐ ance as a building block. In the post ‐ 2015 development debate it has been put on the agenda. Developing countries need both a clear framework to develop their financial sectors in a sustainable way, and they need to be assured of a healthy in ‐ ternational financial system. This breakout session focused on the following ques ‐ tions: What steps are still missing in the financial reforms process since the Great Recession? Why is global financial reform vital for the post ‐ 2015 development Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland 3 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org

July 2013 NEWSLETTER agenda? Why and how should financial regulation be better integrated in the post ‐ 2015 agenda? Information Concept note FES Breakout Sessions Study Visit on the Occasion of the 102nd International Labour Conference 10 to 14 June 2013, Geneva, Switzerland Trade union coordinators from seven FES country offices in Latin America were in Geneva during the second week of the 102nd International Labour Conference (ILC). How do the ILC and the ILO function? What are the current major topics in the international working world? How are trade unions’ topics linked to trade and hu ‐ man rights policies? These and more questions will be at the heart of this one ‐ week study visit. Information German ‐ Chinese Dialogue on Human Rights 10 to 13 June 2013, Geneva, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany This dialogue between German and Chinese political representatives, civil society stakeholders, and academics is based on the principle of a partnership dialogue on an equal footing. The event is an essential supplement of the official Human Rights Dialogue of the Federal Government of Germany, but is operated and coordinated exclusively by political and civil society stakeholders. In 1999 the German ‐ Chinese Dialogue on Human Rights was jointly initiated by the Chinese Foundation for the Development of Human Rights, the Chinese Association for International Understanding, and the Friedrich ‐ Ebert ‐ Stiftung. Being hosted alternating in Germany and China, the partners extended the 11th Human Rights Dialogue symposium to Geneva(10 to 11 June) and continued in Berlin(11 to 12 June). The Dialogue on the Rule of Law has been agreed in November 1999 between the Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and was signed by Herta Däubler ‐ Gmelin, then Federal Minister of Justice, and Yang Jingyu, then Minister of the Legal Office, on June 30, 2000. Expert Group Meeting on Clean Energy and the WTO 05 to 06 June 2013, Nyon, Switzerland The International Centre on Trade and Sustainable Development ICTSD has initiated a series of exert group meetings on major challenges for the multilateral trading system. Together with Chatham House, FES ‐ Geneva joined the expert group on clean energy. Based on background papers the June meeting elaborated on policy options for trade policy makers. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland 4 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org

July 2013 NEWSLETTER The Issue of Corporate Actors within the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights(CESCR) 23 May 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The Covenant on ESCR applies predominantly to signatory states rather than private actors. In 2011, the Committee on ESCR nevertheless stated that it had“frequently observed that corporate activities can adversely affect the enjoyment of Covenant rights.” On 23 May, an informal discussion among members of the Committee and other experts will tackle the question of what could be done in the realm of the Committee to address and remedy those violations. Agenda Publication Launch: A Framework Convention on the Right to Development 13 May 2013, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland On 4 December 1986, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declara ‐ tion on the Right to Development. Since then, the debate about its implementation has continued. In his recent publication, Koen De Feyter argues for a“framework convention” ‐ approach to unlock the debate and move towards a realization of this fundamental human right. As a side event to the 14th session of the UN Working Group on the Right to Devel ‐ opment, FES Geneva invited delegations, NHRIs and civil society to discuss this pro ‐ gressive avenue. Information Report Download the Publication FES ‐ WTO Incoming for African and Asian Journalists 22 to 26 April 2013, Geneva, Switzerland What exactly is the World Trade Organization and what is it not? How does the mul ‐ tilateral trading system function? What are the most current developments at the WTO? Which other international organizations based in Geneva are involved in trade policy? And how do non ‐ governmental organizations and trade unions assess developments in and around trade policy? These and other questions were dealt with during an intense week of information for English ‐ speaking journalists from African and Asian countries. Participation was by invitation only. List of Participants Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland 5 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org

July 2013 NEWSLETTER International Security Forum 2013 22 to 24 April 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The biennial International Security Forum brought together over 800 distinguished individuals who make and shape decisions relevant to international security, among them diplomats and other government officials, military, academics and representatives of international and non ‐ governmental organizations from all over the world. The conference offered the international security community high ‐ level cutting ‐ edge analyses, briefings, and debates on the most relevant topics of international security. FES was present with an information desk at the forum and co ‐ organized the panel discussion Leaving Afghanistan: A Political and Security Vacuum in the Making? Information on the ISF 2013 Program Agenda //International Agenda Economic and Social Council 2013 Substantive Session 01 to 25 July 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The ECOSOC Substantive Session was divided in five Segments—a High ‐ level Seg ‐ ment, which opened the session during the first week, a Coordination Segment, an Operational Activities Segment, a Humanitarian affairs Segment and a General Seg ‐ ment. As part of the High ‐ Level Segment, the theme of this year’s Annual Ministe ‐ rial Review (AMR) was“Science, technology and innovation(STI) and culture for promoting sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Devel ‐ opment Goals”. These fields were presented as enablers for sustainable develop ‐ ment and important elements of the post ‐ 2015 development agenda. Further Information 24th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council 09 to 27 September 2013, Geneva, Switzerland The Human Rights Council is an inter ‐ governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. It held its 23rd session in Geneva from 27 May to 14 June 2013. For information on the upcoming 24th session click here. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland 6 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org

July 2013 NEWSLETTER 9th WTO Ministerial Conference 03 to 06 December 2013, Bali, Indonesia The supreme decision ‐ making body of the World Trade Organization is the Ministe ‐ rial Conference, which meets every two years. It brings together all 160 members of the WTO, all of which are countries or customs unions. The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements. For details click here. New Leadership at UNCTAD and WTO 01 September 2013, Geneva, Switzerland UN Secretary General Ban Ki ‐ moon nominated Kenya’s former minister for trade and industry Mukhisa Kituyi as Secretary General of the UN ‐ Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva to succeed Supachai Panitchpakdi. Mr. Kituyi will take office on 1 September 2013 just as Brazil’s former Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation, Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo, who was elected Director General of the WTO in May 2013. He succeeds Pascal Lamy of France, a former EU ‐ Commissioner for Trade. //Publications Towards a Framework Convention on the Right to Development An NGOs’ View Koen de Feyter; April 2013 More publications are available on our website. //Subscribe To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your email address, send an e ‐ mail to info@fes ‐ geneva.org. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung  Director: Dr Matthes Buhbe  6 bis, Chemin du Point-du-Jour  1202 Geneva, Switzerland 7 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org