December 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 HRC Universal Periodic Review Working Group 27 January to 7 February 2014, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Room XX During this 18 th session of the UPR Working Group, Chile, Uruguay and the Domini ‐ can Republic will be among the countries that present their reports to be reviewed by the Council. FES has supported civil society organisations in those countries in providing input to the UPR process and will host side events to present civil society reports and discuss them with the governments concerned. UPR 18 Timetable //Recent Events vents LDC ‐ Journalists at 9th WTO Ministerial Conference 03 to 06 December 2013, Bali, Indonesia FES and WTO provided twelve journalists from Least Developed Countries with the opportunity to be present at this year’s Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia. During the Conference they were able to report directly from the spot, to get in touch with high ‐ level governmental representatives and civil society organizations, and to be among the first to write on decisions taken in Bali. The journalists came from the following countries: Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Laos, Mali, Myanmar, Samoa, Senegal, and Tanzania . 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER Clean Energy and Trade at 9th WTO Ministerial Conference Side event to the WTO Ministerial Conference, 5 December 2013, 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. at the Trade and Development Symposium, Bali, Indonesia Since June 2013, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, in cooperation with Chatham House and Friedrich ‐ Ebert ‐ Stiftung, has been running a working group on clean energy and the WTO. First ideas with regard to a Plurilat ‐ eral Agreement on Clean Energy were presented at this side event in Bali. Information “Make the right impact! Trade policies assessment and Human Rights” Side event to the WTO Ministerial Conference, 4 December 2013, 10 a.m. ‐ 11.30 a.m., Nusa Dua Convention Center, Bali, Indonesia It has been widely criticized that trade agreements and investment treaties focus exclusively on commercial interests in negotiations without their obligations to ad ‐ dress human rights, the environment and development. A powerful and nascent tool for evaluating the effects of trade policies is the Human Rights impact assess ‐ ment(HRIAs). This event will explore the interaction between human rights and trade; analyze the possible negative impacts of WTO rules for the enjoyment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; as well as discuss the state of play of human rights impact assessments within the field of multilateral trade. Information Realizing the Right to Development: Round Table of Authors 4 December 2013, 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., UNOG Library Events Room B ‐ 135, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland This Author Roundtable preceded an official book launch by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, at the same day. The book features ten essays in commemoration of 25 years of the United Nations Declaration of the Right to De ‐ velopment. Program Webcast 2nd UN Forum on Business and Human Rights 02 to 04 December 2013, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland The Forum was established by the Human Rights Council and is under the guidance of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. It provides a global plat ‐ form for the promotion and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These Principles, unanimously endorsed in 2011 by the Council, 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER are the first globally accepted standards on the responsibilities of States and busi ‐ nesses for preventing and addressing business ‐ related human rights abuse. FES Geneva supported 25 civil society activists from the Global South to attend the Forum. Program “Protect, Respect and Remedy” in the Field of ESC and Labour Rights 27 November 2013, 6.15pm to 10pm, Restaurant Vieux Bois, Geneva, Switzer ‐ land The Roundtable Meeting of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, with special participation of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, addressed the respective roles and approaches at the ILO and the UN in the field of business and human rights. The discussions took place against the background of the opportunities raised and challenges faced by the respective Committees and the Working Group in this context as well as the growing aware ‐ ness and calling ‐ in of States obligations related to the impact of the corporate sec ‐ tor on the implementation of economic and social rights. Information and Program UN Guiding Principles The Optional Protocol of the Social Pact 18 November 2013, 6.30pm ‐ 8pm, Villa Moynier, Geneva, Switzerland The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights(Social Pact) has been strengthened by the Optional Protocol which was put into force in May 2013. A panel discussion took place to evaluate this new instrument and to launch the respective Geneva Academy In ‐ Brief booklet. Information Academy In ‐ Brief no. 2 Arabic Speaking Training Course on International Human Rights Mechanisms 11 to 15 November 2013, Geneva In cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the NGO Geneva Institute for Human Rights, FES Geneva offered this advanced training week to selected participants from 12 Arabic countries. Topics included in ‐ depth information on the Geneva ‐ based human rights system, meetings with offi ‐ cials and NGOs and participation at a session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Program List of Participants 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER The Impact of Labour Migration Policies on Migrants' Socio ‐ Economic Welfare: Improving Practice in Asia and Europe 08 to 09 November 2013, Château de Bossey, Geneva, Switzerland Recent trends in migration reinforce the need for effective policies to address spe ‐ cifically the socio ‐ economic welfare of migrants. The workshop, jointly organized by the Asia ‐ Europe Foundation(ASEF) and Frie ‐ drich ‐ Ebert ‐ Stiftung(FES), addressed the following topics: Essential policies in sup ‐ port of fair and equitable migration systems; reducing migration risks and providing migrants access to protection; and integration of migrants. Information Bangladesh 2013: the rising demand for labour standards 30 October 2013, ILO, Room IX, Geneva, Switzerland “ Employers and governments seek ever new ways and means of gaining competi ‐ tive advantages by circumventing established international labour norms” states Werner Sengenberger in his new publication“The International Labour Organiza ‐ tion: Goals, Functions and Political Impact” launched at this event. The ILO has a massive impact on the current situation in Bangladesh as exemplified by the joint EU and Bangladesh“Sustainability agreement,” which was signed in July 2013, as well as in the accord on“Building and Fire Safety” signed by fashion retail ‐ ers and trade unions in May 2013. The status quo was discussed by:  Gilbert Houngbo, Deputy Director ‐ General, ILO  Jenny Holdcroft, Policy Director, IndustriAll Global Union  Maria ‐ Helena André, Director, Bureau for Workers' Activities at the ILO  Werner Sengenberger, former Director, Employment and Strategy Depart ‐ ment, ILO Information Statement by Gilbert Houngbo, Deputy Director of the ILO “The International Labour Organization” by Werner Sengenberger Membership in the WTO: Challenges, Risks and Potentials for Russia and Neighboring Countries 22 to 25 October 2013, Geneva, Switzerland After long years of negotiations for accession, Russia became member of the WTO in August 2012. 12 journalists from Russia as well as from Kazakhstan were invited to get first ‐ hand information about the multilateral trading system ‐ inside and out ‐ side the World Trade Organization. Program List of Participants 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER The Human Rights Council: A Way to Justice? 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 organized, as in the previous years, 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 included 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. Program List of Participants How to Leverage E ‐ Commerce for Trade Development in the ACP Countries 01 October 2013, 3.00 – 5.00 pm, Room W at WTO, 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 organized a session to pro ‐ vide firsthand experience from small business practitioners located in the ACP re ‐ gions. It focused 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 session Information on the WTO Public Forum Program Report Border Carbon Adjustment: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know(and more) 27 September 2013, Room C at CCV, Geneva, Switzerland The purpose of this workshop jointly organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development(IISD) and FES Geneva Office was clear: What is BCA and what does it mean for trade policy? International experts gave 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 was open for delegates, experts and NGOs. Program Information 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER Side Event to the 24th Session of the Human Rights Council:“UPR ‐ Do NGO Rec ‐ ommendations Matter?” 17 September 2013, 2.00 – 4.00 pm, Room XXIII, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland NGO submissions are an integral part of the UPR. In many countries, civil society is picking up this new instrument of participation, hoping to benefit from the UN hu ‐ man rights system for the protection and promotion of their rights. The paper dis ‐ cussed at this meeting examined the extent to which state recommendations made in the UPR reflect draft recommendations proposed by NGOs. It finds that state recommendations significantly encompass NGO recommendations: two ‐ thirds of NGO recommendations are reflected in state recommendations. Information Download Publication 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 brought 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. Report List of Participants 24th Session of the UN Human Rights Council 09 to 27 September 2013, Geneva, Switzerland Report 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 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER 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. Program Report //International Agenda The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors was created in summer 2012 and consists today of 74 civil society and trade union organizations from all parts of the world. In late November 2013, the Core Team of the Coalition – 17 organizations – convened in Berlin to discuss future activities. Among those, the Core Team is cur ‐ rently drafting a statement to ensure Social Protection Floors as development goal. This statement will be available in February 2014. You would like to join the Coalition? Please click here. Download the list of all current Coalition members Further information 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council 3 to 28 March 2014, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Room XX Reports to be discussed at this session will include those of the Rapporteurs on Environment, Food, Foreign Debt, Freedom of Religion, Human Rights Defenders among others. FES Geneva will report on the session and engage actively with Side Events on relevant topics. Further Information 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

December 2013 NEWSLETTER //Publications The Universal Periodic Review: Do Civil Society ‐ Suggested Recommendations Matter? Edward McMahon et al.; November 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 8 Tel.+41 22 733 3450  Fax:+41 22 733 3545  E-mail: info@fes-geneva.org  www.fes-geneva.org