Having trouble viewing this email? Click here UN in Focus Newsbrief N0. 2/2010 March 2010 Quick Links FES NY Events FES NY Publications More About Us Dear Friends, After a long winter, this year's springtime in New York is dominated by the preparations for the review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT) in May. Whether there will be a breakthrough towards nuclear disarmament will also depend on the role that nuclear weapons are likely to play in future defense strategies. FES New York will contribute to these debates by organizing two distinct discussions announced below. Moreover, I would also like to draw your attention on the newly launched website that provides an overview of all of FES's activities around nuclear arms issues: http://www.fes.de/GPol/en/disarmament.htm I would like to also point to a study on the"Impact of the Global Crisis on Civil Society Organizations" that deserves closer attention, to which we have planned a side-event in the run-up to the High-Level Dialogues on Financing for Development. Lastly, one of our events will focus on governance challenges in financing green sustainable energy policies. Debates will revolve around the questions of how much financing is necessary, available and from which sources, as well as who will pay and decide. As always, I hope this Newsbrief will make for informative reading and I look forward to receiving your feedback. With best wishes from New York, Werner Puschra Director Friedrich Ebert Stiftung- New York Office

The Impact of Global Economic Crises on Civil Society Organizations* Study by Eva-Maria Hanfstaengl The financial crisis of 2007-2009 presented new challenges to civil society organizations (CSOs) and the communities they serve. A broad-based survey supported financially by the UN-Department of Economic and Social Affairs was undertaken in 2009 to assess the impact of the crisis on CSOs around the world and on the constituencies that they serve. Altogether, 640 CSOs worldwide contributed to the study, which provides new insights into regional differences in response to the crisis, and--for those experiencing drops in revenue--strategies they are adopting in order to cope. The study also reveals different strategies to strengthen the social-service delivery capacities of CSOs during periods of crises. Summary of the Study Full Study (* This study was guided by a Steering Committee of CSOs involved in the UN-NGO Committee For Social Development and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.) Upcoming Events Please note that participation in these events is by invitation only. "Reviewing Nuclear Strategies: Implications for the NPT Review" Wednesday, 17 March 2010 New York, German Mission to the UN, 871 United Nations Plaza This expert-level roundtable discussion will address whether the U.S. administration's Nuclear Posture Review and NATO's revised role for tactical nuclear weapons could turn into a window of opportunity for nuclear disarmament. Participants from the UN Secretariat, Member States and the expert community will have the opportunity to discuss the effects of these strategy reviews for the NPT Review Conference in May 2010. Draft Program FES-SIPRI Publication "The Global Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Civil Society Organizations" Side-Event to the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 1:15 pm- 2:45 pm New York, United Nations Headquarters In the run-up to the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, the FES and the Chilean Mission host a panel discussion on the impact of the global crisis on CSOs worldwide and the constituencies that they serve. This survey, supported by the UNDepartment of Economic and Social Affairs, was undertaken in 2009 to assess the impact of the crisis on CSOs around the world and on the constituencies that they serve. Altogether, 640 CSOs worldwide contributed to the study, which provides new insights into regional differences in response to the crisis, and--for those experiencing drops in revenue--strategies they are adopting in order to cope. The study also reveals different strategies to strengthen the social-service delivery capacities of CSOs during periods of crises.

"Springtime for Disarmament: How Wide a Window for Nuclear Rollback?" Monday, March 29, 2010 Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and The Century Foundation New York, Harvard Club This day-long conference will focus on the challenges for nuclear disarmament on three levels: First, the implications of the current review of NATO's strategic doctrine for the role of nuclear weapons. Second, the continued value attached to nuclear weapons by political and military circles in nuclear-armed states, both inside and outside the NPT regime. And third, the effectiveness of the NPT and international treaty regimes towards global nuclear disarmament. Draft Program "Governance Challenges in Financing Green and Sustainable Energy Policies" Co-sponsored by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Brookings Institution Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 9 am- 5 pm Washington, D.C., Brookings Institution, 775 Massachusetts Ave, Saul Room, Zilkha Lounge The dual economic- and energy-crises show that the global economy needs a new paradigm for growth, one that can ease the impact of the financial crisis while at the same time enabling investment in sustainable and efficient energy systems for countries at all levels of development. This day-long round-table discussion brings experts from the World Bank, IMF, United Nations system, academia, think tanks, trade unions and the private sector together with policy makers from governments within the FES Global Issues Working Group(Brazil, China, Egypt, the European Union, Germany, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the US) to discuss key issues in the global governance of financing green and sustainable development. Draft Program Forward email Email Marketing by Update Profile/Email Address| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™| Privacy Policy. Friedrich Ebert Foundation| 747 Third Avenue, Suite 22B| New York| NY| 10017