A Conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

By Esther Jung, Global Classrooms DC Program Assistant

On September 18, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosted a lecture with Carnegie President William J. Burns and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. The discussion focused on the role of national and international leaders promoting humanitarian efforts and human rights and how they can take action in this changing global landscape. High Commissioner Al Hussein addressed a variety of current international issues, and highlighted the significance of humanitarian and human rights activism, especially in the changing political climate in the US.

High Commissioner Al Hussein raised an interesting point by referring to the entire international system as a ‘fading memory.’ While discussing the personal role of the UN High Commissioner and the role of the UN Human Rights Council, High Commissioner emphasized the increasing threats against the international system, whether it would be the security system, the financial system, or the rights-based system. With that being said, many people have addressed the problematic issue of seating documented violators of human rights as members of the Human Rights Council, such as Saudi Arabia (fact check?). 

In response, the UN High Commissioner stressed the importance of bridging a country’s internal beliefs and its external preaching. As we recall the ‘memory’ or antecedents of the system itself, it is important for the international system to continuously use the agency of shame to put pressure on these countries so that they confront these internal and external inconsistencies. 

In one instance, the High Commissioner expressed deep concerns about the changing role of United States in its commitment to the fundamental beliefs of the international system. He referred to US President Donald J. Trump’s criticism against singling out the media and the free press in Arizona shortly after Charlottesville. He warned against singling out the media and individual journalists because it creates a ‘climate of intimidation’ within the country but it also has a precedence for other countries like Cambodia who cited Trump’s comments, following a restriction on their public radio.  
The discussion was followed up with a series of hard-hitting questions about severe human rights violations across the world. During this time, many local news outlets asked questions about Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Burma and Ethiopia. 

As the High Commissioner addressed each question, he continued to refer to the fragility of this world. “As humanity, we have broken the world twice, we can break it again,” he said. As such, the High Commissioner pressed the importance of the UN institution, but also recognized all defenders of human rights across the world who risk everything and symbolize this hope for mankind. 

It was quite an honor and pleasure to have had the opportunity to listen to the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights who spoke with great charisma, honesty and hopefulness for the future. As a student, it inspires me to work harder in hopes to be one of the many defenders of human rights in the future. 

2017 Nature Summit: Celebrating World Environment Day at the Embassy of Canada

By Alexandra S. Gross

Program Assistant, UNA-NCA

On June 5, 2017, UN Environment’s North America Office brought together an enthusiastic, multi-talented set of panelists who convened to share their individual ideas and experiences in regards to environmental advocacy. The Nature Summit was hosted by the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC to celebrate this year’s World Environment Day. The theme, “connecting people to nature,” ignited in-depth discussion among speakers and guests pertaining to the development of effective, innovative strategies for promoting environmental awareness. Given the abundance of conflicting voices in the current public sphere surrounding issues of climate change and sustainable action, it is critical now more than ever before to strengthen the the global community’s engagement to protecting the planet.

The day’s program was moderated by David de Rothschild - British adventurer, ecologist, environmentalist, storyteller, and head of the Sculpt the Future Foundation. De Rothschild emphasized that all members of society, especially its leaders, must strive to fully embrace the intersection of communication, technology, science, and psychology when forming solutions to international problems. Such partnerships can be enormously valuable when it comes to the specific challenges of protecting endangered species, preserving healthy ecosystems, and reducing mankind’s carbon footprint and its harmful behaviors.

Élisabeth Lacoursière, Director of Outreach and Marketing for Parks Canada, was one of the first panelists to speak and shared her firm belief that the more exposure people gain to experiences in nature during their early lives, the more likely they will be to protect and care for it throughout their lifetimes. Sean Southey, CEO of PCI Media Impact and Chair of IUCN Commission on Education and Communication, built on her idea and challenged the audience with the thought-provoking question, “When exactly was the moment you first fell in love with nature?” Audience members were quick to share their favorite childhood experiences, moments of wonder, and memories of simple yet meaningful lessons they had learned from the time they had spent outdoors. Southey went on to argue that these first narratives train and make a lasting influence individuals’ environmental values and behaviors. Leyla Acaroglu, social scientist, entrepreneur, and sustainability expert, also had much to add concerning how it is essential to promote a stronger love of nature in people rather than instill a fear of it. She insisted that “we all need to think differently - immediately” if we are to develop real solutions rather than fall back on reductionist ways of addressing problems.

While the Summit’s core focus was on the topic of nature, much of the conversation centered around the ways in which technology holds the potential to be one of the best assets in building curiosity and appreciation of nature within the community at large. Lauren Bowker, founder of THEUNSEEN, spoke on her “environmentally sensitive” materials house; groundbreaking fashion pieces that essentially change in color as they chemically react with the surrounding elements of the physical world. Darrell Hartman, co-founder of Selva and Jungles in Paris, discussed his video, photography, and journalism projects that beautifully spotlight stories of nature and culture from various countries. Sol Guy, music and media producer, spoke passionately about modern civilization’s need to learn from groups that are more deeply connected to nature, “the original environmentalists” as he put it, in order to rekindle mankind’s connection to the planet. MIT student Xin Liu, engineer and media artist, captivated the audience’s attention by sharing highlights from her latest virtual reality project that allows individuals to experience the life of a tree. She explained that her work stems from her vision of “enabling technology as a powerful resource that helps people to reconnect with nature.”

Every single effort that people make to advocate for environmental protection contributes toward the larger movement of inspiring others to seek meaningful action. World Environment Day serves to remind us that we inhabit the planet together as global citizens and must therefore work together to preserve its wellbeing. This goal, which has further been called to attention by the mission of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, cannot be achieved without the constant dedication, mindful decisions, and active participation of people at all levels of the population - and the first step is advocacy.

Sharing Passion and Ideas for a Better World: The Final Meeting of the 2017 Graduate Fellows with UNA-NCA Leadership

by Yulia Krylova, UNA-NCA Fellow

On April 24, UNA-NCA Fellows attended their last meeting during the 2017 Graduate Fellowship Program where we had a wonderful opportunity to meet former, current, and future Presidents of the UNA-NCA who shared their perspectives on how to be actively involved and contribute to making the UN stronger and more effective.

It is symbolic that for our final meeting the UNA Fellows gathered together at the Historical Home of Stewart R. Mottt. Mott purchased this house in 1974 to host various activities and projects of the Fund for Peace. Since that time, the house’s premises have been used by various nonprofit organizations for meetings, events and ceremonies. As its official website indicates, “given Stewart Mott’s philanthropic interests, it is not surprising that most of the regular occupants of 122 Maryland Avenue are progressive in nature.” On this particular day, UNA-NCA leaders shared their progressive ideas about the UN and a critical role that a new generation could play in making it stronger, more powerful and effective. At the beginning of this meeting, Hanna Hayden, Director of Membership and Programs, told us about the UNA Young Professionals Program. With more than 120 UNA-USA grassroots Chapters across the country, young professionals have a wide range of opportunities to contribute their efforts and energy to making a better world. 

In his presentation, Stephen F. Moseley, UNA-NCA President Elect, focused on the UN role under the current US leadership. Speaking about the impact of the new Administration on the UN’s work, Moseley observed that there are many serious concerns, including official statements diminishing the UN to just a club “for people to have a good time,” de-prioritizing human rights issues home and abroad, and the lack of reverence for existing principles and agreements regarding free and open trade. Yet, Moseley offered his optimistic perspective about the relations between the UN and the new Administration that will soon realize enormous benefits of the UN and multilateral cooperation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the US economy and society.  In this respect, Moseley called on all of us to participate in the process of advocacy for the UN and SDGs. In his words, “every citizen on Earth has a responsibility to help make SDGs a reality” in his own country and in our global community.

In her speech, Karen Mulhauser, former UNA-NCA President, stressed the importance of promoting the women’s agenda for the UN and supporting gender equality globally. She focused on two critical issues: the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) and the Women Peace and Security Resolution. CEDAW was adopted in 1979 and was ratified by all Member States, except for six countries, including the US, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tonga, and Palau. Mulhauser encouraged us to participate in the advocacy process at the municipal level in cities, counties, and towns across the US to adopt policies that implement principles of CEDAW. As Mulhauser’s article shows, several US cities that have already passed this legislature demonstrate its positive impact on gender equality at the local level.  Another important UN’s Resolution on Women Peace and Security was adopted by the Security Council in 2000 to mitigate the disproportionate impact of armed conflicts on women and to increase their role in peace negotiations. It is well-documented that women bring a stronger element of diplomacy and thinking about future generations to the process of peacebuilding activities and conflict prevention. In this respect, Mulhauser encouraged us to contribute to the work of the US Civil Society Working Group (CSWG) on Women, Peace and Security that was created in 2010 to support the US Government’s efforts in the adoption of a National Action Plan (NAP) focused on women.

Ed Elmendorf, who served as both President of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) and President of its largest local Chapter of the National Capital Area, identified several lessons for Graduate Fellows concerning our roles in making a better world.  As one of the contributors to the recent book entitled The UN Association USA: A Little Known History of Advocacy and Action, he drew our attention to the fact that as members of the UNA, we are part of the organization with a very distinguished history. The UNA was founded in 1943, with two key goals to educate the public about the UN system and to encourage the active participation of the US in this organization. A huge amount of projects and programs within the UNA are based on volunteering. One prominent example is Eleanor Roosevelt who personally volunteered to advance the work of the UNA because she strongly believed in the role of the UN in promoting global peace and the importance of US leadership in this process.  Elmendorf lamented that often voices of some UN’s critics are stronger and more passionate than voices of its numerous supporters. In this respect, Elmendorf encouraged us to voice ourselves to support the UN and share our passion with other people. 

In their closing remarks, both Ambassador Donald Bliss (retired), current President of the UNA-NCA, and Tom Bradley, Vice President for Development, focused on advocacy, reforms, and leadership. Recognizing that US leadership is critical for the UN, they suggested that advocacy would become a central part of our mission. They also pointed to various ways to reform the UN and improve its work. They infused us with optimism that as future leaders, we can make the world a more peaceful and prosperous place to live. Summarizing the meeting, Laurence Peters, the Director of the UNA-NCA Graduate Fellowship Program, indicated that we have a profound responsibility to inspire other people and make them understand and feel our passion and commitment to the UN and our globally interdependent world. This is critically important because there is nothing more contagious than passion.