International Fellowship of Reconciliation – IFOR, di cui il MIR rappresenta la branca italiana, organizza la seconda edizione del programma residenziale “Introduzione all’ONU” che si svolgera’ dal 21 al 25 settembre a Ginevra.
Maggiori informazioni sono disponibili nella comunicazione allegata e sul sito dell’IFOR cliccando qui.

Si tratta di un’opportunita’ molto interessante per conoscere meglio il lavoro che l’IFOR svolge all’ONU per i diritti umani, tra i quali l’obiezione di coscienza, e per esplorare da vicino il sistema Nazioni Unite e le possibilita’ di azione per la societa’ civile.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE UN program
September 21st-25th 2020

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) would like to invite you to participate to the second edition of the special program aimed to providing an opportunity to come and see the work of IFOR at the United Nations in Geneva and experience first-hand engagement within the UN system.
The program will last one week, from Monday September 21st to Friday 25th 2020. It will run during the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Participants will learn more about IFOR work on conscientious objection at the UN, find out how civil society can fully engage at the UN and network.
We contemplate a group of about ten people, which can move about together between meetings without causing massive disruption and is also small enough to share reflections communally between formal meetings.
Have a look at the first edition here. Unfortunately, this year, due to the current situation concerning covid-19, the running of the program could be subject to changes accordingly to the possible developments of the ongoing pandemic.

PROGRAMME
The detailed program will be sent to the participants prior to the start of the program.
Arrival to Geneva on Monday 21st, International Peace Day!; program will start at 2pm with the collection of the UN badges and with a preliminary orientation session.
During the week the participants will attend to working sessions of the Human Rights Council -which include plenary meetings, negotiations of resolutions, side events-, assist in the drafting and delivering of oral statements, participate in informal meetings with partner NGOs, engage in advocacy initiatives.
The program will conclude on Friday 25th at lunch time.
Every day participants will have the possibility to meet together to exchange on the experience and deepen topics and procedures of interest with IFOR UN representatives.
*The programme will be detailed and updated with collateral proposals as needed.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL
IFOR has pre-arranged a double room accommodation with half board at the John Knox Centre which is located near the Palais des Nations, in Geneva. These costs (accommodation + breakfast + dinner) will be covered by IFOR through the Otto per Mille fund of the Waldensian Church. All participants will receive a free pass for local public transportation for the entire period.
Other costs shall be met by the participants and their organizations. We suggest a total of about 150 Swiss francs for basic local needs.
As to the traveling costs, thanks to the Waldensian grant we have a limited solidarity fund available for participants in need.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply you need to fill in the online form here
Deadline for application is JULY 24TH 2020. The confirmation of the application will be notified to the candidates by JULY 31ST.
If necessary, we will give preference to:
a) those who are prepared to commit for the entire week
b) persons with a direct connection with IFOR
c) young people.

For further information you are welcome to contact Zaira Zafarana, coordinator of the program, at zaira.zafarana@ifor.org

NOTE: Given the current situation of the pandemic the program will run accordingly to the actual situation and safety measures in place. An ultimate confirmation, regarding the running of the program, will be given to the participants by August 19th.

Looking forward to having you in Geneva!