UNAW in Geneva

The Sixth United Nations Advocacy Week organized by the World Council of Churches will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 27 September to 1 October, 2010 in conjunction with the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 15^th Session.

This year’s UNAW will be focused on the Palestine – Israel conflict and the situation in Nigeria.

The United Nations Advocacy Week, which started in 2003, is a model of ecumenical collaboration. It is a significant moment to express concerns and address questions of power and structural injustices through a concerted and coordinated ecumenical approach to international advocacy. Organized by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, the UNAW provides an opportunity for capacity building in the area of advocacy within the UN system, reflection and analysis, panels and discussions on advocacy focus areas. The participants of the UNAW will be given opportunities for ecumenical advocacy within the United Nations system; to discuss and deepen strategies for a common global strategic ecumenical advocacy impact; to explore selected advocacy themes and issues; as well as to engage in direct advocacy with United Nations Member States.

The UNAW is a significant moment for expressing concerns and addressing questions on structural injustices through a concerted and coordinated ecumenical approach to international advocacy. It is a moment to challenge ourselves to develop and commit to methodologies which coordinate approaches to international, regional, national and local advocacy work. The UNAW is seen from the theological framework and understanding that “Advocacy is a prophetic activity of the churches, in which we accompany and support our sisters and brothers who struggle for justice and peace…. Advocacy involves speaking up for those who are silenced in their efforts to rectify injustice. It demands our engagement with the issues and initiatives of those who struggle for life, justice, equity, rights, and peace. Advocacy is a mission activity of the church in the world. It is one way in which the church participates in the ongoing missio dei”.

Churches have worked since their founding to address different dimensions and forms of power relationships impacting peoples' lives and livelihoods at the local level. Increasingly, economic, social, political, military, environmental, gender, ethnic, religious and cultural issues intersect and have to be monitored and responded to through a comprehensive and integrative approach. This is equally true for the way in which global realities shape local realities and vice versa. Today, the imperative to challenge the systemic structures of injustice which pervert truth and deny justice requires a new level of ecumenical cooperation, coordination and leadership to undertake effective transformative and prophetic public witness at national and international levels.

The broad constituency base of churches, rooted in the local but connected to the global, provides an opportunity for a concerted and coordinated ecumenical approach to advocacy not only at the United Nations but in nearly every country in the world. This sets the context within which we approach common strategic global ecumenical advocacy: deepening theological and ethical insights, strengthening ecumenical cooperation, building common strategies, strengthening networks, enhancing communication and developing working groups on priority issues of common concern with concerted national and international efforts.

The Thematic Priorities for UNAW 2010:

• Israel - Palestine Conflict
• Situation in Nigeria

 The events of the UNAW normally move through four modules:

• Setting the context for common strategic global ecumenical advocacy on identified areas/ issues
• Deepening common understanding of priority advocacy issues identified for a particular UNAW; in the case of 2010, it will be Palestine-Israel and Nigeria
• Engaging various actors in the ecumenical family and networks in a common platform for ecumenical advocacy
• Setting common commitments to networking and follow-up for common strategic ecumenical advocacy.

Objectives

The main objective of the UNAW initiatives is to facilitate the gathering of global ecumenical partners in a platform dedicated to common strategic global ecumenical advocacy. This will help enhance relationships with ecumenical advocacy partners: churches, national councils of churches, specialized agencies, regional ecumenical organizations and regional advocacy networks. The participation of a wide range of people from different networks and backgrounds, who are engaged in advocacy at various levels, will also help strengthen the capacity and understanding of ecumenical partners with regard to advocacy within the UN system.

Deepening theological and ethical insights on identified priorities, strategizing together on identified priorities to develop a common strategic global ecumenical advocacy platform, identifying designated advocacy priorities into action in dialogue with Member States at the United Nations, strengthening of ecumenical cooperation on advocacy work at the UN, enhancing active ecumenical networks through networking and information sharing and strategizing for cooperative advocacy at the national, regional and international levels also are expected outcomes of the UNAW.

Thematic Priorities

The foci of UNAW 2010 will be on two pertinent issues that warrant ecumenical advocacy and engagement: The Palestine-Israel conflict and the situation in Nigeria.

The planning for this year’s event coincides with a rapidly deteriorating situation in the Palestine-Israel conflict but also with noteworthy attempts of the international community to put an end to it. It also coincides with a greater awareness of churches worldwide about the situation in Palestine and more positive involvement on their part in peace-building and peacemaking efforts in the region. Another deteriorating situation that has sadly made headlines during the past months is the conflict in Nigeria. What initially started as a pastoral and land conflict quickly escalated to what appeared to be an ethnic and communal conflict that tragically caused the lives of many. Various other underlying factors also intensify conflicts in Nigeria. Issues such as economic disparities, underdevelopment, ethnic rivalries and the struggle to control political power, etc., contribute to intensifying conflicts, which threaten the spirit of communal harmony that allows communities to peacefully live together.

PALESTINE-ISRAEL

The situation in Palestine is rapidly deteriorating and has acquired alarming proportions. The peace process is static and, despite the announcement of ‘proximity talks’, hopes of a productive outcome are minimal. The blockade of Gaza is, perhaps, the most visible of Israel’s intransigence and abuse of its occupation of Palestinian territories. The heightened level of militarization in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) is creating fear and insecurity and the collective punishment of innocent civilians continues with impunity. This is evidenced in the desperate attack that Israel launched on humanitarian workers who came as part of the movement to assist the people of Gaza with humanitarian aid.

Sixty-two years after the Palestinians were dispossessed, and over four decades of occupation, the ground realities are worsening. The separation wall built on occupied Palestinian territory is almost complete and has cut off Palestinian communities from each other. The reality is of a Bantustan-style Palestine rather than an economically and politically viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security. The Wall has created severe economic hardships because it has cut people off from access to livelihoods and deepened levels of poverty in the oPt. Similarly, the 600 or more check points in the West Bank alone are an indiscriminate use of the occupation authority’s power to punish the Palestinians, restrict their freedom, and cut them off from access to economic activity. The check points have also had a devastating impact on Palestinian access to health and medical assistance, jobs, and other social responsibilities. Young people and even children are thrown into prison with no chance of a fair trial and often with charges that have no basis whatsoever. On an almost daily basis, people in the oPt are being literally disenfranchised and displaced because their homes are demolished, and licenses to build new homes on their ancestral property denied on untenable pretexts.

The continuing growth of settlements is also an issue with potentially disastrous short and long term consequences. In the short term, it creates displacement and the dispossession of Palestinian land and natural assets (water etc). In the long term, it will render the final status issues more complicated because of Israel’s claim that settlements are de facto Israel land.

Palestinians face more than just political disenfranchisement. They also face disproportionate restrictions of their right to religious freedom. Access to Holy sites is being restricted and this is compounded by Israel unilaterally announcing their intent to appropriate some important heritage sites as their own. Palestinians are disappointed by the silence of the international community and the lack of political will among the nations that can make a difference to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and oppression. They know that a united international community can bring Israel to reverse its policies and come to the negotiating table for a just and sustainable settlement. 

Issues to be addressed at the UNAW 2010

• Creation of a space for Palestinians and Israelis to make their voices heard in the international arena and with specific reference to the 15^th Session of the UNHRC;
• Enhancement of general consciousness/awareness on the deteriorating situation in Palestine through first hand accounts from those living under the occupation;
• Strengthening of initiatives on common advocacy strategies pertaining to Palestine-Israel, by involving ecumenical advocacy partners, churches, specialized agencies and regional ecumenical organizations in order to enhance the impact on the public and governments;
• Engagement in a dialogue with relevant governments and parties on ground-gathered information and advocate for just and urgent solutions;
• Development of working linkages with international NGOs in Geneva that are committed to and working for a just and lasting settlement of the conflict ;
• Planning for short, medium, and long term advocacy priorities on Palestine–Israel beyond UNAW 2010;
• Deepening of theological and ethical insights on the Palestine-Israel conflict (popularizing the Kairos initiative).

Nigeria

Nigeria the most populous country in Africa, has been wracked by periodic violence. Nigeria is usually characterized as a deeply divided state in which major political issues are vigorously or violently contested along the lines of the complex ethnic, religious, and regional divisions in the country. Compounding the problem of underdevelopment, the violence and conflicts pose a great threat to peace, security, development and progress in the country. The long military intervention in politics tends to legitimize the use of force and violence as instruments for social change and attainment of set goals and demands.

The ethnic conflicts and disputes over land and resources often end up as religious conflicts. Competition for oil wealth has fueled violence between innumerable ethnic groups, causing the militarization of the entire Niger Delta region by ethnic militia groups as well as Nigerian military and police forces. Victims of crimes are fearful of seeking justice for crimes committed against them because of growing "impunity from prosecution for individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses, which has created a devastating cycle of increasing conflict and violence". Many Nigerians feel that the real reason for the frequent violence in several parts of the country is not based on ethnic or religious differences but the scramble for land, scarce resources and political clout. Poverty, joblessness and corrupt politics drive extremists from different sides to commit horrendous atrocities.

Several states in Nigeria are affected with frequent communal and ethnic conflicts. In Jos, in the Plateau State early this year, more than 500 people were killed in communal violence which was initially started as a competition between Muslim cattle herders from the north and Christian farmers from the south. A WCC Living Letters Team went to Jos in May 2010 and visited a mass grave in the village of Dogonahawa where 323 people from the same village were buried. People have different opinions about the main causes of the conflict in Jos. There are numerous reasons pointed out for these conflicts which include poor governance, poor resource management, underdevelopment and lack of security, poverty, corruption and tensions between indigenous and settler communities. Religion has been used in most contexts to intensify the conflicts in several parts of Nigeria.

In Nigerian society, religion plays a major role and there exists a strong relationship between religious and ethnic identity. While democracy permits greater freedom of religious expression in Nigeria, it has also intensified the political and economic friction between ethnic groups. Out of the 36 States in Nigeria, 12 States have already introduced Sharia law. The introduction of Sharia in these States has become a major cause for tensions in some of these States. The law also posed a number of questions among the common Nigerians, such as how to separate the secular and religious systems, and whether the Sharia can be implemented at the State level without compromising secularism at the federal level.

Although the nation gets billions of dollars in oil revenue annually, the majority of Nigerians scrape by on less than a dollar a day. Despite potentials for enormous resources and wealth, more than half of its people live below the poverty line. Instead of improving the livelihoods of its people, the oil industry ends up in mismanagement of resources that consequently gives rise to tensions among the local people. Due to the rampant corruption which prevails, few Nigerians, including those in oil producing areas, have benefited from the oil wealth. The high unemployment and poverty levels in the Delta region have exacerbated conflict between the indigenous community and the oil companies.

Conflict resolution in Nigeria requires honest and capable leadership and good governance to reduce the level of unemployment, poverty, oppression, domination and marginalization and raise the standards of living of all the Nigerians. A true federalism with drastically reduced federal powers, responsibilities and resources, and a greater local autonomy and self-determination for the federating units or states that need to reduce inter-ethnic tensions.

The WCC member constituencies in Nigeria have been asking the WCC to respond to their request for wider ecumenical involvement in peace and reconciliation in Nigeria.

The country is passing through a difficult situation in many ways and the presidential election is due in early 2011. In this context, the urgent task is to strengthen all possible efforts for peace and reconciliation, communal and religious harmony, ensure security of all Nigerians by the authorities, enforce law and order, conduct free and fair elections at the federal and provincial level and support civil society for voter education and democratization process.

Issues to be addressed at the UNAW 2010

• Facilitation of constructive discussions regarding the conflict situation in Nigeria;
• Advocacy for peaceful and harmonious relationships between all communities in Nigeria;
• Advocacy with the Nigerian government to ensure security and protection for all marginalized people in the country especially in the context of the forthcoming elections in the country, in 2011.

• Advocacy on protection of Human rights in Nigeria;
• Growing trend of Religious Intolerance and politicization of religion
• Corruption and mismanagement as the root causes of the prevailing violence in Nigeria;
• Overcoming violence and promoting peace and security in the rural contexts;
• Ecumenical initiatives for strengthening of communal harmony and solidarity ;

Methods

Churches have a long history of engagement in addressing issues of justice and have been a defining factor in more than one instance. The situations with regard to Palestine - Israel and Nigeria call for a sense of urgency for global advocacy, and the willingness of the ecumenical family to assume a prophetic role. It calls for ‘costly solidarity’, and firm collective action.

UNAW sets out to ‘deepen theological and ethical insights, strengthen ecumenical cooperation, build common strategies, strengthen networks, and enhance communication with concerted national and international efforts’. Such an effort is, perhaps, most pressing today in the contexts of Palestine and Israel and also Nigeria. It can contribute significantly towards this goal.

It is expected that UNAW will take into account the presence of Palestinian, Israeli and Nigerian peace movement actors as well ecumenical advocacy officers and new partners from the global South.

During the 15^th Session of the Human Rights Council, the WCC will prepare written statements on both situations. The WCC Staff organizing team of UNAW in Geneva will contact permanent missions of various countries in Geneva and organizations accredited with the UN ECOSOC to inform them about the UNAW event in September which will pave the way for increased chances of their cooperation for advocacy during the UN Human Rights Council.

Testimonies, political analyses, theological reflections, films, exhibitions, panels, and round tables will be part of the methodology. In order to enrich the thematic contents, different methodologies will be adopted. Former Ecumenical Accompaniers from Switzerland and Europe will be able to share first hand information from their own personal experiences during their stay in Israel - Palestine. With regard to sharing of information and experiences on Nigeria, some members of the Living Letters delegation that visited Nigeria in May 2010 will report back their experiences at the UNAW during a panel discussion. Panelists can also include church members from Nigeria.

Participants to the UNAW 2010 in Geneva

The WCC will extend invitations to representatives and leaders from Churches and related organizations from Palestine-Israel and Nigeria to attend the UNAW 2010. Their participation and interactions will explore creative and bold approaches to address the situations in Palestine-Israel and Nigeria, which will help to evolve strategies for effective advocacy initiatives at various levels with the aim to ending the occupation of Palestine and the conflict in Nigeria.

The participants from Palestine-Israel and Nigeria will be joined by representatives and leaders from churches, ecumenical organizations, specialized ministries and partners of networks from various parts of the world. The participants invited will be drawn from among different sectors who are engaged in campaign and advocacy for just peace. About 100 participants are expected to attend the event from various parts of the world.

Advocacy at the United Nations Human Rights Council during the Week

As the UNAW 2010 will be held in Geneva during the same time of the 15^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, during the week of 27 September to 1 October, special efforts will be made to arrange accreditation for UNAW participants to attend certain sessions of the UN Human Rights Council. This will also be an opportunity to understand the United Nations human rights mechanism and possibilities for lobbying at the UN levels.

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.  The UN Human Rights Council was created by the UN General Assembly with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. The Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva, holds no fewer than three sessions per year (including a main session) for a total period of no less than ten weeks. The Council serves as the main United Nations forum for dialogue and cooperation on human rights.  Its focus is to help member states meet their human rights obligations through dialogue, capacity building, and technical assistance.  The Council also makes recommendations to the General Assembly for further development of international law in the field of human rights.

The basic structure for the Council's new institutional machinery is in place, including the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, the Special Procedures (Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups), the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (which replaces the Sub-Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights), and the Complaint Procedure.

Other features include a new Advisory Committee which serves as the Council’s “think tank” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues and the revised Complaints Procedure mechanism which allows individuals and organizations to bring complaints about human rights violations to the attention of the Council. The Human Rights Council also continues to work closely with the UN Special Procedures established by the former Commission on Human Rights and assumed by the Council. 

Observers, including non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions and specialized agencies, participate in the Council through the same arrangements and practices that applied to the Commission. 

During a given session the Human Rights Council considers the activities of its subsidiary human rights procedures and mechanisms, and organizes panel discussions and special events to enhance dialogue and mutual understanding on specific issues. Outside its normal sessions, the Council may also hold special sessions related to country-specific or thematic issues.

In addition to Member States of the Council, Observers, which include non-Member States, inter-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), also participate in a session.  NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) can be accredited to participate in the Human Rights Council sessions as Observers. As Observers, NGOs are able, amongst other things, to attend and observe all proceedings of the Council with the exception of the Council deliberations under the Complaints Procedure, submit written statements to the Human Rights Council, make oral interventions to the Human Rights Council, participate in debates, interactive dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings, and organize "parallel events" on issues relevant to the work of the Human Rights Council.

The Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches was one of the first international NGOs to be granted consultative status with the Untied Nations ECOSOC. Over the years, the CCIA of the WCC worked to strengthen the economic and social agenda of the UN in such fields as decolonization, economic development, protection of refugees and displaced persons, the elimination of racism, and provided particular attention on human rights, participating actively in its drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On a regular basis CCIA/WCC participates at various UN fora to strengthen its agenda in areas such as human rights, peace making, decolonization, humanitarian responses to complex emergencies, disarmament, bodies related to the development of the framework of the international criminal Court, etc.   

Every session of the UN Human Rights Council sessions, the CCIA accredits representatives from the WCC constituencies and also organizes and at times cosponsors side events on various human right related issues as part of its advocacy strategy.

As the UNAW 2010 will be held in Geneva in conjunction with the 15^th Session of the UNHRC, the participants of the UNAW will be in a position to engage in lobbying at various levels - with various governments and the Geneva based diplomatic community, inter-governmental and international organizations. Possibilities of participation at the UNHRC will also be explored.

History

The UNAW began in November 2003, when the WCC brought together about 60 people for a week of mutual sharing and common strategizing. At the end of the week, there was a clear and unanimous recommendation from the participants to meet again in November 2004.

Following the 2005-2006 preparations for the WCC Assembly, the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches featured 90 participants from 45 countries, representing diverse constituencies of churches, church agencies and regional ecumenical organizations for the Third Annual United Nations Advocacy Week in 2007.
 

The goals of the week were to learn from the experiences of churches and NGO representatives working daily with advocacy at the United Nations; to provide opportunities to dialogue about the issues; and to create opportunities for advocacy with Permanent Missions of Member States of the United Nations. Compared with previous advocacy weeks, this emphasis on advocacy with Member States was a new initiative.
 

In 2007, the WCC chose to emphasize four themes, with particular attention on one of those themes as a primary focus for conducting advocacy. With this in mind, the primary advocacy focus of UNAW 2007 was the Greater Horn of Africa; the week also addressed the additional themes of water, nuclear disarmament and the Middle East, with an emphasis on Palestine and Israel.

UNAW 2008 was marked by an overarching framework of "Human Rights at 60 Years" and focused on three advocacy areas: Climate Change, Sri Lanka and Migration. The primary advocacy focus was seeking the signing, ratification and implementation of the International Convention on Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families.