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UN Information Center |
On 5 March the UNIC-Moscow joined other members of the UN Country
Team in organizing a special event, dedicated 
to
the International Women’s Day, at the Glinka Museum of Musical Culture in Moscow.
This initiative was undertaken in accordance with a specific request from several gender-oriented Russian political forces and NGOs and practically became a follow-up to the dialogue “Women and Authorities” held earlier on the same day at the State Duma. So, it was only natural to see among the attendance about one hundred women – leaders of NGOs from dozens of regions, female-deputies of the State Duma, as well as a number of UN agencies’ close partners from Moscow-based professional organizations, academic circles and educational institutions.
The
gathering was addressed by Mr. Sjaak Bavelaar, UNFPA Representative in Russia,
who made a few very pertinent and well-received remarks. Quoting the Secretary-General’s
Message on the Day’s occasion, he stressed that everyone should be mindful that
the achievement of women’s rights is not the responsibility of women alone –
it is a common responsibility. That’s why efforts should be stepped up to create
an environment where progress towards gender equality is not a daily struggle,
but a natural part of all our actions.
According to the Secretary-General’s message, the international community should draw strength from the progress that has taken place in the past year. In Afghanistan, after years of conflict, hardship and human rights violations, hope has returned to women and girls who are yet again exercising their rights to education, work and an active role in society. At the United Nations, Security Council resolution 1325 of 2000 continues to inspire Member States to address women, peace and security on several fronts.
Ms. Ekaterina Lakhova, a prominent advocate of women’s rights and deputy of the State Duma, also addressed the attendance highlighting the formidable challenges the Russian women face nowadays.
A concert of classical music and a cocktail followed which became a good opportunity for women from different walks of life to socialize and to discuss informally their problems and plans.
All in all, it was yet another good chance for the UN Country Team to strengthen ties with the Russian civil society.
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United Nations Association of Russia |
Upon
the invitation of the UN Association of the Republic of Korea, a delegation
from its Russian counterpart visited the Republic of Korea from March 27 through
the 31.
The delegation got to know Seoul and the island of Cheju, and saw firsthand the political, economic, and social situation in the country. The delegation was most impressed with South Korea’s economic achievements, its high level of social security, and the energy and drive of its civil society.
The delegation held talks with the heads of the Korean association. The latter acquainted them with the activities of their organization. According to their information, the main thrust of its work is in the social sphere, the dissemination of information, and the development of international contacts. The latter two, as they emphasized, are of special importance to them, since Korea continues to be a divided country, and the international ties of the UN Association of the Republic of Korea and, most important, its membership in the World Federation of UN Associations, are of great value to the Korean people.
The high point of the visit was the holding of a bilateral seminar at the Institute for International Relations and Security of the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The seminar’s programme encompassed the following topics: the role of the UN in the battle against international terrorism; the dialogue between civilizations and its influence on international relations; human rights issues; and the state of relations between the two Koreas under the Bush Administration.
A detailed statement on the first two issues was given by UNA-Russia Deputy Chairman Yury Reshetov. The two sides agreed unanimously that the UN should play a central role in the fight against international terrorism, and that this battle must be waged according to the principles and norms of international law, and, most important, with strict observance of generally recognized standards in the area of human rights. Should the opposite take place, it would not only fail to eradicate the causes of international terrorism, but would even lead to its growth.
With regard to inter-Korean relations, the two Korean states should, in the opinion of the associations, determine the rate of progress in their rapprochement and reunification, with no outside interference that might call into question all that has already been achieved in the course of this difficult process.
The visit was an important step in consolidating the ties between the two countries’ UN associations. They will simultaneously work to step up the associations’ activities on both the regional and international scales.
