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Civil society participation at the UN is essential to ensure the relevance and value of debates and decisions at the international level along with the implementation of UN resolutions and recommendations on the ground.

This event will be an opportunity to discuss NGO engagement with UN bodies and processes as well as opportunities and imperatives for reform. We will also launch a brand new handbook, the ‘Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly: A Practical Guide for NGOs’. Copies of the updated version of the ‘Practical Guide to the UN Committee on NGOs’ will also be available at the event. 

Attendance with UNOG pass only. If you are a member of civil society interested in attending but don’t have a UNOG pass, please contact [email protected]. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Australia and Uruguay to the UN.

Follow the event on Twitter: #SupportCivilSociety @ISHRGlobal

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The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) will launch of a new guide for NGOs on the General Assembly Third Committee. The event will be co- sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Australia and Uruguay to the United Nations.

Join us for a conversation on civil society participation and how to promote it.

Copies of the new guide will be available together with copies of an updated version of the NGO Guide to the UN Committee on NGOs.

If you do not have a UN badge, please contact Eleanor Openshaw at [email protected]. 

Follow the event on Twitter: #SupportCivilSociety @AustraliaUN @ISHRGlobal

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This event is an opportunity to discuss the importance of civil society engagement with the UN. It will include a focus on improving the working methods of the UN Committee on NGOs to better serve the needs of the UN and civil society.

Follow the event on Twitter: @freedomnoworg @ISHRglobal #NGOCommittee

Photo:  UN

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This event gives an opportunity for human rights defenders to “dig-deeper” – to engage in a moderated dialogue with Professor Muntarbhorn, sharing perspectives on their experiences of the approaches expressed in the underpinnings in his recent report, and how change can be best brought about on the ground.

Co-sponsored by ILGA and the International Service for Human Rights.

Follow the event on Twitter: @ISHRglobal #HRDs #HRC35

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Photo:  UN

Wednesday 14 June 2017 

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The impact of business on space for civil society is complex, as business can both contribute and benefit to the closing of space for civil society actors, but also has the potential of being an ally to civil society in defending such space. Business is increasingly recognising the shared interest of companies and civil society in open and democratic societies.  

This side event aims to bring together civil society, members of the business community, UN and State representatives to discuss their intersecting role in delivering on human rights and development standards. The event will focus on lessons learnt on how to ensure the effective realisation of these commitments and identify strategies for effective multi-stakeholder participation in the development of norms on business and human rights.                                          

Co-sponsored by CIVICUS and the International Service for Human Rights.

Follow the event on Twitter: @ISHRglobal #HRDs

Light refreshments will be served 

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Respect for economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights is a fundamental element of effective and sustainable poverty alleviation; it is also intimately linked with respect for civil and political rights, progress in sustainable development and the construction of peaceful, cohesive and stable communities. The goal of this panel is to discuss among different stakeholders the crucial principle of participation by NGOs, human rights defenders, and other civil society actors in rights-based approaches to poverty alleviation at the national level.

In particular, UN experts on economic, social and cultural rights will reflect on how the experiences and resources of civil society assist them in their work to promote and protect ESC rights, including the development and monitoring of recommendations arising from both reports and country visits.

Co-sponsored by the OHCHR, the Permanent Missions of Chile and Portugal, the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Service for Human Rights.

Follow the event on Twitter: @ISHRglobal #HRDs #HRC35

Light refreshments will be served 

Photo:  Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

Girl or boy ? From birth we are separated into two categories, two sexes, two genders assigned by medical and administrative institutions. This lack of choice can generate violence.

In the frame of the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, ISHR is very proud to co-present the panel discussion that will follow the projection of "The Pearl Of Africa", a documentary by Jonny Von Wallström.

Tuesday 14 March 2017 
20.00
Large Room - Espace Pitoëff, Geneva

Trans*, genderqueer, intersex people: many are those whose body and identity diverge from gender norms, thus challenging one of the foundations of our social organisation. These people often suffer from serious human rights violations. In response to these situations, a few countries have implemented more favourable legislation. Argentina allows its citizens to freely choose their gender by a simple declaration; Malta, in addition to the same policy, proscribes genital mutilation on intersex children. Such progressive measures pave the way for the respect of trans* and intersex people’s human rights. Can this help address transphobic crime and pervasive discrimination?

Amidst Uganda’s underlying violent social and political climate, The Pearl Of Africa by Jonny von Wallström brings us back to the perspective of the individual. This film, full of grace and lightness, follows the evolution of a romantic relationship between a young transgender woman and her new companion.

Photo: The Pearl Of Africa 

ISHR, FORUM ASIA, CELS, Conectas Direitos Humanos and Human Rights Watch are hosting a welcome cocktail reception with Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli, the new President of the Human Rights Council.
 
Thursday 2 February
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Rue de Varembé 1, Geneva
Ground Floor Reception Room
 
This will be a great opportunity for civil society colleagues, human rights experts and diplomats to meet and greet the new President and Vice-Presidents of the world's peak human rights body in a relaxed atmosphere. At the same time, we will farewell former President Choi Kyonglim, and his bureau.
 
We hope you can join us! Please note you must RSVP by clicking here by 5pm Monday 30 January if you would like to attend. 
 
And for our friends who won’t be in Geneva that night, we would love to hear your thoughts about what the Human Rights Council's priorities for 2017 should be. Feel free to share them on Twitter using #HRC2017 and we'll share a selection with the President.