Geneva: Solidarity, Development and MDG8

To mark the 18th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (September 12 – 30), New Humanity and the Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (Community of Pope John XXIII Association) have organized a parallel event exploring the crucial links between rights, development and international solidarity in implementing global partnership (MDG8).

With 50 participants, including several government representatives (Iraq, Brazil, Burkina Faso,…) the event, which took its cue from the insights of a number of experts, put forward various and interesting perspectives on the topic, by approaching it globally, dealing with developing and emerging countries, but also developed nations.

As well as marking one of the first official speeches of the new Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity, Ms. Virginia Dandan (CESCR’s “Chairperson” during lasts 8 years), the conference also heard contributions from New Humanity representatives Ms. Esther Salamanca, Professor of International Law at the University of Valladolid and Ms. Shyami Puvimanasinghe, Human Rights Officer at the OHCHR (Office of The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights). Mr. Jorge M. Dias Ferreira – New Humanity’s chief representative in Geneva – coordinated.

Other speakers included Mgr. Silvano Tomasi, Permanent Observer of Holy See to the United Nations and Ms. Maria Mercedes Rossi, chief representative of Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII in Geneva.

Given its importance and the interest the meeting aroused, at the end of this convention, New Humanity and Mrs. Dandan decided to organize an entire workshop in spring 2012 on this issue.