60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
"Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All"

September 5 to 7, 2007 - United Nations Headquarters - New York, USA.

The 60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 5 to 7 September 2007. More than 2,000 representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from over 80 countries are expected to attend roundtables, panels and workshops during the 3-day event. The Conference will review the scientific evidence on climate change, including its consequences on indigenous peoples, water security, land use and the politics of energy.

Organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in collaboration with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, the Conference aims to facilitate individual action plans that address the threat of catastrophe posed by climate change and inspire participants to take action to mitigate - and in some cases - reverse the effects of this environmental crisis.

This year’s DPI/NGO Conference will focus on the facilitation of individual action plans that address the growing concerns associated with climate change and its profound and decisive impact on human well-being. The world is now equipped with a vast body of information, scientific as well as social and political, all pointing to the potential devastation of our common world. This conference will address solutions by helping interested parties to develop concrete practices that can be both implemented and shared. The goal of this conference is to build our knowledge of climate change into the viable habits of everyday practice that ensure a better future

More than 2,000 Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other civil society partners from 90 countries are expected to attend the three-day event, from 5 to 7 September 2007, organized by the Department of Public Information (DPI) in collaboration with NGO/DPI Executive Committee.

United Nations, government, and NGO representatives as well as other influential or expert individuals will lead two plenary sessions, seven roundtables and thirty-two midday workshops to review the latest scientific evidence on climate change, including its impact on vulnerable populations, water security, land use, and the politics of energy. According to experts and scientists, some of the worst-case scenarios can be avoided by acting swiftly and decisively at every level of the decision-making process. Additionally, the conference will highlight the interconnection between climate change and other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We cannot aspire to have sustainable improvement in the environment without addressing the root causes of poverty and the necessity of basic education. The international community’s ability to meet the MDGs will continue to be challenged unless all actors including governments, civil society and others take action now.

The knowledge gained at this conference should assist NGOs in disseminating information, not just to agencies and governments, but to friends and neighbors. The information received can help educate communities of the importance in reducing carbon emissions; the necessity of encouraging fuel conservation and the search for energy-efficient alternative fuel sources. Contacts made will encourage the exchange of best practices and the acceptance of recommended international standards of behavior. It will equip NGOs with the skills to form effective partnerships and create those viable action plans to carry their efforts forward.

As global citizens, and for the sake of generations to come, we all have a responsibility to find alternative solutions and to implement effective, everyday, and meaningful measures. It is not too late to influence the present and plan for a safer and more sustainable future.

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Special Events

Sixteenth International Children’s Painting Exhibition Opening (5 Sep 2007)

This exhibit featuring paintings collected from the Sixteenth International Children’s painting competition on the environment is organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, Bayer, Nikon Corporation, the Foundation for Global Peace and the Environment, and the United Nations Department of Public Information.

The exhibit will be inaugurated by H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme.

Venue: South Lobby, United Nations, 6 p.m.

Conference Reception (5 Sep 2007)

A reception organized by the NGO/DPI Executive Committee. Please note that this event is by invitation only.

Venue: Delegates’ Dining Room, Conference Building, United Nations 4th Floor, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Networking Breakfast Meetings (5 - 7 Sep 2007)

The purpose of the networking breakfast meetings is to provide Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with an opportunity to develop collaboration and partnership in various ways including, processing information from the conference, identifying and sharing individual and collective goals and objectives on the topic of climate change, as well as examine actions related to negative impact of climate change.

The themes of the breakfast meetings will focus on:

• Cultural/Individual/Religious Practices & the Indigenous People
• Mind/Body/Spirit Perspectives
• Educational Outreach
• Gender Perspectives
• Ethics and Accountability
• Update on Scientific Research
• Political Perspective
• Streamlining the System
• Military and Nuclear challenges

Each group will have a facilitator. If you are interested in facilitating a group, kindly send an email with your interest, and credentials (no longer than 50 words) to: Dr. Ani Kalayjian at: kalayjiana@aol.com, or at info@meaningfulworld.com. Call 201 941-2266 for further information. Please note that preference will be given to those who are able to facilitate groups on both days.

Venue: United Nations Cafeteria at 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Wednesday and Friday)

and 8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (Thursday)

Introduction for New Comers at the UN Networking Breakfast Meetings
(5 Sep 2007)

On the first morning of the conference, the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service in cooperation with the DPI-NGO section is inviting those attending the conference and coming to the UN for the first time to attend an orientation session. This session will provide an overview of the wide range of services provided by the UN to the NGO community and civil society at large. It will include information on how to make the best out of your participation at the DPI-NGO conference, how to stay in touch with UN officials after the conference, how to receive relevant information from the UN on a regular basis, where to find information useful for your area of work, who are the main contact persons at the UN for NGOs, how to establish partnerships with specific UN agencies, funds and programmes, etc.

For more information please contact Elisa Peter, Deputy Coordinator, United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) at petere@un.org