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Marcelle Tibbs Retires as Editor
PDF Version of this Bulletin
President's Report
by Teresa A. Hintzie, President
 Mrs. Kofi Annan (left) and Teresa Hintzke at the Peace Day Celebration on September 15, 1998 at the U.N. |
The conference, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was attended by 2601 participants, representing 619 organizations from 60 countries in which NGOs are based. SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annam gave the opening address, followed by one of the keynote speakers, Susanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt.
The theme of the conference was "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: From Words to Deeds", showing how the Declaration and subsequent human rights treaties have been implemented and how they are functioning now, as well as what impact they have had on nations and societies around the world.
The Conference was divided into four main topics:
1. Overview of Human Rights
2. Universality of Human Rights
3. Impact of Globalization of Human Rights
4. Human Rights and Peace
The sessions were divided into subgroups reinforced with dozens of workshops. Throughout the conference, the emphasis was on the interrelationship of the Declaration with the universality of human rights.
The speakers emphasized the crucial role played by NGOs in focusing the attention of governments, intergovernmental organizations and the public on the need to promote human rights.
In addition to Helen Chong, PPSEAWA USA alternate representative to the UN, and myself, present at the conference were several of our members who were representing other organizations:
Marjorie Sorenson- Chief NGO Rep. "Association for World Education" HQ Dennark
Terry Singh- Alternate Rep. "International Alliance for Women" concentrating on health.
Emma Broisman- "lnternational Council of Women"
Judy Grodin- PPSEAWA International
Grace Ijima- Alternate NGO Rep. "Federation on Aging"
Since the NGO Conference is an annual event, and we are a UN organization, I think we should seriously consider having our annual National Meeting coincide with this conference. This would give members a better opportunity to actively participate in an event of which we are a part.
