Human Rights

More than a thousand participants from over 100 countries gathered in Geneva this year for the Second UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights (2-4 December 2013), to collectively assess global progress in the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on the issue.

GENEVA - The Human Rights Council convened for its 24th Session from 9 to 27 September 2013 in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. In the three weeks of intense discussion, human rights violations in the Syrian conflict, as presented by the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, were among the most burning issues addressed. Some of the major topics that were under discussion are briefly summarized below.

GENEVA - On 17 September 2013, WFUNA, in collaboration with the Small Arms Survey and the United Nations Association of Spain, organized a Side Event to the 24th Session of the Human Rights Council on the topic of "Femicide and Human Rights." The event consisted of a panel discussion among four distinguished speakers and was moderated by WFUNA's Director of Programs, Irene Martinetti.

GENEVA - From 22 to 25 July 2013, WFUNA held its third annual Human Rights Training for young UNA representatives in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Seventeen participants from 12 different UNAs (Ghana, Greece, India, Italy, Nepal, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda, UK and Zimbabwe) joined our intensive 4-day course on Human Rights and the Project Management.

GENEVA - Organized by WFUNA within the framework of the NGO Committee on Human Rights of CoNGO, the side event was the first of four information briefings on UN Human Rights Council. Chaired by Irene Martinetti, WFUNA’s Director of Programs, the objective of the session was to share concrete advice on how NGOs can engage effectively with the Human Rights Council.

WFUNA staff and volunteers in Geneva implemented our Fortune Cookies Initiative on 7 March 2013 at the Palais des Nations. 

The World Federation of United Nations Association in Geneva conducts trainings for members of the United Nations Associations on the UN human rights system, instruments and mechanisms and implements capacity building session in advocacy, awareness raising and project management related to human rights.

The side event was organized by WFUNA, within the framework of the NGO Committee on Human Rights of CoNGO, and was chaired by Irene Martinetti, WFUNA's Director of Programs. The objective of the session was to share concrete advice on how NGOs can engage effectively with the Human Rights Council.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -  The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) implemented the first session of Civil Society in Action for Human Rights (CSAHR) at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 January – 1 February, 2013 with 20 participants from all regions of the world representing 13 UNAs.

Civil Society in Action for Human Rights: Session I 

From 17-20 July 2012, WFUNA held its annual human rights training for young UNA members at the Palais des Nations. 21 participants representing 15 different United Nations Associations around the world attended four days of sessions, which included presentations from various diplomats, UN and NGO staff as well as two days of training in project management.