WFUNA's Second Fortune Cookies Initiative at the Geneva Human Rights Council

Our Geneva office implemented the second Fortune Cookies Initiative on 6 June 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.

Our second Fortune Cookies event was carried out during a busy day at the Palais des Nations in Geneva - with the 23rd session of the Human Rights Council and the 102nd session of the International Labour Conference ongoing.

Objective

1. Increasing WFUNA’s visibility with stakeholders of the international community in Geneva;
2. Raising funds for the our human rights trainings Civil Society in Action for Human Rights and So, You Want To Be The Next High Commissioner. Any benefits will be used to sponsor participants from developing countries to attend our workshops in Geneva. 

Civil Society in Action for Human Rights

With the emergence of new economic and political forces, civil society will play a crucial role in ensuring that development policies and actions, at home and abroad, are pursued according to international human rights standards. One of WFUNA's latest projects, Civil Society in Action for Human Rights, has been launched in 2013, and aims to ensure that the United Nations Associations are fully equipped to address today's human rights challenges. 

So, You Want To Be The Next High Commissioner?

Through our annual UNA Human Rights Trainings, WFUNA aims to empower UNA youth members to take a leading role in upholding human rights in their communities and around the world. We inform and educate young UNA/UNYA members about human rights standards, human rights instruments and related implementing mechanisms, and train them on how to conduct effective human rights education and awareness raising activities within their communities. 

Results

We sold Fortune Cookies at three different locations in the Palais des Nations (Door 6, Door 40 and Cafeteria entrance). The good coverage through several selling points allowed for very interesting discussions on our human rights work with representatives from the international community in Geneva and thereby increased the awareness on our activities.

We have sold more than 608 cookies during the day and 41 people signed up for our monthly newsletter with updates on our activities. An estimated number of 2000 people present at the Palais, have passed and seen our information and selling points.

As in March, we could count on the great help and commitment of our interns and highly motivated volunteers. Their engagement and positive attitude largely contributed to the success of this initiative.