Workshop at a Glance: Bridging the gap between civil society and policy
Representatives from United Nations Associations (UNAs) from around the world came together to share their experiences at bridging the gap between civil society and their governments. “Global issues are too important to leave only to governments,” moderator Bonian Golmohammadi, Secretary-General of the World Federation of United Nations Association (WFUNA), stated as he introduced representatives from UNAs in Finland, Zimbabwe, Suriname and the Dominican Republic.
Jenni Kaupplia: UNA-Finland
While some UNA chapters focus on affecting policy change with their own governments, others are engaged with global partners to make these changes abroad. Such is the case of UNA-Finland, which, under the leadership of Jenni Kaupplia, works with the UNAs and community members in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. “As NGOs we don’t need to speak for communities, we just have to make sure they are listened to,” said Ms. Kaupplia. UNA-Finland and its partners also host participatory workshops aiming to raise local voices in frontline communities and training them on how to best advocate to their governments. Some of UNA-Finland’s other advocacy work involves conservationism and combating against pollution.
Mcleo Mapfumo: UNA-Zimbabwe Youth President
Hailing from a country that is hostile to civic engagement, 22-year-old Mcleo Mapfumo (who claims he may be the youngest presenter at the conference) is up for the challenge. As the Youth President of UNA-Zimbabwe, Mr. Mapfumo is tasked with creating foundations for civic engagement and education around the post-2015 agenda where they have never before existed. Mr. Mapfumo and UNA-Zimbabwe have made efforts to affect change from the bottom up, with grassroots education efforts at six universities in Zimbabwe. Mr. Mapfumo looks toward the future of Zimbabwe in creating long-term growth based on education about the SDGs: “Most people in my country’s government are 70 years or above. If I can’t contribute to the state of my future, then who will?”
Roy Bhikarie, Vice Chair UNA-Suriname
Roy Bhikarie, Vice-Chair of UNA-Suriname, works with his organization to fight for decent work throughout his country and the rest of the Caribbean. According to Dr. Bhikarie, “Decent forms of employment should be a part of every development policy…..without decent work, human rights cannot be fully internalized and practiced as intended.” UNA-Suriname makes the case that it is a responsibility of governments to assure that there are opportunities for decent working conditions, and the responsibility of private companies to provide living wages and ample opportunities for their employees.
Emil Chireno: UNA-Dominican Republic, Executive Director
In the Dominican Republic, UNA-DR affects policy both through direct collaboration and through engaging youth leaders across the country. “It is with youth that we will in the future be able to make real change” said Emil Chireno, UNA-DR’s Executive Director. With the largest Model United Nations conferences in Central America and the Caribbean, UNA-DR leads youth through simulations of global policymaking, guiding them to become future world leaders. UNA-DR also works directly with government and policy-makers, identifying key actors, building alliances in both public and private sectors (including schools, universities, businesses, and government agencies), and staying involved with the post-2015 agenda process.
