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Towards a UN IYA 2009 Resolution
Claus Madsen, ESO
The Background
The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006
The Background
The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006
The Background
The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006
The Background
The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006
The Background
The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006
The Background
The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006Planned submission to the UN, October 2006!!
Do we need a UN resolution?
– will ‘elevate’ the activities and increase their visibility– will mobilise resources
A UN endorsement is highly desirable, in particular to enable 3rd World Activities
A UN Resolution is a policy initiative and the process to secure it is a political process
So what happened?
– Reluctance among many industrialised (Western) nations regarding International Years
– The European Union CFSP (Presidency Coordination)– The Australian/Canadian Resolution (2006)– ‘Thumbs down’ from the US
How to obtain a Resolution?
Proposals for Resolutions are submitted to the UN GeneralAssembly through one of the Standing Committees
– The General Committee – The 2nd (The Economic and Financial Committee)– The 3rd (The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee– The 4th Committee (The Special Political and Decolonization Committee)
The proposal will be submitted to the 62th General Assembly by October 2007
Main Criteria
A subject proposed for an international year should be consistent withthe purposes and principles of the United Nations as stated in its Charter.
It should be of priority concern to all or the majority of countries andshould contribute to the development of international cooperation insolving global problems, in particular those affecting developingcountries.
It should involve action at the international and national levels and shouldbe expected to generate significant follow-up at both levels in the formof new activities or the strengthening of existing ones.
Each international year should have objectives that are likely to lead toidentifiable and practical results.
Engineering a Majority
– Secure as many ‘yes’ votes as possible– Enlist as many proposal co-sponsors as possible (and
key actors in the UN); Group 77– Avoid ‘no’ votes
The Good News!
2005
International Year of Physics
International Year of Microcredit
International Year of Sport and Physical Education
2006
International Heliophysical Year
International Year of Deserts and Desertification
2007
International Polar Year
The Good News!
2008
International Year of Sanitation (ECOSOC)
International Year of the Potato
International Year of Planet Earth
2009
International Year of Natural Fibres
International Year of Reconciliation
International Year of Astronomy (to be proposed)
The Good News!
2010
International Year of Biodiversity
2011
International Year of Forests (proposed to the 61st GA, not yet adopted)
2010
International Year of Biodiversity
2011
International Year of Forests (proposed to the 61st GA, not yet adopted)
The Lobbying Process
Science
Policy Level
National level
Science
Ministryof FA
Ministryof FA
Policy Level
MS UNmissionsMS UN
missions
UN level
Essentials
– Time (before October)– Resolution Leadership– Timing of individual actions– Engage the political system, but get to its heart– Stay on the case; the ‘ Piece of Cake Syndrome’– A collective effort which must be orchestrated
Country StatusAustralia Australia will probably not vote against a resolution proposalBrazil Brazil is ready to co-sponsor the resolutionCanada Negative decision cannot be ruled outChile Action pending (late March)Czech Republic Positive reaction. Possible co-sponsor?Denmark Positive reaction. Rejection of IYA resolution proposal unlikelyEgypt Will require follow upFrance Will require follow upGermany Will require follow upIraq Time permitting, follow up might be useful (Arab League)Italy The Italian initiative is pivotal for the project. Japan Japan is ready to co-sponsor the resolutionLuxembourg Reasons for optimism with rejection of IYA resolution proposal
unlikely
Country StatusNigeria Time permitting, follow up might be usefulPortugal Reasons for optimism but will require follow upRussian Fed. Positive reaction, but will require follow upSouth Africa Reasons for optimism with rejection of IYA resolution proposal
unlikely. Co-sponsor?Switzerland Reasons for optimism with rejection of IYA resolution proposal
unlikelyTunesia Will require follow up, their strong involvement in UNAWE
suggest potential as co-sponsorVenezuela Time permitting, follow up might be usefulUK Potentially difficult!USA Will require follow up. Negative decision cannot be ruled out
Country StatusAngola Time permitting, follow up might be usefulColumbia Time permitting, follow up might be usefulEU UN WG Promising….(CONUN)
And if we fail….Plan B!