|
DPI/NGO Relations in cooperation with the
NGO/DPI Executive Committee invites you to a
Communications Workshop
on
Volunteerism at the Crossroads in a Changing
World
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Morning Panel Discussion: 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
Afternoon Session: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00
p.m.
in Conference Room 2
Background Information:
Volunteerism is the willingness to work on behalf of others
without being motivated by financial or material gain. Though the
word ‘volunteer’ has changed and evolved over time from
simply meaning someone who works without pay to a more nuanced meaning,
since many volunteers who work overseas for example do receive pay,
albeit at local levels, the intent of helping others remains at
the core of most organizations and individuals that volunteer. Most
of the NGOs associated with the Department of Public Information
are volunteers, many have been doing this work for many years and
as they look to the future, particularly in a world that is rapidly
changing, they begin to question whether their efforts are sustainable
At the same time, by many accounts, the interest and participation
in public service, volunteerism, and social entrepreneurship among
youth, from middle-schoolers to graduates with advanced degrees,
- has risen dramatically over the last decade. The benefits of volunteerism
are abundant and include self-satisfaction, self-sacrifice, the
potential for learning, the acquisition of new skills, career opportunities,
socialization, and community improvement. This week’s briefing
focuses on the value and significance of volunteerism and most importantly
how to get the message out to others. We are fortunate to have a
diverse and experienced group of speakers with whom to explore this
topic.
Morning Panel Discussion
Moderator:
Gail Bindley-Taylor Sainte, Information Officer,
NGO Relations, Department of Public Information
Speakers:
Gillian Sorensen, Senior Advisor & National
Advocate for the UN Foundation and Former Assistant Secretary General
at the United Nations
Bruce Knotts, Executive Director, Unitarian Universalist
United Nations Office
Leslie Wright, President, Metro Chapter, US Committee
for UNIFEM
Jenny Han, Outstanding Volunteer and Student
Question and Answer Session:
Representatives of NGOs are encouraged to participate during the
Question and Answer segment which will follow after the panel.
Open Forum: “Volunteerism at the Crossroads: Taking
Stock, and Moving Forward”
2:00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Conference Room 2
Facilitators:
Doris Schapira, UN Observer and Representative
for League of Women Voters
Judy Lear, NGO Representative
BREAK: 3.30p.m.-3.45 p.m.
Open Forum: “Volunteerism at the Crossroads: Communication
and Feedback
Janet Wieser, Chief, Evaluation and Communications
Research Unit, Department of Public Information
Attention all participants in the afternoon session of the communications
workshop:
All participants interested in attending the afternoon session
of the communications workshop from 2.00p.m.-5.00p.m. must
rsvp by calling 212-963-7233 or 212-963-7234 or email Hu2@un.org
or Gillet@un.org by cob Tuesday 24 February 2009. If your name is
not on the list for the afternoon session you will not be admitted.
Preview of next week’s briefing:
We will not hold a Briefing on 5 March instead we invite you to
attend the UN Headquarters celebration to mark International Women’s
Day. The observance will be held in Conference Room 2 under the
theme: “Women and Men United to End Violence against Women
and Girls.” We will send you details on the programme next
Monday 23 February to allow those interested in attending to sign
up.
The Briefing for 12 March 2009 will focus on the issue of “Sports
for Development” and will be held in the Dag Hammarskjöld
Library Auditorium from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
|
