Overview of UN and Commission on the Status of Women

Overview - Saturday, March 18 2017

Just a little over a week after arrival, I can safely say that I know how not to get lost going between events, manage not to starve between talks, and have little rituals of self care to practice when things get heavy. This is not to say that I don't get lost, I don't get hungry, and I don't get overwhelmed. So here's a little guide to what I've learned..

Organization of United Nations

The UN is organized into 6 principle organs (see above chart). UN Women is a joint entity of both the General Assembly (GA) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSCO). The UN Commission on the Status of Women is a "Functional Commission" under ECOSCO, along with other commissions such as Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Narcotic Drugs, Science and Technology for Development, etc. 

Organized Consultation Day (3/12) and Parallel Events

NGO CSW (Non-Governmental Organizations of the Commission on the Status of Women) is a part of CSW - NOT SURE HOW YET. For NGOs attending CSW, of which the Episcopal Church is technically one, there are daily briefings 8:30-9:30am each day of the week. These are live-streamed and cataloged HERE if you choose to see what those proceedings are like. They also offer parallel events throughout the 2 weeks of CSW. Any NGO can put on a parallel event, and these are about anything from Girls Sustainable Economic Growth to Indigenous Women's Rights to an all day Artisan's Fair. They take place outside of the UN building, usually in a church, college or cultural center building. They are open to anyone interested and typically require no particular ID or form of compensation. 

These differ from the side events which are put on by member states. Member states are the sovereign states recognized by the UN and given equal representation within the UN General Assembly. Side events typically take place within either the UN GA building, or the Secretariat, and are open to the individuals who can get into the building - more on that in a moment. The side events tend to be a bit more focused on one of this year's themes, and there are slightly less options for side events as compared to parallel events. As such, the rooms have tended to be a bit more packed.

The UN building itself feels like the end of a cul de sac comprised of 42nd-47th street in an "all roads lead to Rome" sort of way. The building on the left, made mostly of concrete, extends horizontally almost as far as its compliment on the right rises vertically. The Secretariat has events going on alongside the UN staff offices.

One must go through security to enter the UN building. Staff and ambassadors and other authorized personnel get a more lax entrance, while delegates (such as myself), members of NGOs, and certain members of authorized civil society have to go through metal detectors and the like.

Yoko Ono asked Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd  to make a piece to commemorate John Lennon after his death

Once through there, a concrete garden awaits. Growing in it are statues for peace and global solidarity, as well as a stunning view of New York's silhouette. People take pictures or walk briskly through the revolving doors and into the high-ceiling lobby. Light blue and greens, sculptures and patterns from clothing entice the eye. 

For CSW there are a few options. If you've come in for the 8:30am NGO CSW briefing, where the director of UN women facilitates an update dialogue between some key figures, you go to the main floor or the overflow room right near the lobby. Similar instructions for the plenary meetings, where each member state representative has an opportunity to discuss what the status of their region is in terms of this year's theme, women's economic empowerment. Side events are held in conference rooms in the back of the GA building, or various rooms throughout the 2 buildings. There are a few cafes with decent food, computers for public (well, public being whoever is authorized to be in the GA building to begin with), and a delegates lounge that overlooks the river and U Thant Island.

I've been able to attend a number of powerful talks, as well as have some great conversations with my fellow delegates about their leanings and experiences. Another post about the issues coming soon.