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52^nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women: Financing for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Bahá'í delegates from 15 countries at the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Bahá'í delegates from 15 countries convened in New York from February 23 – March 7 for the 52^nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Among them was noted economist, Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claros, formerly of the World Economic Forum. Delegates came from Australia, Brazil, El Salvador, Slovakia, Japan, Malawi, Uganda and Switzerland and seven other countries. This year’s Session addressed “Financing for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women” marking the first time that the Commission focused specifically on resources for gender equality. Read BIC’s statement to the Commission. More...

Multi-country discussions on poverty and human rights

The Bahá'í International Community (BIC) launched multi-country consultations with local Bahá'í communities on the subject of poverty and human rights. The initiative stems from a Human Rights Council effort to draft a set of “Guiding Principles” to guide poverty eradication efforts and to strengthen the link between poverty alleviation and the promotion of human rights. Before adopting the Guiding Principles, the Council requested input from Member States, UN agencies and NGOs. Insights from Bahá'ís in Brazil, Guyana, Haiti, India, Namibia and Turkey formed the basis of the BIC’s comment on the Draft Guiding Principles (as submitted to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) and are reflected in our recently released statement on poverty.

Commission on Social Development: Youth Employment

Commission on Social Development side event

Mr. Neissan Besharati, development consultant representing the Bahá'í International Community, spoke about youth employment initiatives at the Interactive Discussion sponsored by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The event took place on Wednesday, February 6^th. Presentations were be made by representatives of Brazil’s Ministry of Work and Employment, the ILO and the Christian Children’s Fund.

Read the BIC’s statement to the Commission.