he United Nations is looking for highly qualified candidates who are ready to launch a professional career as an international civil servant. The young professionals programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative that brings new talent to the United Nations through an annual entrance examination. For young, high-calibre professionals across the globe, the examination is a platform for launching a career at the United Nations. This programme builds upon the national competitive recruitment examination (NCRE) which was held for the last time in 2010.
Twitter highlights from a high-level event on education organized by UNESCO and the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations in support of the Global Education First Initiative (www.globaleducationfirst.org).
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Dean Pittman and Director of Public Affairs and Outreach Mark Schlachter spoke to a group of graduate and advanced undergraduate students about US Multilateral Engagement this morning. The students visited the Department as a part of the Humpty Dumpty Institute’s Summer Intensive Session at the United Nations.
On June 2, 2013 State Department Foreign Affairs Officer Wesley J. Reisser participated in a discussion with UNA-USA Human Rights Fellow Ryan Kaminski on ‘Human Rights at the UN, with a Focus on the UN Human Rights Council’:
“U.S. membership in the UN Human Rights Council has been fundamental in changing that institution for the better, whether it be in the HRC’s addressing the situations in Syria, Iran, Belarus, and elsewhere, ending the defamation of religions discussion, or promoting LGBT rights, the active participation of the U.S., and the strong support we have had from American civil society in our reengagement, has made it a more relevant and important institution.”
- Wesley Reisser, US Dept of State
The United States and 32 other countries sponsored the following statement at HRC 23 under Item 8. The Statement was read by Norway.
"The United States greatly values the work of human rights defenders around the world. In doing their work, these individuals, their families, and those who support their efforts, including many lawyers and legal professionals, often face serious risks and dangerous situations that include threats, attacks, violence, harassment, and acts of intimidation. It is the obligation of governments to protect the rights of human rights defenders and to prevent retribution against them for their work."
![“Our conviction that freedom of expression and access to information promotes development in all spheres of society stands firm. With the remarkable spread, use and potential of modern communication technologies, the importance of this link cannot be overestimated. Internet, social media, and mobile phone technology have played, and should continue to play, a crucial role as instruments for participation, transparency and engagement in socio-economic, cultural and political development.” -Cross Regional Statement on Freedom of Expression on the Internet (June 10th)
[Photo Credit View of the Human Rights Council on May 29, 2013. U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/5e48eaa2c0063b3672d2e662c8cee232/tumblr_mo8b95Lq2G1r391tko1_250.jpg)
“Our conviction that freedom of expression and access to information promotes development in all spheres of society stands firm. With the remarkable spread, use and potential of modern communication technologies, the importance of this link cannot be overestimated. Internet, social media, and mobile phone technology have played, and should continue to play, a crucial role as instruments for participation, transparency and engagement in socio-economic, cultural and political development.” -Cross Regional Statement on Freedom of Expression on the Internet (June 10th)
[Photo Credit View of the Human Rights Council on May 29, 2013. U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers]
![Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer joins the Thank a UN Peacekeeper campaign. Learn how you can join too![State Dept Photo. June 2013]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/312edecafc9b32768cb33cd854f72dd4/tumblr_mo11oyw05r1r391tko1_250.jpg)
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer joins the Thank a UN Peacekeeper campaign. Learn how you can join too![State Dept Photo. June 2013]
U.S. Highlights Countries of Particular Concern on Human Rights
The United States remains deeply concerned about deplorable human rights situations, especially in Syria, Iran, the DPRK, and Sudan.We deplore these countries’ targeted attacks against civilians—including, in the case of Syria, the regime’s use of advanced weaponry against civilians. Also of concern are their restrictions on religious freedom, freedoms of expression and assembly, and persecution of human rights lawyers and activists and their families. We call on all countries to not forcibly return those seeking to escape human rights violations in DPRK. We also highlight these countries of concern:
- China
- Cuba
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- The Middle East
- Uzbekistan
- Turkmenistan
- Sri Lanka
"We underscore that women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights. To participate fully and contribute to their families and communities — economically, politically, and socially — women and girls must be able to live free from violence. The United States takes seriously its responsibility to take steps to eliminate violence against women and girls. We have taken a comprehensive approach to addressing violence against women and girls at home and abroad."
"The United States is gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Belarus, and the lack of progress made on many of the High Commissioner’s recommendations."
Defending Expression & Other Universal Freedoms
Deputy Assistant Secretary Paula Schriefer joined a panel discussion with T. Kumar of Amnesty International, Syrian Activist Dlshad Othman, and Sri Lankan Journalist and Activist J.S. Tissainayagam to discuss U.S. leadership at the UN Human Rights Council and Beyond. The Panel was hosted by the Better World Campaign and moderated by its Executive Director Peter Yeo.
DAS Schriefer said “However, while I will not deny the real challenges in prevailing on human rights issues at a venue on which these countries put strong political capital into ensuring they sit whenever possible, it is essential that the United States roll up its sleeves and prevail whenever we can. It is not enough for those of us who have the good fortune to wake up every day in a country or a region where our rights are generally respected to simply stand back and complain about the difficulty and frustration of working at the multi-lateral level. For human rights to truly be universal, we have a critical role to play in ensuring that the world’s only global human rights body does the job of advancing the realization of human rights in every part of our globe”.
UN Peacekeeping is a unique global partnership going to places where others can’t or won’t go, empowering war-torn countries to build a lasting peace. …Read More
