A short introduction
Welcome to the series of blog posts about the 47th
CPD in New York, that will take place between 7th and 11th
of April. Let me start by introducing the Dutch representation from Civil
Society. In the coming week, we will use this blog to keep you posted on the
latest developments concerning the negotiations, the side events they are
organizing and other developments worth sharing.
The Netherlands is well represented with six organizations
and their partners. These include RutgersWPF, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality,
dance4life, Simavi and STOP AIDS NOW!. Before departure to New York, we
prepared our common Dutch CSO position, which we shared and discussed with the
Dutch delegation. The Dutch delegation is headed by Lambert Grijns, our
ambassador for SRHR and hiv/aids, and includes a youth representative from
CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, Stefan Hennis as well as other greatly experienced delegates. A delegation to be proud of!
The start before the official
start…
As NGO representatives and government delegations are still
finding their way to New York, getting over their jetlag, the tone of this 20
year anniversary of the ICPD has already been set. On Thursday 3rd
and Friday 4th of April the so called informals started where all
regional blocks and/or individual countries provided their first oral input on
the Zero Draft of the outcome Resolution. The tone was set as conservative
blocks and countries disagreed with any discussion on ‘new language’, while
themselves proposing conservative alternatives. They seem not very pleased with
(some of) the outcomes of the Global Review of the ICPD agenda as well as the
recommendations by the Secretary General.
On the other hand, a number of countries from the Global
South including Brazil, South-Africa and the Philippines to name a
few have added great additions to the Draft Report. Also the Netherlands,
either in like-minded construction or within the EU block, has contributed to
strong inputs that can move the SRHR agenda forward. On Monday afternoon,
official negotiations will start and at the end of the week, on Friday the 11th
of April, we hope to have an outcome document that brings us a bit closer to
realizing SRHR for all.
Before we are getting there, we use this weekend to reach
out and strategize with likeminded organizations, young people and the
delegations representing the countries of our partner organizations. We have a
big task ahead, and we are ready for it! Keep you posted :)
Rineke van Dam, Public Affairs Officer SRHR at Simavi
Rineke van Dam, Public Affairs Officer SRHR at Simavi
Comments