UNIC activities during 2005

Introducing UNIC and UNESCO to Teachers

A group of 25 teachers from the Secondary School Educational Research Group of District One of Tehran visited UNIC-Tehran on 18 December 2005. UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed them on UNIC-Tehran’s activities and services and then UNESCO Programme Officer Dr. Gholam Reza Samarbakhsh elaborated on UNESCO’s activities in Iran. The progamme was continued by a Q&A session.

International Day of Disabled Persons

NIO Moghadam delivered SG’s message for more than 1000 disabled persons and their relatives during a ceremony organized by the Welfare Department to mark International Day of Disabled Person at Haft-e-Tir Gymnasium on 3 December 2005.

On the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons, UNIC-Reference Assistant Ms. Nazanin Ghaemmaghami delivered UN Secretary-General’s message on International Day of Disabled Persons for some 250 participants at a ceremony marking the International Day of Disabled Persons, organized by Supreme Council of Disabled and Older Persons at Vahdat Hall on 12 December 2005.

Participation in Public Relations Exhibition

As the lead agency for the UN External Relations Team, UNIC Reference Assistant managed UN country team’s participation in the First Public Relations Exhibition in Tehran held at Tehran International Trade Fair Ground from 26 to 29 November 2005. A large number of UN information materials in Persian were distributed among visitors of the exhibition

Graduate students visit UNIC-Tehran

  Some 16 graduate students from faculty of law and political science of Tehran University along with their professor Dr. Nasrin Mosafa visited UNIC-Tehran on 20 November 2005. UNIC-Director Sunil Narula briefed them on UN World Summit outcome and then answered their questions. UNIC-NIO Moghadam elaborated on UNIC-activities and services followed by the UNIC-Reference Assistant Ms. Ghaemmaghami who spoke about UNIC’s Reference Library and its services.

UN 60th Anniversary in Iran

UN Premises

To mark the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations, UNIC-Tehran, as the lead agency of the External Relations Theme Group, organized a joint press conference addressed by UN heads of agencies and programmes in Iran on Sunday 23 October 2005. The Resident Coordinastor a.i. and WHO Representative Dr. Mubashar Sheikh briefed the media about the work of the UN in Iran in the last one year and the UN reform process, before taking questions from the media. Nearly 50 local and foreign journalists from print and broadcast media attended the press conference. Representatives of WHO, UNIC, UNFPA, UNESCO, UNODC, UNIDO, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and IOM jointly addressed the press conference. The event proved very successful as it gave journalists the chance to meet all the agency representatives at the same time and the same place. Another highlight of the event was an exhibition of historical photographs taken from UNIC’s archives, which was opened at the UN conference hall. About 30 photographs, depicting the early days of UN and its activities worldwide as well as Iran-UN relations were put on display for visitors effective 23 October 2005. This was followed by an Iftar reception in which government officials, diplomats, NGO/CSO representatives and journalists participated.

Iranian Parliament (Majlis)

On the occasion of UN Day and UN’s 60th anniversary, UNIC-Tehran as the lead agency in the UN External Relations Team, with the cooperation of the Majlis library, for the first time ever held a United Nations MDG poster exhibition in the Iranian Majlis (Parliament). Some 50 MDG posters, from different UN agencies, were put on display from 16 October to 1 November 2005. Copies of MDG information material, including flyers and brochures in Persian were also given to MPs. During a visit to the exhibition UNIC-director Sunil Narula met and conferred with the Director of the Library, Museum and Document Centre of Majlis Mr. Mohammad Ali Ahmadi Abhari. He also met a member of Majlis Presiding Board Mr. Mohsen Kouhkan and MP Ms. Elham Aminzadeh.  

Centre for Graduate International Studies

UNIC Director Sunil Narula delivered a speech on Security Council reform and then read   SG’s UN Day 2005 message at a conference on ‘Reform in the UN Security Council’, marking the 60th UN Anniversary at Tehran University’s Centre for Graduate International Studies on 31 October 2005. Other speakers at the conference were university professors Dr. Davood Hermidas Bavand and Dr. Amir Hossein Ranjbarian  and Advisor to Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mr. Kourosh Ahmadi, who discussed the issue of UNSC reforms and its difficulties.

Iranian Association of Women’s Studies

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, the Iranian Association of Women’s Studies organised a round table discussion on “The United Nations and the Status of Women” on 1 November 2005. The participants in the discussion were Director of the Association and Tehran University Professor Dr. Nasrin Mossafa, United Nations Development Programme  (UNDP) Assistant Resident Representative Ms. Farideh Anisi and UNIC-Tehran’s Reference Assistant Ms. Nazanin Ghaemmaghami-Farahani. The UN Secretary-General’s message on UN Day was shown at the beginning of the progamme. Ms. Ghaemmaghmi spoke about “Gender equality and the status of women in the United Nations” and introduced relevant information material available in UNIC library on this issue. After a question and answer session, a video entitled “Thirty years of UN efforts to promote gender equality” was also shown to the participants.      

MDG Poster Exhibition

On the occasion of UN’s 60th anniversary, UNIC-Tehran as the lead agency for the UN External Relations Team in cooperation with the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization (CAO.IRI) held an MDG Poster Exhibition at Mehrabad International Airport, Kish Airport and the permanent CAO.IRI Air Exhibition Ground in Tehran, which began on 29 August 2005. All UN agencies in Iran contributed to this poster exhibition, which was seen by a large number of people using these three locations. The poster exhibition was made possible with the cooperation of CAO.IRI’s Manager of Public Relations Mr. Reza Jafarzadeh.

Post-World Summit Advocacy

UNIC-Director Sunil Narula briefed more than 80 academics and students at Mofid University in Qom on the outcome of the World Summit and then discussed the issue of human rights in the context of UN reforms on 4 October 2005. The programme ended with a Q and A session. UNIC NIO Moghadam translated for him.

UN Orientation Course at SIR

As the leading agency in the External Relations Team and in cooperation with Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ School of International Relations (SIR), UNIC and the Resident Coordinator’s Office jointly organized a UN orientation course for some 50 participants at SIR. The course started on 3 October and will end on 16 November 2005. In addition to UNIC and the RC's Office, the following UN programmes and funds will participate in the course: FAO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNODC, WFP, WHO, UNAIDS and IOM. The course was inaugurated by the SIR’s Education and Research Deputy Chancellor Dr. Seyyed Allaeddin Vahid Gharavi and UNIC-Director Sunil Narula followed by the UNIC Director’s presentation about the World Summit and the outcome document. After that NIO Moghadam talked about UNIC, its history and services and Reference Assistant Ms. Ghaemmaghami briefed the participants on UNIC's Library. It ended with a Q&A session. Reading materials in Persian on UNIC, reference library and Summit Outcome Document as well folders containing MDG information material, Basic Facts and Image and Reality were distributed to the participants.

MDG poster exhibition in Youth Cultural Centre

On behalf of the UN External Relations Team, UNIC organized the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Poster Exhibition at the Youth Cultural Centre in eastern Tehran. About 50 posters on the eight MDGs from different UN funds and programmes were on display at the cultural center’s art gallery from 2 to 12 October 2005.

Lecture on UN Reform and Human Rights

On Tuesday 27 September 2005, UNIC-Director Sunil Narula delivered a speech on the issue of human rights and UN reform for some 20 intellectuals, lawyers and senior government officials including former ambassador of Iran to the UN Mr. Khorram, member of Experts Council and member of Human Rights’ Supreme Council Ayatollah Hashemzadeh Harisi, Professor Nasrin Mossaffa and Dr. Ardalan. The meeting was organized by the Islamic Human Rights Commission.

International Day of Peace Ceremony and peace photo exhibition

Tehran University’s Centre for Graduate International Studies and UNIC-Tehran jointly organized a ceremony on the occasion of the International Day of Peace on 19 September 2005. During the ceremony, UNIC-Director Sunil Narula delivered the SG’s message on the International Day of Peace. ِِِDr. Djamchid Momtaz, Tehran University professor and Chairman of the United Nations International Law Commission delivered a speech. Also, UNIC-Tehran held a photo exhibition on peace. A peace tent was set up there in which a white dove, representing peace, was also displayed.

Promoting ILF

  In cooperation with Iranian Civil Society Organizations Resource Centre (ISCORS) and as part of UNIC-Tehran’s efforts to promote World Summit, UN reform and SG’s ILF Report, UNIC-Director Sunil Narula briefed some 80 members of NGOs, journalists, intellectuals, university students and professor from the Fars Province in the city of Shiraz at Provincial Government Building on 6 September 2005. After his power-point presentation on ILF, UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed the participants on UNIC and its activities and services for the Iranian people. The 3 hours porgramme was ended with a Q & A session. Persian version of UN Charter, UDHR, MDG flyer, and ILF were distributed among the participants

Promoting ILF

On 30 August 2005, UNIC Director Sunil Narula briefed some 80 NGO members, intellectuals, journalists, university professors and students from the West Azarbaijan Province in the provincial capital of Urumieh who gathered at the Youth House of Urumieh on ILF and UN Reform. After his presentation, UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed the participants on UNIC and its activities. The programme ended with a Q & A session. Persian versions of UN Charter, UDHR, MDG flyer, and ILF were distributed to the participants. The programme was organized jointly with Iranian Civil Society Organizations Resource Centre (ISCORS).

Promoting ILF

As part of a joint programme between Iranian Civil Society Resource Centre (ICSRC) and UNIC-Tehran, the Centre’s Director Sunil Narula briefed some 100 NGO representatives, journalists, academics and students from Khuzestan Province at Shahid Chamran University’s auditorium in Ahwaz on UN Reform and Secretary-General’s report “In Larger Freedom” on 24 August 2005. After his presentation, UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed the participants on UNIC and its activities and services. The programme ended with a Q & A session.

Promoting ILF

As part of a joint programme between Iranian Civil Society Organizations Resource Centre (ICSORC) and UNIC-Tehran, the Centre’s Director Sunil Narula briefed over 100 NGO members, local government officials, journalists, academics and students from the Isfahan province at the Isfahan City’s Central Library Hall on and Secretary-General’s “In Larger Freedom” report, UN reforms and structure and history of the UN on Thursday 18 August 2005. After his presentation, UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed the participants on UNIC and its activities and services. The programme concluded with a lengthy Q & A session.

Promoting ILF

As part of UNIC-Tehran’s efforts to promote UN Secretary-General’s “In Larger Freedom” report as well as UN Reform and in cooperation with the Iranian Civil Society Organizations Resource Centre (ICSORC), UNIC Director Sunil Narula briefed senior staff and members of 15 NGOs active in the Bushehr Province (southern Iran) on the UN NGO relations and then UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed them on UNIC activities and services on Monday 15 August, 2005. The meeting was followed by a Q & A session. Later in the afternoon, UNIC Director Sunil Narula addressed a press conference attended by the local print and broadcast media on the issue of the Secretary-General’s report ‘In Larger Freedom’ and the UN reforms process.
On 16 August, Mr. Narula briefed about 150 people representing the civil society, local government officials, intellectuals, university professors and students from the Bushehr province who gathered in Borazjan (60 km north of Bushehr) on ILF and UN reforms on. He also answered the participants’ questions.

Promoting ILF and UN Reforms

As part of our effort to promote UN reforms, in general, and Secretary-General’s report ‘In Larger Freedom’ (ILF),in particular, in cooperation with the Iranian Civil Society Organizations Resource Centre (ICSORC), UNIC-Director Sunil Narula briefed about 120 people, including members of civil society,local government officials and media from the Golestan Province in the city of Gorgan on 11 August 2005. Before his presentation on ILF, UNIC NIO Moghadam briefed the participants on UNIC and its activities. The programme lasted over three hours and ended with a Q & A session.

Programme of student visits to UNIC-Tehran continues

Effective 25 October 2004, as part of the UN Day celebrations on 24 October, UNIC-Tehran and UN Association of Iran started a programme of receiving groups of students from middle and high schools in Tehran regularly every Monday. The UNIC Director, the National Information Officer and the Reference Assistant brief them on the UN history and structure and description of the major organs and agencies of the UN. This is followed by a film on the UN and a question and answer session. In addition to the Farsi version of UN publications such as the Millennium Development Goals, Image and Reality and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are given to the students. Other schools interested in participating in this programme are welcome to contact UNIC-Tehran.

Shams High School

12 December 2005

22 Bahman Middle School

05 December 2005

Rahe Roshd High School

21 November 2005

Shohada'ye Motalefeh Islami High School

16 November 2005

Maryam High School

07 November 2005

Niayesh High School

31 October 2005

Sama' 2 Middle School

18 April 2005

Rezvan High School

11 April 2005

Chamran Middle School

14 March 2005

Hajar Middle School

7 March 2005

Zeinab Middle School

21 February 2005

Mostafa Khomeini Middle School

7 February 2005

Press conference by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing

UNIC-Tehran organized a press conference for the visiting United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing Mr. Miloon Kothari at UN Conference Hall on 30 July 2005 in which local and international journalists participated.

Briefing session for ‘Asia’ daily journalists

A group of 15 journalists from popular daily ‘Asia’ visited UNIC Tehran on Sunday 24 July 2005. UNIC-Director Sunil Narula briefed them on the UN reform process and the Secretary-General’s report ‘In Larger Freedom: Towards development, security and human rights for all’ and answered their questions on the issue. Also UNIC-NIO Moghadam and Reference Assistant Ms. Ghaemmaghami briefed them on UNIC-Tehran’s activities and library services, respectively. The programme concluded with a Q&A session.

International Conference on United Nations Reform

The Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with UINC-Tehran organized the “International Conference on UN Reform”. Senior diplomats, scholars and academics from Iran and across the world participated in the conference held at the IPIS premises on 17 and 18 July 2005. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Kamal Kharrazi inaugurated the conference, which was followed by a message from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, read by his Director of Communications Mr. Edward Mortimer.

Briefing session for high school pupils

UNIC National Information Officer Moghadam delivered a lecture on the UN, its structure and objectives for some 80 selected high school pupils from across Iran at Manzarieh Camp on 12 July 2005. He also briefed them on UNIC activities and services as well as MDGs and ILF. He then answered the students’ questions.

Roundtable discussion on air pollution in Tehran

UNIC invited journalists to participate in the roundtable discussion on air pollution in Tehran at UN Conference Hall on Wednesday 8 June. The roundtable discussion was organized jointly with UNDP on the occasion of World Environment Day 2005. Government officials, NGO members, university professors and UNDP experts attended the meeting.

International Year of Sport and Physical Education

UNIC-Director Sunil Narula delivered a speech at a ceremony marking the International Year of Sport and Physical Education and also celebrating Iranian athletes’ efforts for development and peace at Kerman Khodro Club on 24 May 2005. During the ceremony Mr. Hadi Saei, world and Olympic Tae kwan do champion was felicitated. A large number MDG flyers and brochures in Farsi were distributed among the participants.

Briefing Session for graduate students

Fourteen graduate students of urban management from Islamic Azad University and professor Dr. Zakerian visited UNIC-Tehran on Monday 23 May 2005. NIO Moghadam briefed them on UNIC-Tehran’s services and activities. Reference Assistant Ms. Ghaemamghami briefed the students on library service, especially UN Habitat publications and documents.

18th Tehran International Book Fair/12th Press Festival

The UN system in the Islamic Republic of Iran including UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, FAO, WFP and WHO, with UNIC coordinating as the chair of UN External Relations Team, participated in the 12th Press Festival which was held from 4 to 14 May 2005 along with the 18th Tehran International Book Fair. IOM also had sent some of its publications. President Mohammad Khatami inaugurated both the Book Fair and the Press Festival on 4 May 2005. In the Press Festival all important Iranian news agencies, Farsi and English newspapers and periodicals were present. A large number of people visited the UN booth and showed interest in UN’s publications. A huge amount of UN information materials in Farsi and English from all UN agencies in Iran were distributed among the visitors.

Teachers visit UNIC_Tehran

On Thursday 12 May, UNIC-National Information Officer Moghadam and Reference Assistant Ms. Ghaemamghami briefed a group of 20 teachers, representing the Social Group of Tehran’s district 14 of the Ministry of Education on the UNIC’s activities and library services in Iran. Earlier, UNDP Programme Officer Mr. Ahmad Salari briefed them on UN’s good governance and human rights activities in Iran and around the world.

UN Security Council Model

On Monday, May 2, 2005, the first Model United Nations Security Council Session took place at the Center for Graduate International Studies (CGIS) in the College of Law and Political Science at Tehran University as part of this year’s programs to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations as well as the 40th anniversary of CGIS. Twenty undergraduate and graduate students representing the current 15 Security Council members discussed and debated The United Nations and Peacebuilding and The Crisis in Sudan. The day was opened by Dr. Nasrin Mosaffa, Director of the Center for Graduate International Studies, and Mr. Sunil Narula, Director of the United Nations Information Center in Tehran. Special guests included Mr. Parviz Mohajer and Mr. Hamid Nazari who served as judges and Mr. Andres Bjorn Hansen, First Secretary of the Danish Embassy in Iran, who concluded the day’s events. Mr. Hansen presented prizes to a number of the delegates on occasion of Denmark’s seat of the Security Council Presidency during the month of May. Dr. Mosaffa and Mr. Narula presented certificates of participation to all of the delegates.

Press conference for Deputy Director of OCHA

UNIC-Tehran organized a press conference for visiting Deputy Director General of Office of Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Mr. Rashid Khalikov at UN conference room on Wednesday 20 April 2005.

FIRST MDG ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION HELD

The Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNDP and UNIC-Tehran organized a discussion on the first MDG, poverty and hunger eradication, in which economists, government officials from Management and Planning Organization (MPO) and journalists participated. The discussion was organized at the UNDP Conference Room at the UN Common Premises in Tehran on 14 March 2005. Those who participated in it were: Prof. Mehdi Taghavi, Prof Jamshid Pajouyan, Dr Parviz Piran, Dr.Ebrahim Razzaghi, Dr Fariborz Raies Dana, Mr Sheybani and Mr Moaven Razavi. Yesterday’s event kicked of a series of discussions, one every month, in which each MDG will be dealt with separately.

International Women’s Day Commemorated

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2005, an NGO “Iranian Association of Women’s Studies” held a one-day workshop on Women’s Role in Food Security, conducted by Dr. Parto Teherani-Kronner from Humboldt University of Berlin and Director General of Nutrition Improvement Office of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education Dr. Robabeh Sheikholeslam at the Tehran University Club. UNIC-Director Sunil Narula opened the workshop with a speech and read the Secretary-General’sessage on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. About 50 NGO representatives and university students participated in the workshop.

Inauguration of a women’s library on the occasion of International Women’s Day

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2005, an NGO called Women’s Cultural Centre opened its specialized library in the presence of 120 women, university professors and students. UNIC-Reference Assistant Ms. Nazanin Ghaemmaghami-Farahani delivered SG’s message on IWD 2005 for the participants and presented some UN posters and publications to the library.

INCB 2005 Report Launched

UNIC Tehran organized a press conference for UN Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) Representative Roberto Arbitrio on the occasion of the launch of the Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) at the UN Building in Tehran on Wednesday 2 March.

Press Conference

UNIC-Tehran organized a press conference for the visiting UN Commission on Human Rights’ Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Ms. Yakin Erturk, at UN Common Premises on Sunday 6 February 2005.

Youth NGO from Ardebil visits UNIC-Tehran

About 25 members of a youth NGO from Ardebil Province (Northwestern Iran) called “Society of Youth Path” visited UNIC-Tehran on 30 January 2005. During the visit UNIC Director Sunil Narula spoke to them about the UN’s history, structure and its main organs as well as UN activities in Iran. NIO Mohammad Mogahdam briefed the participants on UN-NGO relations and the Reference Assistant Ms. Nazanin Ghaemamghami talked about UNIC, its library and its activities. UN information materials such “Image and Reality”, the MDG flyer and brochure were given to the visitors.

UNIC, UNA Hold workshop on the report of
“High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change”

The Iranian Association of UN Studies and UNIC-Tehran jointly organised a workshop to discuss the report of the ‘High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change’ at the Tehran University Club on 26 January 2005. Academics, students and government officials attended the workshop. The workshop began with Tehran University’s Professor Nasrin Mosafa’s remarks, followed by a speech by UINC-Director Sunil Narula. Then Dr. Djamchid Momtaz, professor of international law at Tehran University and a member of the International Law Commission briefed the participants on some aspects of the report.

 Five working groups discussed different subjects in the report: -Weapons of mass destruction and terrorism chaired by Dr. Bahram Mostaghimi; -The new role of peacekeeping operations, chaired by Ms. Tina Freidouni; -Collective security and use of force, chaired by Dr. Homayoun Habibi; -Preventing armed conflicts, chaired by Dr. Amir Hossein Ranjbaran; -The United Nations in the 21st Century, chaired by Sefattollah Taheri Shemirani (Senior diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

 At the end of the programme, the chairmen and the chairwoman of each working group submitted their report. The meeting was wrapped up with the concluding remarks of Dr. Momtaz.

Teachers visit UNIC-Tehran

Twelve teachers from district 14 of the Ministry of Education visited UNIC-Tehran on 24 January 2005. Two UNFPA programme officers first briefed them on UNFPA’s work and its mandate in Iran. Then UNIC’s National Information Officer briefed the participants about the UN structure and UNIC’s activities and library services in Iran.

UN Participates in the Fair for Children and Youth

The UN System in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including UNIC, FAO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNODC, WFP and WHO participated in a fair for children and youth which was held from 19 to 22 January 2005 in the Creation Centre for Intellectual Growth and Development of Children and Young Adults. UNIC coordinated the UN booth, which displayed and distributed a lot of publications and posters free to the visitors.

INT’L YEAR OF MICRO-CERDIT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

The year 2005 has been declared as the Year of Micro-Credit. UNIC, UNDP and the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Tehran organized an experts’ roundtable discussion to evaluate and advocate micro-credit as a major tool for eradicating extreme poverty. Economic experts, a number of NGO representatives and electronic and print media reporters, attended the two-hour roundtable discussion on Wednesday 19 January 2005 and shared their ideas, concerns and questions on the issue. Iranian TV Channel 4 covered the entire meeting, which will be broadcast in the near future.

Press conference on Iraqi elections

On the occasion of upcoming Iraqi elections for Iraqis living in Iran, UNIC-Tehran organized a press conference for Chief of International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Islamic Republic of Iran Mr. Shahidul Haque, Head of Country Office for Iraq Out of Country Voting (OCV) Ms. Kate Pryce and Senior Iraqi Advisor Mr. Haytham Al-Shaykh on Tuesday 11 January 2005 at the UN Building in Tehran.

Teachers visit UNIC

Ten teachers from Tehran’s educational district III visited UNIC-Tehran on 5 January 2005. UNIC-Director Sunil Narula briefed them about the UN, its major organs, UN’s role in development and humanitarian work worldwide, followed by a question and answer session. A video film ‘Year in Review 2004’ was also shown to them. National Information Officer Mohammad Rajai-Moghadam acted as the translator and also briefed the visitors on UNIC-Tehran’s activities and services.