As I’ve mentioned before, my work over the passed 3 weeks has largely been in in the 3rd Committee of the General Assembly. The 3rd Committee focuses on the world’s social, humanitarian and cultural issues – which means everything from rights of the child, to focusing on indigenous issues.

The issues in the passed few weeks have largely focused on social development. More specifically issues regarding youth, women and children. I often feel a little bit disheartened for the poor old men, who always seem a little bit forgotten in forums such as these. No wonder we die earlier.

The 3rd Committee (like all other committees) works in two main ways. The first is what is called Formal Meetings, which sits most days between 10am - 1pm, and 3pm – 6pm. This is what you imagine the UN to be. The formal meetings are held in a big room, with semi-circled desks with very impressive country-name placards up in front of them.

In a loft area above the floor tables are 6 AFL coaches boxes (as I call them) each housing interpreters for the 6 official UN languages.

In another loft part adjacent to the boxes is a seating area for about 300 observers – whether they be official NGO observers or tourists.

It reminds me of a parliament room. Bear in mind that this is not the GA room – it’s just the 3rd Committee room. It’s pretty impressive.

In this 3rd Committee formal meeting room, countries read prepared statements out to the forum. Every speaker is seated, and speaks into the microphone planted in front of them. They speak on whatever topic happens to be on that day. Countries who want to speak (about 60 per topic) get 7 minutes to speak, whilst groups of countries like the EU (European Union) and G77 (Group of 77 Nations – Developing Countries) get 15 minutes.

Statements usually revolve around what is being done, for instance about the well-being of women, then what needs to be done, and finally what the job will entail. A statement given by New Zealand on the Advancement of Women, occurred on Thursday. This statement was made on behalf of Canada and Australia (CANZ grouping), as is often done. Their statement discussed the ‘Beijing Declaration Platform for Action on Women’, and that the UN member states need to focus more firmly on implementation of the Declaration’s goals.

The statement went on…. “All too many negotiations see us going over old ground. On many issues, the time for negotiation is over. Debate in some cases has become stale and repetitive, with no tangible benefits for women. We call on all States to consider whether initiatives add value to international debate before putting them forward for negotiation and to consider initiatives that promote implementation….”

This comment was not the norm, as it pretty much told it how it was. Too much talk, not enough action. In fact it’s pretty much as pointed as it gets in this forum. It was a very powerful statement, and was intended to send a strong message. It made me feel very proud.

Having said that, you can guarantee that in any formal meeting there will be one Member State that will give an even more pointed address at another member states. So far I have seen Cuba address the situation of their young people as a result of US trade embargo’s; Korea address the state of their women as a result of Japanese WWII “sexual slavery”; and Palestine address the state of their children as a result of “Isreali Occupation”. The country usually returns fire with a more pointed address.

The statements in these Formal Meetings are fascinating. They can leave you feeling a little despondent as each country rattles off stats about just how bad the situation of children, young people and women are in the world.

Yesterday, Norway started off a statement about the ‘rights of the child’ like this…… “In no country are children truly safe from violence. Physical and mental violence against children takes place in the home, in schools, in governmental institutions and in workplaces. Children are beaten, molested, tortured, sexually abused, held in slavery and trafficked….” Happy stuff!

But usually the statements end by leaving shimmers (a bit more than glimmers) of hope by stating what their country is doing to improve the situation, and more pointedly – that other countries should follow them.

To be honest, it can get a little repetitive, listening to so many statements. You learn so much about other countries, but listening to so many countries talk about how good they can get a little trying. This is what made New Zealand (and Australia and Canada’s) statement so impressive.

That’s one aspect of the 3rd committee’s work. I’ll regail you with the other aspect next post.