Two of SI\u2019s UN Representatives in Geneva, Sabine Kinzer and Sina Stiffler, decided it was time to get Swiss Soroptimists inside the UN buildings, so they could see what it is all about.\u00a0 Sina writes this blog for SI about the visit.<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe UN\u2019s second biggest centre is found in Geneva, a comparably small city in western Switzerland.\u00a0 For security reasons the UN in Geneva can only be visited by guided tours.\u00a0 This makes it difficult for many people to visit the UN site, including Swiss people who live nearby.<\/p>\n
The UN is located in the middle of the beautiful Ariana Park which overlooks lake Geneva, and on a clear day you can even see the highest mountain of Europe, Mont Blanc.\u00a0 The Ariana Park was bequeathed to the City of Geneva by Gustave de Revilliod de la Rive on three conditions, one of which is that peacocks should be freely allowed to rome the grounds of the park, and they still do to this day!<\/p>\n
We were shown around by very knowledgable guides and were divided into three groups \u2013 two for Geman speakers, and one for French speakers.
\nThe question came up why Geneva became the second biggest UN centre in the world.\u00a0 It all started when a Geneva businessman, Henry Dunant, travelled in Northern Italy in 1859.\u00a0 By coincidence he witnessed the battle of Solferino which is renownd for the suffering of 40,000 wounded soldiers, whom due to lack of facilities, were left on the battle field.\u00a0 Dunant was moved into action.\u00a0 Consequently he published his famous book , \u201cMemories of Solferino\u201d, which in turn led to the foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.\u00a0 The Red Cross continues to ensure protection and assistance for victims of armed conflicts and strife to this day and its international headquarters remain in Geneva.
\nLater, on the 22 August 1864 several European states met in Geneva and signed the first Geneva Convention. The first Geneva Convention defined the \u201crules of international law for the protection of vicitms of armed conflict\u201d, and is inextricably linked to the International Committee of the Red Cross.\u00a0 Already Geneva was establishing itself as a place for global leaders to meet and agree on international principles and action.
\nAfter First World War the League of Nations was founded in Geneva to provide a forum for resolving international disputes. It was then a natural step for the UN to set up a Centre in Geneva.\u00a0 The buildings that were onced used by the Leauge of Nations with their high corridors and magnificent views are still used to this day.\u00a0 The buildings are also now home to\u00a0 many sculptures and pictures relating to human rights that were given to UN by member countries as presents.<\/p>\n
All the Soroptimists were taken into one hall and were informed on how the big conferences are organized: 193 UN member countries sit in alphabetical order in international conferences including sessions of the ILO (International Labour Organization), and the WHO (World Health Organisation).\u00a0 SI UN Reps, as NGO representatives, get to sit in the back rows.<\/p>\n
The guides took us to the new buildings with several huge round halls where big conferences can take place simultaneously.\u00a0 CEDAW and the Universal Periodic Review (the Human Rights Council\u2019s review instrument) meet in these buildings.\u00a0 The official languages of the UN are English, French, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish and Russian.\u00a0 Meetings are translated \u2018live\u2019 and you can listen to the proceedings in the language that is best for you through a special earpiece.<\/p>\n
Through being an SI UN Representative I have been privileged to see the workings of the UN from the inside.\u00a0 Thinking about everything that has happened in history in these buildings can be quite humbling.\u00a0 The signing important declarations, negoatiating peace agreements and the creation of new international organisations have all happened here.\u00a0 All of us on the tour had a wonderful time, and it is was fascinating seeing the UN through the eyes of a visitor.<\/p>\n
Sina Stiffler<\/p>\n<\/div>
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