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| UN meeting with Shanghai students of journalism and communications |
Journalism and communications students from Shanghai Universities met with United Nations’ Directors of Communication at the UN Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The meeting was led by Communications Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka and moderated by Peter Zhang, Editor-in- Chief of the Shanghai Daily.
Several UN agencies presented their work to improve peace and security, human rights, health and economy around the world. UNICEF highlighted achievements made to reduce measles, malaria and other childhood diseases through vaccination, education, breastfeeding and water and sanitation programmes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlighted their role in preventing nuclear proliferation, sharing nuclear technology for many interesting applications such as the treatment of cancer, medical diagnosis and sanitization; and ensuring that nuclear energy is used in a safe and secure manner
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), active in over 160 countries highlighted their work to build real sustainable change, assist in democratic processes, and promote green development - in China for instance, the agency has supported efforts to foster adoption of energy efficient light bulbs. The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) described its role in developing a Global Code of Ethics for tourism and explained how responsible, sustainable tourism can help build mutual understanding and improve the economy and generate trillions of dollars in exports.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) focused on its recent World Environment Day in Rwanda on gorilla conservation, biodiversity conservation and new technology for more sustainable buildings; and the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) underscored the need to change social norms to improve maternal health and improve the standing of women in society. UNHCR used the recent example of problems in Kyrgystan to illustrate the plight of over 40 million refugees world-wide who have to flee their homes in search of safety and described its role in protecting refugees, providing temporary shelter during emergencies and helping to arrange more permanent settlements for refugees and the displaced.
The presentations were followed by lively discussions with the students who were interested in the work of the UN, how it implements programmes in countries, ensures funds are used appropriately and how the imbalance in nuclear power can be addressed. The students were interested in knowing what they could do in their daily lives to improve conditions in the world, invited the UN to open offices in Shanghai, and expressed interest in working for the UN. The UN stressed the important role of communicators and journalists to report not only what they think the public wants to hear but what is important for the world to know. |
