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GFDD Attends DPI/ NGO Briefing

June 25, 2007

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), attended the United Nations briefing on “Climate Change.” The briefing was held June 7, 2007, at the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The briefing explored the various aspects of climate change, as well as the recently released 4th Assessment Report,
published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The IPCC was established by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988, in order to enhance current understandings of “human induced climate change” and its potential impacts, and to devise strategies for mitigation, and adaptation. Joan Eamer, Manager of the Polar Programme for the UNEP/GRID-Arendal in Norway
(via videoconference); Alistair Fernie, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations; and Alan Robock, Professor of Environmental Science at Rutgers University, discussed the IPCC 4th Assessment Report and the UNEP’s publication on polar regions, Global Outlook for Snow and Ice, as well as the recent, Security Council session on environmental threats.

During the briefing, Yvonne Acosta,
DPI/NGO Chief of Academic Partnerships Unit, Academic Initiative Section, Outreach Division, presented the initiative: “Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet,” an innovative program that uses art as a vehicle to encourage individuals and institutions to take the steps necessary to reduce the effects of climate change.

GFDD’s participation in these briefings is symbolic of its commitment to promoting UN activities and programs. GFDD is a member institution with consultative status for several agencies within the United Nations, including the DPI/NGO.