Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday and Friday at the UN
These two days were very enlightning. Thursday had a meeting of my first committee on Nuclear Test Ban Treaty chaired by our Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith. Australia has already signed and ratified the agreement. UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon informed us that the latest number of countries to sign are 179, with 144 ratifying the agreement.
The actor Michael Douglas delivered the peace message at the meeting where he described his role as being "a citizen of this planet".
The most lasting impression for me was from the former US secretary of Defence, Mr William Perry. As the meeting was private it would inappropriate of me to expand further. However perhaps I could use a quote from former Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley, when he was quoted in an article in the "Australian 25/9/08; "Those moral and intellectual pygmies who yearn for US power to be radically diminished do not know anything of what they speak. They would find a world run jointly by Vladimir Putin, the Chinese Politburo and the leaders of Islamist chauvinism an infinitely uglier place than the merely imperfect world we inhabit today".
That night the Ambasador Robert Hill gave a function at his home for PM Kevin, his wife and the Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
On Friday I attended a meeting to discuss the protection of journalists in armed conflicts. Also attended a meeting held on the achievements of China about the Millennium Development Goals and the lessons learnt. The Millenium Development Goals are really about health, wealth and equity opportunities for Developing Nations.
Said goodbye to Minister Smith today as he went back to Australia.
We had a meeting with all the parliamentarians at the 63rd session of the UN. Was good to meet and discuss how they operate their parliaments, but like back home .. everyone wants to talk and very few listen.
Today Sunday, as I write this blog, have just returned from a Sunday service at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine to commemorate the opening of the General Assembly. The Church itself was breathtaking as was the organ recitel and the singing.
The actor Michael Douglas delivered the peace message at the meeting where he described his role as being "a citizen of this planet".
The most lasting impression for me was from the former US secretary of Defence, Mr William Perry. As the meeting was private it would inappropriate of me to expand further. However perhaps I could use a quote from former Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley, when he was quoted in an article in the "Australian 25/9/08; "Those moral and intellectual pygmies who yearn for US power to be radically diminished do not know anything of what they speak. They would find a world run jointly by Vladimir Putin, the Chinese Politburo and the leaders of Islamist chauvinism an infinitely uglier place than the merely imperfect world we inhabit today".
That night the Ambasador Robert Hill gave a function at his home for PM Kevin, his wife and the Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
On Friday I attended a meeting to discuss the protection of journalists in armed conflicts. Also attended a meeting held on the achievements of China about the Millennium Development Goals and the lessons learnt. The Millenium Development Goals are really about health, wealth and equity opportunities for Developing Nations.
Said goodbye to Minister Smith today as he went back to Australia.
We had a meeting with all the parliamentarians at the 63rd session of the UN. Was good to meet and discuss how they operate their parliaments, but like back home .. everyone wants to talk and very few listen.
Today Sunday, as I write this blog, have just returned from a Sunday service at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine to commemorate the opening of the General Assembly. The Church itself was breathtaking as was the organ recitel and the singing.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
More and more security at the UN
Just arrived home from a very exciting meeting on climate change with about 250 delegates held at the Hyatt Hotel. They say it is a small world, how true, as I met one of the African women who was in Washington 18 months ago at the very large christian breakfast week when I was there. That was when I first met Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama.
The keynote address was given by the deputy PM of PNG. the issue all speakers (7) raised was their dismay at the bailout of Wall Street $700 b illion and comparing that with the worlds poverty level and climate change costs especially for the most poor countries. When you hear these sorts of speakers it does make you realize that there has to be a global perspective. If you ever wondered as I did how they can translate so many languages at the one time...... all it takes is a small earpiece and select the language you want, simply fantastic.
The keynote address was given by the deputy PM of PNG. the issue all speakers (7) raised was their dismay at the bailout of Wall Street $700 b illion and comparing that with the worlds poverty level and climate change costs especially for the most poor countries. When you hear these sorts of speakers it does make you realize that there has to be a global perspective. If you ever wondered as I did how they can translate so many languages at the one time...... all it takes is a small earpiece and select the language you want, simply fantastic.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
United Nations first of many meetings
Today Monday was a very full day.. left the apartment at 7.45am and the usual trip of 30min. became just over an hour by bus. All roads around ..the UN were blocked off..certainly made a nice change to be able to walk the streets without the traffic. All done in aid of the Heads of State here for all this week.
Something I noticed was that in most streets it is an offence to "honk your horn" with a penalty of $350 wonder if that could be introduced in Gilmore. On arriving at the UN I was given a very firm rebuke and refused entry as I needed(you guessed it) another double security pass..quick phone call and I was admitted. It was a high level meeting on Africa,s developement needs . This meeting was one of the committees I was chosen to represent on Human Rights... More on the committees as I find out when and where they meet. My next main meeting will b e on Wednesday at the Nuclear Disarmament and weapons of mass destruction meeting.
The 2nd meeting was to discuss the latest response into human rights issues in North Korea . A very frank and informative meeting one that the UN general assembly will have to deal with during this term. Again it makes you realize how far so many countries have to go to even reach a small % of what we take for granted.
Final meeting was with African women and the challenges they face ..7 speakers all of them women.. I could not help but cheer when one of them said "isn,t it high time that women stopped doing what is expected of them and start doing what they really want to do" Rawanda drew special applause as they now have more women in parliament then men. Long day today.... walked home it was a lot quicker.
Something I noticed was that in most streets it is an offence to "honk your horn" with a penalty of $350 wonder if that could be introduced in Gilmore. On arriving at the UN I was given a very firm rebuke and refused entry as I needed(you guessed it) another double security pass..quick phone call and I was admitted. It was a high level meeting on Africa,s developement needs . This meeting was one of the committees I was chosen to represent on Human Rights... More on the committees as I find out when and where they meet. My next main meeting will b e on Wednesday at the Nuclear Disarmament and weapons of mass destruction meeting.
The 2nd meeting was to discuss the latest response into human rights issues in North Korea . A very frank and informative meeting one that the UN general assembly will have to deal with during this term. Again it makes you realize how far so many countries have to go to even reach a small % of what we take for granted.
Final meeting was with African women and the challenges they face ..7 speakers all of them women.. I could not help but cheer when one of them said "isn,t it high time that women stopped doing what is expected of them and start doing what they really want to do" Rawanda drew special applause as they now have more women in parliament then men. Long day today.... walked home it was a lot quicker.
Monday, September 22, 2008
United Nations
Well I have arrived. 22hours of flying, talk about security... people in Australia really have it so good. Shoes and belts all have to be checked, still better to be safe than sorry. Met with the Consulate General and the Ambassador of the United Nations based in New York on the first day. My collegue Senator Kerry O,Brien was already there accommpanied by his wife. Today Sunday I became familiar with the only way to travel here that being foot and by bus. The apartment is about 30 mins by foot and about the same by bus.. depending on the traffic.
Friday was spent in orienting myself at the UN building and the General Assembly. It was interesting to find out that all of the 147 nations represented are drawn from a hat to see where they will be seated and this year Australia is right at the back.
Security has almost brought the city to a standstill with all of the heads of State in attendance. George Bush will be the guest speaker.
Tomorrow Monday will see me being in attendance at a number of committee meetings, hopefully I won,t get too lost. Must say I feel very honoured to be here both as the member for Gilmore and a representative of the Australian Parliament.
One of my first stops today was to pay tribute at Ground Zero, something I have been wanting to do for a long time. There is still a lot of work to be done on building the "freedom" tower. Will send more details later.
Friday was spent in orienting myself at the UN building and the General Assembly. It was interesting to find out that all of the 147 nations represented are drawn from a hat to see where they will be seated and this year Australia is right at the back.
Security has almost brought the city to a standstill with all of the heads of State in attendance. George Bush will be the guest speaker.
Tomorrow Monday will see me being in attendance at a number of committee meetings, hopefully I won,t get too lost. Must say I feel very honoured to be here both as the member for Gilmore and a representative of the Australian Parliament.
One of my first stops today was to pay tribute at Ground Zero, something I have been wanting to do for a long time. There is still a lot of work to be done on building the "freedom" tower. Will send more details later.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
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