US Servas | Key Person Workshop Report

UN Reports |

Spring 2002

Introduction from Sharon L. Wallenberg, US Servas Main UN Rep

Dear United States Servas Members:

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sharon Wallenberg. I am the former Chief Administrative Officer for Servas International at the United Nations and presently represent United States Servas at the United Nations. United States Servas is a Non Government Organization (NGO) member with the Department of Information (DPI) status at the United Nations. The purpose of DPI NGOs is to disseminate information on the UN and other UN NGO activities to the organization’s membership and to the public.

Non government Organizations (NGO’s) can participate at the United Nations by creating partnerships to further the mutual goals of both the United Nations and the particular NGO’s. Servas was created as a Peace Organization with furthers this goal through Travel. Therefore, it is only natural for US Servas to participate at the U.N. in the areas of Peace and Travel.

I have proposed partnerships between U.S. Servas and several U.N. agencies as well as other NGO’s in those areas that form our purpose as an organization (See below). These ideas can be discussed at the Annual Meeting in Utah this July. I hope you will find them relevant, worthwhile, and valuable. If you have any questions, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me through the New York office. I am looking forward to representing you at the United Nations!

TRAVEL

United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP): A partnership is proposed with UNEP involving messages from UNEP on U.N. Ecotourism information in the U.S. Servas Newsletter. A link can be made from the US Servas web page to the UNEP web page on Ecotourism.

United Nations Develop Program (UNDP): A partnership is proposed with UNDP involving messages from UNDP on promoting Ecotourism and on problems faced by developing nations regarding exploitation of victims of poverty by so called ‘sex tourism’ in the U.S. Servas newsletter. A link can be made from the U.S. Servas page to the UNDP web page on Sex tourism.

United Nations Childrens’ Fund (UNICEF): A partnership is proposed with UNICEF involving Servas Youth Cultural Exchange. A substantial portion of the U.S. Servas travelers are young people who are attracted to Servas because of the alternative to expensive travel it offers as well as the opportunity to meet young people from other cultures. U.S. Servas can provide UNICEF with a vehicle for dissemination of information on their programs through the cultural exchange of our members.

End Child Pornography and Trafficking of Women (ECPAT-USA): US Servas has worked with this NGO in the past to further our mutual goals of upholding human rights in travel and tourism. We have already collaborated together for a U.N. NGO briefing. It is proposed to continue to work together in the future by having EXCAT messages in the US Servas newsletter and whatever other opportunities may present themselves.

Casa Alianza (Covenant House, Central America): This UN Childrens’ NGO works primarily in Guatemala, Hondouras, Costa Rica, and other Central American countries, our U. S. neighbors to the South. The primary focus is on so called ‘street children’ who often are victims of ‘sex tourism’, sexual abuse, and pornography by tourists from wealthy nations, including the U.S. It is proposed that U.S. Servas join in their struggle to educate the traveling public of this misuse of tourism.

Rainforest Alliance: This is a South American environmental NGO. We plan to carry messages from them in the US Servas Newsletter on Ecotourism and other environmental issues.

PEACE

United Nations Economic Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): US Servas has been invited to participate in a UNESCO Millenium exhibit on the Culture of Peace with the NGO, “The Ribbon International”. Servas members may create “Ribbons” which will become part of the UNESCO Millenium exhibit.

The Ribbon International: This NGO has inspired the creation of miles and miles of “Ribbons” which are one meter by one half meter cloth works of art in embroidery, crayons, or art medium of choice, depicting what the individual or group loves most and would miss most if there was no Peace. They will be tied together and be in the UNESCO Millenium Culture of Peace exhibit.

For more information about US Servas' UN activities or to get involved, contact the main US Servas UN Rep, Sharon Wallenberg at sharonw77@hotmail.com.


UN Reports \| Spring 2002 Introduction from Sharon L. Wallenberg, US Servas Main UN Rep Dear United States Servas Members: Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sharon Wallenberg. I am the former Chief Administrative Officer for Servas International at the United Nations and presently represent United States Servas at the United Nations. United States Servas is a Non Government Organization (NGO) member with the Department of Information (DPI) status at the United Nations. The purpose of DPI NGOs is to disseminate information on the UN and other UN NGO activities to the organization’s membership and to the public. Non government Organizations (NGO’s) can participate at the United Nations by creating partnerships to further the mutual goals of both the United Nations and the particular NGO’s. Servas was created as a Peace Organization with furthers this goal through Travel. Therefore, it is only natural for US Servas to participate at the U.N. in the areas of Peace and Travel. I have proposed partnerships between U.S. Servas and several U.N. agencies as well as other NGO’s in those areas that form our purpose as an organization (See below). These ideas can be discussed at the Annual Meeting in Utah this July. I hope you will find them relevant, worthwhile, and valuable. If you have any questions, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me through the New York office. I am looking forward to representing you at the United Nations! TRAVEL United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP): A partnership is proposed with UNEP involving messages from UNEP on U.N. Ecotourism information in the U.S. Servas Newsletter. A link can be made from the US Servas web page to the UNEP web page on Ecotourism. United Nations Develop Program (UNDP): A partnership is proposed with UNDP involving messages from UNDP on promoting Ecotourism and on problems faced by developing nations regarding exploitation of victims of poverty by so called ‘sex tourism’ in the U.S. Servas newsletter. A link can be made from the U.S. Servas page to the UNDP web page on Sex tourism. United Nations Childrens’ Fund (UNICEF): A partnership is proposed with UNICEF involving Servas Youth Cultural Exchange. A substantial portion of the U.S. Servas travelers are young people who are attracted to Servas because of the alternative to expensive travel it offers as well as the opportunity to meet young people from other cultures. U.S. Servas can provide UNICEF with a vehicle for dissemination of information on their programs through the cultural exchange of our members. End Child Pornography and Trafficking of Women (ECPAT-USA): US Servas has worked with this NGO in the past to further our mutual goals of upholding human rights in travel and tourism. We have already collaborated together for a U.N. NGO briefing. It is proposed to continue to work together in the future by having EXCAT messages in the US Servas newsletter and whatever other opportunities may present themselves. Casa Alianza (Covenant House, Central America): This UN Childrens’ NGO works primarily in Guatemala, Hondouras, Costa Rica, and other Central American countries, our U. S. neighbors to the South. The primary focus is on so called ‘street children’ who often are victims of ‘sex tourism’, sexual abuse, and pornography by tourists from wealthy nations, including the U.S. It is proposed that U.S. Servas join in their struggle to educate the traveling public of this misuse of tourism. Rainforest Alliance: This is a South American environmental NGO. We plan to carry messages from them in the US Servas Newsletter on Ecotourism and other environmental issues. PEACE United Nations Economic Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): US Servas has been invited to participate in a UNESCO Millenium exhibit on the Culture of Peace with the NGO, “The Ribbon International”. Servas members may create “Ribbons” which will become part of the UNESCO Millenium exhibit. The Ribbon International: This NGO has inspired the creation of miles and miles of “Ribbons” which are one meter by one half meter cloth works of art in embroidery, crayons, or art medium of choice, depicting what the individual or group loves most and would miss most if there was no Peace. They will be tied together and be in the UNESCO Millenium Culture of Peace exhibit. For more information about US Servas' UN activities or to get involved, contact the main US Servas UN Rep, Sharon Wallenberg at sharonw77@hotmail.com.
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