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Beyond 2008

NGOs’ voice in the ten-year review of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Illicit Drugs (UNGASS)

A presentation by Michel Perron,Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) and Chair of Beyond 2008

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The 1998 Political Declaration and Action Plans adopted at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Illicit Drugs

Governments from around the world adopted and endorsed a number of important documents forming a ten-year plan (1998-2008)

Political Declaration Declaration of the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction Measures to Enhance International Cooperation to Counter the

World Drug Problem• Action Plan Against Illicit Manufacture, Trafficking and Abuse

of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and their Precursors• Control of Precursors• Measures to Promote Judicial Cooperation• Countering Money Laundering• Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of

Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development

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Beyond 2008: An Overview

Since 2007, the Vienna NGO Committee has led a global NGO consultation entitled “Beyond 2008” to contribute to the UNGASS review process

Beyond 2008 was formally endorsed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, financially supported by several NGOs and UN member states (Canada, Hungary, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom) and the European Union

Beyond 2008 consisted of: regional consultations in all 9 regions of the world and a

representative Forum in July 2008 A total of over 900 persons representing millions of

members in 145 countries participated in this process

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Objectives

The “Beyond 2008” regional consultations and Forum focused on three specific objectives:

1. To highlight tangible NGO achievements in the field of drug control, with particular emphasis on contributions to the 1998 UNGASS Action Plan

2. To review best practices related to collaboration mechanisms among NGOs, governments and UN agencies and propose new and/or improved ways of working with the UNODC and CND

3. To adopt a series of high order principles, drawn from the Conventions and their commentaries that would be tabled with the UNODC and CND for their consideration and serve as a guide for future deliberations on drug policy matters.

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Beyond 2008 Forum – Vienna, July 2008

Following the regional consultations, a Global Summary report was prepared as was a draft Declaration and three Resolutions for debate at the Forum by the 300 delegates attending from 115 countries and 65 international NGOs

The Resolutions are framed within the context of the three international drug control conventions and the mandate/authority of international institutions and member states

Following the adoption of common and agreed language the Declaration and three Resolutions were unanimously adopted by consensus

The Resolutions make 51 specific recommendations for the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, UN Member States, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics Control Board and NGOs.

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Framing the recommendations: key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort) on the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Affected Populations: “Acknowledge the human rights abuses against people who use drugs as an affected population and encourage Member States, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other relevant organisations to solicit the participation of all affected and stigmatised populations in identifying and responding to these human rights abuses, to illicit/harmful drug use and to its adverse health, social and economic consequences.”

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Framing the recommendations: key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort) on the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Illicit/Harmful Drug use: “Illicit drug use is use contrary to the UN Conventions; harmful drug use is drug use which causes harm to individuals, families, communities or the environment; illicit/harmful drug use is drug use where action is necessary, including but not limited to prevention or intervention in the fields of criminal justice, education, health care, social support, treatment or rehabilitation”

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Framing the recommendations: key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort) on the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Harm reduction: “meaning efforts primarily to address and prevent the adverse health and social consequences of illicit/harmful drug use, including reducing HIV and other blood borne infections”

…related was the affirmation of: “Noting the fundamental importance of prevention, including those efforts aimed at alcohol abuse and tobacco use, as important and complementary efforts to reduce illicit/harmful drug use”

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Key themes emerging from Beyond 2008

Shared responsibility and accountability.

Governments, at all levels, need to leverage the experience, reach, professionalism and passion of NGOs. NGOs have become more focused, disciplined, inter-connected and organized around how to take on this global problem. NGOs are well placed to contribute – but only if their experience, reach, impact and commitment is engaged.

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Key themes emerging from Beyond 2008

Give the most affected a voice.

This is an issue that has to be addressed at the human level. The Declaration and Resolutions represent many different voices - individuals, families, and communities - from around the globe. This voice needs to be heard because it brings a fundamental understanding on how to achieve demonstrable progress to reduce illicit/harmful drug use and its adverse health, social and economic consequences.

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Key themes emerging from Beyond 2008

Beyond 2008 Forum has created a call for action.

The Declaration and Resolutions are just the start. It is a commitment by all of the participants to build on what was achieved in Vienna as they return to their work and engage with their governments.

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What’s happening now

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is negotiating a Political Declaration that is to be adopted on March 11/12, 2009 in Vienna at the High Level Segment (HLS)

CND has three additional inter-sessional meetings scheduled prior to the HLS to finalize the Political Declaration. Canada is represented by Foreign Affairs at these discussions. The Canadian position is developed by officials in Ottawa from various departments including Health and Justice Canada

Progress to date on the Political Declaration has been predictably slow. Version 2 of the document still under-addresses the contributions/opportunity of engaging NGOs

Some of the recommendations under demand reduction and treatment parallel those of Beyond 2008 conclusions

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How you can get involved

You are invited to review the current and future drafts of the Political Declaration and to provide your comments to CCSA who will in turn, provide them to Health Canada for the Federal Government’s consideration

You are welcome to communicate directly with representatives from the Federal Government (officials at Health or Justice Canada) to make your views known on key elements you would like reflected in the Canadian position

You can also communicate directly with key Federal Ministers (Health, Justice & Foreign Affairs) to share your views

Finally, please encourage your networks to do the same both within and outside of Canada. It is critical that the voice of NGOs be heard by the respective governments as they prepare for the HLS

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Some details on the HLS

The HLS will take place in Vienna on March 11/12, 2009

There will be one NGO slot in the plenary discussion and that has been reserved for Beyond 2008

There are four round table discussions which will also take place during the HLS (including one on demand reduction). 3 of the 5 seats allocated to NGOs per round table will be filled by organizations recommended to the CND Secretariat by the VNGOC

Only accredited NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status can attend the HLS. Space is very limited as is the ability to substantively contribute to the discussion

The Canadian Government will include CCSA and CECA on their delegation

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A few reminders…

The HLS represent the most important government drug policy debate which will take place in the foreseeable future

NGOs need to be informed, engaged and channel their contributions through appropriate channels

The HLS is a government event. NGOs can, through established UN rules, contribute to the process but ultimately these are matters debated and agreed upon by and between governments

Our ability to influence/inform the process is by: Working through our government and political representatives Working through the Beyond 2008 process Supporting your networks in doing same in other countries Raising the awareness of this event with key stakeholders

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For ongoing information…

The UNODC website: www.unodc.org

The VNGOC (including Beyond 2008 Declaration and Resolutions): www.vngoc.org

The CCSA website: www.ccsa.ca

My (first!) Blog Specifically designed for the lead up to and during the HLS Please contribute to this discussion:

http://michelperron.blogspot.com