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UNA NZ Report Progresses New Zealand’s Journey to Ratification of ILO Convention 190 and elimination of workplace harassment

The United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNA NZ) has recently completed a three-part report explaining first, Convention 190 and the obligations it creates, second, how the Convention may take shape in New Zealand’s working and legislative environment and third, the wider international ramifications the Convention has.

The report was researched and authored by Alisha Gilchrist and LLB/BA student at Victoria University of Wellington and a UNA NZ intern. 

This report will contribute to a wider campaign seeking to raise awareness for Convention 190 that will be driven by various union and human rights organisations. Beginning with a petition to gather support for Convention 190, the campaign will aim to lobby with real-life experience and storytelling that will educate employers and employees alike of the consequences of work-related violence and harassment. This will work alongside contributions to MBIE policy that reflect a realistic implementation strategy for Convention 190 in New Zealand.

It is integral that every working person in New Zealand not only understands their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, but promotes a working culture that is intolerant of violence and harassment towards others. The distribution of the UNA NZ Report constitutes one part of a campaign that requires everyone to stand up for labour welfare and a New Zealand workforce that prioritises safe working conditions for all.

Read the report by clicking here. 

Time to Upgrade Our Global Institutions: A fresh vision from Aotearoa New Zealand

The UNA Association has joined with the NZ Centre for Global Studies (NZCGS) in developing a Discussion Paper on Renewal of the United Nations.  The intended title of the paper is: “Our Global Institutions must do better: A fresh vision from Aotearoa New Zealand”.

 The genesis of this work lay in a speech given by former NZ ambassador, Colin Keating, to UNANZ at the UN Day event in October ’19, which included the following challenge: 

The UN needs reform. New Zealand is ideally placed to be able to contribute hugely to a transformation. So, as a fourth challenge to you all, why not demand that New Zealand set up and properly resource a six-month project involving politicians from all parties, officials, the defence force and civil society to make recommendations on a role for New Zealand to take a lead in restoring the credibility and effectiveness of multilateralism.

Throughout 2020 Colin Keating and Kennedy Graham conducted a series of interviews and questionnaires with former political leaders, ambassadors, academic experts and leading members of civil society organisations. 

You can read and download a copy of the discussion paper here.

COVID-19 Policy Briefs

In the face of COVID-19 governments across the globe are being forced to make complex and difficult policy and regulatory decisions. The United Nations Secretary-General has produced several policy briefs on key issues. 

The briefs seek to provide policy makers with key data and insights and highlight areas that need attention.

We encourage policy makers to read and use the briefs. We also encourage those who work with and advocate to government to use the policy briefs as an evidence base. 

Policy brief on COVID19 and Children 

Policy brief on COVID19 and older persons

Policy brief on COVID19 and education 

Policy brief on COVID19 and mental health

Policy brief on COVID19 and persons with disabilities

Policy brief on COVID19 and socio-economic impacts

Internship Reports

 The Refugee Crisis: An Examination of the Involvement of International Organisations and the New Zealand Government (pdf) - author Elizabeth Amy Kimber

Elizabeth Kimber is from England and has lived in New Zealand since 2011. She is currently studying a conjoint degree of Global Studies (majoring in Global Politics and Human Rights) and Communications at the University of Auckland. Her report provides a thorough examination of the work that international organizations have carried out during the Refugee Crisis. Following this, Kimber examines how the New Zealand Government has responded to the Refugee Crisis in comparison to international organizations.  

One Size Does Not Fit All: How a Montessori Secondary School may be the Solution to Improve Quality Education in New Zealand (pdf) - author Ailsa Connolly

Ailsa was born in London but moved to New Zealand at a young age
and now consider Auckland to be home. She is currently completing my Bachelor of Arts degree at Boston University. Ailsa majors in International Relations, focusing on Environment & Development, and Europe. Ailsa's report interviews teachers and students from the Peace Experiment school in Auckland and its opportunities for improving education across New Zealand Schools.

Report on the Communications and Public Relations of UNA NZ- author Alexander Kerr.

Alex is currently a Social Sciences student at Griffith University majoring in Media, Communications and Social Change. During his summer break he completed an internship with the United Nations Association of New Zealand to provide a report explaining various publication and media theories and how UNA NZ can implement these to boost our public relations.  The report has been distributed internally. 

Intro to the Circular Economy: The link to sustainable Development (pdf)- author Nicholas Hutton-Molitor 

Abstract: Today’s economy is constantly evolving and seeking to improve or maximise its state of existence. Naturally, the development of alternative methods of thinking have emerged. One possible emerging concept is the idea of a circular economy (CE). But what is the so-called circular economy and where can its fundamental origins be grounded? This article aims to introduce the CE’s conceptual framework and compare it with similar ideas. Among other things, this article aims to connect the CE with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how a CE can be complimentary to the achievement of the SDGs. 

Where to find the Circular Economy in New Zealand- An examination of waste management systems (pdf) - author Nicholas Hutton-Molitor

Abstract: The previous article in this series pointed out the Circular Economy (CE) in its theory. This article aims to illustrate practical examples within New Zealand’s economy. These examples complement several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each example will be analysed as to what potential it has in promoting the SDGs. Going from theory to practice, this article attempts to demonstrate the benefits of a CE to the economy of Wellington, New Zealand through the promotion of circular and interconnected business practices.

How can the consideration of sexuality and gender diversity improve outcomes in the SDGs and for queer communities in Aotearoa-New Zealand? (pdf) - author Stella Ivory (April 2018)

Abstract: In the year of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this report considers what more needs to  be done to ensure more inclusive development. Despite the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promising a fairer future for the most marginalised groups in society, the goals contain nothing which pertain to people with diverse sexual orientation or gender identity ('queer' herein). A report from the Institute of Development Studies by Elizabeth Mills suggests that this omission further marginalises queer populations and therefore also limits the aspirations of the SDGs. To achieve the SDGs in Aotearoa context, we therefore need to consider the experiences of queer communities within our interpretations of the SDGs.

Indigenous Tourism in Aotearoa – an introductory exploration of Maori tourism and Manaakitanga (pdf) – author Arielle Tracey (March 2018)

Abstract: In 2017 we marked not only International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development but also International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. With the World indigenous Tourism Summit being held in New Zealand this year, it is timely that we focus upon Maori tourism in Aotearoa. This internship report was produced for the UNA NZ by Arielle Tracey, and we congratulate her on this superb essay.

Ki roto i te ngahere: reducing inequalities for rangatahi maori is a national imperative (pdf) - authors Liletina Vaka and Kahu Kutia (June 2017)

Abstract: Presented by Liletina Vaka and Kahu Kutia, and with the guidance of other Māori students in Wellington, this presentation will explore in some detail the social landscape of Aotearoa for young Māori. We will use the framework of the ‘ngahere’, a symbiotic system of relationships to understand the guide questions. What are the rights of a young Māori person in Aotearoa? And how can we sustainably develop their future? We will be exploring the politics of identity and recognition, the current state of progress, and the need for spaces that are autonomous and indigenous.

Piracy and Security in Somalia (pdf) - author Imogen McIvor (Nov 2016 - Feb 2017)

Abstract: My report focuses on how the United Nations has responded to piracy as well as the efforts made by the Somali Government to tackle the root causes. I briefly mention the role New Zealand has taken against piracy, especially during their time on the UN Security Council. However, I do not go into significant detail about the initiatives taken by other individual states and instead briefly outline their naval responses. Furthermore, this report is an introduction to the history of the Somali Civil War and how the economic and political issues of this time caused an increase in piracy. Finally, this report acknowledges the challenges to the international community and Somali Government in reducing piracy but it also outlines various suggestions on how it might be tackled.

Submissions

Any submissions we make to the UN or the NZ Government will be made available here. 

Special Officer Reports

Informative reports written by our special officers that have been presented National Council will be published here. 

UNYouth President's report by Mark Howard- UNA NZ National Council Meeting March 2020

October to February activities

SO Peace and Security report by Alyn Ware -  UNA NZ National Council Meeting March 2020 

Towards the UN's 75th Anniversary: Peace, Security and Disarmament

SO World Federation of United Nations Associations report by Joy Dunsheath - UNA NZ National Council Meeting March 2020

WFUNA activities

 SO Sustainable Economy and Innovations report by Wajirani Adhihetty - UNA NZ National Council Meeting March 2020

Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth 

SO Humanitarian Affairs report by Jean-Paul Bizoza - UNA NZ National Council Meeting March 2020

COVID 19

 A monthly update from UN Youth President Mark Howard- UNA NZ National Executive Meeting March 2020

UN Youth Update

SO Humanitarian Affairs report by Jean-Paul Bizoza - UNA NZ National Council Meeting November 2019

Contemporary refugee policy issues in New Zealand. 

 SO Tangata Whenua report by Dr Mere Skerrett - UNA NZ National Council Meeting November 2019

Reflecting on the year of indigenous languages. 

SO Climate Change and Environment Dr Ivan Chirino-Valle - UNA NZ National Council Meeting November 2019

New Zealand's latest progress on Climate Change and Environment.