Beirut, 9 November (Communication and Information Unit)-- The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service at the American University of Beirut (AUB) are joining hands to offer undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in international affairs the opportunity to take part in a unique simulation of multilateral diplomacy.



Speaking at a training workshop on “Conference Diplomacy” today, UNESCWA Executive Secretary Mervat Tallawy said that civil society organizations and the media are a basic factor impacting multilateral negotiations and the diplomacy of international and regional conferences. She said some countries are weakened by the fact that information is kept from civil society organizations and media at a time when these institutions can play an effective role in stating the position of nations on major issues that have a direct impact on the livelihood of peoples.

The Social Development Division at ESCWA has conducted in the period of four months in 2010 three online discussion forums on the following thematic areas: (a) Government -civil-society participation in public policy processes including social policies (1 July to 30 August 2010); (b) Media and Development (1 August to 30 September 2010); and (c) Social Integration towards achieving participation (1 September to 30 October 2010).