United Nations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2010  New York, NY Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention of Meaningfulworld Dr. Ani Kalayjian Phone: 201 – 941-2266 Email: DrKalayjian@meaningfulworld.com www.meaningfulworld.com. A cutting Edge Conference at the UN on Health, Consciousness and Spirituality Health, Consciousness and Spirituality are integrally related to one another, and well-being depends on all three. This was the theme of the recent conference “Health, Consciousness and Spirituality” held on Saturday 26 June 2010, at the United Nations Church Center in New York. A morning panel of experts, a film about the Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention’s international humanitarian relief activities, meditation, and an afternoon workshop by celebrated author Andrew Harvey on “Finding Hope in Sacred Activism” completed  the inspiring program. In addition, seven trainees graduated from Meaningfulworld’s Humanitarian Outreach training program. Dr. Ani Kalayjian, Founder and Executive Director of organizing agencies Meaningfulworld and the Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention (ATOP), led the day’s events, facilitated the panel discussion, and provided her own expert contributions.  The conference opened with an interfaith prayer and a shamanic drumming session by Peter Maniscalco with  a yoga movement exhibition by Candace Morano.  Dr Kalayjian’s opening remarks were derived from her acceptance speech  from her ANA Honorary Human Rights Award, challenging people to embrace SQ Spiritual Intelligence, which is a universal tenet, just as the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Disease is separation from one’s own nature, and one’s nature is part of a larger whole,” stated panelist Dr. Majid Ali. “So, one cannot talk about individual health without talking about community.” Dr. Ali, an accomplished surgeon and pathologist, presented on the morning panel a speech on “Healing through Consciousness Raising”. According to Dr. Ali, health is the result of awareness of, connection to, and living in accordance with, one’s own nature, on every level of being, from the physiological to the spiritual. Joining Dr. Ali on the morning panel were the Queen Mother of Harlem Dr. Blakely and Appreciative Inquiry organizational consultant Denise Lalonde.  According to Queen Mother Dr. Blakely, “When we speak of health and consciousness, we must speak of sacredness. Life is sacred, life is holy.” “From the beginning to the end of all life, it’s just a journey. How do we respect that journey, interpret that journey, and experience that journey? This journey is a conscious, emotional, human, and spiritual journey.” She urged audience members to “Stay on the sacred journey of life”. Denise Lalonde gave listeners a taste of Appreciative Inquiry, encouraging them to connect to a time they felt most alive, inspired and proud, and to notice their energy level rising in response to these thoughts. Appreciative Inquiry, according to Lalonde, focuses on increasing what is working, raising energy levels and creating positive momentum for individuals and organizations. She urged audience members to pay attention to their daily thoughts, and to the questions they ask themselves, and to notice whether they are ‘energy zappers’ or thoughts that lift them up and invigorate their lives. Later in the day, an afternoon keynote speech and workshop, “Finding Hope in Sacred Activism and Heart Yoga”, was presented by author, teacher, and activist Andrew Harvey.  Harvey’s presentation drew from his books, including Sacred Activism and Heart Yoga. According to Harvey, sacred activism is born from the fusion of two of the most passionate impulses of human beings – the fire of the mystic’s passion for God, and the fire of the activist’s passion for justice.  “When you feel that passion, let it through,” urged Harvey, sweat running down his face in the heat of the urgency of his message. “All are messages from the One to start waking up to why you are here, to live this glorious existence.” According to Harvey, this passion is “a passion for the transformation of the world, on all levels of the world. It is through and with this passion that we are going to birth a new world.” He believes we are now going through a global dark night of the soul, but one that is part of what he calls “the mystical mystery of evolution”, and is “designed to galvanize at a deep level”.  He urges audience members to delve into discovering and fulfilling their individual and collective life missions. “The clue to discovering your mission is to discover your heartbreak,” he said. “Discover your heartbreak, get together with others, and start doing something.” The Institute for Sacred Activism, founded by Harvey, is creating a global Network of Grace, through which people with common concerns and missions can join together for action. “We are dealing with a terminal situation,” stated Harvey. “We have to get going.” Yoga poses were selected to empower, release, and connect with mother earth, as Dr Kalayjian summarized the conference insights as: Commit for a practice involving your body, which is your temple (exercise), commit for a practice on the spiritual level (pray, meditate, engage in sacred activism), and commit to a practice on the emotional level (journal, release, talk with friends or healers).  Dr Kalayjian invited the audience to end in a circle of heart-to-heart connection while words of gratitude were expressed from participants. Participants left the day’s events with new insights and inspiration, freshly recommitted to the intersection of health, consciousness and spirituality, and activism. The conference, “Health, Consciousness and Spirituality” was organized and hosted by Meaningfulworld, the Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention (ATOP), UN CONGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, as well as its working group Health, Transformation and Spirituality, Global Health Institute, Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy, and WBAI. Other supporters were: Flower Power, CandaceMorano.com, Spirituality and Health magazine, Health Harvest, Yoga Sutra, Dr Chan Acupuncture, Siva Rose, Laura Aversano, Hagitte Gal-Ed, Myrna Noble and Harvey Newman. The Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention (ATOP) of Meaningfulworld, founded by Dr. Ani Kalayjian, is a global nonprofit organization with consultative status as a nongovernmental organization at the United Nations DPI (Department of Public Information). Meaningfulworld.com is dedicated to fostering a meaningful, peaceful,

Dear Program Creators, Working Group Chairs, Speakers, Sponsors and Performers for the 2009 Week of Spirituality; 26-30 October 2009 ……..The greatest gift of the week was to be able to attend all 9 programs and to experience the depth, wisdom and authenticity of our shared commitment to integrate mindful spirituality into the UN Agenda.   Each program had its particular strength of focus and each provided poignant expression of our common purpose and theme Global Peace through Reconciliation. The Award Ceremony has become such an important kickoff.   Our awardees embodied that which we seek to nourish at the UN.  Special gratitude to Ichinori Tsmugari and Diane Williams representing the Nominating Award Task force and providing the beautiful crystaline awards to those honored.   The program following gave much food for thought and clarity of principle with regard to which spiritual principles can make a difference with respect to reconciliation.     The eco-spirituality program drew over 70 participants who listened to Michelle Kim’s elegant portrayal about the meaning of eco-spirituality; the Women Rising WG developed an eco-spirituality ritual while Tom Downes of the History of Spirituality and Deborah Moldow moderated a breadth of spiritual traditions who shared their perspectives on ancient sources for eco-spirituality.   The melodic singing by vocalist Ariaa Kathryn Jaegar and Indian Dance Invocation by Vaishali Chaudhuri and Radha Devi Dasi was amazing….three hours whizzed by!  Follow this ceremony and beginning the week Sharon Hamilton-Getz and the Spirituality of Values and Business and Sacred & Transcendental Arts working group flowed through with Reconciliation A manifestation of the Science of Consciousness in Everyday Life. Spiritual Caucus, facilitated by Frances Edwards of Findhorn,  provided refreshment for the busy week and the Campus Peace Center program held at Pace was most moving as students from Brandeis, Wisconsin, Pace, Vassar, Palestine, etc.,  affirmed that the peace movement is alive and well on Campus only it is truly non-violent and strategic in its process and therefore, if it weren’t for such groups as the Campus Student Peace Center Working Group,  we might not  appreciate its variety and organizational savvy.   Time and time again participants reminded us that reconciliation is a cornerstone for peace as so many students have been victims of violence themselves.    Courageous persons who are daily challenged to practice forgiveness were present and the musician was right on target for the program. The Spiritual Council Working Group offered a heartfelt dialogue about bringing reconciliation to the UN and  a good number of participants signed on to continue the dialogue into the future.  Universal Ethics Working Group lead by Martha Gallague broke new ground by holding its program at the Nigerian Mission where Minister Lawrence Obisakin joined with storyteller Laura Simms, Sheku Monastery of Sierra Leone and Celtic harpist Julie Haines to present a Story Bowl Concert.   In Genie Kagawa’s words the UE held an empathy program that launched an initiative to raise funds to feed the hungry.    On Friday,   The Health, Transformation and Spirituality Working Group lead by Dr Ani Kalayjian and co chaired from the heart, Georgina Galanis brought together powerful and integrated resources uniting science and spirituality to demonstrate the healing effects of inner peace, forgiveness and non-violence upon the body-mind-spirit; featuring Karen Trueheart and Duke Duscherer of MK Ghandi Institute, Anne Mincey of the HeartMath Institute, the Dialogue Project and Raccoon conflict resolution groups.   And finally, in the afternoon our closing featured Brahma on the exotic sitar and an amazing children’s dancing troupe Starlite Kids, NJ trained by director Julie Lira.    Audrey Kitagawa brought the week to a close with an ancient powerful invocation that was deeply appreciated and moved those present. The Culture of Peace Working Group distributed over 400 questionnaires with several groups promising to distribute them more widely in their circles. The Spirit of the UN 2009 celebrates that more participants came to the programs on a daily basis.   We had more co-sponsors from UN Agencies and NGO coalitions than ever before, and cumulatively gathered nearly 400 in attendance including those who were returning for more events. The promotional materials, flyers and programs and volunteers reflected a professional level while donations including the awards, flowers and cake illustrated the wide contributions of ever greater numbers of people who seek to be part of this event.   Everyday, there were music, dancing, videos, storytelling that provided holistic portrayals of Global Peace through Reconciliation.    We are especially grateful to Dr. Monica Sharma for inspiring a more coherent series built upon the norms of compassion, equanimity, forgiveness and empathy as the shared tools we would demonstrate during our programs.    She encouraged a greater degree of collaboration among the working groups with programs that would inspire follow-up from year to year.    Each group succeeded at developing such initiatives. And always, we will be grateful for the record that Danilo and Adriana Parmegiani with the Legion of Good Will provide through their pictures and edited copy. This year’s video promises to be stunning if they could only capture one-tenth of the thoughtful determined programming.    We extend our gratitude to the Church Center of the United Nations and Open Center NYC staff for their peace filled space and attentive service.  Colleagues and friends, I am humbled to be part of this all.   Together we are truly blessed.    Together, we will bring our Spirit of the UN to the official calendar as one day the General Assembly proclaims it so. In deep appreciation, brava, through this initiative, the Committee embodies the practice and actuality becoming one  in the context of our beautiful diversity, Martha Gallague cscvgc-ny

New York,  27 June 2012 This morning the Secretary-General chaired a meeting of the High Level Task Force on Global Food Security. The Secretary-General welcomes the strong outcome from Rio+20 on food and nutrition security.  Following the launch of the Zero Hunger Challenge last week, the High Level Task Force will be reoriented to focus on the Challenge’s five objectives as a guide for a coherent UN system approach to food and nutrition security. The Secretary-General noted that since it was established in 2008, the Task Force had made progress in devising a common comprehensive framework for action for the UN system in food and nutrition security, particularly during recent food crises.  It helped forge united positions among its member agencies in Rio and at the G8 and G20 summits.  The High Level Task Force also supports the Committee on World Food Security as the primary governance body for food and nutrition. But with close to 1 billion people still experiencing chronic hunger, he urged agencies, governments, businesses, civil society organizations and the scientific community to eliminate hunger in our lifetimes. Yours Sincerely, NGO Relations, DPI United Nations www.un.org/dpi/ngosection

U N I T E D   N A T I O N S / N A T I O N S   U N I E S THE SECRETARY-GENERAL — MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE RIGHT TO THE TRUTH CONCERNING GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND FOR THE DIGNITY OF VICTIMS 24 March 2012 Today we pay tribute to the memory of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered in El Salvador on this day in 1980 for refusing to be silent in the face of violence, abuse and injustice. The International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is also a time to laud the brave individuals across the world who have devoted their lives to the protection and realization of human rights despite the many grave risks that their work all too often entails. The dramatic and transformational events of the past year, marked by widespread popular uprisings against long-entrenched dictators, showed yet again the acute need to preserve and reveal the truth about human rights violations committed during periods of repression and conflict. To deny victims this vital knowledge is to deny them justice, dignity and recognition of – as well as reparations for – their suffering and loss. The implications reverberate well beyond individuals who have been directly affected by attempts to cover up human rights abuses. The rights to truth and justice are central to ending impunity for gross violations of human rights. In cases of enforced disappearance, families have the right to know the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. In all instances, honouring this right puts others on notice that violations cannot stay hidden for long. I am proud that the United Nations supports a range of truth-seeking mechanisms that can play a powerful role in documenting gross human rights violations, including truth and reconciliation commissions, international commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions. These are central to our quest for justice and stability. I also welcome the recent decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council to appoint a new Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence. On this International Day, let us work to help all victims realize their right to truth and to protect all those who fight to see the truth prevail.

U N I T E D   N A T I O N S  / N A T I O N S   U N I E S THE SECRETARY-GENERAL — MESSAGE ON THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE IN RWANDA Today, we mark the 18th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda.  We remember the more than 800,000 innocent people who lost their lives. This year’s theme is “learning from history to shape a bright future”. Rwanda has learned from the appalling tragedy of 1994.  So has the world. Rwanda is making progress towards building a more peaceful and just society.  The international community is striving to ensure that similar tragedies never happen again. The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda delivered the first-ever verdicts in relation to genocide by an international court, and continues to pursue justice and accountability. The International Criminal Court has become an effective deterrent for would-be perpetrators of grave crimes. To all those around the world who persist in suppressing their fellow citizens crying out for dignity and freedom, we send a clear message: justice will be done.  Impunity must become a relic of the past. We are also working to strengthen conflict prevention and mediation, and to uphold the responsibility to protect. Preventing genocide is a collective obligation. Let us continue to work together to ensure a future forever free of genocide. This would be the most fitting way to remember those lost in Rwanda 18 years ago, and to honour the resilience of the survivors.

Click the link to see the Journal of the United Nations published on 30 November 2011 To see the Statement by Mr. François Crépeau, Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants to the 66th session of the General Assembly, click the link.

United Nations ATOP Joins CoNGO Committee on Mental Health A Report on September 2011 Meeting Katherine Kaze The United Nations CoNGO Committee on Mental Health and the Health Committee met in collaboration on 8th September in the UN Center to present a symposium on “The Global Challenge of chronic Disease: Interaction of Physical and Mental Illnesses.” Presentations maintained the relevance of mental illnesses as contributors to physical malaise, and stressed the importance of connecting such studies to teachings in the field of medicine. UN Representative Katherine Kaze, of the Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention of Meaningfulworld, was present pursuant to the psycho social interests of the organization. ATOP of Meaningfulworld has long shown support for the Mental Health Committee, participating as early as its first meeting. The panel consisted of four distinguished speakers. Dr. James J Strain, MD, spoke about the connection between depression and disease, specifically cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. He maintained that depression travels with other physical illnesses, affecting the individual’s desire to libido, energy levels, eating and sleeping patterns, as well as emotional traits. These physical symptoms are often present with disease. Statistics showed that 15 to 20% of all individuals in the US with forms of heart disease also reported depression. Depression was proven to be a risk factor for heart disease, with almost the same relative risk as smoking. As described by Strain, in depressed patients ACTH travels to the adrenal gland, which activates more platelets in the blood, thus disturbing the regular flow of blood to the heart. Dr. Strain stressed the importance of looking at mental illness as a systemic illness and a part of medicine. In support of his suggestion, he cited a scientific statement by American Heart Association in September 2008 has said every patient in coronary care should be assessed for depression. His hypothesis predicts similar findings for related psychological conditions, such as anxiety. Dr. Deborah Chyun, PhD, concurred with Dr. Strain, choosing instead to focus on causes and prevention of illness. She noted that the most common risk factors for chronic disease are drug use, infectious agents, genetic agents, and psychosocial factors. In her study, psychosocial factors contributed the most to heart disease. The psychosocial factor of aggression was shown to especially contribute to a heart disease. Dr. Chyun recommended a population based strategy of health promotion, not just one which gears to individuals at risk. She stressed the need for a multi-factorial approach, and cited how chronic illnesses cause a loss of income in developing countries such as Russia and China, estimated up to 1 trillion US Dollars. Board certified Dr. Edward Huey, MD, led a presentation relating neural diseases to cardiovascular health. Following his speech, Dr. Gail Melkus, EdD, spoke specifically about the relation between neural disorders and diabetes, another prevalent illness around the world. Dr. Melkus reported that at least 60% of people with diabetes have reported depressive symptoms at some point in their lives. This example cited the reverse of the hypotheses of her colleagues, suggesting that depression was caused by the physical problem, not vice versa. Diabetes, which causes weight gain, causes lower self-esteem and possibly depression. The purpose of the symposium was to stress the interconnectedness of mental and physical health. The speakers present at the UN Church Center sought to drive home that mental illness must be assessed along with physical disorders. The statistics provoked enthusiastic reception, and evidenced that the present argument was a valid concern for the health community at large. ATOP of Meaningfulworld is in agreement with presented statistics, which reaffirm the notion that psycho social factors ultimately have bearing on physical symptoms. Physical experience is certainly accompanied by mental reflection, and by healing one, we help promote the wellness of the other. An active, healthy lifestyle can surely benefit from a positive social environment and communication with the individual. For more information kindly visit our website: www.meaningfulworld.com

United Nations Presentation on Child Welfare and Child’s Rights 9 June 2011 Jennifer De Mucci The CoNGO Committee on Child Rights held its monthly meeting on 9 June from 3:30pm-5:00pm in the 7th floor conference room at UNICEF. This meeting marked the final gathering of the committee until September. The meeting commenced with a presentation from guest speaker, Ira Lustbader, Esq. Mr. Lustbader is the Associate Director of New York-based Children’s Rights, a US advocacy group working to “reform the failing child welfare systems and fighting to enshrine in the law of the land every child’s right to be protected from abuse and neglect and to grow up in a safe, stable, permanent home.” Mr. Lustbader presented the grim picture of the current state of affairs within the United States in regards to the mistreatment of children within the foster care system. He reported there are over 3.3 million cases of reported abuse within the United States and 450,000 of these abused children are within the state run foster care system. He spoke of a case in which an infant suffered severe abuse within the foster homes and was in and out of foster care within 11 months. Another tragic case consisted of a severely abused foster child who moved from shelter to shelter and whose situation was ignored by case workers. According Mr. Lustbader, many of the problems which arise within the system are due to overworked and undertrained staffers who poorly monitor both the foster homes and facilities. Oftentimes, suspected abuse does not get investigated. Additionally, younger children are not matched within foster care based on their individual needs, and often separated from their parents or siblings. Moreover, basic education services are not available to these children, and many often end up homeless or incarcerated once they have aged out of the system at 18. The trauma from constant moving coupled with the trauma resulting from frequent abuse prevents many of these children from having a chance at a positive and healthy future. Following Mr. Lustabader’s presentation, the members of the committee were stirred by the emotional stories of children abused within the faulty child welfare system, yet also made hopeful at the fact that there is a team of dedicated individuals who are diligently campaigning to pressure the state to reform its policies of child welfare. The remainder of the committee meeting focused on planning for upcoming events. Immediate focus is on the High Level Meeting of Youth to be held at the United Nations on July 25th and 26th. Committee member, Mahroo Moshari of the Manhattan Multicultural Counseling has organized a side event highlighting: “Youth Interfaith Dialogue for Mutual Understanding.” ATOP representative, Jennifer De Mucci has volunteered to aid Ms. Moshari in the organization of these side event which is in line with ATOP’s mission toward promoting meaningful dialogue amongst peoples of different faiths and backgrounds, empowering the youth, and instilling the value of sacred activism.

General Assembly Distr.: General 28 March 2011 Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS Mobilizing for impact: five recommendations The present report contains the following five recommendations for all stakeholders: (a) Champion a prevention revolution that harnesses the energy of young people and the potential of new modes of communication that are transforming the world, rescinds punitive laws that block effective responses and ensures that people are empowered to protect themselves, their partners and their families from HIV; (b) Forge a revitalized framework for global solidarity to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2015; (c) Break the upward trajectory of costs and deliver more effective, efficient and sustainable programmes; (d) Ensure that our responses to HIV promote the health, human rights, security and dignity of women and girls; (e) Commit to forging robust mutual accountability mechanisms Introduction 1. In 2001, the number of people living with HIV was increasing, therapies revolutionizing the HIV response in high-income countries were virtually unavailable in the most severely affected countries and total resources spent on HIV activities in low- and middle-income countries amounted to only about 10 per cent of spending in 2009. The epidemic was reversing decades of development progress in sub-Saharan Africa, threatening stability and security, and exacerbating global inequity in health. 2. The 2001 special session resulted in a visionary Declaration that included time-bound targets in the response. The special session gave rise to a major global health financing institution, namely the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Pledging additional steps to strengthen the response, Member States embraced a complementary set of commitments in the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, including the pledge to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. 5. The year 2011 is a historic marker in the global response; it allows the international community to review the progress of the last decade and marks 30 years into the epidemic. 6. This report assesses progress and gaps in the response, based on data submitted by 182 countries and on national and regional reviews on universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.1 Key findings include the following: HIV prevention. The number of people newly infected with HIV declined by 19 per cent in the decade before December 2009, with at least 33 countries experiencing a decline in HIV incidence of at least 25 per cent and 10 high prevalence countries achieving the global goal of reducing HIV prevalence among young people by at least 25 per cent. Antiretroviral therapy. As at December 2010, more than six million people were estimated to be receiving antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle income countries. Yet the majority of people in need still lack access. Towards an HIV-free generation. Global coverage for antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent the vertical transmission of HIV has exceeded 50 per cent.. Human rights. About three in 10 countries worldwide still lack laws prohibiting HIV-related discrimination. Financing the response. Funding for HIV programmes has dramatically increased, helping drive an overall surge in global health financing (see figure I). Nonetheless, in 2009, international HIV assistance declined for the first time, mirroring reductions in other forms of development aid. II. Thirty years of AIDS: reviewing the past, looking towards the future Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most severely affected region, accounting for 68 per cent of all people living with HIV, 69 per cent of new infections and 72 per cent of AIDS deaths. The epidemic, however, has not spared other regions; more than 10.8 million people are living with HIV outside sub-Saharan Africa. It continues to deepen poverty, increase hunger, slow progress on maternal and child health and exacerbate other infectious diseases. 8. The epidemic particularly affects women and girls. In 2009, women represented a slight majority (about 51 per cent of all people living with HIV and about 60 per cent of all people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa). The 2001 and 2006 Declarations: a framework for unprecedented progress 11. The 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS helped to galvanize global resolve to reverse the epidemic. Outcome indicators were established to monitor implementation of the targets adopted in 2001, with countries submitting biennial progress reports to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Civil society and people living with HIV have played an especially critical role in tracking progress in implementing the 2001 and 2006 Declarations, evaluating national policy responses and contributing to country-specific reviews. 12. More than 110 countries established clear, time-bound national targets for service coverage. Although most countries are unlikely to have met their targets for 2010, advances over the last decade definitively demonstrate that universal access is both feasible and essential for long-term success. III. Towards a world with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths In 2010, UNAIDS articulated a new vision for the response, that of a world with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. This new vision is intentionally ambitious, reflecting the high aspirations of a people centered global movement. A. Zero new infections Although global HIV incidence is now declining, many countries have failed to satisfy prevention commitments. As a result, the epidemic continues to outpace the response, with two people newly infected for every individual who started antiretroviral therapy in 2009. Progress in preventing vertical transmission 17 As at December 2009, 15 countries had achieved the target set in the 2001 Declaration of at least 80 per cent coverage of antiretroviral prophylaxis among pregnant women living with HIV, and an additional seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa reported coverage between 50 per cent and 80 per cent. Countries in Eastern Europe and Central Africa have achieved especially high coverage. As a result of scaled-up prevention services, the number of children newly infected declined by 24 per cent globally from 2004 to 2009. 18. Eliminating vertical transmission requires far greater, and more rapid, advances to increase coverage and administer more effective regimens. Enhanced efforts

ATOP UN Representatives meet with Ambassador of Iraq to the UN United Nations, 24 February 2011 Dr. Ani Kalayjian On 24 of February the Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns (CSVGC-NY) held its monthly membership meeting. CSVGC-NY honored the Ambassador of Iraq to the UN, His Excellency Mr. Hamid Al-Bayati. Ambassador Al-Bayati gave an insightful and dynamic presentation to the members of CSVGC-NY. Ambassador talked about the current situation in Iraq, advances in peace, advances in empowerment of women, and integration and harmony between minority groups. He also talked about his newly published book From Dictatorship to Democracy: An insider’s account of the Iraqi Opposition to Saddam. Although Mr. Hamid Al-Bayati is the Ambassador today, for many years he lived in exile in London, where he worked with other opponents of Saddam Hussein’s regime to make a democratic and pluralistic Iraq a reality. As former Western spokesman for the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), and as a member of the executive council of the Iraqi National Congress, two of the main groups opposing Saddam’s regime, he led campaigns to alert the world to human rights violations in Iraq and win support from the international community for the removal of Saddam. As important Iraqi diplomat and member of Iraq’s majority Shia community, he offers firsthand accounts of the meetings and discussion he and other Iraqi opponents to Saddam held with American and British diplomats from 1991-2004. His Excellency reported that he is in the process of writing another book on similarities of all three Abrahamic religions of: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. A very active and engaging question and answer period followed Ambassador’s presentation. ATOP and ACRPC UN Representatives present were: Dr. Kalayjian, Jennifer De Mucci, Katherine Kaze, Ambassador Alimole, Rev. Joseph Pearce Farrelle.