Dianova chosen to participate in the UN Informal Interactive Stakeholder Consultation to discuss drugs and health
A contribution to the preparatory process for UNGASS 2016, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem
The UNGASS will be held on April 19th – 21st, 2016. The session will be the most significant opportunity to have global and in-depth discussions on drugs in almost 20 years. UNGASS is meant to draw attention to particular issues, to create political momentum and to advocate for certain aspects at the international level.
10 February 2016, Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ, New York, USA, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST
Press Release – Today, February 10, an Informal Interactive Stakeholder Consultation will be held by the UN as a contribution to the preparatory process for UNGASS 2016. The Consultation will provide all relevant stakeholders (Member States, representatives from civil society and non-governmental organizations, the academic and scientific community and youth groups) with an opportunity to share their best practices on the ground as well as their experiences of the impact of drug policies, while highlighting the special challenges regarding addiction, health, illicit drug trade, crime and trafficking, human rights, community development and sustainable development.
As stated by Ms. Montse Rafel, Executive Director of Dianova International: “to participate in this consultation comes as recognition of the engagement of the Dianova network member organizations. Grassroots organizations have valuable information on the impact of public policies on day-to-day addiction interventions. Developing holistic approaches is a requisite for addressing these problems, highly complex by nature; it is then fundamental that governments capitalise on the potential of such platforms dedicated to experience-sharing and reflection to design policies that truly contribute to the healthy development of communities.”
Ms. Maria de Los Angeles Lobos, Director of Dianova’s treatment facility for women at Viña del Mar (Chile), will participate in the consultation as a representative from the Dianova Network. In her own words :
“I will transmit our experience as an NGO in addressing addiction problems among women, while stressing the singularities of a treatment tailored to the various needs of a fragile, vulnerable population. There is a clear need to review and reformulate public policies, both on a local and international level, while promoting a comprehensive, pragmatic human rights-based approach capable of empowering the communities and reducing the gap in the access to health care services.”
About Dianova International
Dianova is an international NGO operating in 11 countries across the Americas and Europe and developing innovative initiatives in the fields of education, youth, addiction treatment and prevention and community development.
Dianova International has Special Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC); it is a registered Civil Society Organization to the Organization of American States (OAS), an Official Partner of the UNESCO, a member of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) and a member of the European Civil Society Forum on Drugs (CSF).
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Rui Martins, Communication consultant for Dianova International
Tel: +351 261 324 900 Mobile phone: +351 919 923 752
Skype: ruipaulomartins
Email: rui.martins@dianova.org
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