Dianova International is headquartered in Geneva and has been present in Switzerland since its inception, a choice due to the country’s historical neutrality, philanthropy and international orientation
Our representatives Montse Rafel (left) and Lucía Goberna at WHO Forum on alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours in Geneva (2019) – Dianova International CC
Presentation
Dianova has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; it is also active in international organizations (United Nations, European Union, Organization of American States), and it maintains close relationships with civil society platforms in Vienna, New York and Brussels, among others.
Dianova wants to take part in discussions regarding drug policies within human rights and health and development forums. Our presence in Geneva is therefore critical, since it is home to such entities as the World Health Organisation and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as to many NGO platforms working in these fields.
Lastly, the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations in Consultative Relations with the United Nations (CoNGO) is also headquartered in Geneva. Through this organization, we try and advocate greater participation of civil society organisations in the United Nations system.
Our Activities in Switzerland
- Attendance to the debates of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on drug dependence and drug policy issues. For example: our representatives attended the WHO forums on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviour in 2017 and 2019.
- Integration of the addiction issue in the Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights through the organisation of side events at the Human Rights Council and the provision of written contributions to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the preparation of reports.
- Participation in events that broaden drug policy debates (Geneva Drug Policy Week 2019).
- Membership and participation in meetings of the Geneva Global Health Hub.
- Meeting with the Liaison Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Geneva.
- Attendance at CoNGO Board meetings, publication of written statements to commemorate international days and events (e.g. Statement on the International Education Day 2021).
- Organization of a seminar jointly with Greycells, (association of former international civil servants for development): “Dialogue 2021. People, Planet and Prosperity: Can Social mobilization shape the agenda at the local, national, and global levels” . The event will be held in Geneva on 28 June 2021 in hybrid format. In addition, a survey has been launched until 15 April to feed the debates of this intergenerational dialogue (survey available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Swiss-German)
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals and Targets
1.4 – By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
3.3 – By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases
3.5 – Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
3.8 – Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
3.d – Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks
10.2 – By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 – Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
16.7 – Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.b – Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
17.14 – Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
17.16 – Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries
17.17 – Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.