During the first week of December the two Vice-presidents of our UNA, Lea Kašpar and Irena Pereša, travelled to Geneva to attend the meeting of European United Nations Associations organized by the World Federation of UNAs and its office in Geneva. The two-day conference encompassed a number of meetings in which the UNAs had the opportunity to present their work in the past year as well as their future plans.

The overarching theme of this Swiss randez vous was the assessment of the Millennium Campaign and brainstorming about possible joint regional activities that would benefit raising awareness about the Millennium Development Goals through UNA projects. Briefings from the World Food Programme, UNDP, UNESCO, OHCHR, and other UN agencies and programs, gave the delegates an overview of the achievements as well as failures of the Millennium Campaign thus far. In the light of the ongoing economical crisis, questions were raised about the amount of development aid that will undoubtedly be lessened by budget cuts. Shortages in funds might subsequently weaken the position of NGOs dependant on external financial aid as are the UNAs.

After hearing presentations from UN officials and UNAs representatives present at the meeting, the assembly agreed that the UNAs, being a link between the UN and the Civil Society, should continue to play an important role in the Millennium Campaign until its expiration in 2015. Consequently, the UNA representatives proposed putting more emphasis on MDG related projects in their agendas for the upcoming year.

Furthermore, CUNA Representatives used this opportunity to visit the Croatian UN Mission in Geneva where they had the chance to learn more about the work of its diplomats and staff members.