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UNICRI celebrates the UN 70th anniversary with Portugal and the UN Family in Lisbon

Lisbon -

 

Only when we work together can we overcome shared threats and seize shared opportunities; only at the United Nations can all countries – large and small, rich and poor – and all people have their voices heard. In our rapidly changing world, the United Nations remains humankind’s invaluable instrument of common progress. Let us use this anniversary to reflect on the lessons of seven decades, and reaffirm our commitment to serve “we the peoples” and build lives of prosperity, security and dignity for all.- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for UN70.

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and other UN agencies will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations with the Municipality of Lisbon, the Portuguese Government, national committees, civil society, the private sector and other international and regional organizations in Portugal.

The celebration of the UN 70th anniversary in Lisbon aims to raise awareness of the work of the United Nations and of the UN entities in Portugal. The celebration will represent an important opportunity to reflect on the guiding principles of the UN Charter (1945) and the newly established 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Two commemorative sessions will take place in Lisbon: on 23 October, a public session on migration will take place in the Lisbon Urban Information Centre. Ms. Teresa Tito de Morais, President of the Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR), will deliver a keynote speech with focus on the current situation of refugees in Europe; Ms. Cláudia Pedrosa, former United Nations Volunteer, will share her experience with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - UNHCR - in Mozambique; and representatives of the UN entities in Portugal will discuss with the audience their approach and response to the current migratory flows. The session is open to the public; universities, civil society organizations, public services and private sector entities are invited to attend.

UNICRI will deliver a presentation and a digital exhibition on the initiatives in the field of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, and child exploitation the Institute implemented since 2002 in the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, Thailand, the Philippines, and Ukraine. In particular, UNICRI’s work in this area focused on action oriented research, victims’ protection and empowerment, capacity building, and transnational cooperation in countering smugglers and traffickers. Selected publications of the Institute will also be available. The event will serve as an important opportunity to strengthen dialogue with civil society and to raise awareness on priority issues.

On 24 October - the United Nations Day, an official ceremony for the commemoration of UN 70thanniversary will be held at the City Hall of Lisbon. Representatives from the UN system, regional organizations and the Portuguese Government will discuss the challenges that our global community is facing. Among the high level speakers: Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral, President of the UN General Assembly in 1995 and 1996; Ambassador José de Freitas Ferraz, Director of the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal; Ms. Catarina Furtado, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador; Mr. Carlos Manuel Castro, Councilor for International Relations, Security and Safety of the Municipality of Lisbon. During the celebration “Grupo de Cante Cardadores da Sete” will perform Cante Alentejano (polyphonic singing from Alentejo, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). Approximately 50 high-level representatives from regional organizations, the diplomatic community in Portugal, the Portuguese Government and strategic partners of the United Nations in the country will participate in the event.