Transcript 4th International NGO Forum on the review of the United

Beyond 2008
NGOs’ voice in the ten-year review of the
United Nations General Assembly Special
Session on Illicit Drugs (UNGASS)
A presentation by Michel Perron,
Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian
Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) and
Chair of Beyond 2008
www.vngoc.org
The 1998 Political Declaration and Action
Plans adopted at the United Nations General
Assembly Special Session on Illicit Drugs

Governments from around the world adopted and endorsed a number
of important documents forming a ten-year plan (1998-2008)
 Political Declaration
 Declaration of the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction
 Measures to Enhance International Cooperation to Counter the
World Drug Problem
• Action Plan Against Illicit Manufacture, Trafficking and Abuse
of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and their Precursors
• Control of Precursors
• Measures to Promote Judicial Cooperation
• Countering Money Laundering
• Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of
Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development
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Beyond 2008: An Overview

Since 2007, the Vienna NGO Committee has led a global
NGO consultation entitled “Beyond 2008” to contribute to
the UNGASS review process

Beyond 2008 was formally endorsed by the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime, financially supported by several
NGOs and UN member states (Canada, Hungary, Italy,
Sweden, United Kingdom) and the European Union

Beyond 2008 consisted of:
 regional consultations in all 9 regions of the world and a
representative Forum in July 2008
 A total of over 900 persons representing millions of
members in 145 countries participated in this process
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Objectives
The “Beyond 2008” regional consultations and
Forum focused on three specific objectives:
1.
To highlight tangible NGO achievements in the field of
drug control, with particular emphasis on contributions to
the 1998 UNGASS Action Plan
2.
To review best practices related to collaboration
mechanisms among NGOs, governments and UN
agencies and propose new and/or improved ways of
working with the UNODC and CND
3.
To adopt a series of high order principles, drawn from the
Conventions and their commentaries that would be tabled
with the UNODC and CND for their consideration and
serve as a guide for future deliberations on drug policy
matters.
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Beyond 2008 Forum – Vienna, July 2008

Following the regional consultations, a Global Summary report
was prepared as was a draft Declaration and three Resolutions for
debate at the Forum by the 300 delegates attending from 115
countries and 65 international NGOs

The Resolutions are framed within the context of the three
international drug control conventions and the mandate/authority
of international institutions and member states

Following the adoption of common and agreed language the
Declaration and three Resolutions were unanimously adopted by
consensus

The Resolutions make 51 specific recommendations for the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs, UN Member States, the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics
Control Board and NGOs.
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Framing the recommendations: key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable
effort) on the inclusion and definition of key terms
including:

Affected Populations: “Acknowledge the human rights
abuses against people who use drugs as an affected
population and encourage Member States, the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other relevant
organisations to solicit the participation of all affected
and stigmatised populations in identifying and
responding to these human rights abuses, to
illicit/harmful drug use and to its adverse health, social
and economic consequences.”
www.vngoc.org
Framing the recommendations: key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort)
on the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Illicit/Harmful Drug use: “Illicit drug use is use contrary
to the UN Conventions; harmful drug use is drug use
which causes harm to individuals, families, communities
or the environment; illicit/harmful drug use is drug use
where action is necessary, including but not limited to
prevention or intervention in the fields of criminal justice,
education, health care, social support, treatment or
rehabilitation”
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Framing the recommendations: key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort)
on the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Harm reduction: “meaning efforts primarily to address
and prevent the adverse health and social
consequences of illicit/harmful drug use, including
reducing HIV and other blood borne infections”

…related was the affirmation of: “Noting the fundamental
importance of prevention, including those efforts aimed
at alcohol abuse and tobacco use, as important and
complementary efforts to reduce illicit/harmful drug use”
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Key themes emerging from Beyond 2008
Shared responsibility and accountability.
Governments, at all levels, need to leverage the
experience, reach, professionalism and passion of
NGOs. NGOs have become more focused, disciplined,
inter-connected and organized around how to take on this
global problem. NGOs are well placed to contribute – but
only if their experience, reach, impact and commitment is
engaged.
www.vngoc.org
Key themes emerging from Beyond 2008
Give the most affected a voice.
This is an issue that has to be addressed at the human
level. The Declaration and Resolutions represent many
different voices - individuals, families, and communities from around the globe. This voice needs to be heard
because it brings a fundamental understanding on how to
achieve demonstrable progress to reduce illicit/harmful
drug use and its adverse health, social and economic
consequences.
www.vngoc.org
Key themes emerging from Beyond 2008
Beyond 2008 Forum has created a call for action.
The Declaration and Resolutions are just the start. It is a
commitment by all of the participants to build on what
was achieved in Vienna as they return to their work and
engage with their governments.
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What’s happening now

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is negotiating a Political
Declaration that is to be adopted on March 11/12, 2009 in Vienna at
the High Level Segment (HLS)

CND has three additional inter-sessional meetings scheduled prior to
the HLS to finalize the Political Declaration. Canada is represented
by Foreign Affairs at these discussions. The Canadian position is
developed by officials in Ottawa from various departments including
Health and Justice Canada

Progress to date on the Political Declaration has been predictably
slow. Version 2 of the document still under-addresses the
contributions/opportunity of engaging NGOs

Some of the recommendations under demand reduction and
treatment parallel those of Beyond 2008 conclusions
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How you can get involved

You are invited to review the current and future drafts of the Political
Declaration and to provide your comments to CCSA who will in turn,
provide them to Health Canada for the Federal Government’s
consideration

You are welcome to communicate directly with representatives from the
Federal Government (officials at Health or Justice Canada) to make
your views known on key elements you would like reflected in the
Canadian position

You can also communicate directly with key Federal Ministers (Health,
Justice & Foreign Affairs) to share your views

Finally, please encourage your networks to do the same both within and
outside of Canada. It is critical that the voice of NGOs be heard by the
respective governments as they prepare for the HLS
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Some details on the HLS

The HLS will take place in Vienna on March 11/12, 2009

There will be one NGO slot in the plenary discussion and that has been
reserved for Beyond 2008

There are four round table discussions which will also take place during
the HLS (including one on demand reduction). 3 of the 5 seats
allocated to NGOs per round table will be filled by organizations
recommended to the CND Secretariat by the VNGOC

Only accredited NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status can attend the
HLS. Space is very limited as is the ability to substantively contribute to
the discussion

The Canadian Government will include CCSA and CECA on their
delegation
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A few reminders…

The HLS represent the most important government drug policy
debate which will take place in the foreseeable future

NGOs need to be informed, engaged and channel their contributions
through appropriate channels

The HLS is a government event. NGOs can, through established UN
rules, contribute to the process but ultimately these are matters
debated and agreed upon by and between governments

Our ability to influence/inform the process is by:
 Working through our government and political representatives
 Working through the Beyond 2008 process
 Supporting your networks in doing same in other countries
 Raising the awareness of this event with key stakeholders
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For ongoing information…

The UNODC website: www.unodc.org

The VNGOC (including Beyond 2008 Declaration and
Resolutions): www.vngoc.org

The CCSA website: www.ccsa.ca

My (first!) Blog
 Specifically designed for the lead up to and during the HLS
 Please contribute to this discussion:
http://michelperron.blogspot.com
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