Dianova’s Commitment in International Fora

WFTC international conference

In 2015, we are determined to make heard the voice of NGOs and field workers in the preparatory phase of UNGASS 2016

 

Since year 2007 when Dianova was granted Special Consultative Status to the ECOSOC, our network has gradually increased its participation in international high-level fora. While Dianova’s representatives initially dedicated time to bet better acquainted with the United Nations system and its various branches, they are now committed to actively participate in these meetings by organizing side events, taking floor when possible and implementing partnerships with other NGOs.

In 2014, our representatives have participated in numerous working groups, conferences, surveys and other consultations; in addition, Dianova International has organized jointly with other partners two side events during international high-level fora. The conference "Education, Gender and Maternal Health" in the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58) in March 2014 (New York) and a conference dedicated to advocate for long-term addiction treatment models, an event organized in conjunction with the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs’ yearly session in Vienna (Austria) in March 2014.

We have also defended our convictions, for example so that addiction treatment modalities be considered within a public health focus ruling out whichever form of repression towards substance abusers. This was the case in October at the informal Civil Society Hearing hosted by the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC), at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, with the presentation of a program dedicated to mothers with dependent children, implemented by Dianova Chile.

XXVI International Conference of Therapeutic Communities

Hommage to Mgr. O'Brien

From 3 to 7 November, Dianova attended the 26th International Conference of Therapeutic Communities in Cancun (Mexico). The event was co-organized by the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC), of which Dianova is a member, and the Youth Integration Centers (Centros de Integracion Juvenil). The event also hosted the 16th International Congress on Addictions dedicated to "Holistic Approaches of Care for Global Welfare." A number of plenary sessions were held with speakers of international renown, as well as a series of panel discussion, simultaneous conferences and workshops with the participation of professionals from all walks of life, including psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists, social workers, professors, researchers, etc.

The reunion of Cancun has created a space in which participants have been able to exchange experiences and knowledge on issues including the various intervention modalities in TCs and the situation of research on drug care. Through exchange and dialogue, participants have been able to build a consensus about the critical importance of offering a variety of interconnected services to effectively respond to the multi-facetedness of the addiction problem while tackling today’s world's social dislocation and stress.  

During the conference, the representative of Dianova, Bruno Ferrari, presented a practice developed by the Dianova network to raise awareness of the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. The REACT campaign is estimated to have reached millions of people in some of the countries where Dianova operates, through multiplatform broadcasts (radio, posters, information panels, TV, social networks and websites).

The campaign has been subject to a report, the summary of which will be published on our website on  January 27.

In addition we should point out that our collaboration with the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities will continue this year, since a meeting has been scheduled on February 9 between Dianova and WFTC representatives, to discuss and possibly consider future partnerships as part of the implementation of the Dianova delegation in New York.

In conclusion, we would like to stress how successful 2014 has been, however the present year will probably be an important milestone for our network. We are determined to make heard the voice of NGOs, civil society and field workers in the context of the preparatory phase of the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) on drugs in 2016. Our objective is to contribute to an opening of the current system of international drug control towards a public health approach which is more compassionate and respectful of human rights.