2014: The Inaugural Event Of World NGO Day (Feb 27), Finland.

Press release by Finald Times

The World NGO Day 2014 Forum will begin at Scandic Marina Congress Center in Helsinki on Thursday marking the first World NGO Day.

The International Development Minister, Pekka Haavisto is scheduled to open the two-day event.

The forum is being organised by the World NGO Day Initiative – supported by European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs – in recognition for the need of a new international calendar day dedicated to NGOs, the important work they do locally, nationally and internationally, and all the individuals behind them worldwide.

The newly elected secretary general of the Secretariat to the Nordic Council, Britt Bohlin, and other UN agencies’ executives including UNOPS Executive Director Jan Mattsson and UNESCO Assistant Director-General Eric Falt are also expected to speak at the international forum.

In fragile countries, the activities of civil society can be very difficult, even paralyzed. The international community must also support the implementation of civil rights

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark, also former prime minister of New Zealand, will be addressing delegates via video in recognition of the importance of the NGO sector.

International Development Minister Pekka Haavisto was recently elected as chairman of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS), an international forum promoting the development of fragile states.

“In fragile countries, the activities of civil society can be very difficult, even paralyzed. The international community must also support the implementation of civil rights”, said Haavisto.

The participants include representatives ranging from the executive director of BRAC International – the largest NGO in the world – to Turkey’s country director of International Medical Corps that is providing medical assistance to many Syrian refugees on the Turkish borders on a daily basis.

Source: Finland Times, 2014

Helen Clark, UNDP on World NGO Day

Ms. Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator (Former Prime Minister of New Zealand) – video message in support of the World NGO Day. / 27 February, 2014

Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development on World NGO Day

“It is only right that, on just one day, the world including corporates should celebrate NGOs and build better symbiosis with them.” / 27 February, 2014