Friday, January 9, 2009

Fortunately, this morning did not mirror Wednesday morning. I was ready and even able to get some breakfast prior to our departure time of 6:30. The bus rides on these trips tend to be rather uneventful – most people (myself included) are trying to just get some additional sleep. The program director is quite smart…in order to make sure we are all awake for the meetings; he stops the bus about 30 minutes outside the city for a quick coffee break.

Our first meeting today was at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The woman who provided the presentation described it as a club were members control much of the agenda and also whether or not additional members are allowed to join. She did a rather good job of delineating what the organization does and the rules by which it functions. I certainly learned a lot more about it and it also shed some light on some areas that I have previously questioned.

The second meeting was at the International Labor Organization (ILO). The presentation that we received specifically focused on the ILO Program on HIV/AIDS and the workplace. I honestly had never considered the workplace as a place to disseminate this type of information and health care, but can probably be persuaded that it would be an effective avenue. I would probably be against a mandate (as I usually am against full mandates), but believe that it could be presented in a way that it would be in the best interest of the employer (lower health care costs, less sick days, higher productivity, etc.). Where I normally focus on education (primary and vocational) that would not directly reach the people who have already graduated out of these levels).

Our final meeting was at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The man who conducted the presentation was actually an American; however, it did not appear obvious that he had lived in the States for quite some time. He has worked on refugee issues for quite some time and was able to answer all of our questions (some rather controversial) on the issue. The work of UNHCR is important and we were blessed to have the opportunity to hold a discussion with someone who had so much experience. My interest in this area is education. There are millions of refugees sitting in camps – so many of them women and children – without access to education. Generations are being brought up illiterate. I questioned what UNHCR is doing to combat this issue and they are working on it, but the representative noted that it probably isn’t enough – a saddening fact. Illiteracy will perpetuate the cycle of violence, poverty, and disease. On a soap box now, so I’ll hold off on additional details…

After the meeting, we all headed to the train station. The majority (11) of us are going to Valais for the weekend! A weekend of relaxation…much needed after such a hectic week and a half.