[Yk-yhdistys] Seminar 28.8.2009: Promoting the principles of Responsibility to Protect

[Inka Leisma]

Seminar invitation: Promoting the principles of Responsibility to Protect

The unanimous endorsement of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was 
hailed as one of the most important achievements of the 2005 High-level 
Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly, the World Summit. However, 
while the use of force, even for humanitarian reasons, against a 
sovereign state will remain controversial and contested, it is essential 
for the UN members to continue the discussion and promotion of the 
principles of R2P. It is only through persistent outreach and inclusive 
debate that we can move forward and make these principles acceptable to 
the international community not only in word, but also in action.

The aims of United Nations Associations and concerned stakeholders in 
the Nordic countries are, on one hand, to enhance the understanding and 
strengthen political will regarding the principles of R2P, and on the 
other hand, to create possibilities of taking the initiative further 
during the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Time: August 28th 2009, 3 pm to 5.30 pm
Place: Hanasaari – Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre (Hanasaarenranta 5, 
02100 Espoo, Finland)

The language of the seminar is English. Attendance is free but requires 
advance registration by August 24th. Registration: 
http://www.hanaholmen.fi (Ohjelma/ilmoittautumiset)

Programme

Welcome
Gunvor Kronman, Executive Director, Hanasaari - the Swedish-Finnish 
Cultural Centre
Jutta Urpilainen, Chairperson, the United Nations Association of Finland

Opening remarks
Tarja Halonen, the President of the Republic of Finland

Keynote speakers
Alexander Stubb, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Roméo Dallaire, Senator

Panelists
Jan Egeland, Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Hans Corell, former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the 
Legal Counsel of the UN
Roméo Dallaire, Senator

Moderator Pekka Haavisto, Member of Parliament and Finnish Special Envoy 
for African crises

Organisers: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Canada in 
Helsinki, Hanasaari - the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre, the United 
Nations Associations of Finland and Sweden and the Finnish Red Cross.


Viestin välitti,

-- 
Inka Leisma
Tiedottaja/Communications Officer
Suomen YK-liitto/UN Association of Finland
+358 9 231 50 501
+358 40 547 9367