1. Judith T. Wagner OMEP Representative UN Economic and Social Council
OMEP at UN 2013
Judith T. Wagner
OMEP Representative
UN Economic and Social Council

2. History
OMEP is NGO 11 – the 11th non-governmental organization to gain consultative status with the United Nations in 1948 through our relationship with UNESCO. CATEGORIES: Roster, Special, and General

3. OMEP Designees for 2013 UN New York Headquarters
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson
Carol R. Darcy*, Main Representative
Kate Kolchin*, Jean Simpson, and Judith Wagner
Department of Public Information (DPI)
Maria Pia Belloni and Jerry Aldridge
Amber Eriksson, Youth Representative
Since its inception OMEP has had consultative status at the UN. Official OMEP designees and others who regularly participate in OMEP’s work at the UN are known collectively as “the New York Team.” Their main job is to promote the interests and wellbeing of young children, birth to age 8, their families, and the institutions that serve them. During 2013 long-time designee to the UN, Kate Kolchin, passed away and Carol Darcy, who served as a representative for many years and, more recently, as the main representative, retired.

4. Primary goal for 2013 New York Team
Goal: Increase OMEP’s visibility and status in global policy-making and implementation
Why: To strengthen our position as advocates
for young children’s wellbeing, rights, and education
In other words, to take advantage of OMEP’s consultative status at the UN –Awaken the sleeping giant.

5. Strategies Demystify procedures for involvement
Improve communication/information flow
Increase OMEP’s participation in NGO committees
Increase the number of OMEP representatives at important UN and UNICEF events
Strengthen relationships at the UN/UNICEF
Strengthen networks and partnerships
Demystify the procedures for involvement
Improve communication/information flow
Increase OMEP’s participation in NGO committees
Increase the number of OMEP representatives at important UN and UNICEF events
Strengthen relationships at the UN/UNICEF
Strengthen networks and partnerships with governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as other NGOs with similar or mutually complementary aims.
such as the Early Childhood Development unit and the WASH unit;
with governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as other NGOs with similar or mutually complementary aims.

6. 2013 Focus
Influence decision-makers to include early childhood development, care, and education as an unambiguous priority in the Post-2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

7. OMEP’s Role in Promoting ECD/ECEC on Post-2015 Agenda
Country consultations
OMEP You Tube videos in English, French, Spanish, and Chinese
Position statement from World OMEP/published
OMEP response to High Level Panel
Side Event: High-level Panel on Post-2015 Global Policy Early Childhood Development as a Foundation for Sustainable Development
(December 12, 2013)
A few highlights. Each required hours and hours of work, collaborations, networking

8. OMEP Representatives’ Activities
NGO Committee on the Family
OMEP reps responsible for planning and leading programs, including presentations by OMEP members
OMEP rep serves on Executive Committee and nominating committee
NGO Committee on Migration
OMEP rep chairs the Working Group on Child Migration
NGO Committee on Education
Side Events: December 2013 & February 2014
OMEP’s New York team have become increasingly involved and visible an the UN. In the last year, OMEP representatives have assumed leadership roles on two important DPI committees.

9. Projects: ZIP and KIP
Za’atari Intervention Project (ZIP) Kenya Intervention Project (KIP)
ZA’ATARI REFUGEE CAMP, JORDAN and DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP IN KENYA
Provide culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate activities for parents, teachers and volunteers to use with young children living in refugee camps
First draft of the materials has been translated into Arabic and the local language in Kenya. Currently being field tested.

10. ZIP & KIP: Recent Developments
New York Red Cross: Exploring the possibility of adapting the materials for crisis shelters in New York City.
Too little emphasis on the needs of young children and their caregivers after Hurricane Sandy

11. Collaborations, Networking, Initiatives
OMEP rep (Maria Pia) participated in 2013 High Level
Dialogue (HLD) on International Migration and
Development
Strengthened networks with many organizations,
especially through collaborations on co-sponsored
events and co-authored position statements
Just a few…..

12. 2014 Representatives ECOSOC: PDI: Youth:
Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, Main Representative
Judith Wagner, Jerry Aldridge, Jean Simpson,
Gaby Fujimoto
PDI:
Maggie Koong, Maria Pia Belloni, Grace Jepkemboi
Youth:
Amber Eriksson, Swetha Mummini

13. Looking ahead… 2014 and Beyond
Continue with 2013 goals and strategies
Maintain better records; monthly reports
Develop task guidelines for representatives
Engage more members in NY and vicinity
Increase awareness of OMEP’s role at the UN
Develop plan for involvement at UN Geneva and Vienna headquarters
Change OMEP’s status from Roster to Special

14. Presentation on OMEP at UN
Please attend the informational presentation on OMEP at the United Nations Thursday at 4:15 in Boole 3