1. Towards a UN IYA 2009 Resolution Claus Madsen, ESO

2. The Background The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003 The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005 The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006 Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006 Planned submission to the UN, October 2006

3. The Background The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003 The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005 The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006 Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006 Planned submission to the UN, October 2006

4. The Background The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003 The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005 The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006 Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006 Planned submission to the UN, October 2006

5. The Background The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003 The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005 The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006 Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006 Planned submission to the UN, October 2006

6. The Background The XXV IAU General Assembly in Sydney August 2003 The UNESCO 33C/Resolution 25, 2005 The XXVI IAU General Assembly in Prague, August 2006 Meeting at UNESCO, August 2006 Planned submission to the UN, October 2006

7. The Background ! !

8. Do we need a UN resolution? – will ‘elevate’ the activities and increase their visibility – will mobilise resources A UN endorsement is highly desirable, in particular to enable 3 rd World Activities A UN Resolution is a policy initiative and the process to secure it is a political process

9. So what happened? – Reluctance among many industrialised (Western) nations regarding International Years – The European Union CFSP (Presidency Coordination) – The Australian/Canadian Resolution (2006) – ‘Thumbs down’ from the US

10. How to obtain a Resolution? Proposals for Resolutions are submitted to the UN General Assembly through one of the Standing Committees – The General Committee – The 2 nd (The Economic and Financial Committee) – The 3 rd (The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee – The 4 th Committee (The Special Political and Decolonization Committee) The proposal will be submitted to the 62th General Assembly by October 2007

11. Main Criteria A subject proposed for an international year should be consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations as stated in its Charter. It should be of priority concern to all or the majority of countries and should contribute to the development of international cooperation in solving global problems, in particular those affecting developing countries. It should involve action at the international and national levels and should be expected to generate significant follow-up at both levels in the form of new activities or the strengthening of existing ones. Each international year should have objectives that are likely to lead to identifiable and practical results.

12. Engineering a Majority – Secure as many ‘yes’ votes as possible – Enlist as many proposal co-sponsors as possible (and key actors in the UN); Group 77 – Avoid ‘no’ votes

13. The Good News! 2005 International Year of Physics International Year of Microcredit International Year of Sport and Physical Education 2006 International Heliophysical Year International Year of Deserts and Desertification 2007 International Polar Year

14. The Good News! 2008 International Year of Sanitation (ECOSOC) International Year of the Potato International Year of Planet Earth 2009 International Year of Natural Fibres International Year of Reconciliation International Year of Astronomy (to be proposed)

15. The Good News! 2010 International Year of Biodiversity 2011 International Year of Forests (proposed to the 61 st GA, not yet adopted) 2010 International Year of Biodiversity 2011 International Year of Forests (proposed to the 61 st GA, not yet adopted)

16. The Lobbying Process Science Policy Level National level Science Ministry of FA Ministry of FA Policy Level MS UN missions MS UN missions UN level

17. Essentials – Time (before October) – Resolution Leadership – Timing of individual actions – Engage the political system, but get to its heart – Stay on the case; the ‘ Piece of Cake Syndrome’ – A collective effort which must be orchestrated

18. Country Status AustraliaAustralia will probably not vote against a resolution proposal BrazilBrazil is ready to co-sponsor the resolution CanadaNegative decision cannot be ruled out ChileAction pending (late March) Czech RepublicPositive reaction. Possible co-sponsor? DenmarkPositive reaction. Rejection of IYA resolution proposal unlikely EgyptWill require follow up FranceWill require follow up GermanyWill require follow up IraqTime permitting, follow up might be useful (Arab League) ItalyThe Italian initiative is pivotal for the project. JapanJapan is ready to co-sponsor the resolution LuxembourgReasons for optimism with rejection of IYA resolution proposal unlikely

19. Country Status Nigeria Time permitting, follow up might be useful PortugalReasons for optimism but will require follow up Russian Fed.Positive reaction, but will require follow up South AfricaReasons for optimism with rejection of IYA resolution proposal unlikely. Co-sponsor? SwitzerlandReasons for optimism with rejection of IYA resolution proposal unlikely TunesiaWill require follow up, their strong involvement in UNAWE suggest potential as co-sponsor VenezuelaTime permitting, follow up might be useful UKPotentially difficult! USAWill require follow up. Negative decision cannot be ruled out

20. Country Status AngolaTime permitting, follow up might be useful ColumbiaTime permitting, follow up might be useful EU UN WG Promising…. (CONUN)

21. And if we fail…. Plan B!