Experiencing the United Nations: the DePaul University's School for New Learning.

Students, loaded down with books, photos, postcards, cameras, tape recorders and papers, poured into the classroom. Everyone was chatting and happy to see each other again. They spread out their materials on the conference table and walked around looking at photographs, talking excitedly as they recollected the events captured in them. Later, I called the class to order with a question: "Well, how was the Conference?" Everyone laughed and smiled, and responded in unison: "Fabulous." "Wonderful." "Amazing." "Awesome." "Great." "Everyone was so terrific." "I loved it."

A study-travel course. Experiencing the United Nations, in which students attend the annual Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization (DPI/NGO) Conference at UN Headquarters in New York City, is offered at DePaul University's School for New Learning in downtown Chicago. The School is a competency-based Bachelor of Arts degree programme exclusively for adults over the age of 24. Most students are working for Chicago-area businesses. Prior to taking the course, few of the students were generally familiar with the United Nations and NGOs.

The purpose of this class was to debrief from our experiences at the recent 56th Annual DPI/NGO Conference: Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the Promise of the United Nations (see UN Chronicle, Issue 4, 2003). From 8 to 10 September 2003, DePaul University students served as rapporteurs for the 31 workshops organized and conducted by various NGOs affiliated with DPI. Ten or eleven workshops on a host of topics, ranging from the fine line between human security and civil rights violations to issues of poverty eradication and sustainable development initiatives, were conducted concurrently each day.

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Our class actually began in August 2003 when we prepared for the Conference. DPI sent us a description of the topics for the workshops, which enabled the students to select those they were most interested in attending. They had to cover one workshop each day and since we had more than ten students, some workshops had two rapporteurs. Everyone became frustrated because all the topics were so interesting that they wanted to attend two or three sessions at the same time. One student quickly offered a solution. "Let's record each session and then we can put them all on a computer disc (CD), and making copies for everyone would be easy." Everyone loved the idea. I realized that many of the NGO representatives had the same problem and might also like to have a recording of the sessions they could not attend. While the students did not have the resources to make CDs for hundreds of people, I pointed out that we could post audiotapes on our DePaul University streaming media server so that everyone could access them from all over the world.

The number of tasks for each workshop was escalating. Students had to meet and photograph all the panel members, tape record each one-and-a-half-hour-long session, take careful notes (in case the tape recorder did not work) and ensure that the speakers' names were correctly spelt. I was concerned that so many tasks might be daunting, but the students were enthusiastic and not intimidated. After returning from the Conference, they had to write a 500-word summary of each workshop for DPI to publish and a long summary for me to post on our server. We also had to make sure that the cassette tapes were of good enough quality to post on our website.

Excerpts from the students' discussion of their experiences as rapporteurs for the DPI/NGO workshops

Pat Earnest (wife, mother, student and assistant at Motorola Company); When I signed up for this travel class, I knew it would be interesting but never imagined the responsibility or pride that I would feel being part of the United Nations conference. Acting as a rapportuer, I had the role and responsibility to provide others who could not attend with the workshop information, I arrived early at each workshop to set up my tape recorder, camera and notepad, then introduced myself to the panel and took their photos. They were happy that someone was reporting on the contents of their discussion.

Patrick Vrba (former United States Marine and corporate business Manager who served in South and West Africa): Personally, I learned that being a rapporteur requires a certain amount of discipline for me to embrace the atmosphere of the workshop and participate in the discussion. But I also had to remain focused on writing down the critical points of the discussion. And I always hoped that my tape recorder was working!

My greatest benefit in serving as a rapporteur was meeting the people and then writing summaries of the major ideas presented in each workshop. I spoke with the workshop leaders who were UN dignitaries, university scholars, NGO leaders and international experts. While all the speakers and participants provided diverse perspectives on global issues, such as HIV/AIDS and strategies for water security, it was my Wednesday workshop on "Africa Civil Society and Human Security" that provided me with a grass-roots understanding of Africa's current condition. However, in my opinion, the most valuable time was when the workshops came to an end, and I was able to meet with the speakers and talk further about the issues. I was surprised and thrilled that they were all so willing to speak with me personally. Having the opportunity to talk with grass-roots workers, such as Bineta Diop, Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarite, Dr. Aminata Traore from Mali and Teclaire Ntomb from Cameroon, was incredible. And speaking with Ibrahim Gambari, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa, and other visiting dignitaries from South Africa, Romania and Ghana was incredibly valuable. There were so many wonderful leaders--I cannot name them all!

Boe Miller (focusing on open-source technology for open community): My experience as a rapporteur offered me a glimpse into the operations and diverse backgrounds of NGOs from around the world. Attending the Conference reinforced the similarities we have as members of the international community and showed me that we need to work together to accomplish great tasks.

My greatest experience at the Conference was seeing people who work in grass-roots areas speak with great compassion about what they had been able to accomplish, and the efforts that still remain. People from different backgrounds came together to speak on topics ranging from food preservation techniques to the need for macro-economic policies that build on human capital. The collage of talent united under one roof at the United Nations was a sign of hope for the future and demonstrated the astounding work NGOs everywhere have set out to accomplish. Attending the Conference and having the opportunity to meet such incredible people reinforced my own desire to be a player in the human community and to offer my services in my own community.

Andrea Gagliani (wife, mother and staff accountant at a small Chicago-suburban accounting firm): As I reflect on the experience of being at the United Nations and hearing so many diverse speakers, some from countries previously unknown to me, my initial reaction was to be overwhelmed by the countless problems and injustices I never knew existed. I felt overwrought with despair, until I stopped and looked around the conference rooms filled with dedicated people working tirelessly to make a difference. Those working with NGOs are striving to improve injustices around the world and to champion the rights of the powerless. I had thought of the United Nations as an exclusively secular organization, but I was astonished to discover it to be a very spiritual place. I believe the spirituality emanates from the many people dedicated to peace and goodwill.

There was a lot of discussion about peace education. I love this story! One speaker told an American Indian folk tale about a boy's conversation with his grandfather, who tells of the two wolves that live in his heart--one is angry and militaristic, the other peaceful and loving. The boy asks which wolf wins the war in the grandfather's heart, and the older man simply answers, "the one I feed". This gives us all a lot to think about.

Colette Henderson (legal assistant): This Conference was a revelation, the biggest for me being the HIV/AIDS workshops. I attended two and was touched by each one. It was no surprise to hear how the disease has affected Africa; however, once you hear and see the people actually working to help those affected by the disease, you get motivated and educated. The speakers provided information that was more in-depth. Some stories came from the hearts of people who actually live or had once lived in Africa. I was impressed by the dedication of all individuals to the struggle against the pandemic. It amazed me that they are giving so much, even though they are not obligated to do so. It was very impressive to find out that the majority of these individuals, who are degree-holders, have dedicated themselves to helping others, as opposed to being in the corporate world, making huge salaries and turning their backs on worldwide problems such as HIV/AIDS.

I have learned so many things from the opportunity to experience the United Nations. I have a profound respect for the Organization and the dream it is built upon. I have had a small taste of global awareness, which has broadened my perspective on many issues. It is an experience I will both treasure and continue to reflect upon for a very long time.

For more information on DePaul University's NGO workshop summaries, photos and selected audio files, visit www.lifelearn.depaul.edu/un/ngo/index.asp.

Patricia A. Szczerba is Manager of the United Nations Videoconference Program, Office of Distance Learning, and Visiting Faculty, School for New Learning, at DePaul University in Chicago. She is senior editor and writer for The New York Times Almanac where she writes on health, population and the United Nations.

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