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

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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

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…..

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

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

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