<b>Nick Nwolisa took part in the ECOSOC NGO Committee sessions, UN HQ; and also in a workshop on victim assistance in Dushanbe, Tajikistan…<br /> <br /> In May, the head of programs department of IEPF, Nick Nwolisa, traveled to the USA to take part in the resumed sessions of the ECOSOC NGO Committee. The purpose of the trip was to take part in the review processes of the quadrennial report of IEPF. As an NGO with the Special Consultative Status of ECOSOC division, it is a requisite that IEPF submits reports of its activities, particularly in relation with the United Nations. Over 4 years, since 2007, IEPF has closely collaborated with the UN agencies in Azerbaijan. IEPF has worked with the UNHCR, UN DPI, UNESCO, World Bank, and UNDP in various capacities. In 2009, IEPF was part of the working group that developed the UNDAF Matrix indicating UN agencies actions for Azerbaijan until 2015.<br /> </b>
In the ECOSOC NGO Committee sessions, IEPF representatives observed as the Committee members deliberated on the agenda of the session, which also includes the consideration of NGOs applications for Consultative Status. The NGO Committee is made up of 19 members and chaired by the Turkish delegation. Applications from hundreds of NGOs from all over the world were considered, and lots of the application was approved and conferred with various status.
The head of programs department, Nick Nwolisa was also in Dushanbe city, Tajikistan to take part in a regional workshop on Victim Assistance. Organizations that were represented includes: Handicap International office in Lyon, Geneva and local offices, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), International Committee to Ban Landmines (ICBL), National Mine Clearance Agencies, UN agencies, and donor organizations. Several presentations were made on different international laws and treaties related to victims, also on best practices on victim assistance. IEPF briefly made a presentation on assisting victims of Azerbaijan, particularly on vocational trainings, and micro crediting. In 2010, through the support of the US government, IEPF implemented the project “Vocational Training Center (VTC)” that is operational and has trained 80 persons on various vocational skills; also in 2007, with the seed grant from the US government, IEPF established the Eurasia Credit LTD and over 1500 victims have benefited from the micro credit service provided.
It should be noted that IEPF is one of the NGOs from Azerbaijan with the Special Consultative Status of the ECOSOC NGO division. IEPF has participated in various meetings of UN, and was part of the observatory group at the UN World Congress 2010. IEPF is also a member of the Public-Private Partnership of the US Department of States, and since 2006, IEPF has worked with the Bureau for Political Military Affairs, office of Weapon Removal and Abatement.