My friend Anne Butcher while visiting the UN. It is a stop of most tourists.I have taken this photo.
Friday, July 25, 2008
My Day in the UN. Episode 1
Many may wonder how I do start and end my day.
I open my eyes in the morning, saying
“It is a new day, get ready for surprises Samar,” I swear I say this. It is not something said for my blog.
I wake up at 6:00 a.m., except in the weekends. I read the daily Jordanian and Arabic News. Then I grab my New York Times newspaper dropped in front of my door at 6:30 am. which I read till 8:00 a.m.
The time of exercising the most boring part of my life comes and I think about what-shall-I-wear-today question. I have to be in suit. And of course, I do iron my cloths in the morning like most of the girls.
I have no breakfast, but I may drink rea with mint or sage. Hunting my keys and my UN ID pass is a daily 30-minute exercise that makes me late for my work most of the time. I take the bus M15 to work. It is a 15-miute trip. I used to bike, but I am a sweating phobic so I do not bike anymore. By the way New York is the best place for biking. Many of you may disagree with me, but I will try to prove it in my coming episodes.
I read the UN daily journal. I jot down the meetings I have to cover while praying that I will have none. Serving for two years in the UN helps you to identify which meetings should be attended and which will have nothing new. The UN has morning and evening sessions, and a two-hour break. Some meetings may fall in the break, which is considered the most heinous act against humanity. UN's work is considered relatively dead durning Summer. But the peak of its work is through September to December of each year.
I read the UN Daily News in order to be aware of UN activites.
And the time comes to my ambassador to call me to his office to follow up the pending issue. We discuss the latest developments on the matters that I cover, which include: (women, children, person with disabilities, youth, …etc.).
Now. It is the time to go to the UN but final things have to be done.
I wear my highh-heel shose and change my bag. I make sure that I have my notebook, my purse and my UN ID pass. I attend the meeting and write down everything. I intervene when it is necessary to state clearly the postion of Jordan on a certain issue or when I have clear instructions from Amman or the ambassador to do so.
That's sound coll so far. But it is much tougher when I have 3 or 4 meetings at the same time.It is a real challenge where my good contacts with other colleagues from different missions help.
By the way what comes around in the UN goes around. Therefore, being kind is a gold rule that helps diplomats to go around.
I do not mind a quick cup of tea with with some colleagues before going back to the mission.This helps to keep yourself up with what is going on around you.
I come back to the mission. I change my high hell shoes to my walking shoes. Then I report back to my capital either just to notify them with the results of my meetings or to seek further instructions when it is required.
To be continued.
I open my eyes in the morning, saying
“It is a new day, get ready for surprises Samar,” I swear I say this. It is not something said for my blog.
I wake up at 6:00 a.m., except in the weekends. I read the daily Jordanian and Arabic News. Then I grab my New York Times newspaper dropped in front of my door at 6:30 am. which I read till 8:00 a.m.
The time of exercising the most boring part of my life comes and I think about what-shall-I-wear-today question. I have to be in suit. And of course, I do iron my cloths in the morning like most of the girls.
I have no breakfast, but I may drink rea with mint or sage. Hunting my keys and my UN ID pass is a daily 30-minute exercise that makes me late for my work most of the time. I take the bus M15 to work. It is a 15-miute trip. I used to bike, but I am a sweating phobic so I do not bike anymore. By the way New York is the best place for biking. Many of you may disagree with me, but I will try to prove it in my coming episodes.
I read the UN daily journal. I jot down the meetings I have to cover while praying that I will have none. Serving for two years in the UN helps you to identify which meetings should be attended and which will have nothing new. The UN has morning and evening sessions, and a two-hour break. Some meetings may fall in the break, which is considered the most heinous act against humanity. UN's work is considered relatively dead durning Summer. But the peak of its work is through September to December of each year.
I read the UN Daily News in order to be aware of UN activites.
And the time comes to my ambassador to call me to his office to follow up the pending issue. We discuss the latest developments on the matters that I cover, which include: (women, children, person with disabilities, youth, …etc.).
Now. It is the time to go to the UN but final things have to be done.
I wear my highh-heel shose and change my bag. I make sure that I have my notebook, my purse and my UN ID pass. I attend the meeting and write down everything. I intervene when it is necessary to state clearly the postion of Jordan on a certain issue or when I have clear instructions from Amman or the ambassador to do so.
That's sound coll so far. But it is much tougher when I have 3 or 4 meetings at the same time.It is a real challenge where my good contacts with other colleagues from different missions help.
By the way what comes around in the UN goes around. Therefore, being kind is a gold rule that helps diplomats to go around.
I do not mind a quick cup of tea with with some colleagues before going back to the mission.This helps to keep yourself up with what is going on around you.
I come back to the mission. I change my high hell shoes to my walking shoes. Then I report back to my capital either just to notify them with the results of my meetings or to seek further instructions when it is required.
To be continued.
Who is a good diplomat?
Diplomats are the ones who have the best chiefs in their kitchen. I do not have a chief, but I am the chief myself.
Many of you may think that diplomats are lucky to be privileged with various immunities. I must not deny that. But we do really work like horses under the scene. Moreover, many of us may not be lucky enough to choose their posts.
I was lucky to come to New York because it was my first choice when the ministry asked me where I would like to go.
“Mahatma Gandhi was the best diplomat,” said Mariamme Nadjaf, 29, First Secretary in Afghanistan Mission to the UN.
Good diplomats are the ones who are knowledgeable, responsible and curious. They don’t miss a single chance to know new people. They put the interests of their country in front of their own personal interests. They have a very clear business card and a cheerful voice message in their mobiles and work phones.
Jwan Tawfiq, 43, is a counselor in Iraq mission to the UN. She believes that the best diplomat is “The one who is capable of explaining the position of his country in an honest and clear way.” Tawfiq said.
The one who is committed to his or her job, and respects the views and positions of others is considered the best diplomat she said.
Nadjaf believes that a good diplomat is like “Sending someone to hell and make him convinced that he is going to enjoy the ride,” Nadjaf said while laughing.
“Emily Post's Etiquette” is a book, written by Peggy Post, which do not only make good diplomats but aslo significant ones.
Would you like to read it?
Many of you may think that diplomats are lucky to be privileged with various immunities. I must not deny that. But we do really work like horses under the scene. Moreover, many of us may not be lucky enough to choose their posts.
I was lucky to come to New York because it was my first choice when the ministry asked me where I would like to go.
“Mahatma Gandhi was the best diplomat,” said Mariamme Nadjaf, 29, First Secretary in Afghanistan Mission to the UN.
Good diplomats are the ones who are knowledgeable, responsible and curious. They don’t miss a single chance to know new people. They put the interests of their country in front of their own personal interests. They have a very clear business card and a cheerful voice message in their mobiles and work phones.
Jwan Tawfiq, 43, is a counselor in Iraq mission to the UN. She believes that the best diplomat is “The one who is capable of explaining the position of his country in an honest and clear way.” Tawfiq said.
The one who is committed to his or her job, and respects the views and positions of others is considered the best diplomat she said.
Nadjaf believes that a good diplomat is like “Sending someone to hell and make him convinced that he is going to enjoy the ride,” Nadjaf said while laughing.
“Emily Post's Etiquette” is a book, written by Peggy Post, which do not only make good diplomats but aslo significant ones.
Would you like to read it?
Pretty and Ugly New York
On July 28 2006 hot tears rolled down when I said goodbye to the three dearest women in my world, my mother and my two little sisters, who have believed in me when none has done so. They have helped me to be the person whom I am.
My mother is a great woman. She let me fly out of her nest. She keeps telling me that I could shoot the moon and I must never look down. And when I dream I have to dream big.
“Keep going on Samar," my mother said. And if you will miss us, remember that we love you too she said.
It took me 12 hours From Queen Alia Airport to arrive J.F.K Airport.
The new world has opened its hands widely to the girl coming from Jordan, to discover the universe of unknown.
I did not want to come to New York City for the sake of New York. I have wanted to come here because I want to start my diplomatic career in the most fascinating multilateral destination, the United Nations, because I believe in its mission.
I live by myself, for the first time in my life, in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. It is still a taboo for a woman to live by herself in the Middle East. So this has been a revolution by itself.
I have gone through so far. I think there is the pretty New York and the Ugly one. I am trying to enjoy the first and reduce the negative effexts of the last.
The pretty New York has not only taught me to enjoy my company, but also to appreciate the company of my family and friends back home. And there will be a good friend who will pass by my apartment to drop me medicine while I am sick.
But the ugly New York has taught me that people may not be around to hang out with me when I am really lonely.
The pretty New York has taught me to be more independent and strong.
But the ugly New York has made me to be more cynical.
The pretty New York has taught me determination to learn swimming because I was going to die in Venice while visiting Italy last Easter. Poor my instructor David.
But the Ugly New York has showed me that there will be times when you celebrate your 28th birthday with acquaintances only.
The pretty New York has taught me that I am very pretty with my scarf because open-minded people want to know what is under this scarf which is my mind.
But the ugly New York has told me that I can be seen as an extremist or terrorist, and my scarf as a symbol of suppression by my male fellows in my society.
The pretty New York has taught me that I can do jigsaw when I am bored. And to follow the latest fashion. New York has helped me to discover my passion for cars, here I have started collecting small black ones, and dreaming about buying a red convertible Jaguar or Corvette.
But the ugly New York has showed me that everything has a very expensive price.
The pretty New York has taught me that I can go to Columbia University to start my graduate program on journalism and expand my dreams. It is crazily difficult.
But will I make it there?
I am still waiting for the ugly New York to teach me something concering this.
New York has not taught me to believe on myself. I am certain that I will make it in New York because I want to make it everywhere.
My mother is a great woman. She let me fly out of her nest. She keeps telling me that I could shoot the moon and I must never look down. And when I dream I have to dream big.
“Keep going on Samar," my mother said. And if you will miss us, remember that we love you too she said.
It took me 12 hours From Queen Alia Airport to arrive J.F.K Airport.
The new world has opened its hands widely to the girl coming from Jordan, to discover the universe of unknown.
I did not want to come to New York City for the sake of New York. I have wanted to come here because I want to start my diplomatic career in the most fascinating multilateral destination, the United Nations, because I believe in its mission.
I live by myself, for the first time in my life, in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. It is still a taboo for a woman to live by herself in the Middle East. So this has been a revolution by itself.
I have gone through so far. I think there is the pretty New York and the Ugly one. I am trying to enjoy the first and reduce the negative effexts of the last.
The pretty New York has not only taught me to enjoy my company, but also to appreciate the company of my family and friends back home. And there will be a good friend who will pass by my apartment to drop me medicine while I am sick.
But the ugly New York has taught me that people may not be around to hang out with me when I am really lonely.
The pretty New York has taught me to be more independent and strong.
But the ugly New York has made me to be more cynical.
The pretty New York has taught me determination to learn swimming because I was going to die in Venice while visiting Italy last Easter. Poor my instructor David.
But the Ugly New York has showed me that there will be times when you celebrate your 28th birthday with acquaintances only.
The pretty New York has taught me that I am very pretty with my scarf because open-minded people want to know what is under this scarf which is my mind.
But the ugly New York has told me that I can be seen as an extremist or terrorist, and my scarf as a symbol of suppression by my male fellows in my society.
The pretty New York has taught me that I can do jigsaw when I am bored. And to follow the latest fashion. New York has helped me to discover my passion for cars, here I have started collecting small black ones, and dreaming about buying a red convertible Jaguar or Corvette.
But the ugly New York has showed me that everything has a very expensive price.
The pretty New York has taught me that I can go to Columbia University to start my graduate program on journalism and expand my dreams. It is crazily difficult.
But will I make it there?
I am still waiting for the ugly New York to teach me something concering this.
New York has not taught me to believe on myself. I am certain that I will make it in New York because I want to make it everywhere.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
192 member states of the United Nations
These are the buildings of the Secretariat, the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Economic and Social Council.
Jordan has been a member in the UN since Dec.14.1955.
The 192-member in the UN is Montenegro. On Jun.28. 2006, the General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264 accepted it as a United Nations Member State.
Moreover, there are two permanent observers in the United Nations that are the Holy See and Palestine. Both of them have received a standing invitation from the UN to participate in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly.
In addition to the various intergovernmental organizations that enjoy the status of observers such as the League of Arab states, Organization of the Islamic Conference, European Community, African Union and many others.
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