Seminar with Ban Ki - moon and mingle with Reinfeldt

Thursday was the highlight for the winners of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs competition commemorating Dag Hammarskjöld. After an early breakfast, they visited OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. At the meeting, the Chief of Communications and Information Services Branch, Patricia Banks, and her staff described their work with spreading knowledge about humanitarian disasters around the world and how countries and individuals can help. Like many other organisations, OCHA uses film and social media to reach a larger audience.

"We are testing various methods, like many others. We want to draw attention to all the hundreds of crises around the world that do not receive media coverage. The media may have room to focus on at most two humanitarian crises at a time," says David Ohana, head of film production at OCHA.

Solve the world's problems in 30 seconds

OCHA has just concluded a competition where, during an imagined 30 - second meeting with the UN Secretary - General in an elevator, one would propose a solution to a global problem. Film entries from around the world have been received, and the process of selecting the winners is under way. The prize is a trip to New York.

"What do you do to keep the media and others interested in humanitarian issues?" wondered Rasmus Zamore.

"We try to convey the affected people's own stories and to continue telling them even when crises are less urgent and the work is focused more on building long - term development," David Ohana said.

After a visit to the UN gift shop, the group learned more about the way Sweden works at the UN. During a visit to the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, the pupils learned more about the UN's work to promote children's rights and development around the world.

"We have broadened our activities from, after the Second World War, focusing on humanitarian issues in Europe to children and development in a wider perspective. Children have the right to survive and develop, they have the right to feel safe and be protected from abuse, and children have the right to participate in decision - making. And it is the responsibility of adults to ensure that children can enjoy their human rights," said Andres Guerrero, head of the UNICEF Office of Public Partnership.

Peacekeeping in several dimensions

Next came a visit to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, DPKO.

"We work with peacekeeping in several dimensions. Since the end of the Cold War there has been greater political will, and the number of peacekeeping operations has increased dramatically," said Lee Woodyear of the DPKO Information Department.

Tekla Tell wondered whether it was difficult to convince countries to contribute personnel to peacekeeping operations.

"It is up to the countries to contribute resources - both personnel and funding. Our task is to highlight what is gained by cooperating, such as to contribute to a safer and more secure world," Lee Woodyear replied.

"Do you still feel a sense of hope, even though progress is often limited and goes slowly?" Agnes Hillert wondered.

"It is important to keep a perspective in your work and see where you can make a difference. We work for a good cause and gain useful experience, not least from working with people from different cultures," said Lee Woodyear.

Cooperation with governments

At the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, the pupils learned more about the UN's largest development organisation and how it works to coordinate the UN's activities in the field.

"We always work at the invitation of, and in cooperation with, governments. We provide support and advice in creating long - term development - it covers virtually all social issues," said Amsatou Maty Ndiaye of the UNDP communications department.

"How do you respond to the criticism that at times your actions are short - term and do not achieve long - term development?" Magnus Irie wondered.

"We welcome all criticism. Our work is to assist and strengthen governments and their work. It is important to remember that they are responsible for their own development. We cannot, and should not, drive their development," said Amsatou Maty Ndiaye.

Seminar in memory of Dag Hammarskjöld

It was then time to enter the UN premises and the Dag Hammarskjöld Library. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt started the seminar by recalling Dag Hammarskjöld's contribution to developing the UN as an organisation.

"The UN will be what we the Member States make of the organisation," said Mr Reinfeldt.
UN Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon emphasised Dag Hammarskjöld's diplomatic skills.

"They were exceptional. No one can remain indifferent when considering his thoughts, integrity and courage. I am aware of the deep gratitude that we owe him. It is very much thanks to Dag Hammarskjöld that we have this independent organisation of officials here at the UN today," said Ban Ki - moon.

More women needed to build peace

The following panel debate discussed how preventive diplomacy and the UN should be designed and developed to be relevant in the future.

"More women must be involved when conflicts are to be prevented or resolved. Including women is not a result of a peace process  it is a prerequisite for one. We must employ more women in peace - building efforts," said Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UNWOMEN.

"The General Assembly recently held its own tribute to Dag Hammarskjöld and a great deal has already been said. It is much easier to talk about preventive diplomacy than to carry it out. I am a great admirer of Dag Hammarskjöld," said Lakhdar Brahimi, who took part in the panel debate.

Mingle with the Prime Minister

At the reception following the seminar, Tekla Tell, Agnes Hillert, Sophie Löfström, Alva Snis Sigtryggsson, Magnus Irie and Rasmus Zamore met Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Margot Wallström, Sweden's Ambassador to the UN Mårten Grunditz and others.

"It was great fun. The reception was best by far," said Tekla, Alva and Sophie.

"I enjoyed the entire day, but I think the meeting at OCHA made the biggest impression. They were so genuine and seemed to be truly committed to their issues," said Agnes.

Have been inspired

What will the winners of Projekt DH2011 take with them from the prize - winners' trip to New York?

"I have been inspired. The UN has become more understandable. This may be the environment in which I work in the future," says Tekla.

"There are a lot of impressions to assimilate. There is so much to think about for the future, what to choose to study and what to work with someday. This international environment is very exciting," says Sophie.

"Even if not everything at the UN works perfectly, I now have a better understanding of how the different parts fit together and why they are there," says Rasmus.

"You can usually get a fairly dark picture of the world, but here we have met people who believe in what they're doing. There must be something in that," says Magnus.

"It may sound strange to say that I've now seen that the UN is for real. It was really exciting to see at close hand how the organisation works and that countries can talk to one another this way. The UN work is an everyday thing for the people here, and it goes on all the time," says Alva.