In March FICSA...

...Voiced its Concerns for the Safety and Security of Staff

1. On 30 March, FICSA wrote to Mr. Patrizio Civili, Secretary of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC), to advocate urgent resolution of the question of the cost-sharing arrangements for the United Nations security coordination system.

2. During its advocacy campaign in New York, FICSA also raised the issue of the special session of the Security Council, requested by a petition signed by more than 14,000 staff, with several members of the Security Council.

   ...Pursued the Matter of HIV/AIDS in the UN Workplace

3. FICSA participated in the 17^th meeting of the Inter-Agency Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS. For details, see FICSA Update No. 9/2001.

4. On 9 March, FICSA wrote to the Executive Heads to promote issuance of a policy statement highlighting the principles of non-discrimination of persons affected by HIV/AIDS, confidentiality in respect of HIV/AIDS status, access to treatment and insurance on the basis of the same principles as those applying to other illnesses, and provision of background information.

5. On 14 March, FICSA provided input to the Secretary of the High Level Committee on Management (HLCM) for the forthcoming Task Force of HLCM on HIV/AIDS.

6. FICSA submitted its contribution to the United Nations System Strategic Plan.

7. On 26 March, FICSA wrote to Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, to transmit FICSA's contribution to the text of the Declaration that the United Nations General Assembly may adopt at the close of its special session on HIV/AIDS to be held next June.

   ...Defended for the Right of Association

8. On 19 March, FICSA wrote to the Executive Directors of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS to request them to issue again a memorandum in support of staff representation activities; particular mention was made of the need to allow the proper functioning of the local Federations of United Nations Staff Associations (FUNSAs).

   ...Visited Colleagues in Santo Domingo

9. While on a personal trip to the Dominican Republic, FICSA President Bernard Grandjean paid a visit to the UNDP Office in Santo Domingo. He met, in particular, with the President, Vice-President and former President of the UNDP Staff Association and the UNDP Resident Representative.

10. Thanks to arrangements made by the UNDP Staff Council in New York, the FICSA President also met with staff from all agencies represented in Santo Domingo. It was an excellent opportunity to encourage them to create a FUNSA with membership in FICSA. The importance of networking and of direct contact with Staff Associations at Headquarters was also emphasized.

    ...Provided Advice to the IFAD Staff Association

11. FICSA provided legal advice on the rules governing access to "personnel files"

    ...Participated in the 24^th Session of the Advisory Committee on Post Adjustment Questions

12. For details, see FICSA Update No. 11/2001.

    ...Conducted an Advocacy Campaign in New York

13. For details, see FICSA Update No. 12/2001.

    ... Touched Base with the Agence de la francophonie

14. On 9 March, FICSA provided information on United Nations salaries to the Staff Council of the Agence de la francophonie, in Paris.

    ...Intervened in Support of Certain Colleagues in Geneva

15. On 29 March, FICSA wrote to the Executive Heads of the Geneva-based organizations and to the Swiss authorities to alert them to the proliferation of legal actions, in Swiss courts, filed against certain colleagues employing domestic servants.

    ...And...

16. FICSA provided assistance to colleagues or former colleagues in Ghana, the Sudan and the United Arab Emirates, and IAEA and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

17. The General Secretary participated in the General Assembly of the WIPO Staff Association.