How to schedule a seminar
Many seminar groups participate in the Red Hands Campaign to end the exploitation of children as soldiers. Picture by Jessica Hawkinson.
Amid the restless spirits and often-tough diplomacy of the United Nations, the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations helps inspire, equip and connect Presbyterians for ministry as faithful disciples of Jesus in the global community. We educate with the hope of helping individuals live out God’s call in Christ to live with compassion, seek peace, and pursue justice wherever they go.
Through our seminar program, we provide an opportunity for Presbyterians and others to learn about the work of the United Nations, the work of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, and the global ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seminar participants explore a topic of their choice—often in an area where they are already engaged in mission. A seminar helps individuals and groups strengthen their capacity for living as disciples of Jesus within the global community. Seminars are held in the offices of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations across from U.N. Headquarters at the Church Center for the United Nations.
No two seminars are identical. Seminars typically include an overview of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, a tour of U.N. Headquarters, speakers from the U.N. Community, and interactive sessions.
Designing a seminar
Participants in the Youth Making a Difference seminar share their dreams for the International Day of Peace. Picture by Mark Koenig.
Most frequently, groups design seminars that are between one and two days in length. Half-day and longer seminars are possible. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations staff will work with you to design a seminar to meet the needs and interests of your group. Seminars often include a tour of the United Nations. Suggestions for lodging and meals will be provided.
We recommend that you schedule seminars approximately two months in advance. Seminars are limited during February when the Commission on the Status of Women meets, September when the UN General Assembly begins its session, and at other times when the U.N. holds events.
Seminar topics from 2011 included:
- Presbyterian presence and advocacy at the U.N.
- Millennium Development Goals
- HIV/AIDS
- Child soldiers
- Human Trafficking
- Israel and Palestine
- The Arab Awakening
- Forgiveness in public life
- Hunger
- Climate change’s impact on human migration
Administrative fees (per person) for a seminar are: $20 for a full day or $10 for a half-day. Fees for the U.N. tour currently range between $9 for children and $16 for adults (those could change in 2012). The Presbyterian Ministry can help arrange food with the prices per person currently being: breakfast for $10 and lunch for between $8–13 depending on the menu.
We are able to recommend a number of close hotels, hostels, and local churches that offer a range of accommodations and costs.
Contact Mark Koenig, director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations for more information and to discuss designing your seminar.
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Comments
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Hi Joanne, At the end of the day, there is truly not a minimum. However, there are some constraints based on the number. 15 participants are needed to get speakers from UN programs; 20 participants are needed to reserve a UN tour for the group itself. For smaller seminars, our staff can do many of the presentations. It is also possible that we can find some of our partners from other NGOs. The group can also tour the UN as part of one of their regular tours. Finally, depending on the seminar theme and if the group was willing, we could promote it to others in the area to increase the number of participants. We have done seminars for groups as small as 8; the usual size of the group is between 12-20. Give me a call and let's talk! Mark
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What's the minimum number for a seminar, Mark?
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Hi Gordon, At present we do not do seminars that we organize and invite anyone to attend. Let's talk about the possibilities, though. I will be in touch. Mark
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Does your office no longer set up full seminars, and invite people to attend? We are hoping to offer scholaarships to our church members to meet part of the cost of such a seminar, but we would not have enough takers to fill a whole seminar! - So we hoping to find one which we could join. Looking forward to your reply . . .