Polish Humanitarian Organisation
A project in the framework of Promoting Development in Europe: Towards a Critical Mass and Beyond - POLAND
Mission
Polish Humanitarian Organization (PHO) is a non-governmental organization registered in Poland which works internationally and within the country. Its mission is to make the world a better place through alleviation of human suffering and promoting of humanitarian values. PHO realizes its mission by helping communities in crises to regain responsibility for their own future and become self-reliant. PHO shapes humanitarian attitudes among the public and creates modern culture of mutual help. PHO combines effectiveness with the respect for human dignity.
Targets
- To raise awareness about the linkages between human rights and climate change
- To raise awareness about the importance of development
Activities
Information database for COP 14
1 September - 30 November 2008
An information database was built about climate change and its impact on developing countries for PHO staff. PHO was in contact with the representatives of Oxfam Great Britain (Oxfam GB) as well as the Polish Green Network (PGN) and translated the Oxfam report: Climate Wrongs and Human Rights. Putting people at the heart of climate change policy into Polish.
Outcome
Information database concerning climate change was built. The Oxfam Report was translated into Polish in September. 1000 leaflets about climate change were printed in December.
Download the PHO Oxfam Leaflet.
Press conference in Warsaw, launch of the Oxfam report
12 November 2008
PHO in partnership with Oxfam GB and PGN organized a press conference and launched the Oxfam Report Climate Wrongs and Human Rights. Putting people at the heart of climate change policy. The press conference was accompanied by Jan Kowalzig from Oxfam Germany and Ola Antonowicz from PGN.
Outcome
50 journalists were contacted
10 journalists attended the event
1700 Polish copies of the report „Climate Wrongs and Human Rights' were published
Linkages between human rights and climate change were highlighted in the media
Journalists were briefed before COP 14 about the social dimension of climate change
Delegation to the United Nation's Climate Change Conference in Poznan (COP 14)
1-12 December 2008
Two representatives from PHO were delegated to the conference as observers. During the conference leaflets were disseminated on impacts of climate change on developing countries. Leaflets were launched on the 10th December, on the day of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights.
Outcome
PHO representatives gained experience how negotiations on climate change go. Report and leaflets about climate change and human rights aspects were distributed; during COP 14 more than 300 copies of reports and 400 leaflets were disseminated. Media and decision-makers got informed and the topic was better covered by the media and the views of CSOs became more visible.
Workshops
20 April, 27 June, 30 June 2009
Workshops on HRBA to Development were organized in Warsaw, Cracow and Torun. Materials about HRBA were printed and distributed among participants. The workshop in Torun was organized during a HR movie festival which gave us opportunity to promote our aspects to an already sensitized target group.
Outcome
3-hour workshop in Torun
7-hour workshops in Warsaw and Cracow
Photo exhibition
26 June 2009
A photo exhibition ‘The Way to Peace and Dignity' was organized in Warsaw. The link between development and human rights was established by the concept of human dignity. 6 very well-known professional photographers had granted their photos to the exhibition on the subject of victims of poverty and arm conflicts, camps for refugees in Rwanda, the life of refugees in Poland and the everyday life of people in Namibia. Leaflets were also distributed.
Outcome
More than 150 people saw the exhibition.