2008 Social Forum, will held in Geneva, Switzerland from 1 to 3 September 2008. The Social Forum is a unique space for interactive dialogue between the United Nations human rights machinery and various stakeholders, including grass-roots organizations, and underlines the importance of coordinated efforts at national, regional and international levels for the promotion of social cohesion based on the principles of social justice, equity and solidarity as well as to address the social dimension and challenges of the ongoing globalization process.

The 61st Annual Conference for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), will be held in Paris at UNESCO Headquarters from Wednesday, 3 September to Friday, 5 September 2008. This is the first time it will take place outside the UN Headquarters in New York. To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this year’s Conference is entitled “Reaffirming Human Rights for All: The Universal Declaration at 60” and is being organized in partnership with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, UNESCO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of France.

For the occasion of the 26th of June International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, as always, while commemorating the day in remembrance and support of these victims, the Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV) is holding a technical panel on Sunday 29 June in its conference hall.

The ceremony was held in commemoration of National Youths Day on 27 April 2004. In three lectures and three workshops the subject of youths rights, demands and problems were discussed and studied.