U.N. for 2012

Laura has decided to be a student member of the Worldwide Organization of Women as an observer and recorder. Last week, we took our official accreditation letters in to get our U.N. badges. It took awhile for the accreditations to be approved and Laura was excited to go down to get the badges. We caught the bus in our village and stopped at the Appia entrance to the U.N. We had to go through security, much like at the airport. Next, went to the desk to take care of business. After showing our passports, residence cards and answering a ton of questions, we got our badges.

Note: To have a badge for three months that is renewable for someone under 18 years of age is rare. The woman at the desk kept talking to her supervisor and then he spoke to his supervisor. Everyone was talking in French, so we thought it would be a no go. :( Then the head of the accreditation asked Laura some questions.....WHICH SHE ANSWERED IN FRENCH. He then proceded to ask what school she went to and what her non government organization was. She answered and smiled and I think it melted them all. He turned to the woman at the desk and said, "OK" and with that, she was IN.

Now, Laura can attend the Human Rights Conference with me and enter the panels and general assembly on the rights of the child etc. She is pretty excited to delve in, learn, take notes and write up reports.