A new grant from the Hewlett Foundation has ensured the Network's ability to operate through October 1994 and enabled the Network to plan for a special World Population Day event, modestly extend the Coordinator's hours, and authorize hiring of a part-time administrative support person. Reports of recent visits to Cairo, discussions with the Egyptian government, and inspection of NGO facilities are encouraging, while leaving substantial concerns over some issues. Accreditation for both the ICDP and the NGO Forum will take place at a location away from the conference site. Physical limitations and concerns for security of the conference are creating challenges for ICPD, NGO, and U.S. representatives working to ensure the fullest possible access for NGOs during the conference. At the State Department's "First Tuesday" briefing on June 7th, Ellen Marshall reported that a "revised final draft" of the Cairo document is expected by late summer (N.B.: The enclosed document is the most recent version and reflects the majority of changes form PrepCom. The late summer draft will contain changes mostly in the Principles chapter. - doug) Ellen also reported that "informal" sessions are planned throughout the summer. The first informal session was held in New York last week. The major substantive issues (family planning, abortion, etc.) will not be included on the agenda for any of these informal sessions (although unofficial discussions of possible approaches to avoiding impasses is Cairo continue). The remaining informals will be held in New York concurrent with sessions of the Economic and Social Council and will be announced in the UN Daily Journal. At the first "informals" the tentative schedule for events was announced: pre-meeting consultations on September 3/4 will focus on getting committee chairs, the final agenda of the conference, last minute glitches resolved and working out administrative and operational "bugs." Beginning with official meetings on September 5th there will be concurrent meetings of the Plenary and the "Main Committee." Speeches will occupy the plenary with work on the document occurring in the Main Committee and its subcommittees. The Main Committee is to finish work by September 9th. The Plenary will then reconvene to consider the final document. Working Group Reports Administration - Announced receipt of $25,000 grant from Hewlett Foundation. Reviewed, modified and approved budget for next six months based on the new revenues. Possible summer projects were discussed and the AdCom agreed to recommend a one day Network gathering on World Population Day. Morgan State University was identified as the "preferred" site since it is located in outside of Washington, was the site of the Network's first Town Meeting, and is an historically African American institution. The AdCom also approved a request from the Unitarian Society of Germantown to co-sponsor a "Road from Cairo" event in late October (flier enclosed) and rejected a request for early consideration of one request for a Cairo scholarship. Communications/Media - Heard report from Mary Beth Powers, Executive Director, Global Forum '94, and Jim Hellman, State Department (members see enclosed summary of Cairo facilities). Fourth Media Bulletin/Newsletter issued in late May (copy enclosed), and the June issue is in process and will focus on men's issues. Linkages - Based on priorities recommended by the AdCom and approved by the Coordinating Committee the Linkages working group will refocus its activities from a formal Network-sponsored reception in Cairo to working with the Egyptian National NGO Committee to support their activities. Linkages will also work to get a joint panel with Canadian and Mexican NGOs for the Population Day event. Grassroots - Has not met, but members are continuing efforts to pull together reports from Town Meetings and to get thank you letters sent to organizers. UN/Administration/Congress - The Senate Briefing held on May 15th went well, with about an equal number of Senate and House staff in attendance. State Department has issued the US National Report and will send a copy to Network members if we provide labels. Reiterated the word from Communications Working Group that facilities in Cairo militate against full NGO access. House Resolution 234 regarding the ICPD and population/development issues was introduced (copy enclosed in members mailing). Reminders > The ICPD Secretariat requests that all accredited organizations send a letter as soon as possible listing the names of all individuals who MAY be representing them at the ICPD Mail to: ICPD Secretariat - NGO Section, UNFPA, 22nd Floor, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017. (fax: 212-297-5250) > The NGO Planning Committee for the ICPD requests that NGOs planning to attend the ICPD make travel reservations and complete and return their NGO Forum registrations (see enclosed forms) as soon as possible. > Global Issues Forum, US State Department, Thursday, June 23rd, 2:00 p.m. R.S.V.P. 202-647-0753. State Department "First Tuesday Briefings" continue on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Office of Personnel Management, 19th & "E" Streets, NW, Washington DC. July's meeting will feature a presentation by the Agency for International Development. > Network "interest groups" are available. The purpose of these groups is to facilitate communication among individuals and organizations concerned about specific issues. Interest groups may advocate a particular viewpoint. However, interest group views and positions can not be ascribed to the Network. The following individuals are organizing interest groups. Please contact them for further information. Religious Interest Group, Douglas Hunt, Church Center for Sustainable Communities/United Church of Christ, 1820 Sanford Road, Wheaton MD 20902-4008, phone & fax: 301-593-4724. Next meeting is June 20th, 2:00 p.m. @ ZPG, 1400 Sixteenth ST, NW - Suite 320, Washington DC 20036. Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Concerns, Dr. Asha Mohammed, Center for Population Options, 1025 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-5700. Men's Roles and Responsibilities, Nick Danforth, Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception, 79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212) 561-8000. People Sustaining People: a group of people of color who are working to influence U.S. and international population policies, Sarah Moten, National Council of Negro Women, 1667 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202) 659-0006. Environment, Lisanne Nelson, National Audubon Society, 666 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003 (202) 547-9009. Thank you and see you soon, The Coordinating Committee for the U.S. Network for Cairo 1994 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003 (202) 547-9009.