Greeting from the front line

Hi everyone,

An update from Geneva!

Its been extremely busy with barely a minute to breath, but the group are all here safe and sound and we've just finished 4 days of pretty intense training on the UN. Its such a mixed group in terms of experience and abilities that we've had to constantly be on our toes making sure they are getting their heads around it all.

We went to the UN for the first time yesterday, which really began to make all the jargon and stories we had told then come to life!

What was interesting was the security guards seemed unable to believe we weren't coming in for a tour! He asked two times and then when I insisted we were taking part in the Council he made a very disparaging remark about whether today was 'fun day'!!! As he had a gun - I thought it was best just to glare at him, rather than get into an argument!! But only goes to show how much of a rarely trodden trench we're digging!

Things are hotting up nicely. If all goes to plan, OB will make a speech in the council on Wednesday on juvenile justice, as there is a day long debate on the rights of the Child. Darwin will also address the whole council on Friday on extra-judicial killings. These will be live on the council webcast - and you will also be able to see it afterwards online. They are all busy working on the text of what they are going to say.

We also have a private meeting with the Austrian government on Friday, as they are looking to put down a resolution on juvenile justice. So we will meet with them to try and influence what is said in it, and then if we decide to support it, work with them to lobby the other countries here to support it.

We are trying to do the same with the French, who are looking to put down a resolution on Arbitrary Detention - so thats a job for today!

Its also heads down planning for our parallel event next week, so lots of plans next week to try and convince delegates to come along and here there stories.

On the lighter side, Fondue has not gone down too well with everyone, but the group are all getting on well, and Sharyn has been a star keeping them all safe and sound.

So thats me for now. Hope all is good in a mildly warmer UK.

I have a Swiss number +41 7674 55659 and work phone working too.