N. Technical and financial assistance offered by the United Nations

To share information and expertise internationally, practitioners and policy makers need regular opportunities to come together to discuss their experiences and develop their skills.

The United Nations provides assistance to Member States in a variety of forms at the regional and international level. The regional commissions and institutes of the United Nations actively support research and training initiatives and, in some circumstances, oversee the distribution of direct aid.

At the international level, assistance may be available to help Member States to implement standards set in guidelines and statements of principles of the United Nations including, for example, the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) (General Assembly resolution 40/33, annex) and the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) (General Assembly resolution 45/112, annex). There may also be support for pilot and demonstration projects and technical assistance and cooperation.

As well, the United Nations supports an international exchange of expertise and information. It sponsors fellowships, study tours, workshops and seminars, for example, expert group meetings, which offer Member States opportunities to work together on a regular basis. The international network of non-governmental organizations makes an important contribution to this exchange of information.

Practitioners can also access international information networks, such as the Global Crime and Justice Information Network and the International Network of Women against Violence against Women. These networks offer communication and consultation services to the international community.

United Nations work on domestic violence is ongoing and multifaceted. In 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights will be held in Vienna; 1994 has been designated as International Year of the Family; while in 1995 the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace will be held at Beijing. All of these offer the potential for further work in and support to national, regional and international initiatives to confront domestic violence.