It is just after mid-day in New York on Friday afternoon – March 15th .  The NGO Community who are still here and following the negotiations hold various emotions and expectations ranging from optimism to frustration and dejection.  Each morning of the Commission NGOCSW hosted morning briefings to inform the NGO community of what was happening within the negotiating room.  Last night Member States continued to negotiate up to 2.00 a.m.  this morning.  They reassembled at 9.00 to continue.  Three revisions of the proposed document have been presented and discussed in the two weeks.  This morning the Chairs’ text was presented and my hope is that it will be accepted.  The Commission is scheduled to meet from 3.00 – 6.00 for the introduction of the draft document and closing of the 57th session.   Controversial issues pose problems for consensus.  A good review was presented in the New York Times of March 12th.    Read more…  In the photo are Wanching Ching (yellow top) from Taiwan and Ferew Lemma from Ethiopia who have been following the Commission for the past two week.