UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA

WA Division

DECEMBER 2008 UPDATE

A message from the President

It has certainly been a busy last quarter of the year and UNAA WA is busy planning for the year ahead!

Visit of National President: National President John Langmore has indicated he would like to plan a visit the WA Division next year. The committee is at present looking at the program for 2009 and will endeavour to link his visit to a UN Day. It is anticipated a public lecture will be arranged. John is the author of To Firmer Ground- restoring hope in Australia. UNAA WA will request a visit with the Governor of WA, His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC, Patron of UNAA WA. We will also plan a function with the Lord Mayor of Perth Lisa Scaffidi, a meeting with the members of UNAA WA, a visit to WA universities, a meeting with UNYA and of course a sight seeing tour will be arranged so he can enjoy the Perth region.

Thanks to Jan Ryan: Past President Jan Ryan kindly agreed to remain as the representative on the National Committee while I had family commitments. She has now stepped down from that position and I thank her most sincerely for her commitment to the national committee over the past three years.

Sincere thanks to Sara Fraga: Sara has completed her internship with UNAA WA. Sara is a student in her final year at Notre Dame University Fremantle. She has completed a project investigating UNAA WA's connection with people from other cultures. Her report is available in the office for members to read.

President will be in France: Judith Parker has recently attended a board meeting for the International Council of Women in Paris. 

New Patron:  Her Excellency, Quentin Bryce, Governor General of Australia has accepted the invitation to be patron of UNAA

 New Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee: The first meeting of the Australian United Nations Parliamentary Committee was held in Canberra on 23rd October 2008. Melissa Parka was elected chair of the committee.

Australia to nominate for Security Council membership: Prime Minister Rudd has announced that Australia will nominate for election to the Security Council of the UN in 2012. Australia has been a member on  4 occasions 1946-47, 1956-57,1973-74, and 1985-86.

UNAA hosted a dinner in Canberra to mark UN Day: Hon Stephen Smith MP and Melissa Parke MP spoke at a dinner of UNAA on 23rd October 2008.UNAA WA has applied for copies of the speeches and will make them available to members in the office.

Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade: has allocated $45,000 for the establishment of UN Association in the Pacific countries during 2008/9

UPCOMING UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAYS

10th –Human Rights Day
18th – International Migrants Day
20th- International Human Solidarity Day.

Human Rights Committee Update

The committee has been busy planning many upcoming events.

On the 8th December 2008, the UNAA (WA) co-organised with Amnesty International a Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, with special guest, Geoffrey Robinson QC.

United Nations Association of Australia (WA) Lunch time Forum
Please join the Human Rights Committee and National Council of Women of WA to celebrate the day.
Date: 10th December 2008                Time: 12 noon start (Speakers between 12.30 – 1.30 pm)
Venue: Meeting room, Claisebrook House. 33 Moore Street, East Perth            
Cost: FREE                      Call: (08) 9221 9455 (for catering purposes).

Environment Committee Update

In 2008 the Environment subcommittee undertook several activities for UNEP related
awareness raising activities including :

·       March Seminar on Carbon Trading and Sequestration that involved 4 speakers on issues of its economics and science, held at the Alexander State Library auditorium.

·       A quiz night was held on 7th June 2008 for both International Day of Endangered Species and World Environment Day. 450 people attended at the Cloverfield Sports & Rec. Facilities and raised approximately $7000 towards the Australian Wildlife Conservancy funding of Woylie research.

·       At end of June we undertook our annual tree planting/revegetation one Sunday at the Noble Falls reserve in the upper Swan catchments followed by a BBQ lunch.

Events Committee Update

This time of the year definitely engulfs our social calendars, with many organisations holding events for a myriad of reasons. The most recent and successful event organised by the UNAA WA was a UN Day 2008 Celebration. This event was held at the Subiaco Hotel in the upstairs lounge and involved an address by the current UNAA WA President, Judith Parker AM. Entertainment was provided by upcoming vocalist and guitarist Danni Steffanetti. It was a great opportunity for UNAA WA members and the community to network and discuss common issues in a friendly environment.

Visit: www.unaa-wa.org.au for more info and photo’s.

Upcoming Events:

Please join come and visit the UNAA WA during Harmony week.
Date: 15th March 2009           Time: 2 – 7 pm
Venue: Burswood Park   
Cost: FREE                      Call: (08) 9221 9455 (for details)