A People’s Movement for the United Nations

 

February 2009 Update – Vol 1, No 3

 

News Flash!!

Send us your ideas and input regarding education and events for 2009! You can do this via email or a phone call to the office. The UNAA(WA) Committee will be discussing these ideas at our 2009 Planning Day held on Sunday 22nd February 2009.

 

 

President’s Message:

The committee will meet on Sunday 22nd of February 2009 to plan the activities that will be held throughout 2009 for the division. The meeting will include discussion of grant applications, finances, events, work of the Human Rights Committee and the Environment Committee.

 

On the 10th December 2008, the Federal government launched a national public consultation about the legal recognition and protection of human rights and responsibilities. The National Human Rights Consultation is a historic opportunity for individuals and communities throughout Australia to approve our democracy and to have our say about the protection of fundamental values such as freedom, respect, dignity and a fair go. Submissions to the committee are due by 29 May 2009. At a national level a subcommittee has been formed to prepare a submission on behalf of UNAA. I am representing UNAA(WA) on that committee and would be grateful for comments on important points for the submission.

 

I thank Carolyn Gatward and Harvey Davies for their hard work in preparing a submission to LotteryWest for a new computer system and data projector and screen.

 

UNAAWA has been successful in securing a small grant to hold a stall at the Burswood Village on Sunday 15th March 2009. The grant will be used to produce a bookmark/UN calendar to hand out from the stall. Neesha Seth, Events Coordinator would be grateful for offers to staff the stall from 2:00 pm until 6:30 pm. Please direct queries to: ncseth@optusnet.com.au. The stalls will be situated in Burswood Park. UNAA(WA) particularly invites members from other cultures to wear national costume while attending the stall. This will assist to display the multicultural nature of UNAA(WA) and its work.

 

Judith A. Parker AM, President

 

2009 Diary Dates/Events

 

22nd February 2009 – UNAA (WA) Planning Day at Claisebrook Lotteries House Conference Room from 11am to 3pm.  Please bring food to share for lunch; hot or cold drink will be provided.

    

15th March 2009 (2.00 pm – 6.30 pm) – Connect World Village at Burswood Park Foreshore. Come and celebrate the launch of Harmony Week at this FREE outdoor event that will showcase Western Australia’s rich multicultural diversity. There will be over 30 community organisations taking part and creating an amazing atmosphere. A range of exciting events will occur throughout the day, including performances on the Entertainment Stage and delights from various stalls at the world village. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

26th March 2009 (7.30 pm – 9.30 pm) – Alternative Energies and Options for Climate Change Mitigation. This public forum will be held in the Austin Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, UWA. Four speakers will cover some of the energy options potentially available to WA and the world in efforts to mitigate CO2 induced climate change. This will be followed by a panel discussion with questions from the audience.

Further information is available at http://www.unaa-wa.org.au/events.php

 

 UNAA(WA) Human Rights Committee

 

The committee met on Friday 30 January 2009 at 12 noon to discuss plans and priorities for the year. The committee usually meets at 12 noon on the Friday before the General committee meeting. Check with the office for the dates.

 

The next meeting will be: Friday March 27 (The March General committee meeting has been replaced by a planning meeting on February 22).

 

The Human Rights committee put forward a recommendation that UNAA(WA) nominate Prof. Jan Ryan for the Sir Roland Wilson Human Rights Award. This recommendation was accepted by the General committee at its meeting on the 4th February 2009.

 

The Human Rights Committee will hold a fund raising lunch on 31st March 2009.

 

UNAA (WA) Environment Committee (activities Dec ’08 – Feb ’09)

 

The Environments Committee met on 7th December 2008 and combined the last meeting for 2008 with an end of year BBQ. The main issue of discussion was the potential collaboration in running the public forum within the Greenhouse 2009 conference (http://www.greenhouse2009.com/).

 

Other activities that are being discussed for 2009 will include last tree planting (June/July 2009) preparations at Gidgegannup Reserve C (Noble Falls) with the assistance of SALP funding. Other activities for 2009 directed towards fund raising to be decided.

 

UNAA(WA) Office Volunteers

 

The UNAA(WA) office is open most week days and is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers.

UNAA(WA) is most appreciative of their support, time and expertise. The following members are regular volunteers: Nola Andrews, Kadi Ngele, Scott Lambert, Harvey Davies and Curtis Clark. Please call the office on  9221 9455 if you can offer a few hours. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their time and effort within the UNAA(WA) office.

 

UN Days for February and March

 

February 21: International Mother Language day

March 8th:     United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace

March 21st:   International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21st:   Beginning of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and

                     Racial Discrimination

March 22nd:  World Day for Water

March 23rd:  World Meteorological Day

 

Further Resources

·         Subscribe to UNity for 2009, as well as earlier issues are available at: www.unaa.org.au

·         For international updates, sign up for UN Wire:  http://www.smartbrief.com/un_wire/index.jsp

·         Read more about the Millenium project:  www.unmillenniumproject.org