A People’s Movement for the United Nations

 

March 2009 Update – Vol 1, No 4

 

News Flash!!

UNAA(WA) held a stall at the event “Connect World Village” to join in the celebrations to launch Harmony Week at Burswood Park. Check our website shortly for photographs!

 

 

President’s Message March 2009

 

International Women’s Day has provided an important focus on caring and sharing in this State. The WA State theme has linked with the international theme under debate at United Nations New York, ‘Caring for those with HIV AIDS’. The AIDS pandemic is a huge problem throughout the world. Millions suffer from AIDS. Millions of children are left unattended or orphaned as most of the significant adults in their lives suffer from AIDS or have died of AIDS. Those who are attending the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations New York will debate this issue.

 

UNAA (WA) was honoured to nominate Dr Jan Ryan for the Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award 2009. Jan Ryan has done outstanding work in the area of human rights particularly with Chinese immigrants. Yearly, she presents the Model UN at a WA university.  The winner was announced on March 16th. Mary Anne Kenny from Murdoch University won the 2009 award. Mary Anne has been significantly involved in the human rights issues of refugees and in the establishment of SCALES, a legal centre operating in partnership with the Rockingham Health Service and Murdoch University. The centre caters for those requiring legal assistance and is operated by students under supervision of staff from Murdoch’s law department. Lt. General John Sanderson presented the Vice Chancellor’s oration.

 

The Executive Committee of UNAA (WA) was very pleased to welcome some members to participate on Sunday 22nd February for our four-hour planning session. All aspects of the Association’s work were discussed and new directions decided upon. Particular attention was paid to the need to provide a variety of services and events for the members.

 

It was decided to establish a book club, which will aim to meet and discuss books related to United Nations, Human Rights. Harvey Davies will coordinate a committee to plan and develop the book club. The club will be launched on World Book and Copyright Day, 23rd April.  More details on venue and dates will be available

soon. Please contact Harvey Davies through the UNAA (WA) office if you are interested or have suggestions

of books to read.

 

I thank those members who assisted at the stall on 15th March 2009 at Burswood Park.

Judith A. Parker AM

 

2009 Diary Dates/Events

 

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

                                    - Beginning March 21 Week of Solidarity

 

22nd March          - World Day of Water

 

23rd March           - World Meteorological Day

 

25th March           - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

 

26th March 2009 – “Alternative Energies and Options for Climate Change Mitigation”. The UNAA(WA) Environment Committee presents an evening of lively debate. Venue - UWA’s Austin Hall (seats 120). Time - 7.30 – 9.30 pm. The speakers will include: WA Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Energy, WA’s Synergy, CRC CO2 sequestration research, Dr Ian Duncan - elements of the nuclear debate, Dr Frank Horowitz - direct usage of Geothermal Heat. Each speaker to be allocated 20 minutes, followed by 30 minutes panel discussion and questions from all four speakers. The MC for the evening will be Professor Lyn Beazley, WA Chief Scientist.

 

2nd April               - World Autism Awareness Day

 

4th April                - International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

 

7th April                - World Health Day- evening forum at Claisebrook House, 5.30 to 7pm

 

23rd April              - World Book and Copyright Day

 

UNAA (WA) Human Rights Committee

 

Next meeting: Friday 27th March at 12 noon. Claisebrook Lotteries House. The Human Rights Committee will hold a fund raising lunch on 31st March 2009.  Contact Joan Mann 94516878 for further information.

 

UNAA(WA) Environment Committee

 

The Environment Committee of the UNAA(WA) is a vigorous group of people, whose main concerns are Climate Change, Vanishing Habitat and the consequent effect on wildlife, and as a side line, Food Production and Security.  Many of our members are also working professionally on environmental related issues, so we have good information sources.

 

We represent UNEP in the community, and hold an annual event to mark World Environment Day,

June 5th.  This is usually themed to the current “International year of…”.  This year is the International Year of Natural Fibres, and we are planning some school events to celebrate this theme.

 

We regularly hold public talks on relevant topics, such as Alternative Energy. For more details, see below.

An annual tree planting is held, with current plantings at Noble Falls Reserve on Wooroloo Brook.  This is into its third and last year of planting, and then a new venue will be chosen.

 

We work with other community groups on these and other events.  In particular, we are interested in photography as a medium to illustrate environmental issues such land degradation and ocean pollution.

 

Next year, 2010, is the final year of a three year UNEP program, Planet Earth, and has been specifically

named  International Year of Biodiversity, and we are working towards helping awareness of endangered species of all kinds in Western Australia.

 

There are many UN Agencies concerned with Climate Change, protection of natural values of land, sea and living creatures, so we can only manage a small window into the relevant UN parent body. There are approximately 26 agencies concerned with the supply of fresh water, and the health of waterways, for example.

 

This friendly Committee is always keen to welcome new members, and where possible, give support to any community projects or undertakings which they may be interested in, provided such events are in keeping with UNEP Principles.  Please contact us through the UNAA(WA) Office, if you would like to know more.

Phone 9221 9455, or email unaawa@tpg.com.au.

 

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