A People’s Movement for the United Nations

 

September 2009 Update – Vol 1, No 10

 


News Flash!!

UNAA(WA) are pleased to announce that they will be holding two events - United Nations Day 2009: Celebration of Peace-keeping to be held on 24th October 2009 and the 2009 Heulin lecture to be held on 10th December 2009. Stay tuned for more information.

 

President’s Message

The National Conference of United Nations Australia was held in Canberra on Sunday 13th September. UNAA(WA) was represented by Judith Parker and Curtis Clark.  A delegation of three attended from United Nations New Zealand. All states in Australia were represented except Northern Territory. President John Langmore, having finished his term of office, was thanked for his exceptional leadership of UNAA. The new President is Hon Robert Hill, previously head of the Australian Mission to United Nations New York, and Federal Minister. I was elected as a Vice President.

 

At the meeting it was decided that the next National Conference will be held in Sydney in September 2010 and the 2011 National Conference will be hosted by UNAA(WA).  We have registered the conference with the Perth Convention Bureau. The staff at PCB have offered considerable assistance in the lead up to the conference.

 

The National Meeting was preceded by the ‘Switch to Green’ conference and expo.  Excellent and challenging speakers addressed many aspects of climate change and the need to change our lifestyle to protect the environment and save energy.

 

During the past few weeks I have been honoured to address the Perth National Seniors group and the Partners of Veterans annual dinner on the work of United Nations Association. The WA UN Ambassador, Joseph Caruso, represented UNAA(WA) at a wreath laying ceremony at King Park.

 

I am pleased to announce that the family of Yolanda Frank have agreed with the proposal to establish a memorial to Yolli in the form of a yearly competition for children that focuses on human rights. In this update, you will find a call for committee members to assist with this competition and a call for donations.

 

The new Executive Committee has had its first meeting, please visit our website to review the members. At this meeting it was agreed that the Events Committee would be disbanded, however that subcommittees would be formed to work on each event. It was felt that this would be more accommodative to our member’s time availability and match individual interests. Many members have a small amount of time available to support the association and will willingly do so for an event which particularly interests them. Watch the updates for calls for membership of subcommittees. I thank Neesha Seth for her willingness to coordinate the Events Committee over the past year and she looks forward to continually assisting with the subcommittees and Executive committee.

 

UNAA(WA) appreciates an offer from John Hyde, member for Perth to assist with photocopying. In the future, much of the copying will be done by John’s office.

 

Judith Parker AM DSJ

  

2009 Diary Dates

September 21st:                      International Day of Peace

October 1st:                            International Day of Older Persons

October 10th:                          World Mental Health Day

 

Hon Robert Hill, newly elected President of United Nations Australia

Robert Hill, the newly elected President of United Nations Australia, has recently been appointed by the Rudd Government to chair the Australia Carbon Trust. This trust has been established to protect energy efficiency and tackle climate change. The trust is divided into two parts:  The Energy Efficiency Trust- $50 million and The Savings Pledge Trust- $425.8 million.

Previously Robert Hill headed the Australian Mission to United Nations in New York and was the Minister for Defence. Robert Hill is committed to the work of the United Nations Association.

  

UNAA(WA) Human Rights Committee

The Human Rights Committee is collecting details on the use of Tasar Guns in WA. Please send in any information you may have to the Human Rights Committee c/o the office.

You are invited to place the following events in your diary:

·         Friday 20th November ‘Children’s Rights and Responsibilities’- a forum arranged in partnership with the Early Childhood Association - particularly for parents and teachers.

·         December 1st World Aids Day - 11.30am Film, Goodness and Happiness, Sisters in Kwazula-Natal followed by discussion. In partnership with the WA Aids Council.  HIV Aids in Africa- a presentation not to be missed.

·         December 10 Huelin Lecture- 6pm State Library Theatre: Guest lecturer Professor Colleen Hayward. This lecture will be presented on Human Rights Day in honour of John Huelin, past President UNAA(WA) and human rights lawyer.

The next meeting of the committee Friday 30th Oct at 12 noon UNAA(WA) Office.

 

The United Nations Australia National Conference will be held in Perth in September/Oct 2011. The President invites members of the Association to join the planning committee for the conference. If you are interested and can give some time to this committee please contact Judith Parker on 95272438 or email judithannparker@bigpond.com. The first meeting of the committee will be on Friday 30th  Oct at 10.30am at the office. Later meetings will be arranged to suit members of the committee and may be early evening or weekends.

 

Yolanda Frank Memorial

The family of Yolli Frank have agreed to a memorial being established by UNAA(WA) in her memory. The current suggestion is that the memorial be in the form of a creative art competition for children. Entries could be paintings, poetry or songs focusing on Human Rights.  The President invites members to join the subcommittee to plan this memorial. The first meeting of the committee will be Friday 30th October at 2-3 pm. Please contact Judith Parker on 95272438 or judithannparker@bigpond.com if you are interested.

 

Donations to Yolanda Frank Memorial

United Nations Australia WA Division will be pleased to accept donations towards the prize money for the Yolanda Frank Memorial Fund. It is hoped that sufficient will be raised to invest and use the interest dividend for prize money. This action will ensure that the award will continue on a yearly basis.  It is anticipated that the award be announced at the AGM each year. First award therefore will be August 2010.  Please send donations to The Treasurer UNAA(WA), Claisebrook Lotteries House, 33 Moore Street East Perth 6004 All donations will be receipted and listed.

 

UNAA(WA) Environment Committee

In September the Environment Committee finalised plans for a film night showing 2 - 3 of Aleisha Caruso's six 20 minutes documentaries of endangered species ("Extinction Sucks" http://www.myspace.com/extinctionsucks) on Friday 6th November, at the West Perth Lottery's House seminar room, 2 Delhi Rd, West Perth from 6pm ($5 entrance). Refreshments will be available. All welcome.

 

Also plans were discussed regarding the activities for next year, dedicated by the UN as the Year of Biodiversity. In particular, a public awareness and fundraising bus trip, possibly in June, from Perth to the eastern states, in suitably attired endangered animals outfits.  It would be designed to raise the plight of Australian endangered species as well as the threatened primates. Another idea flagged for 2010 was for a video-link-teleconference public talk at a suitable venue (Alexander Library?)  for a presentation and question /answer dialogue with a notable expert in the area of the environment, possibly the UNEP President if available. Details regarding these possible future 2010 activities and call for volunteers are still be arranged and finalised later this year.

 

Rob, UNAA(WA) Convenor

 

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