A People’s Movement for the United Nations

November 2009 Update – Vol 1, No 12

News Flash!!

UNAA(WA) is pleased to announce that we will be holding the 2009 Huelin lecture on 10^th December. Please check out our website for more details.

President’s Message:

Sincere thanks to Carolyne Gatward, Vice President for stepping into the role of President while I was overseas in South Africa for two weeks in October. While in South Africa to attend the General Assembly of the International Council of Women, I visited several projects I had coordinated in Port Elizabeth and as a member of the board of ICW presented a day seminar on HIVAIDS. This is a huge problem in Africa and the ongoing consequences to future generations must receive attention. Thousands of children are orphans fending for themselves as all the adults in their families have died of AIDS. These children live in extreme poverty. In many African countries, the health services for those with HIVAIDS do not cater for their needs. It is a humanitarian crisis and the people of the world must take notice.

Welcome to David Cook to the position of Secretary for UNAA(WA). David fills the position left vacant when Darren Cole moved to Darwin. David resumes an association with UNAA(WA) which he began as a student in the role of President of UNYA.

During November, UNAA(WA) presents two events for members and the public. The environment committee arranged an excellent event on 6^th November. The environment committee presented a series of documentaries by film maker and member Aleisha Caruso. The films dealt with endangered animals and steps being taken to save these animals from extinction. The films were produced particularly for children to show that everyone can make a difference and that one small step can lead to bigger things. I was most impressed with the quality of the films and viewers were fortunate to have Aleisha on hand to describe the making of each film. Caroline Caruso and Carolyn Pembroke arranged an excellent supper, it was a most worthwhile evening.

On 20 November, Dr Dawn Butterworth will present a workshop ‘Children and Violence, Children’s Rights and Responsibilities’. This event is a partnership between UNAA(WA) and the World Early Childhood Association to mark International Children’s Day. This event will be held at the Rod Evans Centre, 160 Hay Street East Perth [corner of Hay and Plain Streets] at 7pm.The venue can be reached by bus, alight at the Hyatt Hotel in Adelaide Terrace and walk up plain Street towards East Perth just one block to reach 160 Hay Street. Bookings to Judith Parker 95272438. This is a free event.

The WA UN Ambassador, Joseph Caruso represented UNAA(WA) at the Remembrance Day service at Kings Park on 11 November. Continuing the committee’s intention to mark UN Days, an event has been planned for December 1^st to mark world HIVAIDS Day. The film ‘Goodness and Happiness’ will be shown followed by a talk by the film maker, Natalija Brunova. A light lunch will be served.  This is a free event held in partnership with the WA AID Council. Venue City West Lotteries House, Delhi Street West Perth at 11.30am.  On Human Rights Day 10 December, Professor Colleen Hayward will present the Huelin Lecture at 6pm State Library Theatre. Free public lecture.

Judith A. Parker AM DSJ

2009 Diary Dates

       November 16^th:   International Day of Tolerance

       November 20^th:   Universal Children’s Day

       December 1^st:      World HIV AIDS Day

       December 10^th:    Human Rights Day

UNAA(WA) Human Rights Committee

The committee continues to meet monthly to discuss current issues regarding human rights. Members are collecting information regarding the use of Tazar Guns in WA. New members are most welcome.

Plans are underway for the presentation of the Huelin Lecture. This lecture which honours past President and human rights lawyer John Huelin is presented on the International Day for Human Rights 10 December. The guest lecturer for 2009 is Professor Colleen Hayward, Director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies, Edith Cowan University. The lecture will be at 6pm, State Library Theatre. Bookings to UNAA(WA) 9221 9455.

In partnership with the World Early Childhood Association, UNAA(WA) presents a workshop led by Dr Dawn Butterworth: ‘Children and Violence, Children’s rights and responsibilities’. Dr Butterworth is known throughout the world as an expert on children’s rights. This workshop will be held at the Rod Evans Community Centre, 160 Hay Street [corner of Hay and Plain Streets]at 7pm. Please enter through back door.

On 1^st Dec, UNAA(WA) in partnership with the WA AIDS council will present a film “Goodness and Happiness”.  It is the story of two girls in KwaZulu Natal surviving the death of their mother through AIDS.  Film maker, Natalija Brunova, will be present to speak about the making of the film.  Venue: WA AIDS Council City West Lotteries House 11.30am on 1st Dec. Bookings to 9527 2438.  This event marks World HIVAIDS Day. A light lunch will be served - gold coin donation.

The International Day in remembrance of the Holocaust will be marked by a visit to the Holocaust Museum 27 January at 1.30pm Jewish Centre, Woodrow Street, Yokine. Bookings 9527 2438.

UNAA(WA) Environment Committee

Friday 6^th November saw the Environment Committee and friends come together to watch some of Aleisha Marie’s delightful documentary series ‘Extinction Sucks’. The good team of members, friends, relations  and those interested, had a very pleasant evening at the Lottery House West Perth lecture room. Nice to welcome our President, Dame Judith Parker, who during a few words of welcome and kind praise, assured us that she shared Aleisha’s views on extinction. Thanks to Rob and Harvey for their arranging, staging, set-up roadie-roles. 2 Delhi Street is a very good place for such gathering. Dewdrop and Primrose (Carolyn C and Caroline P) with heaving and toting from Henk, kitchen hand from Manita and able help from everyone, put together a simple CWA style supper, not forgetting fruit cake for Harvey.  Judith said later, ‘it was really a lovely atmosphere’.

Aleisha’s documentary is charming, well photographed, and above all, fresh in approach & accessible to those younger folk (she could also include a few oldies there, I think) who might wonder just how to help the wildlife rescue and preservation efforts. I learned a lot more about those horrifying ‘walls of death’, for one thing. There were plenty of questions and a lot of interest from the audience. We wish you well, and its lovely to hear that Aleisha’s work has been bought by Channel 9. www.extinction-sucks.Com , and I thoroughly recommend the turtle episode.

The Committee met on Monday to debrief and to do some serious planning for our stall at the Walk Against Warming Event.  Walk Against Warming is being held 12^th December 2009 by the Conservation Council. Please come past and say hello, and don’t forget,  join the Walk on behalf of UNAA(WA)!

Other Notices

Call for donations Yolande Frank memorial

A memorial award has been established in memory of the work of Yolande Frank. Yolande was an active member of the association for some years. She was passionate that the younger generation should understand the importance of the declaration of Human Rights. The inaugural award will be presented on International Youth Day 2010. A committee has been established to administer the award. At present, the fund stands at $370. It is hoped to build this amount to at least $1,000 to ensure the award is given annually. Donations to The Treasurer, UNAA(WA), 33 Moore Street East Perth 6004 - clearly marked ‘Yolande Frank Memorial Fund’. Cheques are to be made out to UNAA(WA). Cash can be received at the office.

Apology to Child Migrants to Australia harshly treated in institutions last century

UNAA(WA) acknowledges and supports the apology made by the Government and endorsed by the Opposition parties which was presented on Monday 16^th November 2009.  In particular, UNAA(WA) supports the steps put in place to provide counselling and closure for the unfortunate victims of this abuse. UNAA(WA) will monitor the progress of the promised assistance.

A New Executive Member

David Cook has recently rejoined UNAA after first becoming involved in UN matters in 1982.  David was the UNYA President in 1983/1984 and then left UNYA after his university studies (as many UNYA members do). David now lectures at Edith Cowan University in the School of Computer and Security Science. He has spent the last 2 years heading up the SECAU Security Research Centre.  His research areas are Human Trafficking, Piracy, Radicalisation and e-Governance. David has significant and broad-ranging experience in South-east Asia. He has spent several years in Indonesia at both the Gadjah Mada University in Jogjakarta and also the Universitas Muhammadiyah in eastern Java. David was a part of the relief operation in Jogjakarta  in 2006 after the May 26th Earthquake that killed nearly 6000 people and left over 1.5 million people homeless.  He was involved in a number of post earthquake operations and spent several months working in these areas. David is looking forward to taking an active role in UNAA events in the coming months.

________________________________________________________________________________________

FROM THE DESK OF THE

UNAA(WA) AMBASSADOR

11 November 2009

Dear Members,

Remembrance Day Commemorative Ceremony

“They shall not grow old as we,

that are left grow old,

age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn,

at the going down of the Sun; and

            In the morning we shall remember them.”

These words indeed capture our breath and our thought provoking spirit and we cannot help but to be deeply and solemnly moved.  Australia lost sixty thousand of our Sons on French and Belgium foreign soils.

It is that “heartfelt moment in history” at 11am on the 11^th hour of the 11^th month that all Australians, both at home and overseas join to pause and mark the moment of respect and reflection of our fellow silent, sleeping heroes in those distant fields not called home.

Remembrance Day marks the moment of 1918, almost 100 years ago when the guns fell silent on the Western Front and the armistice came into force and the French Treaty was signed in 1919.

The rolling fields of Red Poppies with distinctive black centres are the symbol and living testament that the utmost sign of respect of these soldiers that have sacrificed their lives in war.

As the poppy seeds propagate each year and the “sacred fields” bloom into a carpet of red, our spirit of deepest remembrance continues, let us broadcast “Seeds of Peace“ to a world of conflict.

It has been a special touching moment to represent UNAA(WA) in placing a floral tribute appropriately over the Flame of Remembrance on this Remembrance Day event that is so deeply immersed in our heart and an inspirational journey into the sacrifices of men and women.

As UN Ambassadors, this is our calling to pursue the cause of peace.

“Lest we Forget”

Yours sincerely

JOSEPH A. CARUSO, UNAA(WA) AMBASSADOR

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