A People’s Movement for the United Nations

 

 

January 2010  Update – Vol 2, No 1

 

News Flash!!

The UNAA WA would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year

 

 

On behalf of the UNAAWA Committee I wish you a peaceful and happy 2010.

 

UNAAWA Plans to continue the policy of linking with other organisations when possible to celebrate UN days. The first event for 2010 will be the visit to the Holocaust Museum at the Jewish Community Centre on 27th January 2010. This will be a joint event in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (WA).  A tour of the Holocaust museum has been organised to start at 1.30 pm. There will also be a short talk and the viewing of a brief documentary. This event marks the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. Please make bookings to Judith Parker on 9527 2438. The tour is limited to 40 and is filling up fast so book early.

 

The Book club kicks off the year with its first meeting at 11am 19th January 2010 discussing the book  “ Voice for Peace” written by Kaye Murray. This book is a fascinating read about the life of Irene Greenwood, an early defender of human rights and ABC Broadcaster. All are welcome. Please bring some food to share for lunch. Suggestions for future titles to be discussed by the book club would be appreciated. Please leave details at the office. The book club is intended as a relaxing social event which will create a greater awareness of human rights, social and environmental issues.

 

The committee meets on 31st January to plan the 2010 year. This planning session will take place between 11am to 3 pm. Members are welcome to attend or forward suggestions to the office before that date. Those attending are asked to bring food or drink to share for lunch. An application is being forwarded to LotteryWest for funding to develop a strategic plan. It is hoped this activity will take place during May this year and assist UNAAWA to work towards a more vibrant organisation and increase membership.

 

The committee will be supporting UNYA WA, the Youth division of the association as it prepares for the National Conference it will host this year. Youth from UNAA branches from around Australia and New Zealand will be involved.

 

Jan Ryan and I are working on the concept of a human rights city in WA either Perth or Fremantle. Meetings will be taking place in the next few weeks. Jan is also busy planning 3 model UN days to be presented this year. These days have been funded by the Federation of University Women WA Division. I gratefully acknowledge this support.

 

Judith A. Parker AM DSJ

 

Next Committee Meeting Thursday  Feb.4th at 5.30 pm Claisebrook Lotteries House

 

Diary Dates/Events

19th January -            Martin Luther King Day

27th January –           International  Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust.

20th February –        World Day of Social Justice

21st February -         International Mother Language Day

 

UNAA (WA) Human Rights Committee

 

The Human Rights committee will hold its first meeting for 2010 on Friday 29th January at 12 noon. This meeting will decide on the 2010 program.

 

 

UNAA(WA) Environment committee activities

 

The Environment Committee arranged a stall for the Walk against Warming on 12th December 2009. at Russell Square (http://conservationwa.asn.au/content/view/61/112/). The stall was attended by Aleisha Caruso, Manita Beskow, Carolyn Pembroke, Henk Stappenbelt and Rob Hewson. Several thousand people marched down from the Arts precinct on James St to hear speeches by various people and organisations. It was arranged by the Conservation Council of WA held halfway through the Copenhagen Talks on Climate Change. There were several interested visitors to our UNAA(WA) stall despite the high 30's C! Please visit our website for photos.

_____________________________________________________________________

 

UPCOMING EVENT

      UN International Day of Commomoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

 

Organised by the UNAA (WA), NCJWA (WA) and the Holocaust Institute of WA

 

On Wednesday 27th January 2010 at 1.30 pm

Visit to the Holocaust Museum of WA

At the Jewish Community Centre
61 Woodrow Avenue, Yokine

Guided visit to the museum

Short documentary 

Survivor story   

Light refreshments

 

For details please phone: 9527 2438 or 9276 8040

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

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.

 

Yolanda Frank memorial Fund: Through a generous donation this fund now stands at over $1000. The aim is to reach $1500-$2000 which can be invested and the interest used to provide the prizes for the award each year. Please send donations to UNAAWA clearly marked for the fund. Cheques to be made out to UNAAWA.

 

Further Resources

·         Subscribe to UNity for 2010, 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