A People’s Movement for the United Nations

 

 February 2010 Update – Vol 2, No 2

 

News Flash!!

Please join us  on 23rd March for the Association Cake Stall, to raise  funds for  setup costs for the United Nations Association of Australia National Conference, August, 2011, and some regular Association publications. Please stay tuned for more details!

 

 

 

UNAAWA faces a challenging year. The need for fundraising is urgent. Finance is needed for the everyday running of the organisation e.g. rent, administration and for the planning of the 2011 National Conference to be held here in Perth August 2011. The planning committee requires some finance to pay deposits on venue/catering and for mail outs. It is anticipated that sponsorship should support the conference and registration fees should cover some of the costs. However there is a need for the registration fee to be set at a reasonable level which will encourage those from interstate and overseas to attend. It is hoped that there will be participants from New Zealand, Singapore and Indonesia. Suggestions for possible fundraising should be sent into the office.

International Women’s Day will be celebrated on March 8th. On this day people gather all around the world to celebrate the achievements of women and to analyse the needs of women. I am a guest speaker at a function in Rockingham representing UNAAWA. A special session of the UN General Assembly in New York will mark the day.

On Anzac Day this year our WA UNAAWA Ambassador, Joseph Caruso will represent UNAAWA at the service in Gallipoli  

On Wednesday Feb 3rd the National UNAA committee met by teleconference. President Robert Hill gave a comprehensive report on the Copenhagen Climate Change meeting and the work of the large Australian delegation. Such high expectations were placed on the meeting. Though there was comprehensive work and discussion it was impossible to reach consensus on the important issues

The UNAA National meeting and AGM will be held in Sydney on August 13 & 14. Any UNAAWA member is invited to attend. The committee will decide at its April meeting, on the appointed representatives from UNAAWA.

The committee observed one minutes silence at its meeting on 4th Feb, remembering the victims of the earth quake in Haiti, in particular the UN peacekeepers [over 100 UN workers perished in the quake and the UN Head quarters were destroyed].

 

Judith A. Parker AM DSJ

 

 

Diary Dates/Events

 

20th February –        World Day of Social Justice

 

21st February -         International Mother Language Day

 

8th March       -          International Women’s Day

 

21st March     -       International Day for the Support of Victims of Torture.

 

 

 

 

 

UNAA (WA) Human Rights Committee

 

The committee will work with and support Katharina, UWA Intern in her study of the use of Tasar Guns in WA. Katharina begins work with the organisation on Feb 19th. She will complete 100 hours of voluntary work. Her document will cover the point of view of the police, health professionals, citizens, the health and safety issues regarding the need to curb aggression in the work place and public places/transport as well as the human rights issues of those suffering mental illness causing aggressive behaviour. Contributions to her document can be forwarded to Katharina c/o the UNAAWA office by email or phone.

It has been recommended to the Executive committee that the Huelin Lecture traditionally held on Dec 10 should in future be called the Human Rights Lecture and that this lecture should be held in partnership with a like minded organisation. This recommendation was accepted at the committee meeting held on Thursday Feb 4th.

 

 

UNAA(WA) Environment committee activities

 

The Environment Group met on 8th February and discussed/finalised several past activities including the Walk Against Warming last December and also the accounts/summary report required for the SALP funded tree planting at Noble Falls. Also discussed were several ideas for activities and fund raising for the coming year ahead particularly events that coincide with the International Year of Biodiversity (http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/). Ideas for activities also included a public talk on local endangered animal, debrief on the Copenhagen talks, and also a fun promotion fund raising event with a local ice cream retailer (eg. Mr Whippy) with associated suitably outfitted volunteers as endangered species. It was also decided to design and obtain quotes for a postcard like promotion card showing a WA endangered animal and also citing our web site details and outline of the group and the UNAA(WA).

 

Members of the Environment Committee attended the Sustainability Fair at Scotch College and manned the desk on behalf of UNAAWA. The Eco Shop, City Farm, WA SEA and Millennium Kids were amongst the exhibitors. Three excellent speakers, including Josh Byrne, who spoke about the greener urban garden, and more importantly for UNAAWA members on issues of food security. This will become more and more a concern to us all. If we want to be assured of a good supply of fresh food, we cannot do better than a few vegies and fruit trees. Note the new miniature and dwarf varieties, in tubs and pots in our own back yard. Other speakers were Prof. Paul Hardisty on Why Sustainability makes good economic sense. The fair was opened by the Minister for Energy, the Hon P.Collier

Congratulations to Chris Menage and the Scotch College students on a well planned and presented event.

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UPCOMING EVENT

 

Cake Stall with a difference

 

March 23rd has been set aside for the Association Cake Stall, to raise  funds for  setup costs for the United Nations Association of Australia National Conference, August, 2011, and some regular Association publications.

 

Where: to be decided, but most likely an  East Perth venue.

 

Would any of our members be able to support us with a cake, muffins, fresh scones, or other baked delight to sell.  As we represent the United Nations in the community, we would be delighted if any member could give us some national sweet treat, such as Haloumi, or Kofta, or a French Yule log for example. Please get back to the Office, unaawa@tpg.com.au; 9221 9455, if you are able to help. Or email Caroline on henco31@skymesh.com.au.

 

Very many thanks.

Caroline and Carolyn.

UNAA WA Executive

 

Please note:    Claisebrook Lotteries House renovations will begin on 22nd Feb 2010. Over the next few months there will be considerable disruption in the building. The upstairs toilet and kitchen will be out of operation. The small committee room down stairs is no longer available. A committee room is available upstairs and must be booked in the usual way in the booking book under the name of UNAAWA. The UNAAWA office will be painted and recarpeted during the renovations. The meeting room will be double the size and should accommodate 80 people once the renovations are complete.

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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.

 

 

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