Advocacy
International Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Follow-up Issue Areas Shadow Report
In follow-up to our Division's August 5 Consultation, we have prepared a report to the UNHCR Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Please see the .pdf below.
una-sny_shadow_report_november_2015.pdf | |
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International Aid and Development Agencies Urge President Obama to Act on the Refugee Crisis
The death of a three-year old Syrian boy galvanized people and organizations to urge that the nations of the world "do something" to aid the refugees and put an end to the crisis.
A number of development, human rights and faith organizations have written to President Obama and have "come together to ask that you urgently lead the international community to address both immediate symptoms of the crisis as well as the root causes of conflict. A bold, new, and comprehensive plan is essential to address not only the needs of the millions who have fled Syria, but to end the violence that is causing this global catastrophe that shows no prospects of fading. Seizing the urgency of the moment and the opportunity of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the U.S. should work with allies to create a comprehensive plan."
They urge that the plan should focus on the following areas:
-- Announce that the U.S. will resettle 100,000 Syrian refugees in FY2016
-- Put an end to the bombardment of civilian areas
--Devise and implement a comprehensive regional development and reconstruction plan:
-- Prioritize a political solution with human rights at the heart
For the full letter and list of signatories, see the .pdf below.
letter_to_the_president.pdf | |
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Mount Vernon City Council passes Resolution supporting Cities for CEDAW
Spearheaded by J. Yuhanna Edwards, City Council President Pro Tem and member of the UNA Westchester Board, on September 23 the Mount Vernon City Council passed its support of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women ("CEDAW"). CEDAW provides a framework for governments and communities to examine their policies and practices in relation to women and girls and to rectify discrimination based on gender. A resolution is a first step towards adopting a future ordinance... See the details in the file below.
cedaw_resolution_--_city_of_mount_vernon_ny.pdf | |
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Injustice in the Criminal Justice System: The Way Forward - A Human Rights Approach
The Division held a consultation on this subject as part of our initiative to provide input to the U.S. Universal Periodic Review and in follow-up to our "Race and the American Justice System" seminar that provided the background for our Shadow Report to the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (in August 2014).
View a video of the Consultation at https://youtu.be/Uc1fp8MzV04 (with thanks to BlackWestchesterMagazine Editor-in-Chief, A.J. Woodard. Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpiNUQ-884Y on Sentencing, Prison and Post-incarceration; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzFy5nk5AWo on Women and Girls; and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MihgvrTSokM on School to Prison Pipeline. (Videos courtesy of Sultan Maruf, Queens Chapter president)
See the press release and the letter to State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson below:
See the press release and the letter to State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson below:
press_release_criminal_justice_8_5_15.pdf | |
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letter_to_sen._ruth_hassell-thompson.pdf | |
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UNA-USA National sends periodic Advocacy alerts that help members support the United Nations through correspondence and meetings with congressional leaders, state and local officials, the press and the public.
UNA-Southern New York State Division has signed the following letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch calling for guidelines for appropriate policing related to gender:
UNA-Southern New York State Division has signed the following letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch calling for guidelines for appropriate policing related to gender:
policing-coalition_letter_to_ag_lynch-doj-re_guidance_on_gender-biased_policing-final-7-6-15.pdf | |
File Size: | 469 kb |
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Statement of the Board
"American Criminal Justice System Needs More Than Body Cameras"
"American Criminal Justice System Needs More Than Body Cameras"
On the occasion of Human Rights Day (December 10) and the UNA Southern NY State Division’s annual meeting, the board approved the statement (below) for wide circulation in support of justice and eliminating racial discrimination.
The title of the statement is “American Criminal Justice System Needs More Than Body Cameras.”
Please feel free to share this with your members and with your mailing lists
The title of the statement is “American Criminal Justice System Needs More Than Body Cameras.”
Please feel free to share this with your members and with your mailing lists
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UNA-USA Position on Syria
Since September 4th UNA-USA, including chapter and division presidents, Council of Chapters and Regions Steering Committee representatives, and representatives from the Better World Fund, have crafted a statement (below) that reflects UNA-USA's strong support for the United Nations with regard to actions toward Syria. As the political situation is in flux, UNA will monitor it and continue to consider any changes in policy position.
TAKE ACTION LINKS
For a quick way to sign up to action and to receive updates, click on the following links:
UNA-USA (United Nations Association of the USA Take Action email page) Better World Campaign (On the middle of the homepage is a column that reads “Stay Informed.” There you can sign up for e-mail updates about the work of the UN) The UN FOUNDATION (United Nations Foundation page to sign up to receive updates) The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA, (a program of the UN Foundation), the Better World Campaign and the United Nations Foundation all offer you ways to get involved with toward achieving social justice and improved quality of life for all. UNA-USA 1. Log onto http://unausa.org 2. Become Informed - On the homepage for the UNA-USA website, click on the Advocacy tab. Click on the link that says “Take Action Now” next to the E-Action Alerts tab, and scroll down to the bottom of the page until you reach the column on the left that says “Stay Informed.” Under this column is a link to the E-Action List. Click on this link to sign up for e-mails that are sent to you when your help can make a critical difference. 3. Get Involved in Advocacy – Click on the Membership tab on the middle of the homepage. From here, a variety of ways to become involved with UNA-USA are listed. You can click on the tab that says “Join Us Now” to become a member of UNA-USA. Also, you can click on “Find a Chapter in Your Area” to find contact information of UNA-USA representatives at a chapter near you. Finally, you can click “Find Events Across the Country” to identify UNA-USA sponsored events to participate in. 4. Donate - You can donate to UNA-USA by clicking on “Donate Now” at the top left of the homepage. The Better World Campaign 1. Log onto www.betterworldcampaign.org 2. Become Informed – On the middle of the homepage is a column that reads “Stay Informed.” Sign up there for e-mail updates about the work of the UN. You can also subscribe to UN Wire, a daily news letter (sent by e-mail) that covers UN issues. You can also subscribe to UN Dispatch, a series of periodic updates and communications from the UN Foundation. All three of these services are FREE. 3. Learn About Key Issues – At the top of the home page, there are tabs “Our Key Issues” and “What We Are Doing.” There you will find overviews of the main objectives and practices of BWC. Find the causes that interest you. 4. Get Involved in Advocacy – Also see the tab “Take Action Now” by clicking on “What You Can Do” at the top of the homepage in order to view a list of individual causes that the UN is supporting. Clicking on any of these causes will lead you to a page where you can support / advocate for the cause in someway (such as adding your name to a petition, sending a personal message to a UN Peacekeeper, or making an online donation to a UN initiative). Contact your Senators: On this same page (“Take Action Now”), click on “Find Your Senators” on the left-hand side of screen. This will lead you to a list of all U.S. Senators. Use the drop-down box on the top screen to select your state and find listings for, both senators. Click on the “Web Form” link below either of their names to be directed to an online form where you can contact these senators. After entering your name and contact information, you can write a message as long as 10,000 characters (about 3 pages in length). This is a great way to express concern for any legislative issues, world problems, etc. that you would like to bring to the attention of your Senator. Contact your Representative : You can contact your local representative by selecting “Find Your Representative” on the left-hand side of the “Take Action Now” screen and following the same procedure as for Senators. The UN Foundation 1. Log onto http://unfoundation.org 2. Become Informed – On the top right corner of the homepage is a tab that reads “What We Do.” Click on this tab to learn about the campaigns, initiatives, and issues that the UN Foundation is addressing. Examine these further by clicking on their respective logos.Sign up for updates from the UN Foundation by clicking on the “How to Help” tab on the top right corner of the home page, and then clicking on the “Stay Informed” box on the middle of this webpage. 3. Advocate for the UN – On the top right corner of the homepage, click on the tab “How to Help.” You will be directed to the “Take Action” page. This page provides a variety of ways to take action for both general and specific causes: Become a UNA-USA Member : Click on “Help the UN Help the World” at the bottom of the “How To Help” page. You will be directed to a window where you an register to become a member of the United Nations Association of the USA and your local UNA-USA chapter. Raise money for the UN Foundation by using the Internet: On the “How to Help” page, scroll down to the bottom and click on the link that reads “Download the Official UN Foundation Toolbar” You can install a toolbar that garners funds for the UN Foundation every time you search and shop online. Encourage your company or organization to become a UN Foundation Partner by clicking on “Become a UN Foundation Partner” at the very bottom of the “How to Help” page. You will be directed to a window that lists ways that you can partner with the UN. - As a corporate partner, you can: 1) Join the UN Foundation in Cause Marketing 2) Build Coalitions to Address Global Challenges 3) Support the UN Foundation - As an organizational partner, you can: 1) Engage Your Membership 2) Leverage Expertise for Global Challenges |
Meetings with Congressional Representatives and the Governor
UNA-USA Chapters and Divisions'
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