Kicking off the UN Member Day events on Thursday, February 19, several UNA-SNY Young Professionals members participated in organizational briefings with selected UN offices and initiatives to include the UN Development Program (UNDP), UN Women, and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).
Following, on Friday, February 20, 2015, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressed an audience of more than 750 UNA-USA members and UN supporters who visited UN Headquarters for the official Members' Day program and the 7th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, a day of dynamic and informative discussion on the most pressing issues facing the United Nations.
Using the theme, The UN at 70: A Year for Bold Action, UNA-USA members got exclusive access to the UN, where they heard from experts, and networked with community leaders, academics and students, and representatives from think tanks and like-minded organizations. Topics included:
· Marching to Paris: The Road to a Climate Deal
· At Home and Abroad: Activism for Universal Human Rights
· From the MDGs to the SDGs: The Future of Global Health
· Back to Iraq: The Rise of ISIL and the End of Arab Spring
More information including agenda details, speaker bios and a video recording of the events can be accessed at: www.unausa.org/membership/una-usa-events/members-day#sthash.jc5lbUkE.dpuf
Following UN Member Day activities, UNA-SNY Young Professionals and UNA-NCA hosted a networking social that attracted over 60 supporters sponsored at the World Bar across from the United Nations.
Chris Whatley, the UNA-USA Executive Director provided opening remarks emphasizing the goals and energy needed to carry forward the action/2015 campaign. He further encouraged more focus and attention to advocacy at the local, state, and federal government/policy maker levels. The event concluded with several new member sign-ups and contributions and a pledge between UNA-SNY Young Professionals and UNA-NCA YPs to carry forward the networking social as an annual tradition, the next to be hosted in Washington D.C. during the annual meeting in June 2015.
Following, on Friday, February 20, 2015, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressed an audience of more than 750 UNA-USA members and UN supporters who visited UN Headquarters for the official Members' Day program and the 7th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, a day of dynamic and informative discussion on the most pressing issues facing the United Nations.
Using the theme, The UN at 70: A Year for Bold Action, UNA-USA members got exclusive access to the UN, where they heard from experts, and networked with community leaders, academics and students, and representatives from think tanks and like-minded organizations. Topics included:
· Marching to Paris: The Road to a Climate Deal
· At Home and Abroad: Activism for Universal Human Rights
· From the MDGs to the SDGs: The Future of Global Health
· Back to Iraq: The Rise of ISIL and the End of Arab Spring
More information including agenda details, speaker bios and a video recording of the events can be accessed at: www.unausa.org/membership/una-usa-events/members-day#sthash.jc5lbUkE.dpuf
Following UN Member Day activities, UNA-SNY Young Professionals and UNA-NCA hosted a networking social that attracted over 60 supporters sponsored at the World Bar across from the United Nations.
Chris Whatley, the UNA-USA Executive Director provided opening remarks emphasizing the goals and energy needed to carry forward the action/2015 campaign. He further encouraged more focus and attention to advocacy at the local, state, and federal government/policy maker levels. The event concluded with several new member sign-ups and contributions and a pledge between UNA-SNY Young Professionals and UNA-NCA YPs to carry forward the networking social as an annual tradition, the next to be hosted in Washington D.C. during the annual meeting in June 2015.