By Melinda Richardson, Chair, United Nations Association Young Professionals - Southern New York State
The UNA-SNY Young Professionals volunteered at the Carter Burden Leonard Covello Senior Program in East Harlem on February 14th to celebrate Valentine's Day. Volunteers made desserts, danced with seniors, took photos, worked on Valentine's cards, and there was even a talent show! Each Year the UN celebrated the "UN Day for Older Persons". Last year's theme was "Leaving No One Behind: Promoting Society for All". Living up to the Secretary-General's guiding principle of "Leaving No-One Behind" necessitates the understanding that demography matters for sustainable development and that population dynamics will shape the key developmental challenges that the world in confronting in the 21st century. If our ambition is to "Build the Future We Want", we must address the population over 60 which is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030. This was a great way to give back to the community and finding a way to make the UNs goals a reality in our own backyard. What an amazing way to spend Valentine's Day AND to give back to the community! See all the images from the event (special thanks to DeRonn Kidd Photography). |