Upcoming Events
Saturday, March 5th
UNA Westchester Chapter International Women's Day 2016
2015 Events
For a list of all UN Day events, go to Newsletters
Friday, October 16 (Open to the campus) UNA-SNY - EF International School UN Day Celebration (Tarrytown) When: 2pm - 4pm - evening program time to be determined Where: EF International Language Center, New York, 100 Marymount Ave, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Description: Celebration of the UN's 70th Anniversary - speeches and debate. The evening program will feature music from around the world. Contact: [email protected]
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Yasmine Sherif
Combining passionate prose and global United Nations and human rights experience, Yasmine Sherif inspires a new agenda for world politics and personal consciousness, and makes the case for humanity in her book: The Case for Humanity: An Extraordinary Session: New Inspiration and Historic Insights for Today’s World |
Friday, October 30
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Prof. S. Ilgu Ozler
Professor S. Ilgu Ozler, Director of the SUNY Global Engagement Program and Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations, SUNY New Paltz, will speak on the following topic: Too little, too late? The West Discovers the Refugee Crises |
Past Events
Injustice in the Criminal Justice System: A Way Forward - a Human Rights-based Approach
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women_&_innovative_approaches_for_clean_energy_3_11_15.pdf | |
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Challenging Gender-Based Discrmination Across the Life-Cycle: The Evolution and Revolution of the Beijing Agenda - March 12
6:15 - 8:15 pm; light refreshments; free of charge
Seating is limited to 35. Registration required.
RSVP at: [email protected] by Friday, March 6
Topics include:
"Reinforcing Beijing: The Convention on the Rights of the Child and CEDAW"
"Widowhood in an era of failures to contain conflicts and epidemics"
"Start from the Very Beginning: Transforming the Goals and Strategies of the Beijing Agenda through a focus on girls"
"Young Professionals World Health Day Summit: Cultivating the next generation of World Health Leaders"
See the file below for speakers and details.
challenging_gender-based_discrimination_across_the_life_cycle_1.pdf | |
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UNA Members' Day at the UN / the 7th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, February 20
The United Nations at 70: A Time for Bold Action
Morning keynote speaker:
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Afternoon keynote speaker:
Dr. David Nabarro, Special Envoy for Ebola
Panels and presentations 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"
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2014 Events
Award Winners Announced at Division's Annual Meeting
The Division's Annual Meeting took place Monday December 8. The Lee H. Bloom Leadership Award was given to Marcia Brewster (Westchester Chapter--not in photo) and Donna Rosa (Northern NJ Chapter). The Margaret K. Bruce Advocacy Award was given to Gabriel Levitt (Brooklyn Chapter). Molly's daughter Anne and Lee's son Doug presented the awards, along with the nominating chapter representatives from Brooklyn, Westchester and the Division. Congratulations to these well-deserving winners!
Uniting for Sustainable Development: The Post-2015 Development Agenda
About 60 participants gathered at the State University of New York (SUNY) Global Engagement Program (SUNY GEP) on October 31, to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals process under the leadership of the UNA Southern New York State Division. After introductory remarks, participants formed six breakout groups to discuss Health (Goal 3); Education (4); Gender Equality (5); Energy (7); Climate (13); and Peace & Justice (16).
Dr.S. Ilgu Ozler, who leads the SUNY GEP, welcomed the attendees. Jeanne Betsock Stillman, UNA-SNY President, gave an orientation to the consultation and Ryan Kaminski, Program Manager for Human Rights and Special Initiatives at the UN Foundation provided a background to the UNA’s work on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Dr.Corinne Whitaker, a consultant in international development, public health and human rights, spoke on “The Core Principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals—beyond the MDGs.”
The president and several members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (Zeta Nu Omega Chapter) brought 15 high school students. Thirteen students in the SUNY Global Engagement Program served as rapporteurs; members of the UNA-SNY Division board served as group facilitators. Participants included leaders and members of the Brooklyn, New York (Manhattan), Mid-Hudson Valley, Queens, Westchester and Northern New Jersey chapters; students from Columbia. NY and Adelphi universities and the City College of NY and representatives of City government, non-governmental organizations and others interested in the United Nations.
Dr.S. Ilgu Ozler, who leads the SUNY GEP, welcomed the attendees. Jeanne Betsock Stillman, UNA-SNY President, gave an orientation to the consultation and Ryan Kaminski, Program Manager for Human Rights and Special Initiatives at the UN Foundation provided a background to the UNA’s work on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Dr.Corinne Whitaker, a consultant in international development, public health and human rights, spoke on “The Core Principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals—beyond the MDGs.”
The president and several members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (Zeta Nu Omega Chapter) brought 15 high school students. Thirteen students in the SUNY Global Engagement Program served as rapporteurs; members of the UNA-SNY Division board served as group facilitators. Participants included leaders and members of the Brooklyn, New York (Manhattan), Mid-Hudson Valley, Queens, Westchester and Northern New Jersey chapters; students from Columbia. NY and Adelphi universities and the City College of NY and representatives of City government, non-governmental organizations and others interested in the United Nations.
UNA-SNY sponsored the international conference on Global environment, Carbon reduction, and Eco-drive as a solution towards sustainability
eco_drive_conf_programme_20141017.pdf | |
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UNA-SNY sponsored this conference; Dr. George Garland, Director of UNA-SNY's Energy Project, spoke as part of a panel on Global Environment: Energy and Transportation. The above file provides the full program.
UNA Energy Project Event: Climate and Energy Policy in Global Context
2014. 9. 17
The UNA Energy Project of the Southern New York State Division hosted a discussion on climate change featuring Tapio Kanninen, PhD and George Garland, DBA. as a part of Climate Action Week in New York City.
2014. 9. 17
The UNA Energy Project of the Southern New York State Division hosted a discussion on climate change featuring Tapio Kanninen, PhD and George Garland, DBA. as a part of Climate Action Week in New York City.
Tapio Kanninen, PhD, “Crisis of Global Sustainability.” Dr. Kanninen is Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Project on Sustainable Global Governance at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the Graduate Center of The City University of New York. During his long international career he was Chief of the Policy Planning Unit in the UN Department of Political Affairs (1998-2005) and Head of the Secretariat of Kofi Annan’s five Summits with Regional Organizations, in addition to earlier work with the Finnish government.
George Garland, DBA, “Climate Policy: The U.S. and the UN.” Dr. Garland is a former US Environmental Protection Agency official, is currently head of the Energy Project of the United Nations Association Southern New York State Division and is a Public Private Alliance Foundation board member.
Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. record on Human Rights Consultation
On Wednesday, May 21, the Division held a consultation to provide an American grassroots voice to the Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. record on Human Rights. The event took place at the UN Foundation Office in Manhattan. The consultation began with introductory remarks by Latanya Mapp Frett, Vice President - Global, Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Sarah Elizabeth Porter, Development Associate at ECPAT USA; and Ryan Kaminski, Leo Nevas Human Rights Fellow of UNA-USA. Jeanne Betsock Stillman, Division President, moderated the session.
Participants then divided into two groups: one, facilitated by Corinne Whitaker, reproductive health consultant, focused on advancing the rights of women and girls. The other, facilitated by Joan Levy, UNA-SNY Board member and board member of ECPAT USA, focused on human trafficking. Each group discussed its specific topic, arriving at recommendations and specifics to include in the final stakeholder’s report.
After about an hour, the participants reconvened to share their findings. Joshua Cooper, Leon Nevas Human Rights Task Force member, coordinated those discussions and also provided his insights into the Human Rights Council UPR processes. The meeting was a great success with almost 30 participants working hard for the 2 ½ hours of the consultation to brainstorm on these two prominent issues.
Participants then divided into two groups: one, facilitated by Corinne Whitaker, reproductive health consultant, focused on advancing the rights of women and girls. The other, facilitated by Joan Levy, UNA-SNY Board member and board member of ECPAT USA, focused on human trafficking. Each group discussed its specific topic, arriving at recommendations and specifics to include in the final stakeholder’s report.
After about an hour, the participants reconvened to share their findings. Joshua Cooper, Leon Nevas Human Rights Task Force member, coordinated those discussions and also provided his insights into the Human Rights Council UPR processes. The meeting was a great success with almost 30 participants working hard for the 2 ½ hours of the consultation to brainstorm on these two prominent issues.
upr_info_sheet.pdf | |
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rights_of_women_and_girls_background_primer-upr.pdf | |
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"The World We Want: Achieving Gender Equality in a Post-2015 World"
Sponsored by UNA Women, this panel was held on March 13 as part ot eh meetings of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Chris Whatley, UNA Executive Director, presented the findings of the newly published report "An American Conversation on the Post-2015 Development Agenda," based on consultations held around the country, including two in New York. Tripta Singh, Deputy Director of Energy Access Initiative at the UN Foundation spoke about women’s access to services, particularly better access to healthcare related to energy. Ximena Benavente, the Director of Programs at Changecorp, a social enterprise with innovative use of mobile devices to advance education and health. Karen Mulhauser, chair of the Council of Chapters and Regions Steering Committee, moderated. Lia Ciarone, Southern NYS Division board member, has videotaped the event, which will be available soon on the Division's YouTube channel.
Sponsored by UNA Women, this panel was held on March 13 as part ot eh meetings of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Chris Whatley, UNA Executive Director, presented the findings of the newly published report "An American Conversation on the Post-2015 Development Agenda," based on consultations held around the country, including two in New York. Tripta Singh, Deputy Director of Energy Access Initiative at the UN Foundation spoke about women’s access to services, particularly better access to healthcare related to energy. Ximena Benavente, the Director of Programs at Changecorp, a social enterprise with innovative use of mobile devices to advance education and health. Karen Mulhauser, chair of the Council of Chapters and Regions Steering Committee, moderated. Lia Ciarone, Southern NYS Division board member, has videotaped the event, which will be available soon on the Division's YouTube channel.
Life Sciences & the Post-2015 Development Agenda
With current antibiotics increasingly becoming drug-resistant, the search is on for efficacious sources and therapies to fight a range of life-threatening conditions worldwide. Discuss centered on the opportunities to partner with the UN, its stakeholders, the public, and the private sector on these challenges post-2015. Speakers:
Dr. Jacob Kumaresan, Executive Director, World Health Organization Office at the UN; Dr. Jo Handelsman, Director, Small World Initiative; Yale: President’s Scientific Advisory Council; Dr. Allan R. Goldberg; Developer of Epimerox; Rockefeller University, Avacyn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Michael Kinch, Yale Center for Molecular Discovery; Moderator: Amb. John E. Lange, Senior Fellow, Global Health Diplomacy, United Nations Foundation
6th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference/
UNA-USA Members Day at the UN
"The United Nations: Building Peace in an Age of Upheaval"
Over 700 participants came to the General Assembly Hall to hear a strong array of speakers and to participate and network. Thank you for participating! Photos are available on Flickr. The program is available below:
2014_mid-atlantic_conference_flyer.pdf
Download File
UNA-USA Members Day at the UN
"The United Nations: Building Peace in an Age of Upheaval"
Over 700 participants came to the General Assembly Hall to hear a strong array of speakers and to participate and network. Thank you for participating! Photos are available on Flickr. The program is available below:
2014_mid-atlantic_conference_flyer.pdf
Download File
The World We Want -
Post-2015 Development Agenda
On November 1st the Division held one of eleven consultations around the US where UNA Chapters and Divisions are discussing selected topics relating to the post-2015 Development Agenda. After welcoming remarks by Jeanne Betsock Stillman, Division president, Chris Whatley, Executive Director of UNA-USA, described how this New York event is reminiscent of early days of the United Nations, when Division members volunteered to provide communications services to the UN, which had only limited staff. Speakers included Narinder Kakar, permanent representative to the UN of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Carla Bachechi, Consultant on the project. Results of the 11 events around the country will be combined into a report from UNA to the UN. Division board members facilitated the roundtables on Education, Food/Agriculture, Gender Equality, Water & Sanitation, Energy, Climate, Good Governance and Health.
Members of the Roundtable on Climate Change discussing issues, challenges and priorities
See photos at:
www.flickr.com/photos/UNASouthernny
See videos at: www.youtube.com/UNASouthernny
See photos at:
www.flickr.com/photos/UNASouthernny
See videos at: www.youtube.com/UNASouthernny
Commission on the Status of Women meetings, March
Charlotte Bunche, moderator
UNA SNY partnered with several organizations during March in support of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, International Women’s Day and Women’s Month. This year the theme of events was Violence Against Women.
Partners included UNA Women (March 8), the Medical Women's International Association (March 5), the National Council of Women of the United States (March 8) and the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (March 8). Events were all very well attended, with standing room only for the UNA Women's event: "From Acceptance to Resistance:
Changing Attitudes Surrounding Violence against Women-
A Life Cycle Approach."
Partners included UNA Women (March 8), the Medical Women's International Association (March 5), the National Council of Women of the United States (March 8) and the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (March 8). Events were all very well attended, with standing room only for the UNA Women's event: "From Acceptance to Resistance:
Changing Attitudes Surrounding Violence against Women-
A Life Cycle Approach."
Human Rights Day at Hyde Park, NY
Our Human Rights Day program in the Mid-Hudson Valley featured Ryan Kaminski, speaking on Human Rights, and roundtables on topics from the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The results will become part of UNA-USA's report to the Secretary-General. See photos at http://flickr.com/photos/UNASouthernny and a video of the plenary sessions and group reports at http://youtube.com/UNASouthernny
Our Human Rights Day program in the Mid-Hudson Valley featured Ryan Kaminski, speaking on Human Rights, and roundtables on topics from the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The results will become part of UNA-USA's report to the Secretary-General. See photos at http://flickr.com/photos/UNASouthernny and a video of the plenary sessions and group reports at http://youtube.com/UNASouthernny
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UNA-USA Annual Meeting- June 2013
New York State discussions at Annual Meeting
About 120 UNA members from around the country met for four days of discussions and actions including 100 meetings with Congressional representatives or their staffs on the Hill. For highlights and videos, see: http://www.unausa.org/membership/una-usa-events/annual-meeting
The Southern NY State Division won the national Earl W. Eames, Jr. Communications Award for our work on social and other media. Others honored included Ed Elmendorf, former interim Executive Director of UNA and former president of the UNA National Capital Area Division, who won the Arnold Goodman Award for leadership, and Elena Shturman of the San Francisco Chapter, who won the Global Young Achievement Award.
The Southern NY State Division won the national Earl W. Eames, Jr. Communications Award for our work on social and other media. Others honored included Ed Elmendorf, former interim Executive Director of UNA and former president of the UNA National Capital Area Division, who won the Arnold Goodman Award for leadership, and Elena Shturman of the San Francisco Chapter, who won the Global Young Achievement Award.
UNA-USA Members Day at the UN and 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference - February 4
On February 4 the 5th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference / UNA-USA Members Day took place at the UN. Speakers included Jan Elliasson, Deputy Secretary-General; Kathy Calvin, President and CEO, UN Foundation, Brooke Loughrin, the first U.S. Youth Observer to the UN, and panels on Rio+20 Moving Forward; the Global Economy, Education and Youth; and Finding Solutions to Stubborn Conflicts. The moderators and speakers gave generously of their time, and we thank them all. Over 600 people came to the UN and, we hope, took back new ideas and new enthusiasm to support the work and goals of the UN. We were lucky to have a beautiful February day! For more information go to videos of the conference Other materials are available at: www.unausa.org/membersday. Photos are also available on the Division's Flickr site.
2012 Events
Human Rights Day Event at Hyde Park Well Attended
On December 11, in honor of Human Rights Day, Gillian Martin Sorensen spoke on "Whose Human Rights? Ms. Sorensen is Senior Adviser and National Advocate at the UN Foundation and formerly was Assistant Secretary-General at the UN. The Division and the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Center at ValKill co-sponsored the event at the FDR Museum and Library in Hyde Park, NY. The Division also honored the life of Margaret (Molly) Bruce at this event. Dozens attended from Dutchess, Ulster, Rockland, Orange and Westchester Counties, including Molly's daughter and son-in-law; representatives of County Human Rights Councils and the American Association of University Women as well as the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Center at ValKill and UNA Westchester.
View the tribute to Molly Bruce and Gillian Sorensen's speech at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYppAF5ViZw Thank you to Fred Cartier for filming our event! Also view photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/unasouthernny - Human Rights Day - Hyde Park.
View the tribute to Molly Bruce and Gillian Sorensen's speech at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYppAF5ViZw Thank you to Fred Cartier for filming our event! Also view photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/unasouthernny - Human Rights Day - Hyde Park.
Margaret K. (Molly) Bruce Passes Away
Our dear friend and Division Board Member Molly Bruce passed away on November 22, 2012 after a brief illness. Molly joined the United Nations in London in 1945, and at her retirement in 1977 was one of the top five women at the UN. At the beginning of her career Molly assisted Eleanor Roosevelt in negotiations toward the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Click here for her obituary, which gives the story of Molly's remarkable life. Molly was a former president and longtime board member of the Division, as well as its Advocacy Chair. She also served in those positions in the Westchester Chapter.
Her family has suggested donations may be made to the Division, to honor Molly's leadership and work in advocacy. You may use the donate button or send a check payable to UNA-USA Southern New York State Division, c/o UNA-SNY, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 Contributions are tax deductible.
Here is an interview with Molly Bruce about Lehman College as a site for the UN Security Council. See also the article about Molly Bruce published in Lehman Today.
Her family has suggested donations may be made to the Division, to honor Molly's leadership and work in advocacy. You may use the donate button or send a check payable to UNA-USA Southern New York State Division, c/o UNA-SNY, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 Contributions are tax deductible.
Here is an interview with Molly Bruce about Lehman College as a site for the UN Security Council. See also the article about Molly Bruce published in Lehman Today.
Division co-sponsors UN Day Event in Nassau County
Peter DeBartolo, Division board member, was guest speaker at the UN Day Celebration at Bryant Public Library in Roslyn, NY. This is the third year the Division has co-sponsored this event with the Library and with the Baha'i Community of Oyster Bay. Mrs. Farideh Siahpoosh, a retired librarian, is long-time UNA member organizes this event annually. Mr. DeBartolo Director of the Levermore Global Scholars program at Adelphi University and is the focal point for beginning a new UNA-USA Chapter in Nassau County.
Post-Rio Event
On July 25 the Council of Organizations and the Southern NYS Division held "The Topical Fruit of Rio + 20: What was
Harvested and What is Still on the Trees." Moderated by Robb Skinner of UN Foundation, the panel spoke to an overflow crowd ad the Turkish Mission to the UN. Panelists included Nikhil Seth, who was responsible for organizing Rio+20 on behalf of the UN, Jeff Huffines, World Alliance for
Citizen Participation; Ambassador Elizabeth Cousens, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC, Shamina de Gonzaga, Director, World Council of Peoples for the United Nations, and Amb. Josephine Ojiambo, Deputy Perm. Rep., Kenya Mission to the UN.
Blogging and Tweeting at Rio+Social
Division Board members Marcia Brewster and David Stillman, and UNA and Public-Private Alliance Foundation interns blogged and tweeted at the Hastings Public, following Rio+Social actions in June. Other board members and UNA colleagues joined in from other locations. According to one article, Rio+Social attracted 4, 624 Twitter followers, and it is estimated that Rio+social tweets reached over 5 million people worldwide. Rio+Social was sponsored by the UN Foundation and Mashable.com
Rio+20 Review and Outlook, May 15
Matthias Resch, coordinator of the Division's Energy Project, organized this event to highlight factors leading to Rio and expectations we may have. Speakers included Andreas Pfaffernoschke, Joel Smith, Krystal Layman and Kate Offerdahl, See our YouTube channel for their presentations. See a write-up on our energy blog.
Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter Meeting, May 2
Kathleen Durham, ERVK
On May 2 several faculty members from Marist College, SUNY New Paltz and Vassar, Kathleen Durham, the Executive Director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill (ERVK), and UNA members and friends met to discuss starting a Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter. We thank Kathleen for hosting the meeting, held at the Wallace Center of the FDR Library and Museum, and for inviting all to a cocktail party for Meera Gandhi's book signing of her book Giving Back.
If you live, work, teach or attend school in the mid-Hudson Valley and would like to get involved, please email: [email protected]
If you live, work, teach or attend school in the mid-Hudson Valley and would like to get involved, please email: [email protected]
The Kids for Shot@Life Program, May 1
Dr. Padmini Murthy, Division VP, (center,in white) worked with students of the New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice to develop a Capstone project. They created a kit called "The Kids for Shot@Life," which will be piloted this summer. Shot@Life is a significant new campaign of the UN Foundation. Students included: Joel Cambron ,Elisabeth Elsinger, Fatimah Muhammad, Alana Peralta, Natasha Schimmoeller, and Maria Souto. This project was presented to the UNF Shot@ Life Campaign Manager Caroline Barrett, Faculty of NYMCSHSP and other guests on May 1st 2012. Mini Murthy represents the Division on the Shot@Life Program and received training at the UN Foundation in Washington in January.
The Kids for Shot@Life Action Kit contains items for student ambassadors to use in developing a program for their classroom. The campaign targets raising $20 per student so that each student is supporting the vaccination of another child.
The Kids for Shot@Life Action Kit contains items for student ambassadors to use in developing a program for their classroom. The campaign targets raising $20 per student so that each student is supporting the vaccination of another child.
UNA Women launches in New York - March 7
T. Dyall, Amb. Chowdhury, Mini Murthy
On March 7, UNA-USA launched UNA Women, a new interest group. Division members Jessica Bangs, Marcia Brewster, Padmini Murthy, Jeanne Betsock Stillman and Catherine White are steering Committee members. To learn more and to join, go to: http://www.unausa.org/women The group held its inaugural meeting with a discussion on Security Council Resolution 1325, with Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury as keynote speaker.
Rural Women: Energy, Health & Water, March 6
On March 6 the Division hosted a panel on Rural Women: Energy, Health and Water, held at the UN Foundation office in NY. You can view presentations by Dr. George Garland, Director of the Division's Energy Project' Corinne Hart, Program Manager, Gender and Markets Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves; Dr. David Stillman, Executive Director, Public-Private Alliance Foundation; Mrs. Marcia Brewster, Senior Consultant for the World Water Council on a Water and Green Growth Project; and Dr. Padmini Murthy, NGO Co-Representative to the UN of the Medical Women International Association. See: http://youtube.com/unasouthernny
Board and Volunteer Training, February 29
About 30 board members and volunteers from UNA-SNY, the chapters and YP Program convened for an orientation to UNA, the Southern NYS Division and the UN Foundation. Laura Giroux, the new Membership Director of UNA-USA, Monika Johnson, Membership Assistant and Emily Ross, a UN Foundation Staff Member, spoke.
4th Mid-Atlantic Conference - Members Day at the UN, Feb. 10
The 4th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference - Members Day at the UN was a huge success, with over 850 attending. The program featured keynote speeches from Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Congresswoman Nita Lowey, (New York 18th District). It also featured prominent panelists who discussed topics ranging from the Security Council and UN Peacekeeping, to Sustainable Development (the Rio+20 Conference) and the Millennium Development Goals.
2011 Events
Division Annual Meeting, November 30
Elections to the 2012-2013 Board were the main item
5th Annual Festival, Society of Universal Sacred Music
Division table at the Festival
On November 12, the Division co-sponsored the Society's 5th Annual Festival of Universal Sacred Music, held at Symphony Space in Manhattan. Musical traditions from India, Turkey, Israel, Appalachia, and Choral, Gospel, Jazz and Brazilian music were all featured.
Freedom of Expression on the Internet
Substituting for Frank LaRue, Felice Gaer, Chair of UNA-USA’s Leo Nevas Human Rights Task Force, spoke about the role of UN Special Rapporteurs, and distributed a paper on Highlights, Key Trends and Challenges of Freedom of Expression on the Internet. October 18.
Eleanor Roosevelt and the American Worker
On October 11, Brigid O'Farrell, author of She Was One of Us: Eleanor Roosevelt and the American Worker, spoke about her book. ER's grandson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt III, gave remarks. The Division co-sponsored with the Westchester Chapter and others.
International Day of Peace
"The War Against War," "A Culture Project production" was shown, followed by a Panel Discussion with the filmmakers and officials from the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support. The showing took place on September 21 at the TriBeCa Theater.
Division's BRONX Group and Umoja AARP Chapter Celebrate
Fannie M. Munlin
Under the leadership of Mrs. Oneater Sinclair, the Division's Bronx group nd the Umoja AARP Chapter #5396 jointly held a luncheon to commemorate United Nations Month. The featured speaker was Fannie M. Munlin, UN Representative of the NCNW New York State Regional & United Nations Office. Despite the snowstorm, this was a great success.
UN Day Celebration at Bryant Library, Roslyn, NY
Dr. George A. Garland spoke about the UN, Energy and Climate Change on October 22 at the Annual UN Day celebration sponsored for more than 20 years by a UNA Nassau County Volunteer and the Bryant Library, Roslyn, NY. The Division co-sponsored this for the second year.. Music students and music professionals participated in this program. The Division is helping to restart a Nassau UNA-USA Chapter.
UNA-USA Annual Meeting, June 2011
Signing of the new Charter
At the UNA-USA Annual Meeting, UNA-USA and the UN Foundation celebrated their alliance, with UNA-USA becoming a Program of the Foundation. Representatives of the Mid-Atlantic Region signed their chapters' and division's new charters. Click here for the program of the 2011 meeting.
Board and Volunteer Orientation - April 27
About twenty new UNA-USA Division Board members, YPIC Board members and volunteers gathered for this year’s orientation. UN Foundation staff Robert Skinner, Jayan Kalathil, and Roger Nokes, UNA-USA membership coordinator joind Division Board members. Click here for more.
Division and Chapters Meet Patrick Madden, new Exec.Dir.
Representatives of Brooklyn, NYC (Manhattan), Queens, Westchester, the Division and its YP program met UNA-USA's new Executive Director. Click here for more:
3rd Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference / Members Day
at the UN
About 500 participants from the Mid-Atlantic Region and around the country attended the 3rd Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, held at the United Nations on February 10, 2011.
2010 Events
Meeting with Governor Paterson, Oct. 25
In honor of UN Day, Governor David Paterson presented a proclamation to presidents of the chapters of UNA-SNY and Division board members. The Division honored the Governor with a globe for his encouragement of the UN and international business in NY.
2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference -
Members Day at the UN
Opening Session
UNA-USA members, chapter leaders and interested
nonmembers convened at the United Nations for the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic
Regional Conference and Members Day on Feb. 11 to learn about the role the UN
has been playing across the world in the last year. About 550 participants
engaged with panelists on issues that included the recent tumult in the Middle
East; climate change; health, gender and development; economic change in Africa;
and the future of Afghanistan. Read more here..