A thank you letter was received from the UN and was swiftly forwarded to thank all those who gave permission to have 23 buildings lit up in UN Blue on UN Day. A great achievement for UN75 in Northern Ireland!
A thank you letter was received from the UN and was swiftly forwarded to thank all those who gave permission to have 23 buildings lit up in UN Blue on UN Day. A great achievement for UN75 in Northern Ireland!
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We in UNA-NI were very pleased when BBC Radio Ulster agreed to a 'Thought for the Day' to include reference to UN75. We were equally pleased when Natalie Samarasinghe accepted our invitation to be the speaker for the early morning slot. Natalie has given permission for us to carry her script.
Thought for the day: United Nations at 75 Natalie Samarasinghe is Chief of Strategy for the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. She is on leave of absence from her role as Executive Director of the UN Association of the UK. 75 years ago, world leaders created the United Nations. That moment is often romanticized: a generation battered by war, uniting for peace and progress. But it was also a hardnosed response by wartime leaders, who recognised that the welfare of their citizens was best secured through co-operation and compromise. Unprecedented suffering led to this realization. What will it take today? A global health emergency? An existential climate crisis? 75 years ago, the fear of a third world war – a nuclear war – was real. One in three people were subjects, not citizens. Most lacked basic necessities. Since then, the UN has helped scores of countries transition to independence. It has set international laws on everything from human rights to arms control. It has eradicated smallpox and won 12 Nobel Peace Prizes. Every day, it feeds, shelters and protects millions of people. And it does all this on less than what we in the UK spend at Christmas. The World Health Organization is cheaper than any bridge across the Irish Sea. But we are not celebrating our anniversary. How can we, with so much suffering? Even before the pandemic, one in three of us did not have safe drinking water. Now, poverty and hunger are on the rise. COVID-19 has exposed the unfairness baked into our world, and made clear that we cannot ignore it any more. This must be our turning point. We cannot aspire to return to how things were. We must build forward and better. That will require the same combination of vision and pragmatism that inspired the UN’s creation. Can we do it? The pandemic has shown that huge changes are possible when there is political will. The UN stands ready to help, but it is only as effective as governments want it to be – as we want it to be. 2020 won’t be remembered for being the UN’s 75th anniversary. But it could become the year we turned things around, if we stand together and act now. Image credit: Ian Maginess
On UN Day itself, the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council welcomed Ms Carol Conlin (left) and Mrs Maureen Maguire (right), local members of the United Nations Association for Northern Ireland. Councillor Savage was photographed with the UNA-NI representatives outside the Palace building which was one of over twenty civic buildings throughout Northern Ireland lit up in UN Blue for UN Day and for the start of the 75th anniversary year of the United Nations. UNA-NI members are grateful to the Lord Mayor for recognising this special anniversary. Following the photo call, congratulations were extended by the Lord Mayor in the following quotation: “As a Council we are delighted to recognise the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations by lighting up our Civic Buildings across the Borough. As we find ourselves manoeuvring through these difficult and unprecedented times, it seems a salient moment to mark the UN’s commitment to global peace and co-operation. Congratulations on attaining this significant milestone." We are SO proud! Please look at what has been achieved by our local invitation to government, local government and academic organisations. This is the list for Europe and just look how prominently our region features:
https://unric.org/en/un75-europe-turns-un-blue/ Following the photo call with the three MLAs, all three accepted our invitation to submit quotations, which we now carry as follows:
“I am especially pleased that Northern Ireland’s Parliament Buildings will be lit in blue to mark the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations. In Northern Ireland we have seen, following difficult times in our local history, the benefit of people working together for the greater good. It is most fitting that we recognise the international efforts of the United Nations in this regard. On this special occasion we were joined by members of The United Nations Association, Northern Ireland and I must thank them for their efforts on this special anniversary and over the years.” John Blair, MLA, Alliance Party “Having served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces around the globe I can attest to their courage and dedication. They are a vehicle for peace, stabilisation and development that have lifted countries, communities, families and individuals out of conflict, poverty and famine and set them on a road to a brighter future. They are a global force for good and are rightly viewed as the bastion of decent global democracy. Congratulations on your 75th Birthday.” Doug Beattie MC MLA, Ulster Unionist Party “The SDLP and I support the work the UN is doing to make our world a better place. I congratulate the UN for reaching its 75th anniversary, wish it many more, and am glad that over 20 civic buildings across the North will be marking the event by turning blue.” Daniel McCrossan, MLA, Social Democratic and Labour Party Publicly we thank all three MLAs for supporting the UN and UNA-NI in this way. United Nations Association of Northern Ireland to celebrate UN 75th year 2020 Ruth Taillon, Committee Member of UNA NI, Judith Fawcett, Committee Member of UNA NI, Patricia Irvine, Chairperson of the United Nations Association Northern Ireland, gathered with John Blair MLA, AP, Daniel McCrossan MLA, SDLP and Doug Beattie MLA, UUP, on the steps of Parliament Buildings at Stormont. This was to thank in advance and to promote the lighting up in UN Blue of Parliament Buildings on Saturday 24 October 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on UN Day. The United Nations Association of Northern Ireland (UNA-NI) has invited the Northern Ireland Assembly and all local councils to light up their civic buildings in UN blue on Saturday 24 October 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on UN Day. Sincere thanks to MLAs John Blair and to Daniel McCrossan and Doug Beattie for helping us to mark this significant anniversary. Images: Copyright Kevin Cooper Photoline Ruth Taillon, Patricia Irvine and Judith Fawcett with UNA-NI's logo. UNA-NI has invited the Northern Ireland Assembly and all local councils to light up their civic buildings in UN blue on Saturday 24 October 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on UN Day.
Parliament Buildings at Stormont will be lit up on UN’s special day, as will many of the civic buildings throughout all eleven council areas, including Belfast City Hall. UNA-NI is a branch and region of UNA-UK which is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation. Its aims are to encourage public and governmental support for the goals of the UN, to seek a safer, fairer and more sustainable world. UNA-NI’s Chairperson, Patricia Irvine, said, “Due to restrictions this year we were unable to hold our main celebration event therefore we are especially delighted that Parliament Buildings, Stormont and all eleven councils are highlighting the UN 75th anniversary and wish to thank the Northern Ireland Assembly and all local councils for taking part to help us mark the special day.” The Office of the Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser for the UN’s 75th anniversary, has stated, “The United Nations is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great upheaval, as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, exacting a heavy toll on lives, societies and economies in all regions of the world. How we respond will determine how fast the world recovers, and will shape our ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to manage other global challenges.” A one-minute public survey, accessible on www.un75.online, is available for individuals and groups to submit their priorities for the future, identify what the obstacles are, and how global cooperation will overcome these challenges. UNA-NI invites people to take part so that local voices may be heard at an international level. #UN75 #EuropeTurnsUNBlue We are delighted that UNA-UK's Director, Natalie Samarasinghe, who is currently on sabbatical at the UN, will be one of the guests on BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence programme on 18 October 2020. The United Nations at 75 Seventy five years ago this week the United Nations was founded with the aim of safeguarding democracy, freedom and peace. It was born following the failure of of its predecessor, the League of Nations, to prevent the outbreak of a second World War. In that October of 1945, many parts of the world were a humanitarian and economic wasteland. Hope was in short supply and there would have been many who cast a sceptical eye at the vision of the 50 original UN members to change the course of history and to work together for peace. The world has changed greatly in those 75 years - from life expectancy to technology - humans have been on the moon but back on earth many wars and conflicts have occurred and still occur. However, there hasn't been another World War - so on that test alone, has the UN been a success? Presenter Anna Curran in conversation with Natalie Samarasinghe, Chief of Strategy for the UN at 75, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, former UK ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations for six years and the author and broadcaster Mihir Bose. Many thanks to Liz Weir, the One World Festival and all the people who attended this story-telling session this evening. We had about 35 people with us from Toronto and Saskatoon in Canada, Scotland, Cork, Wexford, Bray, Dublin, Glenarm, Cushendun, Portadown, Belfast, Articlave, Coleraine and lots of other places! Liz made sure that her stories carried local and global messages. Here are some of the comments from the audience: Stories can be the best and most subtle ways to teach. Stories lend a space for you to be yourself. Kindness lifts others. The past stories are the seeds from which we blossom. Storytelling fosters connection. One World, Many Voices with Liz Weir Tuesday 13th October online 8.30pm Free Event. Liz Weir has told her stories to people of all ages on five continents, working with people from very different cultural backgrounds. In this online session, Liz will introduce and tell stories which reflect global themes. Join UNA-NI at One World Festival NI for a special global story-time. Liz Weir, an award-winning storyteller and writer from Northern Ireland, will use her gift of storytelling to highlight the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, by basing stories on global themes such as the environment and conflict resolution. This event will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. To register for this event, please click here presented by United Nations Association NI (UNA NI) Help us to spread the word! As you may know, One World Festival 2020 is taking place from 12-18 October, so we have just one week to share the Festival and our varied line up of events as widely as possible. CADA NI members are being asked to spread the word about One World Festival 2020 with their networks, staff and supporters. UNA-NI is a CADA member and is promoting one of the events. Please download and share this video and the following text on your social media: Join us for One World Festival NI 2020 Explore the world we share through a diverse line-up of virtual talks, music, art, film and storytelling from 12 –18 October at this year's One World Festival: https://oneworldfestivalni.com #WeAreOne THREE further things that you could do:
Twitter: @OneWorldFestNI Instagram: @oneworldfestni Facebook: facebook.com/OneWorldFestivalNI A full list of over 30 events is available at oneworldfestivalni.com Maureen Maguire, who is UNA-NI’s Honorary Secretary, has been elected as Soroptimist International (SI) President Elect 2020 - 2021. On behalf of UNA-NI’s members and supporters, we offer congratulations to Maureen, who will take up her position as SI President on 01 January 2022 until 31 December 2023. Maureen believes that education and training is essential to achieve gender equality – empowering women and girls to be change leaders, and contribute to and benefit from an inclusive and sustainable future. Her mantra is ‘If you Educate a Woman, you not only Educate her Family but also her Community.’ Maureen explains, “My wish for the future is to ‘Press for Progress’ on education and training, and I am determined to ‘Seize every Opportunity’ to highlight the importance of education during my time at Soroptimist International.” We on the Committee of UNA-NI believe that her mantra sits strongly with UNA and we wish her well in her endeavours. |
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