UNA's Mission in 2008

The UN and the world are facing immense challenges, including the recent tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. Conflicts in Darfur, Iraq, the Middle East, Eastern Congo and other areas of the world persist. Global warming and the enormous growing gaps between the super rich and the middle class and the poor challenge everyone, especially ordinary citizens. Poverty and hunger diminish whenever funds diverted to war and arms decrease, and decreasing small arms as well as nuclear stockpiles is vital. The UN Millennium Development Goals remain laudable, and with adequate sense of purpose by the international community and ordinary citizens, can yet be achieved.

The United Nations Association of the USA and the Southern NY State Division and the chapters it serves have roles to play in educating the American people about these issues, and about the importance of the United Nations in facing them. It is important to focus on membership, on outreach, on publicity and on an "each one bring one" attitude. Development and building of partnerships with NGOs, organizations and businesses are one way to proceed. The generation represented by YPIC, and those involved in Model UNs and Student Alliances are essential to building a broad understanding of the United Nations in this country.

As UNA-USA members we need to support the United Nations as an important home and a tool for building international consensus. We need to ask political candidates who are running for office in the US in 2008 to explain their attitudes and positions toward the UN. Bhutto's assassination highlighted the need for leadership by the President of the US on global issues and revealed the presidential candidates' strengths and weaknesses in this sphere.

There is much to do during 2008, and we need to build coalitions, write editorials, and otherwise reach out to publicize the value of the UN to the American public and the world.

Best wishes to all for a productive and peace-building New Year.

Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination is a blow to good governance in Pakistan by forward-thinking people. It is a blow to all women as well. We will never know what changes she might have made in her country if elected in the planned January elections. What we do know is that political turmoil is likely, for some time to come.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have condemned the assassination as a blow to stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes.

Bhutto's assassination is akin to those of Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi in neighboring India. Fortunately India has gone on to continue a tradition of democracy, and its current path to greater prosperity coincides with this. Pakistan can be set back for decades if extremism is allowed to take over, with great consequences for neighboring countries and the world.

Kofi Annan receives MacArthur Prize

Congratulations to Kofi Annan, recipient of MacArthur Foundation's first Award for International Justice! The award gives Mr. Annan $100,000 for his own work, with another $500,000 to be given to the international justice organization of his choice.

As cited on the website of the MacArthur Foundation, “Kofi Annan’s life work embodies the values of justice and human rights and the eternal hope for a humane, peaceful world that justice makes possible,” said Fanton. “It was under his leadership as Secretary General at the United Nations that the International Criminal Court was established and the Responsibility to Protect became an accepted principle for international action in the face of the worst human suffering. These critical building blocks of an effective international justice system form a legacy that will benefit the world for generations to come.” Jonathan Fanton is president of the Foundation.

UNA-USA Human Rights Day Event

On December 10 UNA-USA held the Inaugural Leo Nevas Human Rights Award luncheon, in association with its December Board meeting. This is named in honor of Leo Nevas, 95, the longest serving Board Member of UNA-USA and a champion of human rights around the world. Paul Newman and his Newman's Own Foundation support the effort.

The theme of the meeting was the UN's role in Darfur. Panelists included Sir Brian Urquehart, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs; Donald Steinberg, Director of the New York Office of the international Crisis Group; John Prendergast, co-chair of the ENOUGH PRoject; and Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service. Thomas J. Pickering moderated. Despite the efforts of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and special envoy Jan Eliasson, peace talks have been faltering and humanitarian needs are greater than ever. Aid is estimated at $1 billion a year for the refugees. Minimally 26 helicopters are needed, but no country is willing to supply them. Activism is required by NGOs and others to promote the needed policies and funding.

The Westchester Chapter was well represented, with Phil Reynolds, Molly Bruce and David and Ginger Stillman attending.