UN Millennium Development Goals Awards

A September 12, 2007 press conference and luncheon launched the MDG Awards Festival and Telecast event at the UN. Grammy Awards producer Nile Rodgers presented a special crystal statue symbolizing the Awards to Her Excellency, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the President of the 61st UN General Assembly, in view of her work to promote achievement of the MDGs.

The Permanent Missions of Madagascar, the Dominican Republic and other UN Member States, Offices and Agencies of the UN, and the Public-Private Alliance Foundation are supporting this event. An Awards Selection Panel of Experts and a Distinguished Panel of Judges will determine winners.

Winners will be selected for their actions toward promoting the eight MDGs, with a special category for programs that work with more than a single MDG. Corporations, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, schools, higher-education institutions, intergovernmental organizations, business and professional associations and individuals are all encouraged to apply. For the application form and more information, see: http://www.un-mdgawards.org/

We encourage Westchester County individuals, organizations, schools, colleges, corporations, NGOs to apply!

UNA Southern NY State Division website is Live!

UNA Southern NY State Division's new website is live, at http://www.unasouthernny.org/ .

The site will soon carry information about the Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC) group and its many activities.

Highlights of the Southern NY State Division include an upcoming Middle Atlantic Conference, now in planning stages, a kiosk shared at the UN with WFUNA -- the World Federation of UN Associations -- and a new course for business leaders on world affairs.

For information, email Catherine White, President of the division. CatherineDWhite@AOL.com

High Schools help distribute Going Global

A big thank you from the UNA Westchester Chapter

Westchester Teachers Janet O'Toole, one of the leaders of the UNA Student Alliance at Walter Panas High School, and Demetrios Mihailidis (Mr. M.), social studies teacher working with the 9th Grade Academy at Mt. Vernon High School, are delivering Going Global with the UN videos to their local stations (Yorktown Cablevision and Mt. Vernon). This saves the Chapter extra miles, and puts videos not being shown in a given time period to use in the classroom.

The first eight videos of Going Global Season III are new, with the first one covering the UN in 2006, and some short spots. The next five are interviews with the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, the UN focal point of Human Influenza and Avian Flu, the Executive Director of the UN Fund for International Partnerships, the Vice President for Education of UNA-USA and an intern working on Model UN and Global Classrooms, and the Director of the New York Office of Sport for Peace and Development. These are followed by a 2007 UNICEF report on the State of the World's Children, and excerpts from The Century Foundation's February 2007 conference on Weapons Threats and International Security.

The next 17 videos depict the UN Millennium Development Goals, with stories from around the world. These are repeated from last year's Season II, to give widest possible coverage to the importance of work toward meeting the MDGs.

GOING GLOBAL VIDEOS SEASON THREE

A “Must See”
Season Three – Schedule and Content
October 2007 through March 2008
produced by the United Nations Association of the USA Westchester Chapter.
For further information: e-mail: unausa@stratdev.com or visit: www.stratdev.com/UNA-USA/
Or www.unawestchester (after October 1) or call: 914-478-3450.

2006 STATE OF THE UN, AND VIDEOS FROM GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Week 1 - Episode 53: The first half of this episode reviews United Nations progress, successes as well as issues that were addressed in 2006. The second half focuses on four different stories: (a) highlighting issues Bahraini women face in seeking political positions; (b) China Population Report 2007, with a focus on urbanization; (c) how the impact of global warming in polar regions affects the rest of the world; and (d) how the Alliance of Civilizations came about and its goals and strategies for reducing tensions among different societies.

The next five videos in this season of Going Global with the UN are interviews conducted by Bill Miller from the United Nations Association of Kentucky, on the series "Global Connections," which is filmed at the United Nations in cooperation with UN TV.

Week 2 - Episode 54: Global Connections host Bill Miller speaks with the Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, Dr. David Stillman and Ambassador Francis Lorenzo from the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations about the United Nation Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), highlighting the examples of progress made in the Dominican Republic. Ambassador Lorenzo and Dr. Stillman speak to the importance of cooperation between the UN and host countries. Stillman speaks on the work of the Public-Private Alliance in encouraging partnerships for development and its focus countries of Madagascar and the Dominican Republic.

Week 3 - Episode 55: In an interview with Global Connections host Bill Miller, Dr. David Nabarro, the UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza addresses issues surrounding the possibility of an avian influenza outbreak both in a local and global contexts, and the relationships with human influenza. Dr. Nabarro speaks about the potential for an outbreak to occur, and what sort of precautionary plans the UN has for dealing with such an occurrence, such as with issues of livestock and animal rearing. He also talks about how the UN plans to get control of the situation if an outbreak were to transpire.

Week 4 - Episode 56: Dr. Lucia Rodriguez, the Vice President for Education at the United Nations Association – USA, and Elizabeth Scarinci, intern at UNA – USA speak with Global Connections host Bill Miller about the Model UN and Global Classroom program from an organizational and a student perspective. Dr. Rodriguez discusses the Model UN program and how it helps students become more aware of world issues and become global citizens. Ms. Scarinci speaks about what it is like to participate in such a program, what she has learned, and how it has helped give her a clear focus for her college and career goals.

Week 5 - Episode 57: Global Connections host Bill Miller interviews Dr. Djibril Diallo, the Director of the United Nations New York Office of Sport for Development and Peace about this unique approach the UN is taking to help combat issues of illiteracy, poverty and hunger. Dr. Diallo comments on the role sports have in development and how communities can use sports and physical education to help further their economic development and to tackle issues of gender inequality. In addition, Dr. Diallo speaks about how important partnerships between the UN, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector are to the success of this innovative approach to development.

Week 6 - Episode 58: Amir Dossal, the Executive Director of the UN Fund for International Partnerships speaks with Global Connections host Bill Miller about his work in promoting partnerships in development work between the public and private sector. Mr. Dossal stresses the importance of these relationships and how it positively benefits countries as well as how collaboration between groups focuses attention on dealing with issues affecting US citizens and others around the world.

Week 7 - Episode 59: This episode profiles the UNICEF Report on the State of the World’s Children in ten different countries; Iran, Romania, Chad, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil, USA. Djibouti and Madagascar. It gives viewers snapshots from each country into how the health of children is inextricably linked to that of their mothers and others in the community, thereby showing how important it is to consider these issues in development.

Week 8 - Episode 60: The program analyzes the key countries with nuclear weapons and focuses on how we can reach a global disarmament without repeating any past atrocities.


THE UN MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS) -- INTRODUCTION

Week 9 - Introduction: The MDGs: Dream or Reality? Also: UNDP MDGs. (Episode 31)

Week 10: MDGs: – Albania: Roadmap to 2015. Also: Too Brief a Child: Voices of Married Adolescents (Episode 32)

MDG Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Week 11: Helping Ourselves. The program looks at two projects that are helping Indian communities move out of poverty. Also: Feeding Schoolchildren in Rwanda. (Episode 33)

Week 12: Yemeni Futures. The program asks what is being done to address the fundamental needs of the Yemeni people, and achievements since the unification in 1990 to raise the quality of their lives. Also: Millennium Village in Malawi (Episode 34)

Week 13: Central African Republic: Silent Crisis. The country is on the verge of complete collapse. It is one of the least developed countries in the world and one of the poorest. 13 per cent of children die in infancy and only a third of the population has access to safe drinking water. (Episode 35)

Week 14: The Angle of Hunger. The documentary features FAO’s field work in the Peruvian Andes and the Ethiopian Highlands and explores why a disproportionate number of mountain dwellers experience periods of hunger and food insecurity. (Episode 36)

MDG Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

Week 15: Achieve Universal Primary Education. Two approaches to improving the lives of poor people -- one through education, as in the Shilmundi project in Bangladesh, the other through "community-driven development" in Indonesia. Also: Colombia - Medellin Girls; and Nepal - Welcome to School. (Episode 37)

Week 16: Educating Yaprak. Education for children, especially girls, in Turkey. Also: 10 Ways to change the world with children. (Episode 38)

MDG Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

Week 17: Las Borregeras. An IFAD-supported project in Mexico helps a women’s group set up a sheep farm. Also: Agents of change 2005: The 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference and progress until now; and Fighting Poverty with Roses in Rwanda. (Episode 39)

Week 18: Women on the Run. The famous Kenyan marathon runner Tegla Loroupe starts a peace race to help end armed conflicts in her poverty-stricken home area. The Kenyan politician Linah Kilimo, who herself ran from the knife, strives for the goal of putting an end to female genital mutilation. (Episode 40)

MDG Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

Week 19: Fight for Life: Making Pregnancy Safer. This episode describes the attempt to improve maternal health in Moldova. (Episode 41)

Week 20: Fight for Life: Making Pregnancy Safer. This episode describes the attempt to improve maternal health in Bolivia. (Episode 42)


MDG Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

Week 21: Malaria, Killer Number One. Africa’s Malaria Crisis. Ethiopia is among the places hardest hit by the disease. New cures, preventive action and massive intervention by the international community bring a glimmer of hope. Also: Fistula Advocacy Video. UNFPA brings awareness to this childbirth problem. (Episode 43)

Week 22: Research Capacity and Self-reliance in Developing Countries. The video explores needs and solutions to public health problems caused by neglected infectious diseases. Also: The Road Towards Universal Access. Reaching the MDG on HIV/AIDS requires far greater access to prevention, treatment, care and support than is currently available. Also: AIDS: For a Social Vaccine (ILO). (Episode 44)

MDG Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Stability

Week 23: Global Focus: The New Environmentalists. Features intimate portraits of seven dedicated individuals who have put themselves between government powers, corporate interests and other rivals on behalf of the Earth's well-being. Each compelling story takes place on a different continent. (Episode 45)

Week 24: Weather, Climate, Water in the Information Age About the World Meteorological Organization
Also: The other side of Paradise. About the December 2004 Tsunami and its impact; Grenada hurricane and impact; Sea Turtles in Barbados; Environmental Changes and impacts on islands. (Episode 46)

Week 25: Tomorrow's Catch. The video highlights FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
Also: The First Mile. This IFAD video looks an innovative two-year pilot project underway in Tanzania. Also, Inner Mongolia leads China in Wind Power Generation. (Episode 47)

MDG Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Week 26: Breaking Through. This film gives a glimpse of what microfinance means for millions throughout Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, through the Grameen Foundation. Also: World Community Grid: IBM works with many partners to create the largest public computing grid benefiting humanity. Also, ITU backs ICTs to Aid Development. The International Telecommunications Union and information communications technology. (Episode 48)

Going Global with the UN Videos available online

Going Global with the UN

The first season of our Going Global with the UN video series is up on streaming video, thanks to cooperation among UNA Westchester, the UNA Dallas Chapter and Richland Community College, part of the Dallas Community College system. Noeli Biggs (part of UNA Dallas and on staff at Richland Community College) plans to put up the second season starting in October. See http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/modelun/videos.htm

This effort is made possible in part through a gift from an anonymous donor, which has enabled us to get permission from Smithsonian for use of their music, and from all collaborators who have permitted us to put their work on streaming video.

Going Global currently has 52 videos, with another eight in preparation in time for October's season on cable TV stations Westchester. Of the eight, five are from Bill Miller's excellent Global Connections series. Bill, with the UNA Kentucky Division, films these at the United Nations.

We would welcome your feedback on these videos as an educational and awareness tool. I hope you will take a little time to view some of them.

The videos are can be purchased from UNA Westchester. For information write to jinka.stillman@gmail.com.

Yonkers and Mount Vernon Projects Successful

YONKERS CHILDREN'S PEACE ART PROJECT

The UNA Westchester chapter's Yonkers Children's Peace Art Project this year reached 45 classrooms in 18 schools, and more than 1,200 3rd grade students. After a presentation by Chapter members, working in pairs in each classroom, children used crayons and paper to draw their vision of peace. These drawings were then hung at the Yonkers Riverfront Library, the YMCA of Yonkers, 20 South Broadway, and the Grinton I. Will Library. This was a wonderful experience for the Chapter's volunteers, and we think for the children. Volunteers work from a script, but bring many of their own experiences into the discussion. Children and their parents come from many different countries, and many speak languages other than English at home, so they understand quite well the idea of the need for different countries to come together for peace.

Many teachers and principals commented on how much they like this project, which is now in its third year. Again, the School Board offered its support through a letter from the Superintendent of Schools. Karen Rockwell El Badry coordinated the effort for the chapter.

MT. VERNON GLOBAL AWARENESS PROJECT

For the 2nd year, UNA Westchester has worked with Mt. Vernon Schools to offer a Global Awareness Project. This year 9th grade students learned about the United Nations and about the 8 Millennium Development Goals. Recognizing the potential of the initiative for the City’s students, the Verizon Foundation has provided a generous grant of $5,190 to help support and expand this year’s project.

With the guidance of their teachers, Mr. Demetrios Mihailidis and Mr. Sean Capiello, the students wrote essays exploring three MDGs: gender equality, poverty and HIV and disease, and the very important areas of security and access to higher education. They then embarked on a "Day of Diplomacy," beginning with a ceremony at City Hall with Mayor Ernest Davis and with Superintendent of Schools Brenda Smith. They then traveled to Manhattan for an interactive presentation at UNICEF, to the German consulate for a discussion comparing student experiences in Germany and the U.S., and then to the UN for a guided tour.

Mr. John Butler presented the Verizon Foundation’s grant to the United Nations Association Westchester Chapter at the kick-off event for the project at City Hall on May 8. Ms. Charlene Morisseau, Esq., a UNA-USA Westchester Board member and Mount Vernon native who founded the program, says, “The news tells us that adolescents today around the world confront unique challenges. Our students have taken the lead in proposing concrete solutions.” Students’ ideas for U.S. public schools included providing three school meals a day for peers with undernourished families, financial aid programs at the high school level similar to universities, and specialized screening, training and technology for school security guards.

The local community has embraced the students and their mission. Mr. Lowes L. Moore, Executive Director of the Mt. Vernon Boys and Girl’s Club, one of the cosponsoring organizations, says, “This project will expose our young people to issues in the global community and will help improve their future.” Other community cosponsors include the City’s Superintendent of Schools, Youth Bureau, Mt. Vernon Federation of Teachers, Junior Achievement of the Hudson Valley, Inc., and the African-American Men of Westchester, Inc.