........update on the United Nations and UNA-UK: news, action points and events

Welcome

Welcome to the March 2008 e-newsletter of the United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK).

Each issue of ‘UN Matters’ features news updates and events listings, as well as actions and activities you can undertake in support of the United Nations.

What is UNA-UK?

UNA-UK is the UK's leading independent policy authority on the United Nations and a vibrant grassroots membership organisation with a base of supporters throughout the UK.

UNA-UK is committed to a strong, credible and effective UN at the centre of an international system governed by multilateralism and the rule of law. We believe that a strengthened UN is in the UK's national interest, and we strive to promote consistent and constructive government support for the UN and its work.

Do something: 'Wanted for War Crimes'

A new campaign is calling on the UN to push for the immediate arrest of two men accused of war crimes in Darfur. Since warrants were issued by the International Criminal Court in May 2007, neither man has been handed over to the ICC or prosecuted by Sudanese courts. Instead, one has has been freed from prison while the other has remained in his post as State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs - and has since been appointed to co-chair a committee charged with investigating human rights complaints, including those committed in Darfur.

Visit www.wantedforwarcrimes.org to send a message to each of the current members of the Security Council, expressing your concern at Sudan's defiance of international law.

Ban Cluster Munitions: an update on UNA-UK's campaign

Since early 2007, UNA-UK has been supporting the Oslo process, the diplomatic initiative which aims to establish an international treaty banning cluster munitions.

From 18 to 22 February delegates of countries participating in the process gathered in Wellington, New Zealand. The meeting yielded positive results. A small group of major producer and stockpiler countries that have reservations about the Oslo process, including the UK, agreed to the text of a draft cluster munitions ban treaty. This treaty will now be finalised at the next meeting in Dublin in May and will open for signature in Oslo later in 2008.

UNA-UK is asking its members to write to their MPs to show their support for the Oslo process: visit www.una.org.uk/banclustermunitions

UK appoints new ambassador to the UN in Geneva

Peter Olaf Gooderham has been announced as the new UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. He will take over from the current ambassador, Nick Thorne, in April 2008, in what is likely to prove a busy first month in charge. On 10 April the UK is scheduled to have its human rights record scrutinised in the first round of peer reviews at the Human Rights Council.

Geneva houses the UN's second largest headquarters, as well as over 20 funds, programmes and agencies, including the UN Refugee Agency and the World Health Organisation.

Last chance to book for UNA-UK Annual Conference 2008

UNA-UK's Annual Conference 2008 will take place at Exeter University between Friday, 28 and Sunday, 30 March. Lord Malloch-Brown, who was Deputy Secretary-General of the UN under Kofi Annan and is now Foreign Office Minister for the UN, will be the keynote speaker.

All members are encouraged to attend to participate in UNA-UK's policy-making process, debate UN-related issues, and listen to our keynote speaker. You can download a registration, accommodation and meals booking form by clicking here or visiting www.una.org.uk

MARCH

Monday, 3 March to Saturday, 8 March

UNA Norwich & District - Women peacemakers through the ages
This exhibition from Bradford University Centre for Peace Studies will be on display in the Friends Meeting House, Norwich. It will culminate in a celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, which will comprise a seminar and workshops on the theme of women peacemakers. For more details contact David on 01603 435 790 or unity.eastwards@ntlworld.com

Tuesday, 4 March

UNA Cheltenham - Drop the Debt!
Trisha Rogers, Director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, will give a talk on ‘Drop the Debt!’ with reference to the IMF and the World Bank. This event will take place at Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terrace, Cheltenham from 7.15pm, when coffee will be available. The talk will start at 7.30pm.

UNA Oxford - World Food Programme: achievements and challenges
Greg Barrow, Senior Public Affairs Officer in the London office of the World Food Programme, will run discussion sessions with the sixth form and year 9 and 10 students at Burford School during the daytime. At 8pm, he will speak to the branch on ‘The World Food Programme: achievements and challenges’ at The Cottages, Church Lane, Charlbury. All are welcome. Contact Malcolm Harper on 07778 450 515, 01608 810 464 or malcolm.harper@ukonline.co.uk

UNA Putney & Roehampton - Health as a bridge to peace
John Wynn Owen, Chair of the University of Wales Institute and board member of the UK Health Protection Agency, will give a talk starting at 8pm in the Gallery Room, Putney Methodist Church. For further information contact Jo Stocks on 020 8870 5536 or jo.stocks@talk21.com

Friday, 7 March , Tuesday, 11 March and Wednesday, 12 March

UNA Oxford: Annual Oxfordshire schools Model UN General Assembly
The annual Oxfordshire schools Model UN General Assembly sessions will be held in Wantage on 7 March, and in Kidlington on 11 and 12 March. If anyone would like to come as an observer, please e-mail malcolm.harper@ukonline.co.uk

Saturday, 8 March

UNA Harpenden – Public meeting and AGM
Please note the times and schedule for this event have changed!
At 10am UNA Harpenden will hold a public meeting in St Nicholas Church Hall, Leyton Green, Harpenden AL5 2TP. David French from the Westminster Campaign for Democracy will give a talk on the subject of building democracy in a troubled world. This will be followed at 11.30am by the AGM. For further details contact Trevor Evans on 01582 713 895 or jandt.evans@ntlworld.com

UNYSA- Annual Conference
UNYSA, UNA-UK's youth wing, will hold its annual conference at Birmingham University’s European Research Institute. Peter Kessler, the UN Refugee Agency’s Senior External Affairs Officer in the UK, and Professor Sir Richard Jolly, a former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and former UNA-UK Chair, will be the speakers. There will be an interactive campaigning session with Ellie Levenson, one of the UK ’s leading young journalists, and a screening of the acclaimed film ‘The Peacekeepers’.

UNA-UK is offering generous travel subsidies to UNYSA members. For more details and to view the full programme, click here. To register for the conference, e-mail unysa@una.org.uk

Monday, 10 March

UNA Westminster – Talk by Hans Blix
At 6.30pm, UNA Westminster branch will hold its annual Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen International Law Lecture at the Brunei Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, London WC1. The lecture, titled ‘War and Peace’, will be given by Hans Blix, former head of the IAEA and chair of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission. The lecture will be followed by a buffet reception. All UNA-UK members are welcome but please register by e-mail to info@unawestminster.org.uk or by mail to UNA Westminster, 61 Sedlescombe Road, London SW6 1RE.

Tuesday, 11 March

UNA Oxford - Britain’s Role in the UN
Lord Hannay, Chair of UNA-UK and former British Ambassador to the UN, will give a lecture from 5.30pm to 6.45pm at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church Hall. The meeting will be chaired by Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. All are welcome. For more information please contact Neville Shepherd on neville.shepherd@metronet.co.uk or 01865 761 630.

Wednesday, 12 March

UNA Exeter - Branch meeting
This branch meeting will discuss the forthcoming UNA-UK Annual Conference at Exeter University. The meeting will take place at Exeter Friends Meeting House, Wynards Lane and will start at 7pm for 7.30pm. All members are welcome. For further details contact Noel Harrower on 01395 271 731 or n.harrower@btinternet.com

UNA Enfield & The Barnets/21st Century Network - Nuclear proliferation in the 21st century
This meeting will be chaired by Andy Love MP, who will be joined by Malcolm Savidge from the Oxford Research Group and Carol Naughton from Pugwash. The event will take place at 6.30pm in the Wilson Room of Portcullis House in Parliament. There will also be a screening of the award-winning film Anthropology 101 at the beginning of the meeting. Please get in contact if you would like to attend, as attendance is by invitation only. For more information, please click here.

Friday, 14 March

UNA Sheffield - Schools event
Schools will be bringing groups of 14-15 year-old pupils to play a simulation game about the World Trade Organisation. The event will take place in Sheffield Town Hall. For more information please call Elizabeth Coates on 01442 377 583.

Monday, 17 March

Blackheath & Greenwich branch - Cluster munition public meeting
Blackheath & Greenwich branch is holding a public meeting at 7.45pm on the subject of cluster munitions. The meeting will take place at the Old Bakehouse, Bennet Park, Blackheath Village. Richard Moyes of Landmine Action will lead a discussion, and there will be a showing of a short film. For further details please call Neville Grant on 0208 858 8489 or neville.grant@gmail.com

Tuesday, 18 March

UNA Sheffield - Fundraising event
From 10.30pm to 12 noon Margaret Chamings is hosting a fundraising coffee morning at her home, 263 Warminster Road, Sheffield. For more information please call Elizabeth Coates on 01442 377 583.

Friday, 28 to Sunday, 30 March

UNA-UK - Annual Conference
This year’s Annual Conference will take place at Exeter University on 28-30 March 2008. Every member of UNA-UK is encouraged to attend and take part in our policy-making process. Click here to download a registration, accommodation and meals booking form. The keynote speaker will be Lord Malloch-Brown, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN under Kofi Annan.

APRIL

Wednesday, 2 April

UNA Exeter - AGM and report back from UNA-UK Annual Conference
The event will take place at Exeter Friends Meeting House, Wynards Lane and will start at 7pm for 7.30pm. For further details contact Noel Harrower on 01395 271 731 or n.harrower@btinternet.com

Wednesday, 9 April

London & South-East Region - Farewell party for Bruce Robertson
From 6.45pm onwards the region sadly says goodbye to Bruce Robertson, UNA-UK's Regional Development Officer, at the Thai Pavilion on 78 Kennington Road (corner of Lambeth Road). Please RSVP by Friday, 4 April to Neville Grant on 0208 858 8489 or neville.grant@gmail.com

Saturday, 12 April

UNA Stratford-upon-Avon – Talk on child slavery
Stratford-upon-Avon UNA branch is holding a buffet lunch at 12.30pm at the Wesley Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon Methodist Church, Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon. The speaker will be Meghan Macbain from Anti-Slavery International. All are welcome. Please let Evelyn know if you would like to come by calling 01789 296 726 or e-mailing limho21@hotmail.com

Tuesday, 15 April

UNA Cheltenham - talk about UNESCO
Richard Ennals (Council of Education in World Citizenship) will talk about the work of UNESCO. This event will take place at Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terrace, Cheltenham from 7.15pm, when coffee will be available. The talk will start at 7.30pm.

Thursday, 17 April

UNA Sheffield - United Nations, women and development
Paddy Beck, former Secretary of UNA North-East Region, current convenor of UNIFEM UK Yorkshire branch and current board member of UNIFEM UK, will give a talk from 7.30pm in the Ommanney room, St Mathew’s Rooms, Carver Street. For more information please call Elizabeth Coates on 01442 377 583.

Friday, 18 April

UNA Norwich & District - People of the Middle East
The branch will host a talk by Juliette Harkin in the Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich. The talk will start at 1pm and will last about 45 minutes. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch at any time from 12.15pm. Hot drinks and biscuits will be served and are included in the cover charge of £2. For more details contact David Roberts on 01603 435 790 or unity.eastwards@ntlworld.com

Saturday, 19 April

London & South-East Region - Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebration
From 1.30 to 5pm the region will hold its Spring Council Meeting at the Friends House. Euston Road. The region's new president, Juliet Colman, will give a talk on the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Women's Perspectives'. For further details please contact Neville Grant on 0208 858 8489 or neville.grant@gmail.com

Tuesday, 29 April

UNA Shipley & Basildon - AGM
At 7.30pm Shipley & Basildon branch will hold its AGM at St John's Church Hall, Baildon, West Yorkshire. The AGM will be preceded by a presentation by Cath Webber on ‘PEACEJAM’, a peace education programme for young people. For further details please contact Thelma de Leeuw on 01274 481 645 or tdel@globalnet.co.uk

MAY

Wednesday, 14 May

UNA Exeter - Branch meeting
The event will take place at Exeter Friends Meeting House, Wynards Lane and will start at 7pm for 7.30pm. All members are welcome. For further details contact Noel Harrower on 01395 271 731 or n.harrower@btinternet.com

Friday, 16 May

UNA Norwich & District - Back from the West Bank
John and Hazel Cribb will give a talk in the Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich from 1pm, which will last about 45 minutes. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch at any time from 12.15pm. Hot drinks and biscuits will be served, and are included in the cover charge of £2. More details from David Roberts on 01603 435 790 or unity.eastwards@ntlworld.com

Saturday, 17 May

UNA Bexhill & Hastings - Bali: what can the UN really do about climate change?
Hazel Dawe, Chair of the Kent Green Party, will speak on 'Bali: What can the UN really do about climate change?' Coffee will be available from 10.30am, and the talk starts at 11.00am. This event will take place at Parkhurst Hall (behind Sackville Road Methodist Church, Bexhill - enter through door in Parkhust road). For more information please call Allan on 01424 210 410.

Thursday, 22 May

UNA Westminster – Fifth annual conference
UNA Westminster branch will hold its fifth annual conference to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, at the Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall, London from 10am to 5pm. The keynote speaker will be General Patrick Cammaert, formerly divisional commander, Eastern Brigade, MONUC and now advising in Timor. At 1pm, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph. For further details please visit our website at www.unawestminster.org.uk or e-mail info@unawestminster.org.uk  

Monday, 26 May

UNA Bexhill & Hastings
A coffee Morning and open organic fruit and vegetable garden will take place from 10am to 12 noon, at 13 Thornbank Crescent, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3ND. The entrance fee of £1.50 includes coffee and home-made biscuits. For more information please call Allan on 01424 210 410.

JUNE

Wednesday, 11 June

UNA Exeter - Question time on international affairs
This event features Professor Neil Armstrong, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter. The event will take place in the Music Room, Exeter Central Library, and will start at 7pm for 7.30. For further details contact Noel Harrower on 01395 271 731 or n.harrower@btinternet.com

Saturday, 14 June

UNA Norwich & District – 60th anniversary
Norwich & District branch celebrates its 60th anniversary with a lunch with guest of honour Lord Hannay of Chiswick, at the Norfolk Club, 17 Upper King Street, Norwich. For tickets (available only in advance) contact David Roberts on 01603 435 790 or unity.eastwards@ntlworld.com

JULY

Friday, 4 July

UNA Westminster – Anniversary concert
UNA Westminster branch will host a concert at 7.30pm mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, at St John's, Smith Square, London, at 7.30pm. The programme and booking details will be announced on www.unawestminster.org.uk 

Saturday, 20 September

UNA Bexhill & Hastings – Advance notice
The branch will hold an exhibition explaining the work of the United Nations, from 11pm to 3pm. Entrance is free. Events include a docu-drama on the work of the United Nations, a question-and-answer session and a discussion. A ploughman’s lunch will be available from 12.30pm for £2.50. This event will take place at Parkhurst Hall (behind Sackville Road Methodist Church, Bexhill - enter through door in Parkhust road). For more information please call Allan on 01424 210 410.

JOIN UNA-UK TODAY!

If you're already a member: why not tell a friend about UNA-UK? For more details visit www.una.org.uk

Members receive regular updates about UNA-UK activities and campaigns, as well as invitations to branch, regional and national events. All members automatically receive a subscription to our quarterly magazine, New World.

MARCH

Wednesday, 5 March

The White Ribbon Campaign
In the run-up to International Women's Day on 8 March, men in Scotland are invited to carry the ribbon and challenge violence against women. For further information about the campaign please click here.

Thursday, 6 March

LSE Lecture
Speakers including Professor Mary Kaldor and Hosam El Sokkari, head of BBC Arabic Services. The topic is 'Illiberal Regimes and Global Civil Society: activism, ideas, and spaces'. For further information, please email events@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7955 6043.

Saturday, 8 March

A Rough Guide to Peace - An educational fair
A fair promoting Rotary International and its educational programmes will be launched by Her Excellency Joanne Rwabyomere, High Commissioner for Uganda. The fair will comprise five themed rooms, each with 25 to 30 stands, on a different topic relating to schools, young people, business and humanitarian issues. The event will take place at Oxford Community School, Glanville Road, Oxford from 9.30am to 4pm.

Tuesday, 11 March

LSE lecture
Linda Melvern, a widely published investigative journalist and author, will talk about ‘UN Peacekeeping/Peacemaking: The Lessons of Rwanda’. For further information, click here.

Thursday, 13 March

LSE lecture
Professor Madhavi Sunder will talk about 'The New Enlightenment: how Muslim women are bringing religion out of the dark ages’. For further information, please e-mail events@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7955 6043.

Saturday, 15 March

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
WILPF will hold a workshop to discuss: Building Links with Women in War-Zones (Marie-Claire Farey); Women in the Middle East (Dr Nicola Pratt); Women, Conflict, Poverty and Development (Krishna Ahooja Patel); and Working through the United Nations (Amy Barrow). For more information, visit www.ukwilpf.org.uk

Northumbrians for Peace and Hexham Quaker Meeting
Peter Greener, Senior Lecturer, AUT University, New Zealand will talk about 'New Zealand's Opposition to Nuclear Weapons – Tilting at Windmills'. This event will take place from 11.00am to 12.30pm at St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s Church, Hencotes, Hexham. Admission is free.

Tuesday, 18 March

UNIFEM Annual General Meeting
This will be a review of the year and reports on new UNIFEM-sponsored projects around the world. For further information, please click here.

Tuesday, 25 March to Friday, 28 March

European Atlantic Movement - Study tour of Brussels
This is an excellent opportunity to visit key European parliamentary and political offices, such as the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. For further details, please visit www.european-atlantic.org.uk

Monday, 31 March

Human Rights Watch
This is the closing date for entries to ‘Right Words’, an essay competition focusing on the lives of young people in Darfur. For further information, click here.

APRIL

Thursday, 10 April to Saturday, 12 April

European Mediation Conference
This is a three-day event, held with the Scottish Mediation Network and Mediation Northern Ireland, that offers the chance to discuss developments in the practice of mediation throughout Europe. For further information, click here.

12 April to 17 May

Jubilee Debt Campaign - Drop the Debt Fast
'Drop the Debt Fast' is a 36-day rolling fast in April and May 2008 that will demand debt cancellation for 36 poor countries which still desperately need it. For further information, please click here.

Friday, 18 April

UNIFEM Annual Mena Williams Lecture
Deidre Beddoe, Emeritus Professor of Women’s History at the University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, will give a lecture entitled ‘Parachutes and Petticoats: Welsh women writing on the Second World War’. For further details, please click here.

Saturday, 19 April

Northumbrians for Peace and Hexham Quaker Meeting
John Sloboda, Executive Director of the Oxford Research Group, will give a talk entitled ‘What are the real threats to global security and how can we deal with them?’ from 11.00am to 12.30pm at St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s Church, Hencotes, Hexham.

MAY

Saturday, 3 May

Northumbrians for Peace and Hexham Quaker Meeting
Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University, will give a talk entitled ‘Lost Cause – consequences of the war on terror’ from 11.00am to 12.30pm at St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s R C Church, Hencotes, Hexham.

Saturday, 18 May

Jubilee Debt Campaign - Journey to Justice
Jubilee Debt Campaign is marking the day world leaders woke up to the debt crisis with a major event at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. To find out more, visit www.journeytojustice.org

JUNE

Wednesday, 16 June

International Rescue Committee 2008 Annual lecture
Mr António Guterres, Head of the UN Refugee Agency, will give a talk entitled 'People on the Move: The Challenges of Displacement in the 21st Century'. The event will take place from 7pm at The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore (Exhibition Road Entrance), London SW7 2AR. Tickets are £15 for the lecture (concessions £8.00) and £30 for the lecture and post-lecture reception. For reservations please call the IRC-UK events line: 020 7692 2737 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm)

ARE YOU A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL?

YPN - UNA-UK's Young Professionals Network - has a monthly newsletter offering careers information, a list of upcoming events and a round-up of the latest YPN news. To sign up to the newsletter and YPN, visit www.una.org.uk/ypn