UNAA Welcomes Award To KoFi Annan

In a media release on 14 October, UNAA welcomed the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the United Nations. Margaret Reynolds, national president of UNAA, said: "We see this Award as timely recognition of the vital importance of the United Nations and its Secretary-General in helping respond effectively
to global crises and problems".

UNAA acknowledged the contribution made by Kofi Annan in recent years in strengthening the operation of the UN, and in building confidence in its capacity to respond. UNAA agreed with Kofi Annan who said, when receiving news of the Award, it "challenges us to do more and to do better, not to rest on our laurels". Nothing could be more true than at this time, when the international community is seeking ways to respond to the threat of terrorism.

In this context UNAA supported the call by the present Nobel Peace Laureates that the United Nations hold an international conference on terrorism "which will investigate its root causes, propose measures to address those causes, and provide international standards to ensure that security needs are met and that the perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice". Margaret Reynolds, on behalf of UNAA, urged the Australian Government to offer support to such an international conference to seek a long-term solution to the global challenges of terrorism.

UNAA noted that the Nobel Peace Award to the Secretary-General of the United Nations follows that given to the UNís second Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold in 1961. The prize has also been awarded to UN Peacekeeping Operations in 1988, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 1954 and 1981, UNICEF in 1965 and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1969.


World Federation of UN Associations sets priorites.

WFUNA held a meeting in New York in September and reaffirmed its mission as "to inform, sustain and energise a global network of UN Associations to support the principles and programs of the United Nations and to help shape its agenda".

WFUNAís current priorities are to (a) build and sustain a global netweork of UNAs

(b) communicate and share information, (c) energise the global agenda, and (e) help to shape the UN agenda. WFUNA has a particular focus on Africa., given the special needs of that continent. It also seeks to promote partbnerships with UN agencies, and is working for a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Development Program (UNDP). UNAA has recently contributed funds to WFUNA and is seeking further ways to strengthen its support.


Human Life is Sacred

Eight of the past recipients of the Nobel Peace Award have joined to issue a statement calling for the United Nations to organise an international conference on terrorism to investigate the root causes and devise measures to address them. They also call on governments and peoples of the world to take concrete steps in developing a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, and to work for a peaceful and just world.


Commonwealth Peopleís Festival Communique

Despite the postponement of the CHOGM gathering, the Peopleís Festival went ahead in Brisbane in early October. Participants came from over 50 countries and covered a wide spectrum of age and background. Among the points made in its communique are:

. the Commonwealth must recognise itself as an association of developed and developing countries where poverty is a serious problem;

. nearly 60% of the people living with HIV-AIDS are in Commonwealth countries;

. women still account for only 7% of the parliamentarians in Commonwealth countries;

. the Commonwealth must address the rights of its Indigenous peoples;

. the Commonwealth has a unique role in building cultural diversity across the world;

. peace and security must be a major focus of the Commonwealth;

. civil society should be represented at the decision-making table.

UNAA Media Peace Awards 2001

The annual Awards will be presented this Friday, 19 october, at a dinner in Melbourne hosted by Maxine McKew, ABC journalist ansd presenter. The guest of honour will be Sir Gustav Nossal. The awards recognise members of the Australian media whose contributions promote values of co-operation and mediation rather than conflict and violence. The categories this year will be - Best TV, Best Radio, Best Print, Aboriginal Reconciliation, Multicultural Issues, Environmental Issues, Positive Images of Older People, and Awareness of Womenís Rights. A special peace award was given to Xanana Gusmao from East Timor on 10 October.
Further details are available from UNAA at UNAA.VIC @ bigpond.com.au


ACT UNAA Prepares for Gala Ball

You are invited to be a part of the UN Week celebrations that will take place in Canberra this year. Amongst a variety activities, the United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) is organising a Gala Ball on Saturday 27 October 2001. Your support of this event is greatly appreciated as all funds raised will contribute to UNAAs community education program - which is so important during these times of international turmoil and conflict.

Tickets cost $100 or $90 for tables of ten and includes a gourmet 3 course meal, all drinks and fabulous entertainment from the Big Boss Groove Band - which is reputed to be Canberra's number one show bands that brings the hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s back to life. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ms Delia Domingo-Albert and Lieutenant General Cosgrove, Chief of Army and Australian of the year will both be speaking at the event.

Tickets for the ball are selling fast - so get in soon and book your tickets before it's too late! Tickets can be purchase by calling Ticketek on 6219 6666 or by visiting the ticketek website at Ticketeck.com.au


The UN, Civil Society and the Private Sector

This is the title of a conference to be held in Havana, Cuba, next May by the UN Association of Cuba. The conference aims to analyse the concept of global corporate citizenship, world civil society, and the role of transnationals. Further details are available from <acnu@minrex.gov.au>


New Atni-Terrorism Measures Announced

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer MP, has announced new regulations to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1373 of 28 September, which called on all states to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts. The regulations prevent Australian citizens or people in Australia from dealing with the financial and other assets of people or entities that engage in or support terrorism (to be listed shortly in the Government Gazette). The Minister said the regulations would balance legitimate law enforcement with protection of individual rights and freedoms. Further information: Matt Francis 02 6277 7500.


Job Vacancy

Australian Red Cross is seeking a Technical Advisor for the Solomon Islands Capacity Building Program. Full details are available from redcross@nat.redcross.org.au or by ringing 03 9345 1800.

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