Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 20:41 Written by Administrator Saturday, 27 February 2010 20:29

Marcia Brewster, UNA-USA Southern NYS Division Vice President and VP of the UNA Westchester Chapter, prepared the following report on the February 19 conference sponsored by the Southern NYS Division.

An impressive group of experts was on hand to discuss three major crises facing the world over the past year—Afghanistan, the Global Economy, and Nuclear Weapons—at the United Nations on February 19. These were the themes of the three panels at the UNA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference and 2010 Members’ Day. The conference, entitled ―A Year of Crises: Opportunities for Change -- was organized by co-chairs Jeffrey Laurenti and Catherine White, with George Garland serving as Executive Director. A full Web cast of the proceedings is available at www.tcf.org, the Web site of the Century Foundation.
The 500 plus participants (many of them students) were welcomed by: Jeffrey Laurenti, the Century Foundation; Ramu Damodaran, UN Department of Public Information; Ambassador Byrganym Aitimova, the Vice President of the General Assembly; Tom Miller, President of UNA-USA; and Robert Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning.

The first Panel, on ―Afghanistan: From Ramping Up to the Exit Ramp,‖ was moderated by Linda Fasulo, NBC News correspondent at the UN. The excellent panel included: Hassan Abbas, Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society; Valentin Gatzinski, Director of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan; and Jeffrey Laurenti. Much of the discussion centered on the failure of nation building in Afghanistan and the difficult situation in that country. Dr. Abbas suggested some of the elements that would be needed to reconcile all of the factions, the hard core Taliban, war lords, and other local people. Religious deradicalization, a larger education project, regional arrangements, and an active international role will be needed.

The second panel, ―Hitting the Reset Button on the Global Economy,‖ was moderated by Jeffrey Laurenti and featured: Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development; Anita Sharma of the UN Millennium Campaign; and Werner Puschra, UN Office Director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (Germany). Much of the discussion focused on the unregulated and ad hoc international system for dealing with trade and financial flows. The panel also discussed the Millennium Development Goals, foreign assistance, and globalization. The panelists suggested that a ―Tobin tax‖ on international financial transactions would contribute to financial stability and to meeting the MDGs.

The final panel, on ―Turning Back the Bomb: Hard Cases and Grand Designs,‖ was moderated by Christine Wing of NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. Panelists were: Ambassador Gérard Araud of France; Trita Parsi, President of the National Iranian-American Council; and Randy Rydell, Senior Officer in the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. Much of the discussion was on Iran’s nuclear program and the upcoming sessions on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the UN in May.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 14:33 Written by Administrator Tuesday, 23 February 2010 14:23

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) – Westchester,  League of Women Voters and Sarah Lawrence College invite you to celebrate International Women’s Day 2010

Featuring:
Nicola Armacost Managing Director and Co-Founder
Arc Finance, Ltd.
(microfinance, energy, water and sanitation)

Urjasi Rudra
Coordinator, ‘Say NO’ – UNiTE
Campaign to End Violence Against Women, UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), New York

Moderated by: Marcia Brewster, Vice-President, UNA-Westchester, former Senior Officer for Water Resources, UN Dept of Economic and Social Affairs.

International Women’s Day 2010 focuses on opportunities that can lead to gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in developing countries. Our speakers will address the work the United Nations is doing to end violence against women, and opportunities for economic empowerment through establishing small businesses with the help of microfinance. Our main speakers bring to the program a vast amount of experience with improving the conditions of marginalized women throughout the world. The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer period.
Refreshments will be served following the program.

Information: Contact Doris Benson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (914) 961-6554
*Directions: Take Cross County Parkway East to exit 5, Kimball Ave. Turn left on Kimball and go north to the 2nd light at the entrance to the college (Glen Washington Rd.). Turn right and an immediate right into the parking lot. The Library is a contemporary light brick building on the right as you exit the parking lot. The event will take place on the second floor. For train or other transport, visit: http://www.slc.edu/about/visit/index.html.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 February 2010 23:23 Written by Administrator Saturday, 20 February 2010 23:16

The recently re-established Brooklyn Chapter of the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. (UNA) is proud to invite everyone to their first event, a screening of the acclaimed documentary, “The Reckoning,” by Paco de Onís, Pamela Yates and Peter Kinoy about the formation and operation of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the challenges it faces. The event will feature remarks by and Q&A with John Washburn, Convener of the American Coalition of NGOs for the International Criminal Court. This event is held in conjunction with the Long Island University’s United Nations Graduate Advanced Certificate Program at the Brooklyn campus.

THE EVENT IS FREE.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmBJMZl8gAA.  
In collaboration with the award-winning documentary series P.O.V. (www.pbs.org/pov).

Date: March 3, 2010 

Time; 6 pm - 9 pmLocation: Brooklyn Campus, LIU, Spike Lee Screening Room, One University Plaza. Downtown Brooklyn at the Flatbush Ave and Dekalb Ave Intersection by the B/M/Q/R DeKalb Ave stop. When you arrive, look for signs reading BROOKLYN UNA to guide you to the screening room!

To save your seat click HERE: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=441876325556&ref=ts or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to confirm.

While not a body of the UN, the main goal of the ICC is to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity by holding its perpetrators accountable. As such, it greatly furthers the mission of the UN to create a more peaceful and just world. On a practical level, the ICC’s founding document, The Rome Statute, makes clear that the UN Security Council can and should refer cases to the ICC for investigation and prosecution. In this way they can work together hand in glove.

By bringing attention to the International Criminal Court through this screening of “The Reckoning”, the Brooklyn Chapter of the UNA seeks to encourage more Americans to petition the Obama administration to complete a U.S. policy that moves towards the goal of joining the International Criminal Court. We also very much hope that residents of Brooklyn will join our Chapter!

To RSVP please 1) click here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=441876325556&ref=ts to reserve your seat online, or 2) RSVP by replying to this email.  If you want to discuss the event, my personal cell phone number is 917-698-8512.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 February 2010 23:16 Written by Administrator Saturday, 20 February 2010 23:02

United Nations Association of New York

United Nations Association of New York presents   A Panel Discussion on Human Trafficking    featuring   Somaly Mam A Heroine from the Brothels   Monday March 8, 2010         Somaly Mam will be the featured speaker on Monday, March 8th, at a panel discussion on human trafficking, to be held at the Levin Institute in midtown Manhattan.  Human trafficking was described in a recent study by the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) as the fastest growing organized crime in the world. It is estimated that four million women, young girls and boys are kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery every year, generating over $4 billion in illicit income for the brothel owners and the kidnappers.   The panel will consist of five speakers -- Somaly Mam, Jennifer Dreher, Guy Jacobson, Celhia de Lavarene, and Carol Smolenski (see below for details) -- who will each speak for about 10 minutes on a different aspect of the human trafficking (HT) crisis, such as the average age of the victims; the countries most heavily involved; what US laws protect victims from being prosecuted as prostitutes and what penalties are being imposed on pimps; and what the federal and state governments, NGOs, individual citizens and the travel industry, in particular, can do to combat human trafficking.     RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!   Questions?  Please call (212) 907-1353 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      UNA Members free, Non-members $10 To become a member, join for a $25 Introductory rate and attend our programs for free Click here to join or renew your membership.   Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Somaly Mam Foundation    WHERE & WHEN The Levin Institute 116 E. 55th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues) MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010 6:30 p.m. - Registration & Light Refreshments 7:00 p.m. - Program Presentation                  Book signing after the program     See details about all upcoming events on the EVENTS section of our website at www.unanyc.org     Moderator:  Sherrie Murphy, VP Board of Directors, UNA-NY   Panelists:   Somaly Mam will talk about her personal experience as an HT survivor. She was born in a small Cambodian village and sold into sexual slavery by her grandfather when she was just twelve years old.  Imprisoned in a series of brothels for the next decade, she endured the brutality of human trafficking -- serial rape, torture, hunger, and squalor -- until she managed to escape with the help of a French humanitarian worker. She has written an inspiring memoir, THE ROAD OF LOST INNOCENCE, praised by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who called her "a heroine from the brothels" and "one of the bravest and boldest" among those fighting this unspeakable evil. Working through the Somaly Mam Foundation, she has dedicated her life to helping other young girls escape from forced prostitution and has so far been the key negotiator in freeing over 4,000 of these former sex slaves. Somaly Mam's book will be available for purchase after the panel discussion.   Jennifer Dreher is the Senior Director of the Anti-Trafficking Program (ATP) at Safe Horizon, which is the leading victim assistance organization in the country.  She oversees the ATP's social and legal services, training, outreach and advocacy, serving both men and women, representing over 60 countries and all forms of human trafficking. With more than 10 years experience in international human rights, she has managed programs in Sierra Leone, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic with the International Rescue Committee, UNIFEM and the Peace Corps.  Ms. Dreher is a steering committee member of the New York Anti-Trafficking Network and active member of the Freedom Network (USA).  She holds an MA in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University.    Guy Jacobson, a filmmaker and global activist, was honored with the U.S. State Department's prestigious Global Hero Award in 2008 for his tireless efforts in fighting child sex trafficking. A former New York attorney and investment banker, he now serves as president of Priority Films.  He produced "Holly," the highly acclaimed feature film, released in 2007, which dramatically raised awareness of the scope and severity of child sexploitation as a global epidemic. In 2002, he founded the Red Light Children Campaign, an NGO aimed at ending all forms of sex crimes against children, focusing on legislation, enforcement, and the rule of law. Jacobson has produced several television programs, written and published 15 books and numerous articles, and two documentaries on child sexploitation.  The first, REDLIGHT, will be premier in NY theatres in June 2010.  UNA-NY will screen "Holly" at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on April 7, 2010.  Mr. Jacobson is an active board member of the Somaly Mam Foundation.   Celhia de Lavarene is a journalist reporting from the United Nations for almost two decades for Jeune Afrique and Radio France Internationale. She has worked at UN missions in Cambodia, South Africa, Eastern Slavonia and East Timor. In 2001 the head of the UN mission in war-torn Bosnia appointed Celhia to create and run the UN's first-ever operation to combat human trafficking, called the Special Trafficking Operations Program (STOP).  For over two years, Celhia led a contingent of police officers in raids on 240 brothels and rescued 265 victims. In 2004 and 2005 she led a similar operation in post-war Liberia. Her book describing her experiences, Un Visa Pour L'enfer (A Visa to Hell) has been published in France and Brazil and an English-language edition is planned.  She founded the NGO, StopTrafficking of People (STOP) - a charity recognized by the US, French and UK governments -- the first global organization that uses experts to rescue and rehabilitate HT victims. Ms. de Lavarene has addressed numerous conferences on sex trafficking throughout Europe and she has been interviewed on this subject on CNN, the BBC and Sky News.   Carol Smolenski is the executive director and one of the founders of ECPAT-USA, an acronym for End Child Prostitution and Trafficking. She has worked in the field of children's rights since 1991 and was previously the UN representative for the Christian Children's Fund and Defense for Children International.  She has worked at ECPAT- USA since 1996.   ECPAT International operates in 75 countries as a network of organizations and individuals working to protect every child's right to grow up free from sexual exploitation.  At the UNA-NY panel discussion, Ms. Smolenski will focus on the rapid escalation of sex trafficking in the United States.   Members of the press, please contact:    Sherrie Murphy This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it