A Tragedy with an Opportunity

On January 12 of this new year, an earthquake registering 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the small island of Haiti inhabited by 9 million people. Since then, world leaders have focused efforts and attention on helping the people recover from this disaster; and the general public and media have turned their attention from the scandals of the day to bring light to the tragedy that has struck our hemisphere. Millions of dollars in aid have been pledged as NGO's, non-profits and the UN and other personnel work through the night to keep on the ground operations moving. World leaders through the UN Security Council authorized this week an additional 3,500 peacekeepers to the country to stabilize and support MINUSTAH, the UN Mission supporting Haiti.

Former presidents have come together to create a fund to help Haiti, the media has been a great resource for connecting people to this tragedy and how they can help, and people from all over the world have been donating to make a difference. As soon as I read the news, I responded by making a donation to UNICEF.

This tragedy feels all the more tough because it has struck an already impoverished island, creating many more orphans and leaving thousands without food, medical care or shelter. It's times like these that I feel are opportunities for everyone in our world to come together to make a difference for those who need it most. It is inspiring to see that our response as Americans (government, non-profits and citizens alike) has been swift and the media coverage has been in-depth. This is an opportunity to help the people of Haiti emerge from the rubble and create a new future - one full of hope and promise.

"We will keep the victims and their families in our prayers. We will be resolute in our response, and I pledge to the people of Haiti that you will have a friend and partner in the United States of America today and going forward."
U.S. President Barack Obama

World Aids Day

December 1st this year, was unlike many in prior years. Though this date marks World Aids Day, it is often an overlooked day. However, with the increasing popularity of social media, word got out much more rapidly this year. In addition, several popular social media sites jumped onboard, perhaps none more apparent than the notorious social media site, twitter, who turned your tweets (microblog updates) the color red when you included the hashtag #red in it to recognize World Aids Day. As a result, a twitter user couldn't go more than a few minutes without experiencing a red tweet in their twitterfeed. This helped to spread the message about World Aids Day and it continued to be a popular trending phase for much of the day.

On World Aids Day this year, there were many ways that NGOs across the world and America engaged people to commemorate those who have been impacted by this disease and educated others on prevention while advocating for treatment for those who need it most. The official website provided materials, showcased events and informed people how to get involved. In addition, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS released its findings in a report with the clear message that "HIV cannot be managed in isolation."

In a statement released by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on World Aids Day, he states, "the world is seeing signs of progress in reversing the AIDS epidemic in some countries. Investments in the AIDS response are producing results and saving lives."

It shows a positive trend for the first time in a long time; that while the battle is far from being won, great steps have been taken towards providing universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. This is thanks in no small part to the great work of NGOs and the initiatives taken by world leaders through the United Nations to make an impact. It is certainly my hope that we will reach our benchmarks for Millennium Development Goal #6 to combat HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.


"On this World AIDS Day, let us uphold the human rights of all people living
with HIV, people at risk of infection, and children and families affected by the epidemic. Let us, especially at this time of economic crisis, use the AIDS response to generate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Most of all, let us act now.
- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Giving Tehran Their Voice

In a time when Presidents are being overthrown in middle-of-the-night coups and Presidential Elections are being contested, the role of media is to tell the story to those who are not there for the first-hand account and hopefully provide some fuel for political action. However, as told by AP, Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices.

Widespread international pressure to validate the election for the scores of Iranians holding up signs that say "Where is my Vote?" helped to spur a "partial recount" of a random ten percent of the total votes cast in the election. Already after the recount they are calling a victory for Ahmadinejad.

However, this recount does little, if nothing, to show the international community that there is real interest being paid to these probing into these election results. Then again, why would the party claiming victory, want to actually probe through the actual votes of the citizens? In the end, if Iran wants to show any true legitimacy in the international arena, the government has to actually show that it is cooperating with the international community.

"What I would say to those people who put so much hope and energy and optimism into the political process, I would say to them that the world is watching and inspired by their participation, regardless of what the ultimate outcome of the election was."
- President Barack Obama on Iran Presidential Elections

Calling Attention to Iran

In a time where instantaneous access is king, a call has been issued and I'm resounding that call to any of those who ascribe to the description "globally concerned."

BloggersUnite.org has launched an initiative that asks bloggers and network participants to use their blogs and accounts to draw awareness about the Iranian election and related atrocities in Iran, making it a dominant issue on the Internet on June 29, 2009

We bloggers exist as storytellers, informal reporters and the people who are using their voices to record history as it happens through our own eyes. As a crisis unfolds in the Middle East surrounding the Presidential elections in Iran and Iranians from all levels of society are risking their own lives to march and speak out in protest, it is our obligation to them to help bring awareness to their stories.

If you have a blog, please consider answering this call to write on Monday, June 29, 2009. Suggested topics include: human rights issues, unjust violence, freedom of speech, and continued support for democratic elections.

See the Bloggers Unite for a Free Iran page for more information.

UNA-USA Ushers in a New Era of Leadership

To every season, there is a reason...or so they say. The past two years of my leadership in the UNA YPIC Leadership Council have been a combination of joy, challenge, frustration and opportunity. Overwhelmingly, the United Nations have always been a passion of mine, and I suppose it makes sense seeing that I am Indian-Afghani-Irish-English-German-Austrian-Gypsy (or as my grandmother says, Bohemian). The organization by which I contribute my enthusiasm and passion is the United Nations Association.

As I get ready to close out my two year tenure on the board of directors as the YPIC representative on the national board and hand off the reins to my successor out of North Carolina, the organization is also seeing the end of an era of leadership and welcoming in a new face to the ranks of our organizational leadership.

Ambassador Tom Miller, though I have yet to meet him, will officially be taking the helm of UNA-USA in a private reception at the United Nations care of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon the first week of June. Ambassador Luers will be formally thanked for his 11 years of service to the organization at the reception. The many grassroots leaders across the country from UNA-USA will welcome him in person at the national convention June 12 - 14, 2009 in Washington D.C. and I will also finally meet him in person.

He led Plan International, the world’s largest nongovernmental children’s aid and community development organization, thus he has the non-profit experience that we desperately need in this tumultuous time. He promises change, a chorus that appeals to even the greatest of cynics right now. It is perhaps coincidence or fate that we as a nation are undergoing dramatic change simultaneous to our own organizational challenges and opportunities.

“I’ve got a lot of energy and a lot of willingness to be open,” Ambassador Miller said “I’ve got a very open mind for the kinds of things we should take on. I also know that we can’t do everything.” But he added that he has little tolerance for those who, faced with change, say, “We’ve always done it this way.”

I, for one, choose to be optimistic about the future and heartily welcome this new member of our organization. I look forward to meeting him in Washington and discussing some of the ideas we have for the future ahead. Please read his full interview regarding his thoughts for the UN here.

“I have always believed that the UN and its associated agencies are indispensable. If there are problems, you fix them, you don’t get rid of them,” he said. “I also look at the UN as not just what goes on in New York. That’s extremely important – in the General Assembly and the Security Council – but I’ve seen the UN very much first hand from all of the wonderful things it does in the field.”


Ambassador Tom Miller and the new President of UNA-USA

60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

It's that time of year when we are filled with the holiday spirit and hopefully are more generous with our time and pocketbooks. It's also a very special day a page in our global history. 60 years ago the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed

The full text of the document is available here. beyond cultural, genealogical or physical boundaries, we are all the same human race. To realize our common humanity, we must respect and recognize the "inherent human dignity and worth of every person in the world."

Happy Human Rights day Everyone!

"The campaign reminds us that in a world still reeling from the horrors of the Second World War, the Declaration was the first global statement of what we now take for granted -- the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings."
- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Susan Rice - Obama's Pick

UNA-USA STRONGLY SUPPORTS NOMINATION OF SUSAN E. RICE AS US-UN AMBASSADOR; SHE EXEMPLIFIES QUALITIES NEEDED TO WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH UN SECRETARIAT AND MEMBER STATES

December 1, 2008. Ambassador William H. Luers, president of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), issued the following statement today concerning President-elect Barack Obama’s nomination of Susan E. Rice to become United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

UNA-USA strongly supports the nomination of Susan E. Rice to become United States permanent representative to the United Nations. In selecting Dr. Rice for this key foreign-policy position, President-elect Barack Obama is appointing one of his closest advisers to one of the world’s most important and demanding diplomatic posts. The president-elect’s decision to include the incoming ambassador in his cabinet is also important, signaling the key role that the United Nations will play in the incoming administration’s foreign policy.

Susan Rice exemplifies many of the qualities that UNA-USA believes are critical to achieving successful outcomes in the UN post. She has strong diplomatic experience, a demonstrated willingness to listen to others and an abiding interest in and concern for developments in Africa, where some of the most important UN responsibilities rest. At the same time, Dr. Rice has developed a keen knowledge and understanding of the UN’s operational capabilities during the years that she worked both in and out of government.

The Rice nomination adds further to the anticipation at the United Nations that the incoming Obama administration, including Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, will be cooperating closely with UN member states to manage and resolve many issues that the United States cannot address on its own. Virtually every major foreign-policy issue facing the United States must be dealt with under the umbrella of the UN — climate change, nuclear non-proliferation, global pandemics, achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the prevention of genocide, as well as regional challenges, particularly in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa.

As the new US Permanent Representative to the UN, Susan Rice will be looked to for cooperation and leadership in strengthening the United Nations. The UN is poised to undertake an energetic renewal effort, including a broader UN Security Council more representative of today’s global distribution of power. A sympathetic US role can help move this core shift in how the UN addresses global security issues. A positive and yet not commanding US role in renewing the United Nations in many aspects is greatly needed to help the UN become far more effective in dealing with its ever-growing responsibilities. We look toward a new era of American cooperation at the United Nations to address the global issues that threaten the future of our planet.

The leadership and members of UNA-USA throughout the United States look forward to working closely with the incoming administration and its team to support a robust and effective US presence at the United Nations