by Jacob U. Gordon, Ph.D., Chair, UN Day 2020 Working Group, UNA*USA Gainesville
The United Nations was founded on Oct. 24, 1945 in San Francisco. Its purpose was to promote international cooperation after the devastating World Wars I and II.
The Gainesville Chapter, United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA*USA) will commemorate the UN’s 75th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9am to 1pm. This program will take place as a virtual conference via Zoom, due to the coronavirus. This will allow us to have an international audience.
UNA*USA Gainesville
UNA*USA is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting support of the United Nations mission and goals among the American public.
Vision: A peaceful, secure, just, and sustainable local and global Community.
Mission: To educate, inspire, and mobilize our community to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations.
Why the United Nations matters
Provides food to 80 million people in 80 countries.
Vaccinates 45 percent of the world’s children, saving 3 million lives a year.
Works in 180 countries to halt deforestation and degradation of agricultural soils.
Assists over 65 million people fleeing war, famine, or persecution.
Keeps peace with 117,000 peacekeepers on four continents.
The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO), erroneously maligned by the U.S. President, provides resources and has a plan to stem the spread of coronavirus in the most vulnerable countries.
The UN Day 2020 theme is “The Future We Want; the United Nations We Need.”
The conference will present critical reviews of the UN, its mission, structure, and effectiveness; and address how to improve this essential global organization. It will feature a panel of expert speakers and two interactive sessions for all to participate including asking questions, voicing ideas, and offering recommendations.
Featured panelists are:
Kwame Akonor, Ph.D., Author and Associate Professor, Seton Hall University. His publications include: UN Peacekeeping in Africa: A Critical Examination and Recommendations for Improvement (2017); “UN’s Failure to Act on Race,” in InterPress Service, June 24, 2020.
Sophia Rodriguez, UNA*USA National Fellow, pursuing degree in Business Administration and International Relations, University of Florida. She strives for transformative change through International Policy and Sustainable Development.
Jeffrey Weisberg, Executive Director, River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. He is well known in the Gainesville community, nationally, and internationally for his work as lead trainer in Restorative Justice, Police-Youth Dialogues, and Conflict Coaching. His book, Little Book of Police-Youth Dialogues, is forthcoming.
Registration is free and available from Oct. 10-23 at our website: https://una-usagainesvillefl.org
Become a UN Day Co-Sponsor: Your organization can be a co-Sponsor and your name, logo, and description will be displayed in color on our website and during Zoom program breaks. Cost is $50. Contact Lisa Renner as soon as possible for payment information and the co-sponsor form at: ejrenner@hotmail.com