Annual Reports > Annual Report 2000

Branch and Local Group Programmes, Initiatives and Activities

Much of the effective community outreach of the Association is the result of the tremendous initiatives undertaken by our Branches and Local Groups Much of the credit for this ongoing work goes to a core of imaginative and dedicated volunteers. The following brief summaries only touch on the full range of their efforts.

Calgary Branch

A small group of dedicated volunteers in Calgary carried the messages of the UN into their community through collaboration with other groups in public events to mark several key UN Days (such as international Day of Peace, International Literacy Day, etc). This was done through public meetings which featured visiting and local dignitaries with special expertise on a variety of key issues on the UN’s agenda, through presentations to more than 15 local schools, and through a branch website. Other members were key facilitators for the Southern Alberta Coalition for the Culture of Peace and the widespread promotion of Manifesto 2000 as part of activities to mark the International Year for the Culture of Peace.

Edmonton Branch

The Edmonton Branch was active in many different areas in 2000. Branch members were pleased to host Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ian Ferguson, at a dinner meeting where he spoke about Nigeria and the effect of Canada’s Human Security Agenda on Nigeria. The Edmonton Branch was also delighted to host the Honourable Ed Broadbent as a feature speaker on International Human Rights at a fundraising dinner. The branch was represented at area functions on International Women’s Day and in conjunction with culture of peace initiatives, the branch gathered signatures for Manifesto 2000. In addition, several informal discussion meetings generated a lot of enthusiastic member participation. Topics included Global Governance, The UN and Women’s Rights, and Canada’s Human Security Agenda. Last but not least, a new web page was set up and maintained for the Branch (www.edmonton.unac.org).

Hamilton Branch

The Hamilton Branch recognizes that many members are also part of like-minded organizations and therefore continues to partner with these groups in organizing public events. These included a partnership with the Baha’i community in a human rights school poster contest, which included 400 submissions and about 100 in attendance at the awards gala; UN Day celebrations where Joy Warner of the Voice of Women spoke on the Culture of Manifesto 2000 and Hamilton Mayor Robert Morrow led the signing of Manifesto 2000; Human Rights Day celebrations at Hamilton City Hall co-hosted with Amnesty International; a public meeting co-sponsored by Chapman Books and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Church with Mel Hurtig, author of Pay the Rent or Feed the Kids who spoke on The Tragedy and Disgrace of Poverty in Canada; and the Environmentalists of the Year Awards Dinner in June. In addition, the 1999 Hamilton Branch bursary award recipient, Eric Crighton, made a presentation on Impacts of an Environmental Disaster on Psycho-social Health and Well-being: A case study of Karakalpakastan at the Annual Meeting. In addition to its public events, the Branch also publishes four newsletters each year.

Kootenay Region Branch

Much of the Kootenay Branch’s public outreach is focused around key days on the international calendar. Most events are in collaboration with other organizations in the area and include public service announcements to expand awareness. Events happen in both Grand Forks and Castlegar. Key Days included Earth day, Hiroshima Day, International Day of Peace, UN Day, Human Rights Day and Day of Peace. The Branch also participates in an annual fall community campaign to raise monies in support of a selected cause – in 2000 the monies were given to a local youth centre. This is in addition to an annual contribution to the Canadian Relief Fund for the Chernobyl Victims in Belarus. Members of the Branch ensure a public debate on issues through the writing of letters and articles promoting the UN and related programs for publication in local newspapers.

Montreal Branch

The Montreal Branch continues to operate an office out of a prestigious central location thanks to the generosity of a corporate host and a number of dedicated volunteers. Those volunteers ensured a presence for the Branch at several community events during the year, including three area college conferences, an event which was part of the world campaign to adopt an Earth Charter, and a conference on family and individual security. A major public event involved collaboration with the City of Montreal, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO , CECI and others to mark the International Year for the Culture of Peace with a festival for children and the collection of signatures for Manifesto 2000. There were also four smaller dinners with speakers on a variety of UN issues under the rubric of Les rendez- vous de l’ACNU. Looking to the future, the Branch under-took an active campaign to expand membership in the Montreal area and began to develop plans for a significant school out-reach programme.

National Capital Region Branch

The focus of the National Capital Region Branch (NCRB) for the year was primarily on public education for school audiences. A workshop for teachers was presented on how to prepare student delegations for the Model UN Conference on a Culture of Peace and meetings with Educators for a Global Perspective explained branch activities and work with schools and students. The NCRB was very pleased to initiate the establishment of the Global Issues Forum through which a number of like-minded organizations could electronically share information on public education events through the Internet. A panel discussion was also orchestrated at Ottawa City Hall that focused on Stopping War Crimes in the 21^st Century: International Criminal Court or Military Intervention? The session was well attended and later broadcast in part by the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC). Other public events included participation in an Interfaith Celebration of Creation and Culture of Peace. The Branch also continues to publish sporadic newsletters for its members and to maintain its web page (www.ncrb.unac.org).

Quebec Branch

The Quebec City Branch relies on volunteers to orchestrate local events and/or to represent the Association at events organized by other organizations interested in international cooperation. Along with some thirty groups they arranged to share resource space in offices of la Maison internationale de Québec. During the year there were two public events as well as seven informal discussion sessions on topics such as urban development, issues related to the International Years of Older Persons, the Culture of Peace and Volunteers, the re-moval of anti-personal landmines, etc. Members received two local newsletters during the year.

Quinte Branch

The small group of volunteers providing outreach in the Belleville area of South-eastern Ontario continued to collaborate with other groups in activities to mark the International Day Against Racial Discrimination and to sponsor a Model UN for local high school students. As with other Branches, they were pleased to help facilitate the introduction of the national What Kind of World?— project in their area. Of special importance was a dinner , with National President Geoffrey Pearson among the speakers, to mark the fifth anniversary of the establishment of a Branch in the region.

Saguenay Branch

A group of active members works in collaboration with other organizations in the Saguenay/Lac St-Jean Region to promote the UN agenda in a range of ways. A focus for several displays and presentations was the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the collection of signatures of Manifesto 2000. As usual, individual members represented the branch at a variety of conferences, participated in public lectures and school presentations and included a focus on the UN in university courses.

St. John's Branch

As in previous years, the major focus for the St. John’s Branch was its support for an annual Model UN for high school students, organized in collaboration with the UN Club of Memorial University. They had to overcome two major obstacles – the untimely death of the founding organizer and continuing inspiration for the MUNA, Dr. Gunther Hartmann, and an extended fall strike at Memorial University which forced the postponement of the event into early 2001. The event did ultimately hap-pen and was its usual success for all involved.

Toronto Branch

The Toronto Branch maintains a small office in central Toronto which is staffed on most week days by volunteers. The Branch collaborated in a number of community initiatives to mark the International Year for the Culture of Peace and its central document, Manifesto 2000. It also held public events in conjunction with Hiroshima Day. School outreach and class presentations are a significant focus of Branch efforts, drawing on the experiences of members. Speakers are also available to share information with other community groups, such as University Women’s Clubs.

Vancouver Branch

A small group of dedicated volunteers worked to keep a small resource office open on a part-time basis and to collaborate with other groups to promote the Association’s agenda in the Vancouver area. One of the largest events, held in collaboration with the Brahma Kumaris World Service University attracted over 200 participants. It was in connection with the Millennium General Assembly and the signature of Manifesto 2000, the document of the International Year of the Culture of Peace. The City of Vancouver issued a proclamation to mark the event. The Branch was also a co-sponsor of the 52 nd Annual Conference of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA), which brought together representatives from human rights agencies across North America.

The Branch took an active role, along with the Canadian Anti-Racism Education and Research Society and the B.C Human Rights Coalition, in the consultations toward Canadian input into the International Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be held in South Africa in August 2001. Last but not least, the Mack Eastman United Nations prize. was awarded to Mehrgan Filsoof and the Renate Shearer award to Maurice Copithorne (for his outstanding contribution in the field of human rights, notably as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran).

Victoria Branch

The Victoria Branch wrapped up a successful year that included a variety of workshops, conferences and public events. It maintained a small local office on a part-time volunteer basis. Perhaps one of the most successful events of the year was a conference on Valuing the Culture of Peace in which the Branch assisted the BC Teachers’ Federation in the organization and planning of this well and broadly attended event.

The Branch also participated in its 2^nd annual Seeds of Peace: Peace Pole Planting Ceremony with the YW-YMCA. A work-shop with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), exploring the Myths of Development, was held at the University of Victoria. The Victoria Branch also organized a three part summer lecture series entitled The You in UN and assisted in the introduction of the national What Kind of World?— project in the greater Victoria region.

Winnipeg Branch

The Winnipeg Branch continues to enjoy the support of the Board of Education and operates out of space in the educational resource centre, with a part-time coordinator and a very active contingent of volunteers. As part of their commitment to educational outreach they were pleased to collaborate with Steve Mason, National Educational Projects Director, in the introduction of the national What Kind of World?— project in the greater Winnipeg region. In a similar vein, they regularly offer support and computer assistance to delegates to the annual Rotary Club Model UN for high school students from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario and adjacent US states.

Public events provide an opportunity for community outreach. There was a very successful fundraiser honouring Muriel Smith, UNA-Canada’s past president, and a woman who has distinguished herself in her local community and on the national and international scene. The annual UN Day celebrations in the rotunda of the Manitoba Legislative Building brought together students with government dignitaries and the general public. Six awards were presented in connection with a public speaking contest for youth. Unfortunately an annual Human Rights Day event for some 300 high school students had to be postponed.