Annual Reports > Annual Report 1999

Executive Director's Message

We had a great year in 1999. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, a hard-working staff, two wonderful fundraising Galas, and a very careful control over expenses, we finally were able not only to wipe out our long-term debt (finally!) but to end the year with a surplus. Now the challenge is to ensure that we maintain that financial momentum in the year 2000, and to ensure the same careful financial stewardship which has allowed us essentially to double the organization’s budget in four years.

We are delighted that our youth internship programmes have been renewed for the year 2000 and excited for the young Canadians involved in this programme who have terrific experiences and get off to wonderful beginnings to their careers, while making important contributions to the United Nations.

Lots of new and exciting projects and programmes are underway and we are are committed to continuing to work on themes concerning peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. This past year we were very active in the International Year of Older Persons. In the year 2000, we are playing an important role in promoting the UN’s International Year for the Culture of Peace. Already, for the year 2001, we are actively looking into how we can help promote the UN’s International Year of the Volunteer.

We pledge to continue strong financial stewardship and to endeavour establish a reserve fund and eventually a Foundation, to secure the future of our Association. That is why we are asking people to consider making gifts in their wills to the Association or making major gifts to help ensure the strength and vitality of our Association in the long-run.

I want to thank all of the persons who supported our work in the past year. Together we work for a strong and effective United Nations. The UN has had a lot of bad press this past year. It is far from perfect. But it needs supporters who contribute to a public understanding of its realities and limitations. It can only improve if people like us continue to recognize the vital contribution it makes to promoting peace, human rights, a clean environment and equitable development. Thanks for doing your part in working toward these goals.