Liaison Newsletter > LIAISON Vol. 2, No. 6, November 1998 - Articles

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News from the Branches

Kootenay Region UNA sponsors International Day of Peace Vigil
By George Richards, Kootenay Branch

The Kootenay Branch sponsored an hour-long evening vigil on the International Day of Peace, September 15. About seventy people attended and many spoke on the increased need for the Peace Movement to be active and vigilant in view of the recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan. The Day of Peace vigil marked the beginning of a fund-raising campaign, which this year will be on behalf of the International Committee of the Red Cross for their work with the victims of war. Specific mention was made of the Red Cross's ongoing program to rehabilitate the victims of anti-personnel landmines.

Currently we are working with Selkirk College and the Lower Columbia River First Nations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The College will be host to a daylong series of events. The keynote speaker will be Sophie Pierre of the Ktunaxa First Nation. There will be exhibits by local human rights groups, alternate trading, the Red Cross, HIV/AIDS support, food bank and poverty workers, and many more. A luncheon will be served where you pay for a ticket which gives you a chance on a meal, sandwich or bowl of rice: representing the idea that your position in the food chain is established by fate not entitlement.

The evening session will feature the Ktunaxa Nation drummers, folk singers, an open mike where members of the public can express their views on the Universal Declaration. The evening will end in a social with coffee and muffins.

Waterloo Local Group's Colloquium
By Alistair Edgar, Waterloo Local Group

UNA-Canada Waterloo just held a colloquium "Peace, Justice and Politics: The International Criminal Court" on 19-20 October. On the 19th we had His Excellency Mr. Billy Modise, High Commissioner of South Africa, give a public lecture on South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the new South African constitution; on Tuesday we held two panels on UN reform and Canadian foreign policy (morning panel) and on the ICC itself (afternoon panel). Speakers included Shirley Farlinger from UNA-Canada Toronto, Barbara Bedont from the International centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, Valerie Oosterveld from U of Toronto law School, Fergus Watt from World Federalists, Andrew Cooper of U. Waterloo, and Jeff Ray of Queen's University.

We are in the process of transcribing the proceedings, and we have a videotape of Mr. Modise's speech.

UN Flag Flagging in Victoria
By Mark Reed, Victoria Branch

The UN flag recently flew at half staff in front of Victoria's Legislative Buildings for almost a week, recently. At the close of the joint UN Vigil and UN Day anniversary ceremony on Friday, October 23, the UN flag was hoisted, only to snag half way up. The embarrassing moment supported the World Federalist's preceeding the UN's grave financial situation. It also seemed to respond to our own address encouraging the expression of personal and local opinions concerning global issues. Interestingly, the small crowd in attendance was unruffled by the recalcitrant flag and the general view was that perharps the snag was fortuitous. Indeed, the local press would have ingnored UN Day if the flag were flying as it is now - properly. There is a lesson to be learned here.

National Capital Region Hosts MiniMUNA for local students
By Shane Roberts, National Capital Regional Branch

On UN Day, the National Capital Region Branch organized its first bilingual Model UN Assembly (MUNA) - that is in English and Italian. The half-day, or "miniMUNA", was for fifty children in grades five to eight in Ottawa's Scuola Italiana - the Italian community's language school. As the Branch's Shane Roberts explained the rules for the model UN and outlined the international crisis which the young diplomats had to deal with, the school's director, Enrico de Castello, translated it all into Italian.Drafted into service to help in setting up for the simulated crisis were adozen high-school students visiting from Italy. The scenario and format for the miniMUNA were developed by the Branch in 1991 and been found to be popular with students in grades five to twelve.

Saint John Local Group Unveils Monument in Honour of the 50th Anniversary of UN
By Eric Teed, Saint John Local Group

On United Nations Day, October 24, a monument in honour of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations was unveiled in St. John, New Brunswick. The monument was built using stones provided by Scouts and Guides in the St. John Region. Councilor Stephen Chase representing the City of St. John unveiled it. Eric Teed O.C., the president of UNA-St. John read the UN Day message of Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Following the unveiling a reception for the youth, their leaders and representatives of the City of St. John, the Historical Society and the Multicultural Association was held at the historic Fort Howe Block House.