What is the Blue Ribbon Campaign?
The Blue Ribbon Campaign is a national initiative to support the work of the United Nations Association in Canada and promote international cooperation, peace and humanitarianism. It also promotes the concept that peace is in each of our hands.
What does the Blue Ribbon symbolize?
The Blue Ribbon has been identified as the International Symbol for Peace. People who choose to wear the ribbon demonstrate their commitment to the values on which the UN was founded, show their support for peaceful resolution to local and global challenges, and display their pride for Canada's international reputation as a peacekeeping and peacebuilding nation.
Where are Blue Ribbons being distributed?
Blue Ribbons are being distributed at every Canada Post outlet in Canada - over 7000 outlets in total. How much does a Blue Ribbon cost? There is no specific price attached to the ribbons. We ask that individuals who take a ribbon make a donation that is within their means. What if I want to make a tax receiptable donation to the United Nations Association in Canada? Donations of $10 or more can be sent to the United Nations Association in Canada along with your name and address for a tax receipt. UNA-Canada's address and charitable registration number are at the end of this document.
When does the Blue Ribbon Campaign start, and when does it end?
The campaign will be launched on January 24, 2002 and ends when all 2 million ribbons have been distributed. We estimate that this will take between two and three months. Who are the partners in the Blue Ribbon Campaign? This campaign is a partnership between the United Nations Association in Canada, Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The original concept for the campaign was proposed by Foxmedia Solutions Inc.
What is the role of the Association of Canadian Chiefs of Police in this Campaign?
The Association of Chiefs of Police will be sending police officers into Canadian schools during January and February to distribute Canada Post's official millennium coins and stamp keepsake, promote staying drug-free, and spread a message of peace and tolerance. The keepsakes will be distributed to two million children between the ages of 8 and 14, and will also promote the Blue Ribbon Campaign and the values for which it stands.
Where does the money go?
The funds raised through the Blue Ribbon Campaign will go to the United Nations Association in Canada to strengthen its engagement of young Canadians in building a society founded on the principles of peace, tolerance and cooperation. These funds will support national youth initiatives in conflict resolution, sustainable development, anti-racism and international understanding.
But where SPECIFICALLY will the money go?
The funds raised through this campaign will be used by UNA-Canada to support, strengthen and expand existing educational initiatives and to implement new educational initiatives. Depending on the amount raised, these will include some of the following:
- Youth Agenda 2002, a project which is building capacity among Canadian youth to input into the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development and engage in peer education on sustainable development issues;
- CANIMUN, a five-day bilingual Model United Nations Conference that will be held for a group of 500 high school youth from across the country;
- What Kind of World…?, a project which aims to build the capacity of elementary and middle school teachers across Canada to educate their students about the UN and its founding values;
- Youth Forums Against Racism, a project which enables youth to develop their own tools to combat racism in Canada;
- Youth International Internship Programme, a project that sends young Canadians to work in the UN system abroad for six-month periods.
- UNA-Canada's Information Service, which answers public queries about the UN, Canada's international role and policies and global issues in general and which maintains a highly visited, informative website (www.unac.org);
- The Global Change Game, an interactive touring game which will directly engage youth in understanding the various influences which shape the world;
- Other national educational programmes which will build the capacity of educators and youth to deal with the current global events; and
- UNA-Canada's branch-level educational programmes, carried out in local communities across the country by our 14 volunteer-driven regional branches.
Why is this important?
The United Nations Association in Canada strongly believes that engaging youth in the United Nations and international issues is an important first step in creating a generation of concerned, aware and involved citizens. By taking an interactive and solutions-oriented approach, we intend to empower young people with the tools necessary to understand and assess the UN, and to instill in them a belief in their ability to solve problems. Although we recognize the UN's limitations, we believe that its principles and purposes represent the best way to achieve a safe and peaceful world. Growing up with an understanding of the UN will better prepare children to help bring about positive global changes. Ensuring a strong role for Canada in international aid, humanitarian relief and peacekeeping depends on our young citizens being engaged in these issues from an early stage.
What is the United Nations Association in Canada?
The United Nations Association in Canada is a national charitable organization that has the mandate of engaging the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and the critical international issues that affect us all. It works closely with the educational communities in every province and territory to build their capacity to educate young people from a global perspective. It also works directly with youth, challenging them to develop the tools and skills necessary to confront some of the world's most complex problems. UNA-Canada also works to define foreign policy priorities for our government and produces informative publications on topics such as peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.
Why does UNA-Canada need funds?
UNA-Canada is not funded by the UN. UNA-Canada depends on individual donations to carry out its important work of building a better, safer world. Although some of our projects and programmes are funded by government agencies, private corporation and foundations, each year we are responsible for raising additional funds to support our far-reaching goals. The Blue Ribbon Campaign not only assists us in this regard, but also works directly to fulfill our mandate of educating the Canadian public about international issues.
What if I don't agree with some of the things that the UN does?
We recognize that the UN is not perfect, and that many people do not agree with some of its actions. The UN is only as strong as its members let it be. The Blue Ribbon Campaign promotes the potential, values and goals of the UN, not every action or decision it may take.
What has Canada done for international peace operations?
Lester B. Pearson, a former Canadian Prime Minister, played a key role in establishing the first-ever UN Peacekeeping force to resolve the Suez Crisis in 1956. He won a Nobel Peace Prize for his success. Ever since, Canada has played a prominent role in UN-mandated peacekeeping missions and in peacebuilding activities, including humanitarian relief efforts. Canada's exemplary record in peacekeeping is increasingly benefiting from qualified civilians and police who complement the excellent work of the Canadian Armed Forces. Election monitors have helped build democracy by ensuring free and fair elections in locations around the world. Canadian police forces have played a key role in helping to stabilize countries such as Bosnia and Haiti by training their police. Other Canadians have been active in helping warring parties negotiate peace.
How do I find out more?
Please visit our website at www.unac.org or get in touch with our office at the following address:
United Nations Association in Canada
900-130 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2
Tel: (613) 232-5751
Fax: (613) 563-2455
Email: info@unac.org
Charitable Registration Number: 11927-6855 RR0001
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