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Rapports annuels > Rapports annuels 1997 Ce document est disponible seulement en anglais. President’s Message Nineteen ninety-seven was a difficult year for the UN. It remained weakened by its financial crisis; was set to take on a broad array of demanding reforms; and was faced with new international security issues that have taken on environmental, social and humanitarian implications. But it was also a year of significant achievements, both for the UN and for our Association. Under pressure to revitalize and reform the organization, Secretary-General Kofi Annan was quick to recruit two Canadians to help him with the process. In early 1997, Maurice Strong was appointed to the challenging position of Executive Coordinator for UN Reform, and more recently, Louise Fréchette joined the UN as the first-ever Deputy Secretary-General. Since the early days, Canadians have helped shaped the United Nations through their creativity and leadership skills. In a year that has summoned so many changes at the UN, we provided 25 bright young Canadians with an opportunity to make their own contributions to that evolution through an international youth internship programme. The past year also saw people from around the world embrace an initiative, dubbed the "Ottawa Process". Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy’s call for a global ban on anti-personnel land mines engaged national Governments, international non-governmental organizations, citizens’ movements and concerned individuals, in the pursuit of a common agenda for action. Through our Branches, our supporters, and our membership on the Mines Action Canada Steering Committee, UNA-Canada has been a long-time supporter of a ban on anti-personnel landmines. As early as 1995, we were there to lend our voice, our convictions, and our commitment, to an issue that has steadily come to enjoy so much popular support. This year Canadians have also joined together to launch the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Drafted in 1948 by Canadian John Peters Humphrey, the Declaration is a benchmark of international law, affirming equal rights and freedoms for all men and women. Indifference, inequality and ignorance still exist, but through our public education programme we continue to work hard at creating greater awareness of human rights issues in every community across Canada, and to encourage Canadians to launch their own initiatives for action. The challenges that the UN faces on a daily basis are becoming no easier; but the organization is learning how to adapt and evolve to confront those challenges. As the UN takes on new responsibilities, we here at UNA-Canada have an increasingly important role to play. We must continue to promote a greater understanding of the UN, and to contribute to a stronger Canadian role by making sure that our programmes continue to help Canadians play a formative role in the development of this vital institution.
Muriel Smith |
