Edmonton teens learn the realities of UN Peacekeeping

(October 23^rd, 2006 Ottawa) The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is bringing veterans from the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping to Archbishop Oscar Romero High School as part of the year long commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of UN Peacekeeping.

The Edmonton stop on the Veterans Speaking Tour will feature local veterans who will highlight their past experiences as UN Peacekeepers from some of the last century’s most dangerous conflict zones. These Veterans embody the challenges and overwhelming success of Canada’s brave men and women and that continue to done the blue beret for peace.

“I believe it is extremely important to Canadian youth be made aware in Canada’s role in Peacekeeping, and Canada’s potential aspirations in that regard for the future.”: says Robert O’Brien, Project Manager for UNA-Canada’s 50^th Anniversary of UN Peacekeeping project and a former Peacekeeper himself.

The Veterans Speaking Tour is the first of its kind bringing together both past police and military Peacekeepers to educate high school youth on the realties of UN Peacekeeping operations.

The 50^th Anniversary of UN Peacekeeping project will not only elaborate on, and celebrate Canada’s outstanding contributions, past, present and future to a more peaceful world, but will encourage Canadians to continue to support peace, development, diplomacy and global citizenship. The project will reach academics, field practitioners, government officials, the media and the Canadian public in general.

UNA-Canada is a national charitable organization celebrating its landmark 60^th anniversary. As a ‘think and do’ organization, UNA-Canada supports a network of 17 volunteer branches and local contacts, with a National office in Ottawa and a Western professional office in Vancouver. Our mandate is to engage Canadians in the work of the UN and the critical global issues which affect us all, through innovative projects, policy research, and on-going communications with Canadians.

WHEN: Wednesday October 25^th, 2006 - 8 :30am to 11:30 pm

WHERE: Archbishop Oscar Romero High School, 177060 – 69 Ave., Edmonton ,Alberta

For more information or media inquiries please contact:

Rebecca Cohn
Communications Officer
UNA-Canada
(613) 232-5751, ext. 245
rebecca.cohn@unac.org