UNA-Canada Welcomes a New Chair of its Board of Directors

The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is proud to announce the election of its new Officers and Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting on June 6th. Given the constraints of COVID-19, this was a virtual meeting that brought together our National Board and representatives of our vibrant volunteer Branches from Victoria to Quebec City.

The National Board of UNA-Canada is pleased to welcome Guillermo Rishchynski as the next Chair. Mr. Rishchynski brings years of distinguished service as a Canadian diplomat, including a period as our Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York (2011-2116).

"I am honoured to take the Chair of this historic organization as it celebrates its 75th year, along with the UN itself. When Canada wins a seat as one of the elected members on the UN Security Council on June 17, the role of our civil society organization, with membership from coast to coast to coast, will be even more important in engaging and hearing from Canadians on their priorities during Canada's term. Should we not gain the seat, our role will be at least as important to remind Canadians of the deep value of the UN in global health pandemics; times of conflict; to address climate change and to build a fairer, more equitable world for all."

Michael Klosevych will step into the role of Past Chair and Secretary-Treasurer of the Association. Vittoria Varalli, Chief of Staff to the President and Vice President of Sobeys will become the Vice Chair. The Board also welcomes Charles Kelly (President of Great Northern Management Consultants) and Richard Maksymetz (Principal at ALAR Strategy Group) as new Directors and Mehreen Kapadia (Community Liaison at NPower Canada) and Kim Fontaine-Skronski (Executive Director of the International Political Science Association) as Regional Directors for the Prairies and Québec.

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For more information, please contact:

Joan Broughton

Public Information Officer Joan.broughton@unac.org

613-232-5751 ext 230

www.unac.org