|
Press Release
- UNA-Canada Invites Canadians to Celebrate the UN 60th Anniversary
[ pdf
]
Backgrounder
The year 2005 marks the 60th
Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It is one of the most positive
developments in modern history, as 1945 saw the UN arise from the ashes of the Second World War.
The UN was established as a result of a conference in San Francisco in June 1945 by
51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and
collective security. The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when a
countries including, China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom,
the United States and a majority of other signatories - including Canada - ratified
the UN Charter. Today, nearly every state in the world belongs to the UN - 191 countries
in all.
The founding countries made a promise to work for peace
in the world and to improve living conditions for all people. As we
commemorate the 60th anniversary of the UN, it is important to remember
that the UN is not a world government and it does not make laws. It does,
however provide the means to help resolve international conflicts and formulate
policies on matters affecting all of us. At the United Nations, all the
Member States - large and small, rich and poor - with differing political
views and social systems have a voice and a vote in the decision-making process.
View a short video on UN/60:
Short - Windows Media (15 secs)
Long - Windows Media (30 secs)
UNA-Canada is inviting its partners and networks to celebrate the
60th anniversary and
to look beyond what is, to what could be
The UN offers us the opportunity to celebrate the
values that Canadians have stood for at most significant UN fora -
values that include multilateralism, development assistance, peace,
human development, human rights and security - values that shape Canada and
its citizens.
| 
Ascendant Publishing
