TRIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF THE LONDON &
SOUTHEAST REGION
London & SE Region United Nations Association
ISSUE
26 OCT 2015
UN 70th Anniversary Issue Page 2-3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6-7 Page 8
Editorial: Seventy Years of Service More Problems for UN Peace Operations? Branch Review Obituaries Refugee Crisis Human Rights in Eritrea Credibility Gap Blattering? What’s Blattering? UN Mechanisms Apply Legal Leverage The Pope and Politics? Ever Been to the IMO? What’s in Your Junk? Around the London & Southeast Region Forthcoming Events
Photo: The Earl of Halifax, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States, and member of the delegation, signing the UN Charter at a ceremony held at the Veteran's War Memorial Building on 26 June 1945. ©UN Photo/Yould
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Branches Review
Editorial: Seventy Years of Service
Since June, the Executive Committee has been trying to assess the strength of our 19 branches. So far 7 (with 5 more arranged) have been visited by a Committee Member and each one has responded to a questionnaire.
In a public meeting last month, Brighton and Hove UNA asked “Do we need the UN?” As th the world mark the 70 anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations, this is a question on many people’s lips. Just take a look around the world - climate change, conflicts, refugees, poverty, inequality – “Why doesn’t the UN do something”, many ask.
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By the time of the AGM on 21 November, we hope to have visited all the branches and be able to give a full report.
The overall objectives are to review the varying activities and issues of each branch, which will in turn assist in finding ways to boost membership, stimulate activity and offer assistance where needed. Wendy Higgs & Keith Hindell
Obituary Allan Bula (1931-2015) was Secretary of Bexhill, now Bexhill & Hastings, branch for over 30 years. Even in his 80s, he handled correspondence, released press reports, and used his experience in journalism to publicise branch activities. He also organised minutes and agendas. Allan finally retired as Secretary in early 2015 as his health worsened. Even before he became Secretary in 1983, Allan organised and publicised annual events such as the well-attended garden parties at Bexhill’s St George’s Church gardens. He always kept up to date on UN news, and organised discussions and lectures with interesting speakers, some from UNA headquarters, others from further afield, including a lecture by Bruce Kent that filled the De la Warr Pavilion. Allan also organised fund-raising coffee mornings and an annual open garden. Admirably Allan took a personal interest in local members and phoned/visited those who were ill. Even in the last months of his life, Allan continued to help keep branch events in local papers. With good reason, to many whether within the UNA or merely supporters, Allan Bula was the Bexhill and Hastings UNA. As a skilled communicator he would appreciate that synecdoche! Barbara Echlin PAGE 2
The UN is doing as much as it is allowed to do, given the lack of political will, or congruence, ©UN Photo/Cia Pak among its member states. Repeated attempts by UN diplomats to bring a close to the civil war in Syria have failed. The plight of refugees and IDPs in the region, now spreading to Europe, is alleviated as far as resources allow by the WFP and UNHCR, which deserves (another) peace prize. But the political deadlock remains. The Permanent Five on the Security Council cannot agree on what policy to pursue. Without a mandate, the UN can do very little except try to bring the member states to a consensus. There is sadly little prospect of this currently, with the Russians now using military action to shore up Assad's regime, ISIL running amok, and the serious ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and growing tensions between Russia and the West, and within the Arab world, continue. Nevertheless, we should not forget the achievements of the UN over the past 70 years. Not least the fact that it has survived! Significant improvements have been made in education and world health, particularly among women and children. The UN has been instrumental in solving, helping to solve, or preventing, many conflicts. It has led the way in trying to achieve greater equality and fairness in the world. We should be glad that the UN exists to act as midwife to the solution of global problems - social, environmental, economic and political. The Millennium Development Goals may not have been as successful as hoped, but no one is arguing that they are not valid. Their successor - the 17 Sustainable Development Goals with their 169 targets – will be implemented from next January. Meanwhile we need to remember that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link - and for weak links, one needs look no further than its member states.
STOP PRESS The London & SE Region is very saddened to hear about the fire at Morden Baitul Futuh Mosque (Ahmadiyya Muslim Community). A representative from its “sister” Southfields mosque read a prayer at the Region’s th Multi Faith Service to mark the 70 th Anniversary of the UN on 10 October 2015.
More Problems for UN Peace Operations? David Wardrop looks at the evolution of UN peacekeeping operations and asks if an overhaul is overdue. 2015 witnesses a plethora of reports needs on the ground, covering the UN’s initiatives in peacekeeping more inclusive, and the and peacebuilding. But have we been here UN Secretariat must be before? A frustrated Hervé Ladsous, Under more field-focused and Secretary-General for Peacekeeping its operations be more ©UN Photo/Saw Lwin Operations, asserts the UN “cannot continue people-centred, responding to the just using tools of 50 or 100 years ago”. But experiences of local people. In short, the who is listening? legacy of the “white -SUV culture” must give way to a more human face. The first major Peacekeeping review since 2000 has been led by José Ramos-Horta of Some Member States, including many Timor-Leste, well acquainted with UN leading troop contributors, firmly adhere peacekeepers in his then-named East Timor. to the three core principles of His Panel identified essential shifts to be peacekeeping; consent of the parties, embraced if UN peace operations are to impartiality; and the non-use of force make real progress. These shifts demand UN except in self-defence or defence of the operations must be driven by political mandate. Others suggest that these are solutions, be more flexible to changing outmoded. This is part of the dilemma that Hervé Ladsous faces. page 3 LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015
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Obituary
Refugee Crisis Catherine Pluygers reflects on the state of the refugee situation. "Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution" Article 14(1) Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this seventieth anniversary of the founding of the UN, we can take an opportunity to pause and reflect upon the vision of its creators, why it was created, what has been achieved, what remains to be done and what are the obstacles that this amazing organisation faces. People say "Why hasn't the UN done x about y?" and "Why is there so much instability in the world when we have the UN". One needs to remember that an organisation is only as effective as the sum of its parts. And in the case of the UN, that means us, its member states. The UN Security Council can only function effectively if its members use the veto sparingly and work for the common good rather than separate political gain. Peace-keepers can only function effectively if enough properly trained troops are provided by member states. Disaster relief can only be effective if members pay their dues. And treaties are only effective if ratified and implemented.
our responsibilities under International Law the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.
One of our most active and enthusiastic members, Margaret Pearce (19372015), sadly passed away th on July 8 . A fortnight later, a large congregation, including former MP Dr Vince Cable, gathered in Twickenham United Reformed Church to pay tribute and to give thanks for an exceptionally influential and inspiring life.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community is calling on international organisations such as the UN and Governments to treat the refugee crisis as a global issue and not just as a European issue.
Margaret had a wide range of interests and commitments. High among these was her dedication to the causes of peace and reconciliation, as shown by her involvement not only in the UNA but also the Congregational Peace Fellowship and Kingston Peace Council.
Rafiq Hayat, the Amir (National President) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in UK has said that a proper co-ordinated plan is urgently needed to distribute the refugees globally, rather than only focusing on Europe
Brian and Margaret Pearce joined Twickenham UNA in 1970 and remained loyal members for the rest of their lives.
“First and foremost, the Arab countries, who are neighbours, should fulfil their roles and so countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and others like Iran should give refuge to the refugees as much as possible. Thereafter, refugees should be sent across the world, based on a co-ordinated international plan. In addition to the Arab countries, Europe, USA, Canada, Far East, Indonesia and other parts of the world should take their fair share."
Sadly, Brian died in April 2006 following a tragic accident. Margaret became the representative of Twickenham URC on our Branch Committee and when a vacancy occurred in 2007 for a new Membership Secretary, Margaret volunteered to take up the role. However, before she could do so she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to step down.
©UN Photo/UNHCR/A Duclos
A Global Issue
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UN 70 anniversary takes place in difficult times. A lot of 'givens' such as a stable climate, stable borders and functioning member states are unravelling fast. As we grapple with an unfolding and unprecedented crisis of both internally displaced persons and refugees we look to the UN. What we see is an organisation already straining at the seams. So, how should we face this problem? Is it our responsibility? Is this calamity just the tip of the iceberg when we put climate change into the mix bringing with it future displacement of people? Let us remind ourselves of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and continued from page 2
So can the UN avoid the need for peacekeeping, even preventing conflict in the first place? Since its creation in 2005, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), conceived to assume this task, is widely seen to have underperformed, even with the seven states it was charged to principally assist. Its diverse membership, representing different UN groups of Member States, seemed destined to lead to confusion, reducing it to a vague advisory role.
©UN Photo/Gernot Payer
So Ban Ki Moon tasked a group of experts to review the UN’s ‘Peacebuilding Architecture’. The group’s report has alarmed some, seeking to redesign the PBC root and branch. Claiming that the UN’s mechanisms are fragmenting thus damaging its capacity in peacebuilding, its recommendations will surely lead the Security Council to get jumpy, suspecting that the General Assembly seeks to encroach onto the maintenance of international peace through the “back door” of peacebuilding. But maybe the Panel is right. Its raft of hard-hitting proposals include charging the PBC with early conflict prevention priorities (rather than the Security Council), beefing up the Peacebuilding Fund and working closely in post conflict work with the World Bank, which all rate as more focused in this field than the UN. Ban Ki Moon wants both sets of recommendations implemented which will no doubt upset members of the Security Council. Watch this space! LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015
Fortunately for the Branch, Pat Erasmus agreed to take on the job and gave splendid service for several years. When Margaret was fully recovered she became Membership Secretary and tackled the task with her usual mixture of enthusiasm and efficiency. Those of us privileged to know Margaret well will continue to draw great encouragement and inspiration from her example. Derek Smith PAGE 3
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Human Rights in Eritrea th
Rodney Mantle reports on the meeting on 9 June 2015 at the House of Lords. It was organised by UNA London & SE Region and the London Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, hosted by Baroness Jenny Jones of Moulecoomb (Greens). Chaired by Lul Seyoum (founder of the International Centre for Eritrean Refugees), speakers included Alex Jackson (Amnesty International UK), Dr Sara Ogbay, Khadijah Ali Mohammed-Nur, Helen Kidan, and Dr Ribka Sibhatu (all from Network of Eritrean Women). The meeting was preceded by a session with DFID, UNA-UK, LONDON WILPF and the Network of Eritrean Women to discuss the plight of women in Eritrea and those in refugee camps. "Five Generations of Refugees" That was how one speaker characterised the situation, principally in a UNHCR-run camp in Sudan. Other speakers also cited instances in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Libya, Egypt (the Sinai) and Israel. In 2014, UNHCR estimated refugee numbers at ~320,000, but the real numbers are thought to be higher. Why have so many Eritreans, known for their patriotism, been leaving? The exodus started during the 30-year struggle for independence from a UN-created federation with Ethiopia. After the battle's successful outcome in 1993, we were told, many returned in the hope of creating the new state. When Alex Jackson, Amnesty International Country Co-ordinator, arrived in 1997, this was still in progress. However, the new government soon became oppressive, using a border dispute with Ethiopia to establish and maintain a state dominated by the military. A "climate of fear" developed. Journalists, politicians and many others, including Alex, were imprisoned; the one university closed, schools came under the control of the army and a system of Universal Military Service was established. The government claimed this lasted only 18 months but all the speakers noted that it was indefinite.
"Women Suffer in Silence" Several speakers referred to the consequences of the National Service for women. Although the mother figure holds the family together in Eritrea, young female conscripts were left in the army to (at best) coffee-making and cooking or (at worst) being sex-slaves to the officers, it was claimed. ©UN Photo/Jorge Aramburu Many women reportedly got pregnant in order to evade conscription, but single mothers face great discrimination. The exodus started again, before all the previous refugees had returned. As the numbers grew, we were told, so did the exploitation: human trafficking and kidnapping for ransom. One speaker described how a woman escaped with a neighbour's son to Sudan. When they arrived, he suddenly demanded money which she was unable to pay. She was locked up and became ill before her eventual release. Another told how a kidnap victim was killed before the ransom had been paid. Another said that after her reports had been published, a member of her family phoned her in Europe, begging her to stop - "or we will be killed". A Lampedusa Poem Everyone listened in silence as a poem was read about a boat capsizing off the shore of Italy, causing a young woman to give birth to a son who immediately drowned. What more could have been done? Alex Jackson spoke for all in excoriating the UK government's attempts to classify Eritrean refugees as "economic migrants" for what he said was purely domestic, political purposes. He quoted a report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office noting that the Eritrean Government "has made no visible progress on key human rights concerns". Sadly, no MPs were present to hear him. The closing Q&A session revealed the strength of feeling and breadth of opinion on the topic among the largely Eritreanaudience.
Credibility Gap
Blattering? What’s Blattering?
The UN has been criticised for handing Saudi Arabia a key human rights role - despite the country having “arguably the worst record in the world” on freedoms for women, minorities and dissidents. The independent campaigning NGO Human Rights Watch reported that Mr Trad, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador at the UN in Geneva, was elected as chair of a panel of independent experts on the UN Human Rights Council. UN Watch executive director, Hillel Neuer, described the appointment as "scandalous". As head of a five-strong group of diplomats, the appointment would give Mr Trad the power to select applicants from around the world for scores of expert roles in countries where the UN has a mandate on human rights.
Laser invites readers to accept this new word: it applies to what has been going in the higher reaches of the establishment, in situations when words are used to hide issues.
A spokesperson for the Human Rights Council, Rolando Gomez, told CNN that "Members of the Consultative Group are appointed by the regional groups, and not the Human Rights Council or any other UN body. These members serve in their personal capacity, not their national capacity, for a period of one year.” The HRC, the UN body responsible for promoting human rights around the world, has long been criticised for granting membership to countries with dubious human rights records. As well as Saudi Arabia, current members include China, Qatar, Russia and Venezuela. PAGE 4
It's not just FIFA, it's also those who run our banks and hedge-funds, corporations such as motor vehicle manufactures (are VW the only guilty parties?) and the governments who cosy up to them, as they poison our streets. Not to mention the Union Carbides of this world. It is interesting that the Pope described unbridled capitalism as "the dung of the devil" on his visit to Bolivia . . . The IMO has set standards for ships sailing the seven seas, though admittedly it may have problems enforcing them. The EU drew back from dealing with vehicle emissions issues; isn’t it time that the UN set standards for our motor vehicles? Taking a long hard look at diesel in particular. Just a thought . . . LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015
LONDON AND SOUTH EAST REGION United Nations Association
UN Mechanisms Apply Legal Leverage And finally some positive news. In Tanzania – CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) Issues a Landmark Decision on Women’s Inheritance Rights in Tanzania. Customary law still rules in many parts of the world and is particularly hard on widows and women. Widows may inherit nothing from their husbands, women and girls cannot inherit clan land, and sons inherit more than daughters.
similar violations, whether as widows, daughters, mothers or other female relatives of the deceased. They also argued that these laws violated Tanzania’s constitution and its obligetions under international human rights treaties.
Customary law is all too prevalent throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and young widows are especially hard hit in areas where HIV is a problem. Often, very young widows are left homeless and destitute by their in-laws, and may even lose their children. To survive, they may even be forced to participate in polygamy or marry a relative of their late husband.
The court acknowledged that these laws were “discriminatory” but it refused to take any action, fearing that doing so would open “a Pandora’s box” of challenges to numerous discriminatory customs. An appeal was launched, but after four years, it was turned down on a technicality.
However, there is good news from Tanzania: ©UN Photo Tanzania’s Women’s Legal Aid Centre working with Georgetown University’s International Women’s Human Rights Clinic, have helped young widows to challenge the system of discriminatory inheritance laws in the courts. The case involved two widows who were prevented from inheriting their late husbands’ property and were subsequently left homeless. The two women, E. S. and S. C. argued that millions of other women in Tanzania like them also experience
The case went to the CEDAW Committee which is responsible for monitoring state compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to which Tanzania is a state party. The Committee held that Tanzania should grant E. S. and S. C. appropriate reparation and adequate compensation; and that Tanzania should ensure that all discriminatory customary laws limiting women’s equal inheritance rights are repealed or amended and brought into full compliance with the Convention.
The Pope and Politics? How political should or could the Vatican get? Earlier this year the likely Republican presidential candidate Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said he wanted leaders from the faith community to “rise up and engage America in the public square with ©UN Photo/Mark Garten Biblical values.” He added, “The time has come for pastors to lead the way and reset the course of American governance.” Pope Francis’s visit to the US in September might have done just that. Outspoken and at times to the point of bluntness, His Holiness urged the US Congress to end “hostility” towards immigrants, to end homelessness and to do more to address climate change. The Pope’s US visit was also historic for the United Nations. He was the first Pope to address the opening of the General Assembly. His visit coincided with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The recent Papal Encyclical (Laudato Si) called climate change a principal challenge facing humanity, and a moral issue. In his address to the UNGA, Pope Francis urged for global action to protect the environment and end the suffering of "vast ranks of the excluded," saying that “human beings take precedence over partisan interests.”
Ever been to the IMO? If you haven't, now is your chance. On the rd morning of Tuesday, 3 November, Twickenham and Richmond UNA (TRUNA) are planning a visit. Most of the participants will be translators and interpreters from the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL), who have little knowledge or the UN or UNA. TRUNA would like to invite a few experienced UNA members to join us, with the aim of mixing with the CIoL visitors and telling them about the UN and the UNA. If you are interested, please contact: Rodney Mantle, Publicity Officer, TRUNA (18 Beresford Court, Park Road, Twickenham TW1 2PU, UK e: rodneymantle@hotmail.com M: 07876 567 623 T: 020 8892 4628)
Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon noted in his welcome address, “Your views move millions. Your teachings bring action.” We shall see what agreements emerge from the Paris Climate Change Conference later this year.
What’s in your Junk? The London & SE Region sends out a monthly e-newsletter which might have ended up in your email’s Spam folder. Do take a look and mark them as “not spam” so that you don’t miss out on event reminders or updates. LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the only UN specialised agency in the UK. IMO’s remit is for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships: "Safe, Secure and Efficient Shipping on Clean oceans." For more information, visit www.imo.org PAGE 5
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Around the London & SE Region SUMMER COUNCIL (27.06.2015)
Roger Hallam
The Council meeting covered a wide spectrum of issues with lively discussions.
Left to right, Peter Greaves, Catherine Pluygers, Nicola Peart, Stephen Hockman (@Brian Beeley)
The Sustainable Development Goals 2014-15 The 17 SDGs were reviewed, as summarised in Alison William's paper Sustainable Development Goals – the new Transformative Agenda. In discussion, Wendy Higgs questioned how it could be established how far they had been met. More specific targets were needed. David Wardrop referred to the perceived lack of reference to peace and conflict resolution. Roger Hallam observed the tension between the SDGs’ emphases on development and combating climate change. It was noted that the SDGs were not set in stone and comments could be addressed to UNA-UK directly. Global Warming – surely there must be a law against it! 3 speakers questioned whether “the law can regulate the effects of climate change”. Peter Greaves (former senior nutritionist at MAFF, FAO & UNICEF) said that issues of climate change had not fed through into common sense, despite the fact that the UN’s engagement with environmental issues dated back not just to Stockholm in 1972, but to Lake Success in 1948. The issue gained momentum with the 1992 Rio conference, but the Rio document was not binding on the parties. The 1997 Kyoto protocol was intended to be so; but the Canadians' withdrawal has undermined it. In Kyoto 2, author Oliver Tickell proposed that emissions be controlled “upstream”. His proposal had never been addressed seriously. COP 15 (2009) in Copenhagen adopted the maximum 2⁰C rise in global temperatures goal, which many including James Hansen, NASA’s leading climatologist, thought inadequate. Renewable technologies (photovoltaic and wind) offered a way forward, but were not being implemented. Nicola Peart (Assistant Legal Counsel, Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague) argued that climate change had a potential negative impact on human rights across the board, including civil, political, social and economic rights. It would also increase inequalities, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged groups such as women and the poor. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was likely to be threatened. ECOSOC and the Human Rights Council had initiated reports on the issue, and in 2014 a coalition of international NGOs had written to governments pointing out that action at public and political levels was essential, but needed to be supplemented by legal challenges. However such actions by member states had not so far been decisive. Emissions trading schemes could damage the human rights of local or indigenous peoples, giving rise to the concept of “climate justice”: uneven impact of climate change at a global level, and raised the question of compensation for those most PAGE 6
affected where others were the principal source of the emissions causing the damage in question. Stephen Hockman QC (barrister, chair of the International Court for the Environment Coalition, and president of UNA London and Southeast Region) focused on how we are going to do what we increasingly know has to be done. For him the key was institutional change, notably the development of competent legal institutions. The UN COP process was flawed because the ability to enforce binding decisions was lacking. This was comparable to the short-term fate of Magna Carta eight centuries ago, which for want of an enforcement mechanism was soon ignored. There were some positive developments, including the recent decision by the Dutch courts to order the government to cut CO2 emissions by at least 25% in five years on the basis that international law created obligations not only between states but also as regards the protection of citizens, and enforceable by them. The UK 2008 Climate Change Act was also an example of legally enforceable climate commitments. So to the question, “Is there a law against it?”, the answer was, yes, in some places and to some extent. He argued that the COP process could be brought back to the UN General Assembly, but this should be buttressed by an enhanced judicial role, in the form of an International Court for the Environment (ICE). Following the Dutch example, the low lying countries such as Bangladesh might also envisage bringing actions under existing general international law. Would this require an international police force? Stephen thought not: the key thing was to establish liability and let international public opinion take its course.
IN MEMORIAM: HAROLD AND SANDRA
Paul Mrazek
This summer, UNA members joined with family members at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to honour the memory of Harold Stern and Sandra Stokes.
Those who attended: Family members-Chris (Sandra's brother), his wife Joy and son Joe. UNA London & SE Region-Keith Hindell, David Wardrop, Paul Mrazek and William Say and Perri Mahmood
Harold was a former Vice-Chair of UNA-UK and editor of New World. He and partner Sandra were regular participants on UNA Study tours and at UNA Policy making Conferences. Their shared love of music (and opera in particular) gave their families an idea how they might be remembered. The seats that they last occupied now bear plaques with their names. Before the naming ceremony, our group were treated to a back stage tour of the opera house and afterwards we retired to a nearby hostelry to toast Harold and Sandra's life together. When attending future performances at the Royal Opera House, fine views and comfort are a given if you select seats Nos 54 and 55 in the Amphitheatre. Harold and Sandra have already done the homework. LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015
LONDON AND SOUTH EAST REGION United Nations Association
LEWISHAM UNA (08.09.2015) Branch AGM took place at Lewisham Town Hall’s Civic Suite. David Wardrop, Co-ordinator of Strategies for Peace, talked on: "THE UN HAS INNOVATIVE NEW PEACE INITIATIVES – WILL THEY WORK?” A lively discussion and songs by The Strawberry Thieves were followed by refreshments.
SUTTON & CROYDON UNA The branch had a busy Summer. The Branch held the final of their annual inter-school debating competition, hosted at Trinity School in Croydon (16.06.2015). Chaired by Stephen Harrow, the debate saw Whitgift (represented by Michael Wyatt and Martin Bontea) retain the Trophy they won in 2014, narrowly defeating St. Philomena’s School (Nicola Johnson and Olivia Hargrave). Nicola Johnson won the best speaker award.
The Branch held its Annual Garden Party in Carshalton where members were joined by friends, local Oxfam, Co-Op Party th and Humanist Branches (01.08.2015). On 6 August, members joined Sutton for Peace and Justice to commemorate Hiroshima by floating candles in little paper boats across Carshalton Ponds.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE UNA In a world facing catastrophic climate change and one divided by conflict, what is the UN for ? Is it effective ? If not what reform is possible ? Philip Cunliffe Senior Lecturer in International Conflict and International Relations at Kent University addressed these and other questions in a talk ":Do rd we need the UN?" on 3 October 2015.
'SOWING THE WHIRLWIND’: NUCLEAR POLITICS AND THE HISTORICAL RECORD David Wardrop reports on UNA Westminster’s Hiroshima +70 conference, held in association with the School of Commonth wealth Studies at London University, to mark the 70 anniversary of the nuclear era. The meeting considered the impact and roles of misinformation and secrecy about nuclear weapons, from the start of the WWII until the present day. The last 70 years have seen a number of moments – such as the Cuban Missile Crisis – when it seemed that the horror of Hiroshima would be repeated, but the key actors pulled back from the brink. Speakers from the USA, Europe and the UK explored world reactions over this period. The keynote address was given by Dr. Akiko Mikamo. Her parents were in central Hiroshima when the nuclear bomb exploded. Her book Rising from the Ashes: A True Story of
LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015
Survival and Forgiveness from Hiroshima has been published worldwide. A full report including film of all presentations is available on UNA Westminster’s website. www.unawestminster.org.uk
BAR COUNCIL MARKS UN70 WITH DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION IN INNER TEMPLE On 17 September, UNA Westminster and the Bar Council of England and Wales jointly organised a prestige diplomatic reception to mark the UN’s 70th anniversary, held in the historic Great Hall of the Inner Temple. Among the sixty embassies represented, thirty were from amongst the UN’s founder members which attended the inaugural meeting of the UN in London in January 1946.
Leisha Beardmore, Chair, UNA Young Professionals is flanked by Bartosz Tymkowski, Chair, Young Diplomats in London and Daniel Sternberg, Chair, Young Bar Committee
Addressing the audience of nearly three hundred, the noted international barrister Vaughan Lowe QC pointed to the many successes of the UN in the establishment of international norms, the establishment of working protocols, all underpinned by the necessity to agree a common Rule of Law. Later, he fielded questions from the audience. The event also set out to create a new network comprising members of the Young Bar Council, the Young Diplomats in London Group and our own UNA Young Professionals, each group represented by forty of their members. Each of the groups in turn will organise one event annually..
NEW WEBSITE FOR THE LONDON AND SE REGION The Region re-launched its website back in July. If you haven’t visited recently, please do take a look (www.unalondonandse.org). We are constantly evaluating the website and are looking at adding new features including facility for branches to add events directly. If your branch is interested in setting up a website and need some help, get in touch (email laser.una@gmail.com) and we can arrange to chat through your requirements and see how we can help. 7
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Forthcoming Events Canterbury UNA warmly invites all th
25 October 2015@6.30pm, The Nave, Canterbury Cathedral, CT1 2EE
THE UNITED NATIONS SERVICE FOR WORLD PEACE The service will feature the Procession of the Peace-Makers and music from the Eclectic Community Choir, the Gurkha Youth Peace Foundation. Michelle Harris, a Mezzo-Soprano, will be singing Verdi & Bernstein. Anna Calder-Marshall, an Emmy Awardwinning actress, will read from Aung San Suu Kyi's Nobel Lecture. Bible Reading will be given by Cllr. Sally Waters, the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, followed by the Sermon, which will be given by the Reverend Jonathan Easton-Crouch. This year's theme reflects a current issue that obstructs our pursuit of peace. In 2014, as we commemorated the centenary of the First World War - the Great War to end all Wars - the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that war, conflict and violations of human rights have forced the highest number of people to flee their homes since the Second World War. The collection, therefore, will be donated to the UN Agency for Refugees - UK Office (UNHCR-UK). For more information, please contact, Nigel Gregory greg@bluemoon137.com
Sutton and Croydon UNA
Canterbury UNA
25 October 2015 @ 10.00am St. John’s Church, Shirley CR0 5EE
12 November 2015, @5.45 pm Grimond Building Lecture theatre, U of Kent, Canterbury
ANNUAL CHURCH SERVICE
SYMPOSIUM ON UN PEACEKEEPING, PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT PREVENTION
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Service to celebrate 70 years of the UN. Special guest: Croydon Deputy Mayor For more info, visit www.suttonandcroydonuna.org.uk or email jas.weir@blueyonder.co.uk
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Main speaker: Jeremy Greenstock Symposium organised in collaboration with the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent. More info, contact Nigel Gregory greg@bluemoon137.com
Blackheath & Greenwich UNA th
27 October 2015, @7pm Mycenae House Community Centre, Mycenae Road, SE3
AGM FOLLOWED BY PUBLIC MEETING ENTITLED "WHAT CAN LOCAL COUNCILS DO TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING?” Meet Greenwich Cllr Danny Thorpe, responsible for Development & regeneration, and representatives from other parties. As our political leaders meet at UN 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris (Nov 30 - Dec 11) what can be done locally? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------th 14 November 2015, @1.30pm Mycenae House Community Centre, Mycenae Road, SE3 7SE
INTERNATIONAL ART AUCTION Viewing 1.30 pm Auction starts at 2.00 pm. Bargains galore! Entry on the door by catalogue £6.00 including a glass of wine. Lucky draw at the end of the auction for prize hamper. Proceeds to UNHCR. All welcome. More info for both events, contact Neville Grant (0208 858 8489)
London & Southeast Region st
21 November 2015, 1.30 – 5.00pm Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1.30 – 3.00pm
Tunbridge Wells UNA th
29 October 2015, @7.30pm Victoria Suite, Camden Centre, Market Sq., Tunbridge Wells
PUBLIC MEETING: SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY & THE UN Keynote speaker Barrie Bain is a consultant to the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA), adviser to the UN and Food and Agriculture Organization and Committee for World Food Security, working on the SDGs. After the talk there will be a question and answer session followed by refreshments. Contact: Julia Jarrold (01435 830150/ jlj@mistral.co.uk) PAGE 8
3.30 – 5.00pm
London & SE Region
United Nations Association
Reports of the Region’s activities in the past year, updates, and elections. Nomination forms included with paper copy of LaSER or visit www.unalondonandse.org “Migrants or Refugees? Does it matter?” Speakers include representative from UNHCR.
All welcome. For more information, contact Neville Grant neville.grant@gmail.com
DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT TO PUBLICISE? Get in touch with LaSER editor (laser.una@gmail.com) or Neville Grant (neville.grant@gmail.com) LaSER | Issue 26 | October 2015