UN Day at Brooklyn Borough Hall 2018 - Save the Date!
UNA Brooklyn is proud to announce the 4th Annual UN Day at Brooklyn Borough Hall. This year we are celebrating both the anniversary of the creation of the United Nations and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The event, which is free for all, will be held on Tuesday, October 23rd, 5:30-9:30, at the center of Brooklyn’s civic life – Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The event brings together non-governmental and community-based organizations, students, educators and other Brooklynites (and New Yorkers) who care about the UN, human rights and global solutions to tackling the world’s biggest problems, such as extreme poverty, gender inequality, climate change, and armed conflict. The event includes networking, expert speakers, and a food/drink reception.
Register Now to attend UN Day 2018.
Organizing partners include the UNA Southern New York State Division and Delta Rho Omega Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
The UN Charter, which was singed on June 24th, 1945, articulated principles and rules for global cooperation among independent countries toward the goals of preventing wars and promoting peace; and working together to solve problems of an “economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”
Keynote Speaker - Stephen Schlesinger
Our keynote speaker this year, Stephen Schlesinger, a fellow at The Century Foundation, is one of the world’s leading experts on and proponents of the UN, as it is today, and its great potential for tomorrow. Among many accomplishments and leadership roles in his career, Mr. Schlesinger is the author of Act of Creation: The Founding of the United Nations, led the World Policy Institute at the New School, and worked for United Nations Habitat. See his biography on The Century Foundation’s website here.
Event Schedule
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 23.
Location: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
5 pm: Doors open at Brooklyn Borough Hall for early networking and UN-UNA materials
6 pm: Program begins with introductions, speakers and Q&A
7:30-9 pm Festive reception with music and refreshments
Background
The United Nations Association of the U.S.A., of which the UNA Brooklyn Chapter is one of about 180 nationwide, encourages us this year to look inward (at the U.S.) as we celebrate UN Day and the UDHR. Just over three years after the UN’s creation, the General Assembly passed Resolution 217A, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. America is at a juncture in history when respect for human rights are backpedaling, especially as they apply to immigrants and refugees. As Americans, a country that is based on immigration, we must strive harder than ever to protect the human rights of Americans and everyone who lives here!
It’s not only human rights, but democracy itself that is under assault internationally and here at home. The UDHR is often considered part of an “international bill of human rights” – not dissimilar to the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. It incorporates protections for fundamental human rights, which include democratic processes. Here are excerpts from Article’s 2, 3 and 23:
In Article 2: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
Article 3: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”
Article 21.
“(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.”
Today, internationally, and right here at home, with reactionary, antidemocratic ideas polluting our politics and society, and ethnic nationalism on the rise, as we honor the UN Charter and UDHR, we are also honoring the best of our own ideals in America, those enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
By attending UN Day this year, and supporting the UNA-USA, you are resisting ethnic nationalism and reactionary, anti-democratic politics – and standing up for democracy and human rights. We’ll see you there!
Gabriel Levitt
President Emeritus and UN Day Co-chair
