COVID 19 has created unprecedented challenges across the globe, with over ten million cases and over 500,000 deaths. The pandemic is still escalating in numbers with some countries experiencing a second phase when countries were declared virus free. The race is on for a vaccine for the virus with millions of dollars being invested in research and at the same time as more millions are being spent on responding to the humanitarian crisis. It is clear that the health crisis has become a humanitarian crisis.   The presentation will explore the lessons learnt in what more could have been done by the UN, has WHO failed in executing its mandate, have other UN agencies stepped up and will there be some changes in the UN system.     The Speaker Brian is currently the President ACT Division UNAA. Brian has had over fifty years of experience in the Australian Public Service and International Organisations, working in the UN Secretariat, WHO, UNDP and UNRWA and with many other UN agencies for over fifteen years, including as head of the UN in Libya, setting up UN Women, working directly with five Heads of UN agencies and a previous Secretary General as Senior Adviser in transition teams and change management.   Brian last assignment in the UN was as the Director of Human Resources UNRWA in Amman Jordan and was responsible for the oversight, leadership and management of all human resources policies and practices in Headquarters and the five Field Offices – Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. UNRWA has over 30,000 national (Area) staff and around 200 international staff.  

The April monthly meeting for the United Nations Association of Australia ACT Division. All members are welcome to attend.

Human Rights are an article of faith of the UN Charter.  One of the reasons the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda are a transformative development framework is that they are based on human rights - over 90 percent of the goals and targets of the SDGs correspond to human rights obligations. Yet the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), mandated to promote human rights and address violations, has been strongly criticized as conflicted and impotent. The United States has quit the HRC in protest at its perceived ineffectiveness. Australia has now served two thirds of its three year term as a full member of the 47 member Council, the first time it has done so, promising a ‘principled and pragmatic approach’.   How are the HRC, and Australia's membership of it tracking? Is the current UN machinery fit for the purpose of protecting and promoting human rights globally?  Our expert panel will offer views on these topical issues: and you are cordially invited to join this event and contribute to the Q&A segment!   Panel: Dr Cecilia Jacob Fellow in the Department of International Relations at the Coral Bell School at the Australian National University John Quinn Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Moderator Colin Milner ANU School of History, former diplomat and delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council      

The UN Alumni network is the first of its kind in Australia. In partnership with DFAT the UNAA will connect members to events, job opportunities, and other Australians in the UN system.   Friends of UN Parliamentary Group: a group of Federal Australian Parliamentarians with an interest in the work of the United Nations. It is driven to raise awareness of the important role the UN and UN Agencies play.   Venue: Sir Richard Baker Room, Parliament House - please meet in the Parliament House foyer to be escorted to the room Dress code: Business attire / national dress Cost: Free Keynote speaker: Penny Wensley and Adam McCarthy Canapes and drinks provided   For those without a Parliamentary pass, please meet at the front desk inside.

Tecber Ahmed Saleh lives in the Saharawi refugee camps in south-west Algeria and will visit Australia to talk about Western Sahara, Africa's last colony. Tecber works in the Ministry of Health in the Saharawi refugee camps where she was born. She will speak about the conditions of life in the camps and the larger political issues facing Western Sahara. In 1975 Morocco invaded Western Sahara. Saharawis fled the occupation and now 173,600 remain in the refugee camps. The Saharawi continue their non-violent struggle, waiting for the United Nations referendum of self-determination agreed in 1991.   As an advocate for the Saharawi cause, Tecber has written and contributed to articles to raise awareness about the plight of her people. Tecber studied Biology in the USA and holds a Master's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. She has attended medical research conferences and co- authored research in the professional journal Toxics.   The event is to be held at Theatre 1, Fellows Road, Building 61, ANU College of Law

After 30% cuts Australian aid has fallen to its lowest level ever while right wing populism urges further cuts. The government is ‘stepping up’ aid in the Pacific to counter Chinese government influence, but draws down further upon a declining program in Asia. > What role does aid play with our relationships and influence for Australia’s future? > What do the major parties intend to do with our development assistance program? > Where are the public on Australian aid?   SPEAKER: Marc Purcell is CEO of the Australian Council for International Development, the peak body and regulator for Australia’s international development and humanitarian NGOs.  

Water is fundamental to all life on Earth and its sustainable management is critical to the well-being of human societies. Join our expert and distinguished panelists to explore this subject including: Australia’s own water management issues; the global priorities for addressing water security threats; and the strategies to address the crises, including through the United Nations system. Join us for an insightful evening on this important issue. CONVENOR: The Hon Penny Wensley AC - former Ambassador for the Environment and Ambassador to the United Nations; Governor of Queensland, 2008 to 2014: currently Chair of the Australian Institute of Marine Science SPEAKERS: > Dr Jane Doolan, Commissioner, Productivity Commission, currently working on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment > Professor Quentin Grafton, Professor of Economics, ANU Crawford School, Chairholder, UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance > Prof Nick Schofield, Chief Executive, Australian Water Partnership

In this Distinguished Public Lecture, co-sponsored by the United Nations Association of Australia and the ANU Centre for International and Public Law, Frances Adamson, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will discuss the need to extend the rules-based international order to Space. The Australian Government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper predicts that Australia’s economic and security interests in Space will increase considerably in coming decades. This will create exciting opportunities, but it will also present risks. As the White Paper warns, ‘potential adversaries’ might exploit Space to ‘threaten our defence networks’ and ‘obtain sensitive information about our security’. The Paper thus stresses the need for ‘robust rules and norms’ to maximise opportunities and minimise the risks of increased access to space.   Keynote speaker: Frances Adamson has been the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since 2016. She previously held various significant diplomatic appointments, including as International Adviser to the Australian Prime Minister (2015-2016), Ambassador to the People's Republic of China (2011-2015), Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (2005-2008) and Representative to the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei (2001-2005). Discussant: Following the lecture Professor Anna Moore, Director of the ANU Institute for Space, and Prof. Sally Wheeler, Dean of the ANU College of Law, will reflect on the regulatory challenges posed by increased access to Space

Women and girls, everywhere, must have equal rights and opportunity, and be able to live free of violence and discrimination. Women’s equality and empowerment is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. In short, all the SDGs depend on the achievement of Goal 5. This event will explore how far we’ve come to attaining the SDG5 targets. Is this far enough? SPECIAL GUEST: Her Excellency Mrs Menna Rawlings, CMG, British High Commissioner   Location: Reception Room at the ACT Legislative Assembly, London Circuit, Canberra

UNAA ACT in partnership with UN Parliamentary Group Combatting International Corruption   Corruption is increasingly being recognised as an issue that undermines states at all levels: as an aid issue, corruption damages aid efforts to deliver infrastructure, and health and education services; as a nation building issue, corruption prevents effective governance, undermines economic competitiveness and is a powerful enabler for organised crime and as a national security issue, corruption undermines peace and security, damages social cohesion and fuels terrorism.    The international community response is centred on the International Convention Against Corruption, with the OECD also leading work on anti-bribery. The seminar presents three speakers who will discuss different aspects of the international response to corruption and its effectiveness. Hear from Australian and UK Government perspectives from the Hon. Michael Keenan, Minister of Justice and Mr Alok Sharma MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Minister for Asia and the Pacific) as well as the perspective of the peak international integrity NGO, Transparency International.   Tuesday 8 November 2015 6.00-7.30 Committee Room 2R1 Parliament House Canberra

The UNAA ACT wishes to advise you of the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UNAA ACT.    The AGM is to be held on Wednesday September 21, at the Fellows Bar, University House, ANU at 6pm. Dinner and drinks will be available from the bar for purchase.   The AGM will include an addressed from our keynote speaker, Dr Jeremy Farrell, Fellow in the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the ANU. Dr Farrell will speak on the "UN Security Council - Can it be Reformed?"   Our AGM will present members with the opportunity to: Find out about UNAA ACT operations and finances; Speak about any items on the agenda; Vote on any resolutions proposed; Elect our Executive Board  (President, 3x Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Member x5).   Please RSVP. Registration for this event can be completed via TidyHQ at https://unaa-act.tidyhq.com/events or by email at act@unaa.org.au   We hope to see you there.

The World's Cultural Heritage: What is at Stake in the Middle-East? International terrorism, civil wars and ongoing conflict have generated global humanitarian crises on an unprecedented scale, with the impact of disputes and unrest continuing to threaten many facets of human civilisation and culture. The effects on cultural heritage is often forgotten however, and remain a silent victim of wartime.  Join the UNAA ACT to mark World Heritage Day and the International Day for Monuments and Sites on April 18 at University House Common Room. Our panel discussion will include educator and archeologist Ben Churcher, Secretary General for the Australian National Commission for UNESCO Adam Illman and His Excellency Hussain Al-Ameri, Ambassador of Iraq to Australia and New Zealand. Our guest speakers will impart with you their vast international and first-hand experiences and is an opportunity not to miss.  The event is capped, so be sure to secure your tickets immediately. The World's Cultural Heritage: What is at Stake in the Middle-East? is a sit-down event. Tables of 7 with wine and cheese is included. We look forward to seeing you on April 18!