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Welcome to the February edition of UNAA News!

The UN & Australian Sustainable Partnerships Forum

Register Today!

On the 20th and 21st of April 2021, we will bring together governments of all levels, businesses, universities, start-ups, students and community organisations to hear from, and interact with, leading speakers from within the UN and from companies, universities and organisations which partner with the UN.

Over two days, Forum delegates will have access to compelling and inspiring expert information. While virtual, people will be able to connect, network and lay the groundwork for the range of partnerships needed to achieve the SDGs. This gathering will encompass all 17 Goals but be guided by SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals to ensure it is outcome oriented.

After a worldwide consultation, the UN has identified four key areas which require urgent and sustainable solutions. If you haven’t already done so, we urge you to watch Nations United: a beautiful and inspiring visual representation of these challenges.

We are extremely excited about the speakers attending this event. Our Forum will use these as overarching themes for our range of Keynote and Panel Sessions and Interactive Workshops. They are:

Climate and Planet
Poverty and Inequality
Justice and Human Rights
Gender Equality

Please read more about the program, panellists, partners and buy tickets here!

Goal of the Month: February

Each month the United Nations focus on one major SDG - this month; Reducing Inequalities. Both Australia and the world is facing some of the most pressing sustainable development issues – vaccine inequity, climate injustice, social and economic inequalities. This year, it is crucial to come together to shape positive change. Read more from the UN here.

International Women's Day 8th March

In 2021, UN Women Australia is hosting five live events today, Friday 5th March, in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. (New this year, live streamed to a virtual platform).

Women bear the brunt of problems ranging from poverty to climate change, but they also possess assets and talents to solve them.

UN Women Australia will be celebrating IWD with the global theme, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” At the IWD events you will hear incredible stories from women who inspire, lead and are committed to making a difference every day.

More information here.

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UNAA South Australia is hosting an International Women's Day Breakfast in Adelaide on March 5th. Be sure to check out the event and find out more information here.

UNAA Northern Territory is hosting IWD Walk on March 6th in conjunction with NT Govt, Darwin City Council. Her Honour, the Administrator will lead the walk. Anticipated no's 500-1000 people.

UNAA Northern Territory is also hosting an IWD Lunch on March 8th, with great Women speakers (including NT Minister for Women, Lauren Moss- first female lawyer admitted to the NT Bar, barrister and human rights advisor and local celebrity radio host who has just been awarded with an OAM).

Please find more information on NT's events here.

UNAA ACT is hosting an International Women’s Day presentation 18th of March. More information to come!

2021 Work Plan

The UN & Sustainable Partnerships Forum in April (read more below) is the centrepiece for this year. National and working closely with Victoria, our Forum Secretariat and other divisions to ensure the Forum is a success, our members are actively in attendance, and we are positioned to support the partnerships for the UNSDG that emerge from the event. We welcome Samantha O'Shaughnessy as our Head of Administration, and look forward to welcoming other volunteers to support our activities, including activation of our Academic, Alumni and Parliamentary Friends networks during the course of the year.

Calling for Public Policy Nominations

Are you passionate about good public policy? Do you have capacity to contribute to building the UNAA public policy platform? UNAA National is seeking nominations from members who have experience and expertise in senior level operations of the United Nations, and / or research and public policy formulation, with a commitment to the UN values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity, and strong collaboration skills to join the Public Policy Committee.

This will be a working committee focused on priorities determined by the UNAA National Board and informed by Divisions. Andrew Hewett of UNAA Victoria is the inaugural Chair. Please complete your expression of interest by emailing the chair of your division or to admin@unaa.org.au with Public Policy Committee in the title.

Basic Skills for Food Industry Training

This year, The Adelaide Institute of Hospitality, in partnership with the UNAA South Australia Division and Australian Migrant Resource Centre have been running an initiative that supports refugees and migrants in gaining basic skills in the food industry. Together, they have been learning food safety, cooking and hospitality training in Adelaide - where they "feel right at home". We look forward to seeing what else this brings this year!

For more information on how to get involved and to watch the inspiring video on the refugees' experiences with the program click here.

Commencement of UN Diploma: Session Four

The UNAA NSW UN Diploma's fourth session began on Friday 5th of February 2021. The enrolled students will be trained in the history, structure and operations of the United Nations, with the course being offered online. Inclusive in this are several competency based subjects that give students recognisable skills that can be used in either UN work or their own career. For more information, and for enrolment opportunities, please Joshua Karras (Course Coordinator)- joshua.karras@unaa.org.au

Zero Discrimination Day Online Event - 1st of March 2021

UNAA NSW and Affinity Intercultural Event held an online webinar aiming to address important questions relating to this field. These included: How do we define ‘discrimination’ and when is discrimination wrong? What are the obstacles to the ambitious goal of ‘ending all forms of discrimination’, and possible strategies to overcome them?
Panelists included Professor Simon Rice OAM (Professor of Law, Kim Santow Chair of Law Reform and Social Justice, USYD) and Craig Foster AM (Former Socceroo and Human Rights Activist) with facilitator Noel James Debien (Reporter at Religion and Ethics Unit, ABC).

UNAA NSW President and UNAA National Vice President Dr Patirica Jenkings formally opened the event, and spoke of the importance of commemorating such a noteworthy societal concern.

UNAA Western Australia receives Certificate of Recognition

An invitation to attend a morning tea reception on the 21 January 2021 with the Hon. Paul Papalia, Minister for Multicultural Interests, turned into a pleasant surprise for the UNAA WA. The event was attended by over 60 leaders of the multicultural and small business communities, from the President of Chung Wah Association, WA Small Business Commissioner, to the CEO of WA Indigenous Tourism Council. The Minister extended his appreciation to the community leaders for their dedication and hard work in ensuring safety and helping the state to a steady recovery. After the address, a certificate of acknowledgement for the Lotterywest grants won in 2020 was presented by the Minister to UNAA WA.

Dr Sandy Chong expressed her sincere appreciation; "This recognition is dedicated to our volunteers and partners who have been most selfless and committed to our cause in building an inclusive and resilient society. We aim to continue the work we do in 2021 so that no one is left behind".

Verified Campaign

Verified is a United Nations initiative to encourage us all to check the advice we share. The world can only contain the virus and its impacts if every person has access to accurate, reliable information. That’s down to all of us.

To receive content you can trust: life-saving information, fact-based advice, and stories from the best of humanity, sign up here.

Board Profiles

Susan McHattie joined the National Board as National Secretary in October 2020.
'It is a critical time to be joining the UNAA on many fronts - the 75th anniversary of the UN, the importance of multilateral approaches to the challenges of the pandemic and climate change, and holding the association through a transition to a volunteer national office whilst we regroup. I am enjoying meeting the leaders of the organisation and our partners, and am bringing everything that I have learned in government, community and governance to working with this board of skilled and dedicated individuals who are passionate about the UN and the role Australia has, does and can play. You will see this on display at the UN & Australia Sustainable Partnerships Forum in April, and I encourage you to get a ticket today!'

For more information on the UNAA's board members, follow this link.

The UNAA is a Not-for-profit charity and relies on donations to support our events and continued efforts. All donations are tax deductible and much appreciated.
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