UNAA NSW
International Women’s Day
It was a pleasure to be involved with the 'Walking Together: Australian Indigenous Women's perspectives and insights in their journey of leadership' international event on 17 March 2021. Dr Patricia Jenkings, UNAA NSW President, shared introductory remarks, celebrating these indigenous women's achievements and leadership. The event had an audience in the Asia Pacific and United States, fostering connections between the regions. In case you missed it, you can watch the event recording here.
World Health Day
To celebrate World Health Day, 7th April 2021, UNAA NSW hosted an online ‘My Health Through the Years’ event, with a focus on prevalent concerns within each of the developmental stages of life: infants, adolescents, adults, and seniors. We hosted a panel discussion from experts in the field on the following topics:
- “Improving vaccination uptake in infants” – Professor Julie Leask
- “Mental Health Concerns in Children and Adolescents” – Professor Valsamma Eapen “Obesity in Adults” – Mr Joe Carello
- “Building Resilient Health Systems” – Dr Sonu Bhaskar
Watch the recording here.
- Next course runs from July 9 – November 12
- Find out more and register here
- Watch the Promo video here
International Day of Living Together in Peace
UNAA NSW has partnered with the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga to deliver an event on 16 May that celebrates the International Day of Living Together in Peace.
- What: a panel discussion asking how communities can live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
- When: 2-3:30pm
- Where: Senior Citizens Centre in Wagga Wagga.
The event is free to attend for all. A recording of the panel discussion will be distributed on UNAA NSW's social media.
|
|
UNAA NT
United Nations International Day for Sport Development and Peace, March 10
The Darwin Community came out in force to participate in the inaugural UNAA NT celebration for United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace at Arafura Stadium (Athletics track and field stadium). The day was about recognising the power of sports in promoting peace, healthy lifestyles, tolerance, respect and erasing cultural barriers. Sport brings people and communities together and today was a shining example of that.
What a fantastic afternoon our Key Note speaker was Mr Charlie King OAM, the ABC Sports Broadcaster and founder of the NO MORE campaign to stop violence in sport. The afternoon showcased somewhat periphery sports including: Sepak Takraw, Air Badminton (a new aerodynamically designed shuttlecock for outside play), Tai Chi, Zumba, Bocce, High Jump, Shot Put, Long Jump, 60 Metre races. It was a wonderful to see the Darwin community come out to support this inaugural multi-sport event and the Karen community dressed in traditional clothing supporting family and friends that were exhibiting Sepak Takraw. Our new Indonesian Diplomats, Consuls Mr Siuaji Raja and Mr Yulius Mada Kaka also attended and participated in a number of the events.
Community and ABC Radio have congratulated us on a very successful event and we were asked if we would run the event and others like this next year.

|
|
UN Young Professionals
On World Creativity and Innovation Day, the Queensland United Nations Young Professionals (YP) hosted a panel discussion and networking event focused on the innovation we need to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal Agenda. We brought together Leanne Kemp, Founder and CEO of Everledger, Craig O’Kane MBE, the Director of the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, and Camille Socquet-Clerc, the founder of Bloom Impact Investing to discuss the dangers of greenwashing, innovation for ethical supply trains and finance, and how individuals and organisations can make real impact in sustainability.
The YPs are running a national event series celebrating the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Following our launch event on 12th of May, Queensland, NSW, Victoria, WA and the ACT YP committees will present showcases on sustainability across a variety of areas ranging from Great Barrier Reef action to renewable energy to sustainable fashion. It’s the first nation-wide events program run by multiple committees and aims to build upon the online links created during the 2020 pivot to virtual events!
Get involved with our work and find your local YP committee here.
Photo 1: Leanne Kemp, Craig O’Kane MBE, Camille Socquet-Clerc at UNYP Queensland ‘Innovation for Sustainable Development’. Photo 2: Dr. Shannon Tumataroa, Camille Socquet-Clerc, Leanne Kemp, Craig O’Kane MBE, Joel Lindsay at UNYP Queensland ‘Innovation for Sustainable Development’
|
|
UNAA Status of Women Network
Gender Equality
The United Nations Association of Australia Status of Women Network is a member of the Equality Rights Alliance, an alliance of women’s voices for gender equality.
The Alliance wrote to the Prime Minister on 31 March congratulating him on the establishment of the Cabinet Taskforce on Gender Equality. Alliance members urged the Cabinet Taskforce to prioritise the implementation of intersectional Gender Responsive Budgeting to enable the taskforce and the proposed gender equality focus in the work of Cabinet to work from a robust analysis of the effects on women of policy and expenditure.
|
|
UNAA Board Update
April - May
The National Board took an active role in the UN & Australia Sustainable Partnerships Forum in April. The National President, National Secretary, Independent Director Justin Howden, UNAA QLD President Claire Moore and UNAA VIC representative Andrew Hewett formed a working party to consider our capacity to support partnerships emerging from the Forum, frame our key messages for the Forum and draft a Communique which was published on our website, promoted on our socials, and distributed to speakers, participants, members, through this newsletter and to Australian Members of Parliament and Senators.
Through the leadership of Samantha O'Shaughnessy, Head of Administration, we are inducting a team of volunteers to our national office and we look forward to introducing them to you in our next newsletter.
Call for nominations to our Public Policy Committee is extended to 23 May
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 and forward it through the Chair of your division or to Andrew.Hewett@UNAA.org.au with Public Policy Committee in the title. Please set out the reasons for your interest, along with:
- Areas of expertise
- Experience in senior level operations of the United Nations and/or experience in research and public policy formulation
- Collaboration skills
- Commitment to the UN values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
|
|
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.
To donate please click here.
|
|
|
|
|