2010 September | UNA Greater Seattle Chapter

United Nations Association Greater Seattle Chapter

Honoring Human Rights Leaders in Seattle

September 28th, 2010 by UNA Seattle

Human Rights Day 2010 provides an opportunity to honor a Seattle area organization or individual who has advanced human rights locally, nationally, or internationally.

Take a few minutes to think about our local human rights leaders. Is there someone you would like to see honored? Please submit the nomination forms linked below via mail, fax, or email by October 4, 2010. Your participation is vital to the success of this award process.

The Seattle Human Rights Award will be presented at the 15th annual Seattle Human Rights Day celebration on Thursday, December 9, 2010 in City Hall. this ceremony is a powerful way to acknowledge the work of outstanding people who inspire us all.

Past award recipients have included Magdaleno Rose-Avila, Joe Martin, Legal Voice, Northwest Immigrants Rights Project, Casa Latina, Pride Foundation, Somali Community Services of Seattle, YWCA Girls First, Trans Jail Policy Group, the Wing Luke Asian Museum and many others.

HR Leaders in Seattle

HR Leaders in your School

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Citizens stand up, make noise to support MDGs

September 20th, 2010 by UNA Seattle

On September 17-19, people across the globe turned up the volume on their call for heads of state gathering at the United Nations on September 20-22 to demonstrate leadership in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Citizens gathered at events across continents to amplify their support for the eight MDGs, a set of targets to eradicate extreme poverty and its root causes by 2015 that marks its tenth anniversary this week. They sang, chanted, blew whistles, played drums, blew vuvuzelas, banged pots and pans and set off alarm clocks. The sounds of these noises emanating from villages, towns and cities around the world as part of the three-day mobilization “Stand Up, Take Action, Make Noise for the MDGs” will make citizens’ commitments to track and support their countries’ achievement of the Goals visible, vocal and impossible to ignore. Below are links to just some of the activities happening around the globe in support of this amazing cause.

“Youth Make Noise Against Poverty” – CathNewsIndia.com

“Across the Globe, Millions Stand Up, Demanding Action to End Poverty” – AllAfrica.com

“How to ‘Make Noise’ for a healthier world” – The Independent

Learn more about the Stand Up events at www.standagainstpoverty.org

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Educating World-Class Citizens

September 4th, 2010 by UNA Seattle

Primary Education GoalsThe United Nations has long held the belief that education is of the utmost importance for long-term well-being. In fact, the 2nd most important goal proposed in the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, listed in priority after ending poverty and hunger, is to achieve universal primary education – specifically to “Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.”

In the greater Seattle area, the goals – and concerns – are very similar. Right now, Seattle schools face many of the same challenges seen throughout the globe: low graduation rates, shrinking teacher wages and expanding classroom sizes, to name a few. But there are those among us who have a plan. Select local community members and educators are utilizing new media tools to successfully foster ideas and seed innovation among primary educators throughout the city. The links below explore the innovative projects helping to engage and serve the educational community of Seattle.

1. Why citizens should care about Seattle school contract negotiations

Seattle Times guest columnists Phil Bussey and Jeremy Jaech of the Our Schools Coalition argue that everyone should be concerned about the ongoing negotiations between the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools. Their nine-part proposal (described in detail at www.ourschoolscoalition.org) is rooted in driving positive student outcomes, and will result in new ways for teachers to be recognized, rewarded and compensated.

2. Do we owe kids more than netbooks?

Seattle-born freelance writer and content design consultant Christopher Dawson suggests that the notable Netbook might not be the next best wave of the future for local schools.

3. Denny International Middle School among those showing improvement

In a press release from the Seattle Public Schools today Denny International was included in those that showed improvement in math and writing and reading scores. Innovative professional development programs, such as the Studio math program, attributed with much success.

4. Looking for way that you can help Seattle schools succeed? Check out these volunteer opportunities with Seattle Public Schools!

• Be a tutor or a mentor

• Help students with homework

• Listen to children read

• Play educational games with students

• Assist with math or science

• Share information about local history

• Help students learn another language

• Support projects, activities, or field trips

• Assist with after-school programs

• Provide office support

• Become involved with school leadership

http://www.seattleschools.org/area/vol/vol_opps.xml

Please become a member of UNA of Greater Seattle, and join a movement of Americans who support responsible global leadership and a strong UN! www.unaseattle.org

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Upcoming UNA Sponsored Event

September 1st, 2010 by UNA Seattle

On April 28th, 2011, the United Nations Association (UNA), Greater Seattle Chapter will present “When the Wells Run Dry: the Water-Soil Connection,” a discussion of global water and soil conditions today as well as associated challenges in the poorest countries of the world.

University of Washington Professor David  Montgomery (geomorphology) and Stephen Gilbert, PhD, DABT (neurotoxicology) will address the critical present status of water scarcity and soil depletion, particularly as it relates to the United Nations Development Goal to ensure environmental sustainability.  Professor Montgomery, UW Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, is author of book, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, published in 2007.  Dr. Gilbert, a MacArthur Fellow, is director of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders at the University of Washington in Seattle and works in lands such as Gaza where thousands are dying from a lack of water, food, and sanitation.  These topics relate to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals that our UNA chapter is helping to implement through education, funding, and outreach.

The event will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the UniversityTemple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd Street, Seattle, WA.  For information, contact the UNA office at 206-568-1959.

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