United Nations Association Greater Seattle Chapter

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990 with the strong support of President George H.W. Bush and large bipartisan majorities in Congress, was one of the major pieces of civil rights legislation of the 20^th Century, and established the United States as the world leader in its legal treatment of persons with disabilities.  The ADA has helped millions of Americans with disabilities live more independent, productive, and fulfilling lives by removing physical and other barriers to their full integration in American life.

Inspired by the ADA, disability rights activists throughout the world, working under the auspices of the United Nations, developed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  The CRPD is a framework for establishing national laws and policies throughout the globe which are similar to the ADA and which support the independence and rights of persons with disabilities.  TheCRPD would not change any laws within the United States, but would benefit the U.S. by allowing it to maintain its leadership role in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, of which there are more than one billion worldwide,  and by making it easier for Americans with disabilities to travel abroad.

President George W. Bush’s administration negotiated the CRPD in conjunction with the UN in 2006, and President Obama signed theCRPD in 2009.  On December 4, 2012, the CRPD was presented to the full Senate for ratification, but fell five votes short of the two-thirds majority required for treaty ratification, despite obtaining the support of Presidents Bush and former Republican Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.

The principal reasons for the Senate’s failure to ratify CRPD failed were reflexive anti-UN sentiment among many Republicans in Congress, combined with an organized campaign of home-schooling parents who were told by the head of the Home Schooling Legal Defense Fund that the CRPD would give the UN “control” over American children with disabilities.

Those advancing the ratification of the CRPD made a critical mistake by relying on behind-the-scenes agreements between Senators to vote for the treaty, combined with lobbying from former political heavyweights such as Bob Dole.   While they were using these traditional means of security a majority, the home schoolers, backed by Tea Party and Christian fundamentalist group, were orchestrating a successful mass mobilization of misinformed people to barrage key senators with phone calls and letters in opposition to the treaty.   This mobilization was successful in convincing many Republican senators to vote against the CRPD.

The Senate’s failure to ratify the CRPD reflects a long history of reflexive paranoia in American politics concerning international treaties and the United Nations.   In the 1920s, this paranoia was reflected in the Senate’s failure to ratify the League of Nations Treaty, continued with the John Birch Society’s “U.S. out of the U.N.” campaign of the 1950s-1980s, and now in today’s “black helicopters” and “Agenda 21” rhetoric.

Eleanor Roosevelt, understanding that this strain or paranoid isolationism and fear of international cooperation eroded the United States’ capacity for international leadership and the prospects for world peace and development, dedicated much of the last fifteen years of her life to working through the United Nations Association to educate the public concerning the work of the United Nations and the importance of U.S. international leadership in human rights.  She understood that only an educated and mobilized populace could assure the U.S.’s continued involvement with the United Nations.

The CRPD will be brought to another ratification vote in the Senate later this year.  The struggle to ratify the CRPD is a test of resolve not only for those who believe in the rights of persons with disabilities to achieve full participation in society, but for those who believe in the importance of international law and cooperation.  A permanent defeat of the CRPD would be a virtual death knell for U.S. ratification of any international treaty, including the recently approved CEDAW, the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the ATT, the Arms Trade Treaty.

If Eleanor Roosevelt were alive today, there is little doubt that she would be at forefront of advocates for the CRPD.  It now falls on our generation to defend both the rights of persons with disabilities and the principle of international cooperation as we advocate for ratification of the CRPD.  We must do so the way that Eleanor Roosevelt would have–by educating and mobilizing the populace in favor of rational and humane policies in conjunction with the global community.

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Thurday, May 16, 2013 at 5 p.m. , at the UW Law School, the United Nations Association of Seattle and Disability Rights Washington are jointly holding a forum to discuss the CRPD, to plan for a popular mobilization in favor of the CRPD to secure its passage later this year.  The event will feature Joelle Brouner, a strong local advocate for the treaty, and Andrea Parra, a leading treaty proponent from Colombia.

For State of the Union, Uniting the Country Requires Global Approach 

As President Barack Obama prepares to deliver his first State of the Union address in his second term, our nation stands divided. A poll conducted by CNN shows that there are likely very few issues that will gain approval from the overwhelming majority of American voters. But there is one issue that does stand apart. That is, another new poll from the Better World Campaign shows that an incredible 86 percent of voters say it is important for the U.S. to maintain an active role in the United Nations.

If the President’s goal is to unite the country on Tuesday, this issue is a winner. Significant bipartisan support exists for continued, strong multilateral engagement, particularly with the United Nations.

During his Inaugural speech, President Obama referenced the need for multilateral engagement:

“America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe. And we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad. For no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa, from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice.”

As the world watches, the President should send a clear message that America will continue to work hand in hand with our partners and allies. Our nation will not go it alone, but rather continue our work with international organizations liked the United Nations.

The recent bipartisan polling by the Better World Campaign also found that more than two-thirds say the UN has been supportive of America’s goal and objectives. The numbers show that raising the issue of continued multilateral engagement would be received with bipartisan support ­– something we can’t say of many other challenges facing our nation today.

Great article regarding Brook Loughrin.  Brook made ties with UNA Seattle when she went on former board member, Abdi Sami’s tour to Iran, sponsored by UNA of Greater Seattle.  She was a student at Lakeside, and gave a program on the Iran tour at St. Mark’s Cathedral.

(Keith Bedford/Insider Images for United Nations Foundation)

Americans’ Global Priorities for Obama Second Term: Support for UN is in Our Best Interest

Bringing troops home, Middle East, global economy top voters’ international priority issues

Washington, D.C. (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Jan. 16, 2013) – As President Obama prepares to begin a second term with new cabinet members and a Congress with more than 90 new members, bipartisan polling data released today by the Better World Campaign provides a clear picture of American priorities on international affairs.
The poll reveals that approximately eight in 10 voters say it is important for the U.S. to maintain an active role in the United Nations, and further that it is in America’s best interest to continue to actively support the UN. More than two thirds favor paying our dues to the UN on time and in full, and say that the UN has been supportive of America’s goals and objectives around the world.

“We are a responsible nation — a nation that understands that international cooperation is vital to our national security and foreign policy priorities.  As we work to emerge from a recession and the faces of our foreign policy leadership change, Americans understand, we need to stand with our partners to make real change on the international stage,” said Peter Yeo, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign.

Poll respondents were also asked what specific international issues they want the Administration to address and help resolve. Strong consensus emerged on bringing troops home and ending the war; creating peace in the Middle East and Israel; and addressing the global economy.

“Even—or perhaps especially—amid concerns about a teetering global economy, Americans cite strong support for involvement in the UN,” added Yeo. “Indeed, Americans’ priority issues are the ones that the United Nations addresses directly on a daily basis.  From promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction through the Millennium Development Goals, to aiding troop withdrawals in Afghanistan by disarming rebel groups, strengthening judicial systems and training police forces, the UN is directly supporting American objectives.”

Additionally, when given brief descriptions of UN specialized agencies, 82 percent said it’s important for the U.S. to be a member of UNESCO; 87 percent said it’s important to be a member of the World Food Program; and 92 percent said it’s important to be a member of the World Health Organization.

The nationwide poll of likely voters, conducted January 6-9 by the bipartisan research team of Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associates, surveyed 900 registered voters (630 landline/ 270 cell) with a margin of error of ± 3.27 percent.

For a memo detailing the full results of the polling, click here.

CURRENT ISSUES FOR THE UNITED NATIONS:
MOVING TOWARD A JUST WORLD

On the 23rd of October, the United Nations Association, Greater   Seattle Chapter will celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the founding of The United Nations.

Stephane Dujarric is The Director of News and Media for The United Nations Secretariat and will be the featured speaker.   His discussion will address “CURRENT ISSUES FOR THE UNITED NATIONS: MOVING TOWARD A JUST WORLD.”

Mr. Dujarric, is responsible for the United Nations’ television and radio networks as well as its public website.

He has been associated with the UN for 12 years, first being appointed to be the UN Spokesman for Secretary Kofi Annan, and later as Deputy Communications Director for Secretary Ban Ki-moon.

Prior to joining the UN, Dujarric worked for more than nine years for ABC News television as a news editor  and coordinating producer in the network’s New York, London and Paris news bureau.

From its initial founding with 50 nations The United Nations has grown to 192 today.  It has taken on every type of world problem.  Statistics are the good news of success and advances everywhere.  Join the Association for this stellar occasion.

The Date:  Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Time:  7 PM
Place: University Temple United Methodist Church
Corner 43rd Street & 15th Avenue NE
Seattle, Washington 98145

There is no admission fee.

Source: Carleton Pritchard, Director
United Nations Association, Greater Seattle Chapter
Tel: 704-737-0453     Email: cpritch704@gmail.com