UN Matters Newsletter May 2011

Welcome to the new UN Association monthly e-newsletter! The new format incorporates news from our membership, Young Professionals Network, and UN Youth and Student Association, and should keep you up-to-date with activity throughout the organisation. As always, updates on UNA-UK initiatives are also featured. This month, we are asking our supporters to take action on Syria and on the new UN Women agency.

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UNA-UK deplores the violent repression of civilians in Syria, where 800 people are reported to have been killed and thousands imprisoned. Violence by a state against its own citizens is unacceptable. So too is the lack of action hitherto by the Arab League and the UN Security Council. UNA-UK is urging the Syrian government to cease immediately all acts of violence; lift the restrictions on international aid workers and media; and hold a genuine national dialogue with all parties concerned. UNA-UK is also urging the Arab League and the Security Council to take swift and decisive action.

Take action

The fourth UN conference on least-developed countries (LDCs) concluded on 13 May with an ambitious target: to halve the number of LDCs within the next decade. LDCs are the world’s poorest states. They have a combined population of 885 million of whom 75% live on less than $2 a day. But LDCs also have enormous growth potential. Earlier this month, UNA-UK called on the UK government to work with businesses on implementing the conference’s follow-up recommendations.

More info

To mark the establishment of the new UN Women agency, the Summer 2011 issue of New World focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The magazine features exceptional contributors, including Dame Margaret Anstee – the first female to reach the rank of UN Under-Secretary-General; Margot Wallström, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict; Harriet Harman QC MP and Nicola Blackwood MP, as well as exclusive web-only articles and news and views from our members.

Visit the New World mini-site to read the Summer issue and complete our magazine survey

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Gender discrimination and violence against women persist in every society. Women continue to be disadvantaged politically, socially and economically – earning just 10% of world’s income and owning just 1% of its property.

UN Women, a new UN agency launched earlier this year, aims to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. It has a crucial contribution to make in bringing together the work of several UN agencies. To fulfil its mandate, however, the agency needs more resources and clear political support.

Help tackle the discrimination and violence faced by women and girls around the world – call on the UK government to make support for UN Women an immediate priority.

Click here to read our young professionals’ guide to careers at the UN

Click here for full event listings including UNA branch events across the UK