Nominations Closed for Gibbard Award

Thank you to all of those who nominated a youth or youth group in the metro #Vancouver area working to make positive changes in the world globally or locally with a global focus. Nominations are now closed.

Each year on the occasion of United Nations Day, the United Nations Association of Canada, Vancouver Branch recognizes the work of a young student or group of students for their dedication and commitment to working towards a better world.

The John Gibbard Memorial Award is presented in memory of John Gibbard, who was a supporter of the League of Nations from its creation in 1919, in the wake of the First World War.

The Award is given to youth up to 25 years of age in recognition of their dedication and commitment to working for humanity and a better world locally or internationally.

Previous winners include Andrew Sheroubi, Red Cross Student Movement,  Gurkiran Mann, founder of Youth Transforming Society (2016), Anjali Katta, CEO of Girlsco. (2015) and Ta’kaiya Blaney, indigenous and environmental activist/singer & songwriter (2014).

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See our website for details and the nomination form: https://unavancouver.wordpress.com/john-gibbard-memorial-a…/

Thank you for your support

The Vancouver Branch of the UN Association in Canada held their Annual General Meeting to review their achievements of 2018. The branch welcomed long-time and new members and supportive guests as well as inducting Jeff Brooks to a co-President position alongside continuing co-President Deirdre Moore, and Rhiannon Dominy-Pergentile as Secretary. Dedicated board members Jessica Steele and Jessie Sunner (co-Vice Presidents), Rosio Godomar (Treasurer), George Somerwill (Past President), Greg Neumann (Past President) and Directors Karen Truscott, Melanie Walker, Greg Doudican, Jocelyn Pittel (Giving), and Shirin Yadegiri with Honorary Director Dr. Patsy George will continue to inspire and advocate for United Nations ideals and related events as board members in 2019-20.

The meeting took place inside the inspirational LuluLemon offices in Kitsilano. Thank you to Safeway and Starbucks; both companies donated refreshments for our meeting.

The Vancouver Branch is run entirely on volunteer efforts and is funded through your donations, memberships and partnerships. All members of the public who wish to see more public engagement on global issues are encouraged to become members. Visit unac.org, click the “Get Involved” tab, “How to Donate or Join”, then scroll down to “Become a Member”. Under “Messages” indicate you wish to join the Vancouver Branch. Additionally, you may “Donate” to by specifically indicating “Vancouver Branch”. We thank you for your support as always. Please contact unacvancouver@gmail.com for more information.

Annual General Meeting: April 1st

The Vancouver Branch of the UN Association in Canada (UNAC-V) welcomes all local members to attend the Annual General Meeting taking place Monday, April 1st from 7pm until 8pm with refreshments at 6:45pm. The meeting will convene in the office space of Lululemon’s Vancouver headquarters located at 1818 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver. Please RSVP to unacvancouver@gmail.com. 

The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the framework for the continued work we do in the areas of gender equality, peacekeeping, development, poverty reduction, and reducing inequalities to name a few. We would like to share with you these successes as well as the challenges we face moving forward.

We believe that the work of UNAC-V is very important: ensuring Canadians understand and support the goals and ideals of the United Nations.

The UN Association in Canada, Vancouver Branch, is a volunteer-run organization. All membership fees and donations go towards the hosting of public events and advocacy work. We welcome you to join our organization as a member; to become a member visit the website of our national organization and be sure to indicate under messages that you are joining the Vancouver Branch.  

Splane Lecture on Social Policy, 2019

Please join us for our annual Splane Lecture in Social Policy entitled, “What’s Canada’s Climate Plan? Fairness, Safety, Justice and Resiliency in a World on Fire”. This year’s lecture features noted environmental activist and author, Tzeporah Berman and takes place:

Wednesday, March 13, 2019
5:30 PM- 7:00 PM, followed by a reception with refreshments
*Venue:  Asian Centre Auditorium, 1871 West Mall, Vancouver
The building is just steps away from the Liu Institute, located between C.K. Choi and Nitobe Gardens. The auditorium is located on the main floor. The main entrance to the Asian Centre is located on the east side of the building. Please click here for a map.

Please register: https://splane2019.eventbrite.ca

The lecture will explore the social policy implications of climate change and fossil fuel conflicts in Canada. In particular, the lecture will discuss the implications of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports for Canadian policy and explore what it will take to create a plan in Canada that aligns our policies and planning with global equity considerations, indigenous rights and the social policy implications of both mitigation and adaptation. Weaving stories from the frontlines of the pipeline campaigns, and her experiences meetings with the CEO’s of major oil companies and advising both the Alberta and BC governments on climate policy, Tzeporah will reflect on the pathway forward to a just and equitable approach to building resiliency and safety in Canada in the climate era.

Tzeporah Berman is a Canadian environmental activist, writer, and Adjunct Professor of York University, Faculty of Environmental Studies.

This event will be live streamed on SPPGA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ubcSPPGA/

Hosted by: The UBC School of Social Work, the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and the United Nations Association in Canada, Vancouver Branch

About the Splane Lecture: Each year, various partners co-organize a presentation in the field of Canadian public policy to honour the work of Dr. Richard Splane, Professor Emeritus at UBC’s School of Social Work. The lecture is held in the spirit of Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

Dr. Patsy George

UNAC Vancouver is pleased to announce that UNAC-V Past President and current Honorary Director of the branch, Ms. Patsy George, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LL.D) by the University of British Columbia.

Patsy George is an internationally recognized former social worker and ongoing activist who has devoted her long career to fighting for social justice both within Canada and internationally. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.

Please read and be inspired by Patsy’s acceptance speech, below.