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UN Day

The founding of the United Nations is celebrated every year on October 24!

 

The UN Charter went into effect on October 24, 1945. Two years later, the UN General Assembly adopted a US sponsored resolution declaring October 24 as UN Day, to be celebrated annually by all member states of the United Nations. UN Day has been observed in nations large and small around the world and by UNA-USA chapters across the United States.

In Iowa each year, Iowa’s Governor nominates a UN Day Chair. The UN Day Chair addresses the Iowa Youth Symposium at the State Capital building and speaks at events for the general public addressing the UN Day Theme.


UN Day Events Here in Iowa

Des Moines

Wednesday, October 20, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Des Moines Central Public Library
1000 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA
Brown bag lunch

UN Day Chair Professor Jerry Schnoor will speak on this year’s UN Day theme: Engaging Americans in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).   This event features UN Day Chair Jerry Schnoor who will address the general public at the Des Moines Central Public Library after his visit to the Capital Building to speak to youth delegates at the Youth Symposium, a forum at which Iowa high school students decide the US’ position at the UN on social, political, economic and scientific topics.

This event is sponsored by UNA-USA Des Moines Chapter; Iowa United Nations Association; Iowa Council for International Understanding (ICIU); Drake University Center for Global Citizenship.


Ames

Sunday, October 24, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Ames Public Library
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, Iowa

Panel discussion and Q and A session on this year’s UN Day theme: Engaging Americans in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This event features UNA-USA Ames Chapter President and IRIS Executive Director Del Christensen; Department of Food Science and Nutrition Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University Diane Birt; Center for Food Security and Public Heath Director and Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologies Executive Director James Roth.

This event is sponsored by UNA-USA Ames Chapter; Iowa United Nations Association; Ames Public Library; Worldly Goods.


Johnson County

Conserving Energy: Local Options
Sunday, October 24, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Iowa City Public Library
123 South Linn Street
Iowa City, Iowa

 
This event features local speakers on the climate change and energy conservation.  Panelists will address things Iowans can do right here at home to mitigate climate change. 
This event is sponsored by UNA-USA Johnson County Chapter.


Linn County

Sunday, October 24, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
People’s Church
600 3rd Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

This event features UN Day Chair Jerry Schnoor addressing the general public on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).   

Sunday, October 24, 6 p.m.
People’s Church
600 3rd Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

This event features Peg Maher, honorary Linn County UN Day Chair. Ms. Maher will speak following an address by Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett. Dinner is $10 per person. Contact Marilyn Langhurst at galmal@mchsi.com for more details or to RSVP.  

Both events are sponsored by UNA-USA Linn County Chapter.


Coming to a town near you...

The Iowa UNA’s educational display on the Millennium Development Goals is traveling around Iowa this year. The 4' x 8' display, designed by volunteer Julia Tsarpalas, will spend October at the Iowa City Public Library, November in Ames, December in Grinnell and January in Cedar Falls.

The display is ready to be booked for 2011. Contact the Iowa UNA at unaiowa@unaiowa.org for more details!