UN’s 70th Anniversary

United Nations Day celebrates the anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter which occurred on October 24, 1945. The United Nations is an international organization engaged in the diplomatic and peaceful communication between the countries of the world. The UN oversees issues like human rights, international security, political freedoms and democracy. Their end goal is the achievement of world peace. United Nations Day is observed on October 24th each year.

“The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.” Kofi Annan quotes (Ghanaian diplomat, seventh secretary-general of the United Nations, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.) — “The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.”
Kofi Annan quotes (Ghanaian diplomat, seventh secretary-general of the United Nations, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.)

My calendar shows that today is United Nations Day and it’s a big year because the UN celebrates its 70th Birthday/Anniversary. There are 193 countries that belong to the UN. I decided to use postcards that I bought on some of my trips abroad for the collages in this post. Several years ago, I was very fortunate to visit the Food and Agricultural Organization Headquarters of the UN in Rome – and what a visit it was. Eradicating world hunger is no easy task.

“Refugees have been deprived of their homes, but they must not be deprived of their futures.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

On October 20th, BBC News carried a headline article: Migrant Crisis: Arrivals to Greece top 500,000. The UNHCR is seeking donations so that they can assist the refugees arriving in Europe now. “UNHCR is working hard in Italy, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, Turkey and other countries in Europe to provide life-saving aid—water, food, sleeping mats—and protection to those who desperately need our help. We are also advocating with governments and European Union organizations to take collective responsibility for and action on this unprecedented crisis.”

"We will not enjoy security without development, we will not enjoy development without security, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights." —UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan — “We will not enjoy security without development, we will not enjoy development without security, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.”
—UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

On October 30th, 1970, Fiji became a member of the United Nations. The postcards in the above collage are from the Yasawa Islands where I spent 5 days.

"We must understand the role of human rights as empowering of individuals and communities. By protecting these rights, we can help prevent the many conflicts based on poverty, discrimination and exclusion (social, economic and political) that continue to plague humanity and destroy decades of development efforts. The vicious circle of human rights violations that lead to conflicts-which in turn lead to more violations-must be broken. I believe we can break it only by ensuring respect for all human rights." —former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson — “We must understand the role of human rights as empowering of individuals and communities. By protecting these rights, we can help prevent the many conflicts based on poverty, discrimination and exclusion (social, economic and political) that continue to plague humanity and destroy decades of development efforts. The vicious circle of human rights violations that lead to conflicts-which in turn lead to more violations-must be broken. I believe we can break it only by ensuring respect for all human rights.”
—former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson

An article in a Guyana newspaper stated that the country was going to ask for UN help to resolve the border dispute with neighbouring Venezuela.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana’s government says it plans to formally ask the United Nations to intervene and help resolve an escalating border dispute with neighboring Venezuela. Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge said in a statement Saturday that it is time for what he called a “judicial settlement.” As you can tell from what you’ve read in this post so far, the UN does good work.

Without much ado, I will share the other post cards that I bought on visits to other countries with you. After that, I will wrap-up this post by saying what were some of the events that took place to mark this special 70th Anniversary celebration of the UN.

Today, we have more than 110,000 men and women deployed in conflict zones around the world. They come from nearly 120 countries ... Thanks to their efforts, life-saving humanitarian assistance can be delivered and economic development can begin. " -- Ban Ki-moon — Today, we have more than 110,000 men and women deployed in conflict zones around the world. They come from nearly 120 countries … Thanks to their efforts, life-saving humanitarian assistance can be delivered and economic development can begin. “
— Ban Ki-moon

“The primary, the fundamental, the essential purpose of the United Nations is to keep peace. Everything it does which helps prevent World War III is good. Everything which does not further that goal, either directly or indirectly, is at best superfluous.” -- Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. — “The primary, the fundamental, the essential purpose of the United Nations is to keep peace. Everything it does which helps prevent World War III is good. Everything which does not further that goal, either directly or indirectly, is at best superfluous.”
— Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

A monument “Enlightened Universe” was unveiled today in New York’s Central Park. The monument is an interactive sculpture formed by a sphere and surrounded by a spiral of 70 figures – one for each of the 70 years since the UN was created. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will make opening remarks and will be joined by UN officials, staff, diplomats, city officials, and global citizens. (un.org)

“Turn the World Blue” has over 60 countries all over the world lighting up buildings, statues, bridges, etc. to mark this 70th Birthday celebration. Watch landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, New York’s Empire State Building, Tokyo’s SkyTree Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, Diana The Huntress Fountain in Mexico, the Hermitage in Russia, Edinburgh Castle and Central Hall Westminster in the UK, and Alhambra in Spain, light blue to help mark the founding of the UN. (un.org)

The United Nations Symphony Orchestra will give a concert on November 20th in celebration of this 70th Anniversary. It will be a concert of classical music. (un.org)

Since I had the opportunity to visit the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters in Rome a few years ago, I’m a big UN fan. Hope you enjoyed the post and the images – all postcards of my own.

In many respects, the world is shifting beneath our feet. Yet the Charter remains a firm foundation for shared progress. —Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon