November saw UNA Coventry give a presentation to teachers and launch the UNA Ambassador's Programme. We also showed the first film in the Cine UNACov series.

Below we have news about these and other UN-related events as well as information about forthcoming events in Coventry.

We welcome contributions to our website and newsletter about issues of international importance. If you wish to contribute please send me an outline of your idea.

Philip Brown
Secretary, UNA Coventry Branch
philip@unacov.uk

Forthcoming Events

Among the Believers: Cine UNACov

Among the Believers: Cine UNACov

This film will be shown on 2 February at the University of Warwick as part of the Cine UNACov programme. Intimate and shocking, "Among the Believers" offers rare insights into the ideological battles shaping Pakistan and the Muslim world. The film has been nominated for an Emmy Award and has received many other nominations, but has been banned in Pakistan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YG1YdeR0Yo …

Across the tracks: Cine UNACov

Across the tracks: Cine UNACov

Cine UNACov will show Across the Tracks on 2 March, which addresses Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all, followed by a discussion between the audience and a panel of experts. As the Clean India campaign gets underway, with its ambitious target of a toilet for every household by 2019, WaterAid explores how something …

4 May Cine UNACov

4 May Cine UNACov

On 4 May Cine UNACov will show another film related to an international topic, followed by a discussion with the audience and experts. We are currently finalising our selection of film and speaker.

Remembering Srebrenica Cine UNACov

Remembering Srebrenica Cine UNACov

On 6 July Cine UNACov will show the film "Remembering Srebrenica" in commemoration of the massacre of over 8,000 Muslims, mostly men and boys, killed by Bosnian Serb troops under the command of former General Ratko Mladic at Srebrenica in July 1995, the worst mass killing on European soil since World War Two. The failure of UN peacekeepers to protect the Muslims …

UN News this month

Sign the UN Environment #BeatPollution Pledge

Sign the UN Environment #BeatPollution Pledge

Do you want to live on a pollution-free planet? Then sign the pledge being organised by UN Environment Assembly and specify what actions you will undertake to contribute to a cleaner world. Sign the pledge today at web.unep.org/environmentassembly/sign-the-pledge

The Elders call on Myanmar to allow return of displaced Rohingya

The Elders call on Myanmar to allow return of displaced Rohingya

In late October, the Elders called on Myanmar’s government and military leaders to end all military operations in Rakhine State, and allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh and other countries to return. Following their board meeting in London, The Elders also expressed their deep concern and dismay at the wave of violence and destruction that has scarred …

Report on Cine UNACov film Beyond Forgiving

This inspirational and award-winning documentary was shown in Coventry University on 3 November during Coventry Peace Festival. It depicted the journey of two South Africans to bring healing and reconciliation to South Africa. https://youtu.be/0cEKD3UFj88 The film was followed by a conversation between the audience and a panel of experts Howard Grace, the executive producer of the film Dr. Marwan Darweish, …

University for Peace

University for Peace

Headquartered in Costa Rica, the United Nations-mandated University for Peace was established in December 1980 as a Treaty Organization by the UN General Assembly. As determined in the Charter of the University, the mission of the University for Peace is: “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings …

SDG4: Quality Education

SDG4: Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all The targets for this goal, listed in the 2030 Agenda, are: 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes 4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls …

Future Leaders Connect Programme

The British Council runs the Future Leaders Connect Programme in order to identify exceptional individuals aged 18-35 who have the potential to be future leaders of their countries in the fields of politics and policy, and who will be amongst the shapers of global policy making in the years ahead. They are looking for: People who can passionately articulate their …

WalkTogether Campaign

WalkTogether Campaign

In July 2017 a group of forward looking civil society networks, brought together by The Elders, an organisation of independent leaders founded ten years ago by Mandela, decided to do something positive to overcome growing intolerance and polarisation in societies. We’ve joined forces to champion the voices - and deeds - of groups who live the values of empathy, compassion …

UNA Ambassadors Update

The UNA Ambassadors project was officially launched at an event organised by the Coventry Schools Peace and Justice Forum and UNA Coventry on 9 November 2017. The meeting was supported by Ambassadors from both Coventry and Warwick Universities and attended by teachers from Coventry schools as well as members of the Forum. Ambassadors have now visited Finham Park and Coventry College …

The Elders calls for post-Mugabe Zimbabwe

The Elders calls for post-Mugabe Zimbabwe

On 24 November 2017 The Elders called on all political, military and civil society leaders in Zimbabwe to work together towards free and fair elections and a peaceful, inclusive transition following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe. They urged all stakeholders to implement immediate socio-economic measures to address urgent issues that affect ordinary Zimbabweans’ welfare and provide relief to their …

UN Secretary General's Speech on Counter-Terrorism

UN Secretary General's Speech on Counter-Terrorism

On 16 November António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered a major speech on “Counter-terrorism and human rights: winning the fight while upholding our values” at SOAS University of London. It was hosted by Baroness Amos, Director of SOAS, and attended by 300 students, journalists and members of civil society. The United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK) was delighted …

Ratko Mladić guilty of genocide and war crimes

Ratko Mladić guilty of genocide and war crimes

Following 11 months of deliberation the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has found Ratko Mladić guilty of genocide and war crimes for some of the worst atrocities perpetrated during Bosnia’s 1992 - 1995 war. The United Nations' Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, established in 1993 during the war, has found the former commander of the Bosnian Serb army Ratko …

Defence Ministers Pledge Support for UN Peacekeeping

Defence Ministers Pledge Support for UN Peacekeeping

The largest gathering of defence ministers dedicated to UN Peacekeeping took place on 14 and 15 November 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. The conference generated new pledges for peacekeeping contributions.The United Kingdom pledged that its commitment to UN Peacekeeping in South Sudan would continue at the current level for at least another year, with up to 300 British Army engineers to remain in the country up to at …

UN Environment Assembly

UN Environment Assembly

About the United Nations Environment Assembly The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. It addresses the critical environmental challenges facing the world today. Understanding these challenges and preserving and rehabilitating our environment is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Environment Assembly sets the global environmental agenda in cooperation with …

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