It was a busy time leading up to UN Day for UNIC Canberra, as all across Australia communities were celebrating the UN’s 65th birthday.
On Friday the 23 of October, the UNIC Director attended and participated in the UN Day wreath laying ceremony for UN Day at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney. Following this, the Director delivered the Secretary- General’s message at the United Nations Association of New South Wales UN Day lunch, which was held in the New South Wales State Parliament building, Sydney.
On the same day, the Director then flew to Melbourne and attended the United Nations Association of Victoria Media Peace Awards, at which he delivered the Secretary-General’s UN Day message and presented the award for best photographer.
Also in Melbourne, UNIC Canberra facilitated the screening of the Secretary-General’s video message on the large screen in the centre of Federation Square – a landmark cultural institution and meeting place.
On the 25th of October, the United Nations Association of the Australian Capital Territory in partnership with UNIC Canberra held a UN Day reception and speaking event, at the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly building, Canberra. The Director of UNIC delivered the Secretary-General’s message and a summary of the DPI/NGO Health Conference and MDG Summit. Other speakers included, Ms Melissa Parke, Chairman of the UN Parliamentary Group, Federal Member for Fremantle and Professor Robert Hill, President of the United Nations Association, and former Australian Ambassador to the United Nations. The event was well attended by the Diplomatic Corps, government and civil society. UNIC also held an information stall.
UNIC Canberra also organised for the major cultural institutions and embassies in Canberra, to light up in blue – these institutions included, the Federal Parliament House, the Museum of Democracy, the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the National Science Museum, Questacon. In addition to this both major bridges over Lake Burley Griffin flew a combined 86 flags on UN day, sighted by all commuters travelling in and out of Canberra City. The Director of UNIC Canberra also undertook media interviews with Radio 2CC and the Canberra Times.
UNIC Canberra also presented the UN4U program to schools in the Canberra region from the 19 October through to the 29 October. This year the UN4U program was delivered in the rural regions surrounding Canberra as well as in the city itself.
UNIC Director during the UN4U program with students from Queanbeyan High School,
Queanbeyan, New South Wales