From the President
A year has passed. I feel I have the duty to inform members of the progress of our Division activities. As recommended by the Board, the work plan for 2002 and 2003 aimed mainly at increasing public awareness of global issues and the role of the UN. This was to be accomplished through educational programs, encouraging the development of new chapters and providing support to some selected global projects.
The first three months were devoted to the creation of the infrastructure necessary to implement our work plan. In this connection, we have strengthened existing committees (Advocacy, Newsletter and Web site); created three new committees (Minefield, Chapter Development and Speakers Bureau); and divided the Education Committee into four separate committees: Model UN and Global Classroom, UN Text Book Review, UN School Book Distribution and National Essay Contest.
The Newsletter Committee, chaired by Steve Baker, produced four issues (one every three months), providing information on salient activities of the Florida Division and chapters. Copies of the Newsletter have been distributed to more than 1500 UNA members in Florida, and about 100 nonmembers, including representatives of the state in congress and ranking officers of the State Government.
The Book distribution committee, chaired by Shahla Evans, planned to raise $58,000 to cover the costs of reprinting 66,000 copies of Mrs. Nane Annan's Book, "Come along with Me", and of distributing copies to 1649 elementary schools in Florida. The Florida Department of Education has promised to help in the distribution of these books when they are available. So far, almost $30,000 have been already pledged for this project
The Florida Division has "adopted" a minefield in Viet Nam. The Minefield Committee, chaired by Dong Thanh Ingalls, has advertised the minefield campaign in Chapters' monthly newsletters, especially "The UNA Reporter"of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter, and in the quarterly newsletter of the Florida Division. More than 600 copies of the brochure, with detailed information on the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign and its impact on the lives and future of thousands of Vietnamese peoples living in affected areas, have been distributed at diverse UNA related meetings, and to members of other organizations and associations to whom it was thought to be of interest. So far, about $6,000 has been received for this project.
The Chapter Development Committee, chaired by Shahla Evans and Polly Mary Doughty, reports the establishment of a new chapter in Palm Beach, with John Broz as president, assisted by a new Board of Directors. An expected new chapter in Tallahassee has not yet been formally established.
The Speakers Bureau Committee, chaired by David Saca, has contacted a number of potential speakers, but seeks greater collaboration from the chapters in obtaining lists of prospective participants.
The Florida Division Convention and annual meeting, hosted this year by the Gainesville Chapter, was held from February 28 to March 2, 2003, at Holiday Inn West, Gainesville. The Convention focused on an important but often forgotten theme: Saving the Earth. The UN's Mandate. Its program included presentations and workshops on diverse global issues related to population policies, deterioration of the global environment, global health and HIV/AIDS, and the role of the United Nations. Distinguished speakers, recognized for their experience and expertise in UN operations and international issues, included Amb. Werner Fornos, Elizabeth Odum, Amb. Dennis Jett, Rita Lucy, Dr. Asim Jani and Linda Falsulo. A report on the 2002 activities of the Florida Division and its 2003 work program and budget were presented by the President. Dr. Bob Hornberger, Nancy Sever and Carol Willis and other members of the Convention Committee were responsible for the efficient organization of this successful convention.
The Advocacy committee, chaired by Mary Fullerton, has closely monitored US contributions to the UN, US ratification of UN treaties, and has coordinated related actions taken by the various chapters.
The UN Textbook Committee, chaired by Shiela Morgan, has persuaded the Florida Department of Education to consider including UN and global issues in high school textbooks. Sheila has been invited to serve on its Textbook Selection Committee.
The Model UN and Global Classroom Committee, chaired by Tom Cook, held the 24th Florida High Schools Model conference (FHSMUN XXIV) from 12 to 15 March, 2003, in Orlando, with the participation of more than 300 students. The Committee also has provided technical support to diverse Chapters in the organization of Model UN, especially the third model UN (SMMUN III), organized by the UNA Sarasota-Manatee Chapter at the New College Sudakoff Conference Center in Sarasota, with the participation of more than 120 high school students. The Committee has also introduced Model UN in a number of schools for the first time.
During 2000-2003, Global Classrooms programs have been introduced in 15 new schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. These programs reach approximately 600 students in about 40 classrooms.
So far, the National Essay Contest Committee, chaired by Richard Atkins, has not received any applications or requests from individuals or chapters.
I have personally been responsible for updating the Florida Division Web site, at least once each month, and have posted there the texts of the last four issues of the Newsletter. It should be noted that Sarasota-Manatee, Tampa Bay and Volusia Chapters have their own Web sites, which can be accessed from the Florida Division Web site. Information on individual chapters can be also found in chapters' Web pages of the Division Web site.
"Distance" continues to be a problem complicating successful implementation of the Division's work plan. The Board could not meet more than four times during the past year owing to the wide dispersal of members throughout the State. To reduce the impact of problems arising from geographical separation, board members have communicated with each other through e-mail or telephone for urgent matters.
In this connection, I would like to thank all members of the Florida Division Board, especially chapters' presidents and committee chairs, for their devotion, unselfishness and support.
Daniel Luu
Return to Newsletter's Contents
Links to other sites on the Web
United Nations
UNA-USA National
UNESCO
UNDP
ILO
Sarasota-Manatee Chapter