LaSER June 2011

The London and South East Region is part of UNA-UK, currently serving 25 branches in the region. Views expressed in this newsletter do not represent the policy of UNA-UK or the Region. Editorial material and photos can be sent by email to [email protected]

Welcome to the June Issue of

LaSER, the newsletter for all

United Nations Association

members in the London and

Southeast Region.

In this issue…

Spring Council 2011 1-2

Cardiff Policy

Conference/Responsibility to

Protect 2

International Women’s Day 3

Congratulations to Bruce and

Maddy Webster! 3

London & South East Region

Autumn Council Notice 3

Report on UNA Lewisham

Branch AGM 4

Decade of African Women 4

Purley with Sutton & Croydon 4

Events Listing 4

Copy date of the next issue: 15th September 2011.

For contribution guideline and details, go to: www.unalondonandse.org/Publications.htm

Editor: Angela Viano ([email protected])

Spring Council 2011

A New Canterbury Tale...

From left to right: Prof. Michael Redclift (King’s College London), Roger Hallam (Chair, London and SE Region UNA)

On a sunny day last April, they came to Canterbury not for the Cathedral, but for

the equally important ‘pilgrimage’ to reconcile the conflicts between the Earth’s

eco-cycles & systems and the social & economic needs of human development. In celebration of ‘Earth Day,’ the Canterbury Branch hosted the Region’s Spring

Council Meeting as a conference entitled “Sustainable Development and the Natural World”.

A follow-up to the Region's Summer Council held in Brighton in July 2010 (see

LaSER Issue 11) and organised on the same format, the Canterbury Spring

Conference hosted 3 excellent speakers.

Professor Michael Redclift, from King’s College, London, explained

Sustainable Development in relation to the concept of ‘steady state economy’ where physical capital (resources) are only consumed at the rate of regenerative capacity of the Earth’s ecological systems. If all consumed at the rate of the

advanced countries, five planet earths would be required.

Mike Freedman, from Population Matters, London, demonstrated that despite a decline in its rate of increase, exponential Population Growth still resulted in a net gain of 77 million people per year, and therefore still posed threats, such as famine, to global security and wellbeing.

Ian Mason, an environmental lawyer from Teucro Chambers, London, explained ‘Wild Law’ as moving beyond the idea that human needs have absolute priority. Existing legal instruments are limited, therefore, we should shift toward earth-centred thinking where natural systems, and not species or individuals, are protected. Further, since all elements of the environment are owned by someone,

their responsibilities should be legally defined and enforced.

In summary, the outcomes of the four subsequent workshops are as

follows:

1. Since it occurs as a result of a) the extraction of resources from the ecosphere

and b) the use of resources as driven by population and economic growth, pollution can only be controlled by reducing both extraction and usage per

person. ►►► page 2

TRIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF THE LONDON & SOUTH EAST REGION

WORKING FOR A STRONG, CREDIBLE & EFFECTIVE UNITED NATIONS

ISSUE 13 | JUNE 2011

London & SE Region United Nations Association

Photo © Neville Grant

LaSER | Issue 13 | June 2011 www.unalondonandse.org

LONDON AND SOUTH EAST REGION United Nations Association

Spring Council 2011 (cont’d from page 1)

2. Legal principles are required to shift cultural values towards the recognition of the rights of nature as

seen in interdependent ecosystems.

3. Funding for measures to control population embodied in the MDGs has reduced since 2000, while the UN

Population Fund suffers sustained attack from the ‘religious right’. However, some delegates thought

the Earth could support the predicted 9 billion population by 2045.

4. Without a definition, ‘sustainable development’ has

no legal status under International Law.

5. Instituting environmental rights to match human

rights could more effectively protect the natural world.

6. We have to distinguish between ‘want’ and ‘need’

otherwise we will end up without fulfilment of either.

7. Since criminalising ecocide is fraught with problems,

we should accept the proposal to establish an International Court for the Environment to adjudicate

on disputes arising out of the UN ‘environmental’ treaties, and incorporate emerging Green/Wild Law Jurisprudence.

Through a varied and extensive publicity campaign the

Spring Conference attracted considerable attention also outside the UNA “field”, which, in turn, was very

gratifying.

The Canterbury Branch is grateful for the opportunity to

host a regional event, and recommends it to all branches. Don’t feel daunted if you are few in number. Financial

grants are available from UNA-UK, and you will be well

supported and practically assisted by the Region, including the loan of banners, flags, display boards and

materials, some of which is stored in Canterbury.

Please contact me if you would like to know more about

how we did this, or have a paper copy of the full report:

Sheila Kesby, Hon. Secretary, UNA Canterbury on 01227-

463968 / 07765915173 or at [email protected] ��

STOP PRESS – Cardiff Policy Conference

Roger Hallam

Many members from the London and SE Region

attended the UNA-UK Policy Conference in Cardiff on

17th-18th June.

Friday began with workshops on responding to frequent

misconceptions about the UN and on fundraising at

branch level, followed by a presentation by Sir Jeremy

Greenstock (Chair) and Phil Mulligan (Executive Director)

of the UNA-UK Strategic Plan for 2011-15.

On Saturday plenary sessions and policy commissions

avidly discussed, defended and amended forty-five or so

motions.

The Region's three motions - on Responsibility to

Protect, the Democratic Republic of Congo and

Sustainable Economic Growth - all went through, the last

somewhat amended.

Resolutions from many branches, and groups within the

Region were also successful, including on the Small

Arms Trade (six members) and the FAO and Gender

Equality (Westminster).

The major issue, however, was the proposal in the

Strategic Plan to change the role and status of

conference itself in the governance of UNA-UK.

Members will find the plan on the national UNA website

www.una.org.uk , and may also wish to hear from

members and colleagues who attended the conference

on the important issues discussed. ��

On the “Responsibility to Protect”

The case of Libya | Keith Hindell

As diplomatic problems go Libya is small and simple. The

UN and its approved “coalition of the willing” have been

able to protect some of the people of Libya without

making many mistakes or destroying non-military

infrastructure.

Thousands of refugees have been able to flee to safety.

But after many weeks NATO’s air campaign has not

brought about either a ceasefire or a change to a better

regime. In part this has been because the UN Security

Council Resolution 1973 imposed many constraints on

intervention specifically banning the use of ground

troops. Not that any government is actually willing to

risk its troops to protect Libyan civilians.

If the UN Security Council wants to fulfil its new

responsibility, only adopted in 2005, it must persist on both its military and diplomatic tracks. Some critics say

the UN should only have used diplomacy which, they

claim, had not been exhausted.

Indeed the UN should never give up on diplomacy no matter how intractable the problem. But such

persistence does not save lives in the face of heavily

armed authoritarian governments such as Libya or Syria whose only concern is their own survival.

One day the UN may devise a foolproof way of

protecting people without resort to force but until it does the member states have to match force with force.

So let’s support the present effort but keep it under

critical review. ��

© UN Photo/Stuart Price



Celebrating International Women’s Day

UNA Putney & Roehampton | Catherine Pluygers The branch held a public meeting on Friday 11th March 2011 at Putney’s Community Church Hall. The meeting

'Trafficking of Women into the UK' was organised to mark UN International Women's Day which celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of women,

acknowledges their rights for equal participation in economic and political decision making and denounces

gender discrimination and gender violence. Trafficking of

women refers to the latter, a hidden and miserable modern form of slavery that is rife right here in the UK.

Presentations were given by Silva Hove, Team Leader at the ‘Poppy Project’ - a London based support project for trafficked women - , and by Professor David Barrett of the Department of Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire. Amongst a myriad of problems raised was the concern about the influx of

people for the upcoming Olympic Games which will exacerbate the problem of trafficking.

As a result of this meeting we are currently organizing a collection of toiletries, towels and food hampers for the Poppy Project. If you are able to contribute please contact Catherine Pluygers (Vice-Chair) at [email protected]. For further details: www.unaputneyandroehampton.co.uk ��

Blackheath & Greenwich UNA | Neville Grant On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, our branch celebrated with a talk on Women’s Voice in

the Peace Process.

Our guest speaker was Diane Brace, former Chair of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), UK section. In her talk, Diane focused on a

selection of women who had historically played a big part in the Peace Movement, starting with Clara Zetkin, who, with Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, opposed the war, and organized an anti-war conference in Berlin in 1915. She was imprisoned several times for

her pains. It was Jane Addams, who was first President of WILPF

and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

Other women listed included Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan who also won the Nobel Peace prize for their work in Northern Ireland, Cynthia Cockburn and Aung San Suu Kyi – yet another Nobel Prize winner.

During the discussion it emerged that campaigning for peace was not enough - one also had to deal with the

causes of conflict, for only by dealing with these could peace be achieved. ��

Congratulations to Bruce and Maddy Webster!

Bruce and Maddy were this year's regional nominations

for the UNA “Distinguished Service Awards” presented at

the national Annual General Meeting in March. Maddy

retired as branch Secretary last autumn as reported in

the LaSER (Issue 12), and the award was given to Bruce

Webster as well who was Chairman from 1983 till ill

health forced his retirement in 2005. His unstinting hard

work underpinned everything the branch did in that

period and he remains Honorary President.

In addition to public meetings, the branch raised

between £650 and £1400 a year for causes including

UNA Trust, London Region, UNA, UNAIS and our local

UNICEF group largely from home cooked meals, stalls at

charity fairs, garden events and shared fundraising with

other groups. UNICEF also benefited from the annual

service in Canterbury Cathedral. We are pleased to report

Bruce and Maddy intend to continue their support for the

branch.) ��

London and Southeast Region Autumn Council

Saturday 17th September 2011 The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road N7 6PA

1.30pm – 4:30pm

After a short business meeting, we will focus on the world-changing events which have come to be called the “Arab Spring”. Roger Hardy, until recently of the BBC World Service and author of The Muslim Revolt: a Journey Through Political Islam, published last year, has agreed to take part, while to speak alongside him we are approaching someone not only with knowledge of developments but also roots in the Arab world. We look forward to a lively discussion. As regards the burning issue of the “Responsibility to Protect”, the region hopes later in the year to enlist the expert

knowledge of UNA-UK Chair Sir Jeremy Greenstock. - Watch this space!



UNA Lewisham | David Hamilton

On 26th May UNA Lewisham Branch held its annual AGM

at Lewisham Town Hall on “Only Route To Peace In The Middle East Is Justice For The Palestinians”.

The event was a great success. Martin Linton spoke brilliantly on "Palestine" and 60 members and others

(a record) showed their appreciation of his willingness to criticise the actions of the Israeli Government.

We ended with songs from socialist Choir "The Strawberry Thieves", and a light supper.

For more information, contact David Hamilton (Branch

Chair) on 0208 690 5108 or at [email protected] ��

Forthcoming Events

UNA Canterbury

Tuesday 12th July 2011 / 4pm - 6.30pm

Summer Social Seminar A “Tea and Wine” social gathering will be intertwined with a Seminar led by Roger Hallam (Region’s Chair) entitled: “After Libya....where now for UN Peacekeeping?” Cooks Farm, Lower Hardres, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5PA. – All are welcome! Admission is free, but a small donation towards UNA costs would be welcome. Please RSVP to Sheila Kesby, Hon. Secretary Tel: 01227-463968 - Mob. 07765915173 E-mail: [email protected]

UNA Westminster

Decade of African Women – (2010-2020)

“Voices of African Women”, a campaign promoted by

WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and

Freedom) and UNA SE Region celebrate the first year’s

achievements of the Decade of African Women (2010-2020) and the launch of the website “Make Every Woman Count”

with Founder and Director Rainatou Sow.

“Voices of African Women” highlights concerns of African

women and empowers them to make change. The website

www.makeeverywomancount.org provides a detailed report

on the position of women and of gender legislation in each

African country and will be an invaluable source to all.

Tuesday 19th July 2011 / 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Khalili Lecture Theatre at SOAS

Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

Prof. Nadje Al-Ali, Chair, SOAS Centre for Gender Studies;

Sally Spear, Vice-Chair, UNA Women’s Advisory Council;

Roger Hallam, Chair, London and SE Region UNA;

Marie-Claire Faray, WILPF;

Rainatou Sow, Founder and Director, Make Every Woman

Count - The event will be followed by a drinks reception.

Contact: Catherine Pluygers [email protected]

Tuesday 12th July 2011 / 6.30pm

“So How Will We Feed The Bottom Billion?”

A joint meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group

(APPG) on Agriculture and Food for Development

Committee Room 2, House of Commons

(Heidi Alexander MP)

Professor Lawrence Haddad, Director, Institute of Development Studies and Chair of the Development Studies

Association of the UK and Ireland;

Steve Wiggins, Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute (ODI);

James Birch, Coordinator, All Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture and Food for Development.

Please allow 20 minutes to pass through the security gate.

For further information, contact David Wardrop on 0207 385 6738 or at [email protected]

Purley with Sutton and Croydon Branch In recent months, Purley with Sutton Branch has strengthened its ties with Croydon Branch making it possible for their respective members to become more involved in activities and events organized by both branches. The Purley with Sutton and Croydon Branch is delighted to present the Region with an interesting Calendar of Events:

Thursday 30 th June 2011 / 4:30pm

Final of Inter School Debating Competition, Old Palace vs. Wallington High School Croydon High School, Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon Saturday 9 th July 2011 / 2:30pm Branch Garden Party, 2 Woodcote Side, Epsom Friday 23 rd September 2011 / 7:30pm UNA Quiz Night at Cameron Hall, Old Coulsdon Congregational Church, Canons Hill, Old Coulsdon Thursday 6 th October 2011 / 8pm Branch AGM at Friends Meeting House, Croydon Sunday 23 rd October 2011 Annual Church Service (Venue tbc) Before each and every of the events mentioned in the list, please check with Jas Weir (Branch Chair) on 0208 647 2462 or at [email protected]

UNA Putney and Roehampton

Summer Social When? Friday 29 July 2011 / 8pm Where? The “Star & Garter Pub ” 4 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 1JN. Just turn up to meet us all and have a drink!

LaSER June 2011

Documents

Transcript of LaSER June 2011