Saturday, October 24, 2009

Today was United Nations Day

Tomorrow, Oct. 24, we reflect on the founding ideals of the UN and the work it accomplishes around the world.

This year's commemoration is particularly significant as the United States embarks on a new era of global cooperation and engagement with the United Nations.

We at UNA-USA are energized and more committed than ever to our mission to educate, inspire and mobilize Americans in support of the UN's principles and vital work to create a better, safer world. Here is a snapshot of UNA-USA news and events and information on how you can participate:

Major Announcements
UNA Delivers Global Classrooms Curriculum in Chicago
UNA-USA President Tom Miller joined Chicago public school officials and city leaders on Oct. 23 at an international education conference on world studies held at the University of Chicago. The conference also formally reintroduced the expanded Global Classrooms curriculum to educators in the Chicago public school system, where 9th grade students are now required to take world studies courses. Read more about it here.
Board Member Nominated for Post of Ambassador to UN in Geneva
Betty King, a UNA-USA board member and former Unesco ambassador, has been nominated by the White House to be the next US ambassador to the UN in Geneva. Among other roles, this office maintains oversight of the Human Rights Council, which the US joined in May 2009. UNA-USA congratulates Ambassador King on her nomination. Read the full UNA statement here.

Take Action Today
In September, President Obama addressed the UN for the first time, calling for a new era of engagement through the world body. Although he was speaking to world leaders, the president's message can be directed to all of us as individuals. Tell Congress you support international cooperation.
The International Criminal Court is a major achievement of the UN, and UNA has a program, AMICC, to support it. Celebrate this success on UN Day by reminding the administration to support the ICC..
UN Day Events
UNA-USA chapters nationwide are holding events to commemorate UN Day. From university campuses to city halls or governors' mansions, serious debates of issues before the UN are taking place. Find an event in your area by visiting our event calendar or learn more about local events here.
Program Events
UNA’s Council of Organizations most recent event highlighted milestones that reflect the international community’s efforts to ensure gender equality and the empowerment of women. Read about their latest event here.
Official UN Day Messages
US President Barack Obama's UN Day Proclamation
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's UN Day Message
US State Department Fact Sheet: US Multilateral Engagement Benefits
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Dick Bennett

Fayetteville Climate Change Action begins at 2 p.m. at Dickson Street and Campbell Avenue next to Bordinos

Fayetteville Climate Change Action begins at 2 p.m. at Dickson Street and Campbell Avenue next to Bordinos.

March and Rally - Fayetteville will join with over 4,000 others world-wide. We hope you will come to learn more about Climate Change and show solidarity. Join with fellow citizens of NW Arkansas at 2:00pm at Dickson and Campbell Streets (next to Bordinos)...the march will begin there and head to the Square. There will be speakers, music and information on how we can make a difference affecting the December treaty in Copenhagen. This is the most pressing universal issue that concerns us all...It's a chance for all of us to Stand up for Action on Climate Change. The event is sponsored by 350.org and 1 SKY. For more information call 530-7786.

A one day screening of The AGE OF STUPID in Fayetteville at the UA Union Theater from 6-9 pm on October 24th.
All of the community is encouraged to attend this FREE screening! Parking free in Union Parking Lot.

After the International Climate Day of Action (2:00 pm beginning on Dickson by Bordinos)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Friday night book forum on climate breakdown in Greenland, Arkansas

FORUM ON CLIMATE BREAKDOWN

The OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology and its Climate Change Task Force will present a Book Forum on Climate Breakdown at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23, at the Greenland Community Center.



Panelists will discuss the latest science-based scholarship explaining how the climate is collapsing with accelerating speed because of the rapid increase of human-generated CO2 in the atmosphere. The consensus of scientists know that by 2050 the atmosphere must be restored to 350 PPM (parts per million) of CO2 if our civilization is to survive even in a reduced condition. Panelists are Steve Boss, Ryan Bancroft, Jonathan Gibbs, and Joanna Pollock. Moderator: Carl Barnwell.



The Forum offers two firsts:

This is the first public presentation in Arkansas of the best books on climate change. All express the scientific consensus that 350 PPM of atmospheric C02 must be the goal, and it must be achieved quickly. And it is the first Forum by OMNI presented in a town other than Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers. OMNI and its Climate Change Task Force, with its climate educational programs, are reaching out to NWA beyond its major cities and colleges..



Books to be discussed are: Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum, Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future; David Archer, The Long Thaw: How Humans Are Changing the Next 100,000 years of Earth's Climate; Mark Lynas, Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet; James Speth, Bridge to the End of the World. (Additional excellent books among the many: Joseph Romm, Hell and High Water: The Global Warming Solution; Larry Schweiger, Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth; James Lovelock, The Vanishing Face of Gaia A Final Warning .



Directions to the Greenland Community Center

South on 71: At Greenland stoplight turn right onto Wilson, cross railroad tracks, keep on Wilson to “Y”, turn right onto Leticia, go 2 blocks to Center.

South on 540: At Greenland Exit, go east on Wilson to “Y”, turn left onto Leticia, Center will be on right.





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Dick Bennett
jbennet@uark.edu

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Ducks Unlimited Banquet October 29, 2009, in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on images to move to Flickr site and use magnifying tool above photo to ENLARGE for easy reading.
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Green Groups Guild meeting Thursday

From: Green Groups Guild (ggg@listserv.uark.edu) on behalf of ggg (ggg@UARK.EDU)
Sent: Tue 10/13/09 2:31 PM
To: GGG@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU

Meeting 10/15/09 7:00 p.m.
209 Thompson Ave. Three Sisters Bldg on Dickson above Fez Hookah Lounge.
Patrick Kunnecke
GGG President
ASLA Vice President
4th Year Landscape Architecture Student
479-544-1906

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Runners and Sponsors sought for Nov. 7, 2009, 5K veterans' memorial race to benefit Fayetteville National Cemetery

Please click on image to move to Flickr site and ENLARGE for easy reading. The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation meets at 10:30 a.m. Saturday October 10 and needs to add sponsor names to the file for the race T shirts and the brochures so that printing can begin. Already, Tyson Foods has donated at the Medal of Honor level and has challenged others to join them at the top of the list, thanks to the effort of RNCIC Secretary Peggy McClain.
RNCIC 5K sponsorship levels 09