Brian Reid — United Nations Association in Canada – Hamilton Branch Brian Reid joined the United Nations Association in Canada-Hamilton Branch in 1994, and has served as president since then. He has been active in the peace movement for about fifty years, his first involvement was representing the Unitarian Church at peace marches. On a national level there are fourteen local branches of the United Nations Association in Canada. The Hamilton Branch was formed at the end of the Second World War, evolving from the local branch of the League of Nations that had been active in Hamilton prior to WWII. Today the branch has about one hundred members although not all take an active part in the events. One of the branch’s earlier initiatives was the founding of the Children’s International Learning Centre which showcases diverse customs and cultures from many countries in the world. This work continues to attract school children from far and wide. After the 9/11 attack on New York in 2001 there were several hate crimes committed in Hamilton, including the burning of the Hindu temple. Some weeks later, on United Nations Day, the recently formed Culture of Peace network made a presentation to the Hamilton City Council for the need for places of refuge for vulnerable minorities that felt threatened. In 2003 the United Nations Association in Canada Hamilton Branch made a successful application to the federal Government for a $120,000 grant to develop the Citizen Protection Project. This five year project tried to establish “safe havens” in the community for those who were threatened in the post 9/11 climate. For many years the United Nations Association Bursary has been awarded to McMaster University post-graduate students who were active in pursuit of peace. On occasion the branch hosted Model United Nations events for high school students. Another accomplishment of the Hamilton Branch has been its continuing support for Holocaust Commemoration events in the city. The Hamilton Branch has collaborated with like-minded organizations such as the McMaster Centre for Peace Studies, the Hamilton Peace Conferences, the Gandhi Festival, Project Ploughshares, the Mundialization Committee, Culture of Peace Hamilton and environmental groups. In the year 2000 UNESCO launched the Culture of Peace Manifesto with its six principles of peace. The Hamilton Branch has been a strong supporter of the decade for peace in Hamilton. Looking into the future perhaps social media sites will revolutionize the way non-governmental organizations will function. The City of Hamilton is in a state of transition through industrial downsizing, but with projects such as the university medical center being expanded Hamilton will continue to grow as a city. Long established organizations such as the United Nations Association in Canada need to attract younger people to the peace movement. For the organization to continue to be vigorous, a fresh approach to peace must be taken that lets younger people have more voices about issues that affect us all. cultureofpeacehamilton/?page_id=312
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 17:27:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015