In his speech at the African Union summit  on 26 June, 2014 (UN Charter Day), the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the start of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the UN’s founding in 1945, under the banner UN70. This observance is planned to coincide the 70th anniversary of the date that the Organization formally came into being. In his remarks, the SG said “the year 2015 is a once in a generation opportunity. Our goal is to put people at the center and protect our one and only planet. Our duty is to end poverty, leave no one behind and build lives of dignity for all”. As part of the UN70 celebrations,  The United Nations Association-Queens Chapter has organized an event around the timely theme of humanitarian crises and refugee rights to coincide with annual UN Day programming.  UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. The 24th of  October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.

One of the proudest periods in the history of the New York City Building, which houses the Queens Museum, was from 1946 to 1950 when it housed the General Assembly of the newly formed United Nations. Until the site of the UN’s current home in Manhattan became available, Flushing Meadows Corona Park was being considered as the organization’s future permanent headquarters site. During the early post-war years, almost every world leader spent time in the New York City Building and many important decisions, including the partition of Palestine and the creation of UNICEF, were made here. Recognizing this connection, the Queens Museum is proud to participate in UN70 celebrations.

Schedule of Activities

* UN (OCHA) briefing by the Honorable Martyn Dalhuijsen
* Humanitarian issues in Nepal & Haiti
* Refugee crisis
* UN Foundation: SDG by the Honorable Sarah Shuster
* Historical facts about Queens Museum and UN
* Discussion (Q/A)
* Networking

ABOUT UNA-QUEENS

The UNA USA Queens Chapter is a 501(C)3 organization funded by membership dues and donations. We have no staff or offices. The Directors of the Board and committee members from the membership perform all tasks and functions related to our mission. We meet monthly on the first Tuesday at Queens Borough Hall for committee business and quarterly for membership meetings. Quarterly and Annual Meetings are announced to all members. For information, contact: info@unaqueens.org