On 6 August, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Moscow was invited by the Russian Children’s Foundation to participate in a commemoration for the beloved children’s author, pediatrician and educator Janusz Korczak.

The observance was a moving tribute to the life and noble deeds of the Polish-Jewish orphanage Director in Warsaw, marking the 70th anniversary of his death after refusing freedom to instead accompany his orphans to an extermination camp.

The UNIC Director spoke before the audience on behalf of the United Nations in Russia. In his remarks, he mentioned that in 2012, the GA observance of the International Day of Commemoration to honour the victims of the Holocaust was dedicated to the children who faced the evils of the Holocaust. This, he said, made the UN contribution to the commemoration all the more relevant.

A number of Russian public and cultural figures as well as foreign diplomats addressed the 150 guests in attendance. 

On 18 July, as millions of people globally observed Nelson Mandela International Day, Kenya marked it with an “Anti-Jigger” activity. Staff of UNIC Nairobi, the South African High Commission, the Ahadi Kenya Trust Foundation and other partners joined hands to treat jiggers-infected children at Juja farm in Thika district. 

To make the Day a success, individual UN staff members and those of the South African High Commission contributed funds for medication kits to treat the skin-rotting disease. In addition, private sector organizations donated various items to the community.

Children as young as eighteen months were among those treated. At the beginning of the treatment process, Dr. Stanley Kamau of the Ahadi Trust Foundation explained the extent to which jiggers can affect individuals by highlighting the symptoms of an infected child. Led by Ndumiso Ntshinga, the South African High Commissioner to Kenya, all guests were provided with the necessary kits for washing the jiggers-infected youth.

The activity gave UN staff an opportunity to contribute to improving the health of children at Juja farm. UNIC Director Nasser Ega-Musa, who led the UN team, noted how the activity strengthened the partnership between the UN, civil and corporate societies. He added: “The kids whose infested feet we lovingly washed will never forget the kindness and care we brought into their obviously difficult lives”. 

The UN Secretary-General’s message for the Day was delivered at the function. The message encouraged everyone to take action and be part of the Mandela movement to make the world a better place. “That” he said “is the best way to wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 94th birthday.”

The speeches from the Government and other partners recognized Mr Mandela’s contributions to democracy, racial justice and reconciliation in his 67 years to public service. The Secretary-General’s video message was screened at the UNON complex.

UN Resident Coordinator gives a gift to a child

On 18 July, the UN System joined the South African Embassy in celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day.

The observance consisted of a two-day outreach service for an orphanage located in Poto Poto, a popular district in Brazzaville.

On the first day, volunteers renovated the orphanage recreation room. The next day, during a ceremony children were given educational items, toys, dry food and Mandela postcards and Mandela posters were hung in the revamped recreation room.

A child having grown up and still living at the orphanage together with a university student delivered birthday wishes to Mandela. 

Speakers included South African Ambassador Manelisi Genge, UN Resident Coordinator Lamin Manneh and Bakary Diawara from UNICEF. In addendance were the Ambassador of the Central African Republic and representatives of the Minister of Social Affairs and the UN the UN Population Fund.

The UNIC Information Officer moderated the ceremony, briefed media representatives and coordinated their coverage.

UN Youth Conference organizers

From 9 to 13 July, the UN Information Centre in Canberra supported a UN National Youth Conference in Melbourne where Convener Anna Carrig spoke about the importance of global citizenry. 

“A better understanding of international affairs develops the perceptions of local and national issues”, she said. “Thinking of yourself as a global citizen drives the world to a better place”.

She noted that the diversity of participants, high-school students from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Tonga who discussed world issues as global citizens made the Conference a success.

The outcome was a youth declaration encompassing seven global issues to be passed to the Government and the United Nations. 

UN Youth Representative Dan Ryan travelled around Australia on a listening tour to learn the concerns of young people, such as schools as community builders, health issues and indigenous rights.

His toolbox included social media, “Young people are already helping each other with one community learning from another, one school from another, and one state from another state.“

Both Carrig and Ryan agree that young people offer an honest insight into international issues.