Students at JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia in the "Stand Up"event

Several staff members from the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Washington participated in a dozen UN week activities this year. Starting with the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign on 16-18 October, UNIC Washington collaborated on 4 events.

UNIC Director, Will Davis spoke to a group of high school students who are studying international affairs, poverty and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) at Jeb Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia. He spoke to them about US/UN issues as well as the MDGs, and the "Stand Up" campaign. Mr. Davis led them in the "Stand Up" pledge where 75 students participated.

Next, UNIC Deputy Director, David Smith spoke to students at Washington International School in Washington, DC. The school consists of students from all over the world, many of whose parents are in the diplomatic community. There were about 500 students, parents, teachers and other volunteers present at the assembly.

For the other event, UNIC Public Outreach Assistant, Audrey Wood participated in an event that was co-hosted by UNIC, organized by UNA Council of Organizations, the Global Education Motivators and the UNA Chapter of Greater Philadelphia. Hosted at the World Bank, the event was a videoconference featuring participants from the University of Pennsylvania, World Bank, St. Joseph’s High School in Hammonton, New Jersey, and Byrne Creek High School in British Columbia. Attending in Washington was UNA, UNIC, and others from NGOs and civil society with about 100 people who came together for the combined effort. 

Finally, Director Will Davis spoke at an event titled "Unity Walk 2009" on 18 October, the last day of the "Stand Up" challenge. The theme of the event was to bring together faith leaders from all faiths in Washington to speak on themes of unity, compassion, ending poverty, and achieving the MDGs. The event was organized in part with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, Americans for Informed Democracy, national embassies, and a number of local religious leaders in which there were about 300 people participated in the event.

UNIC Washington Information Officer (left) meets with the University of Wisconsin students

On 14 October 2009, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Washington Information Officer Deborah DeYoung spoke to students from the University of Wisconsin at UNIC premises.

Ms. DeYoung explained the different aspects of the work of the United Nations, including the various UN Agencies, Departments and Peacekeeping Missions. Ms. DeYoung emphasized, although there are several UN Agencies, the United Nations makes its priority to co-ordinate efforts and work together as “One United Nations”.

A lively question and answer session followed her lecture.   

Students at briefing about the United Nations

On 15 June 2009, Will Davis, Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Washington D.C., spoke to approximately 150 high school students hosted by the Close Up Foundation.  The Close Up Foundation programme is designed to allow students to get an insider’s view of Washington, by bringing them to the city for a week long programme that creates a better understanding of politics and democracy.  Mr. Davis spoke about the work of the UN, the value of the UN-US relationship and engaged in a question and answer session.