The launch of UNA-UK's annual lobby took place on Wednesday, 24 October 2007 - UN Day - at the Foreign Press Association.

What is the Lobby?

Lobby for the UN is a campaign, led by UNA-UK, to promote dialogue between voters and MPs about the UK’s contribution to the UN’s work in maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights and promoting sustainable development.

In 2007-08 the lobby will focus on the UN's role in:

• Achieving the Millennium Development Goals
• Ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Banning cluster munitions
• Combating climate change
• Implementing the responsibility to protect

Close to 200 people attended the launch event, which set in motion lobbying activities for the coming year, to listen to the following speakers:

• Lord Hannay of Chiswick, Chair of UNA-UK
• Astrid Haas of U8, an international network of university students formed to support MDG8, which calls for a global partnership for development
• Thomas Nash, Coordinator of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, an international civil society movement working towards a ban of these weapons
• Tony Klug, a special adviser on the Middle East to the Oxford Research Group, a British non-governmental organisation advocating non-military solutions to conflict

What is UN Day?

UN Day is an annual celebration of the founding of the United Nations, which was formally established on 24 October 1945. UN Day serves as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of multilateralism and adherence to international law contained in the UN Charter.

On UN Day UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released a message stating that "global problems demand global solutions...going it alone is not a viable option".

How can you get involved?

• Download the UNA-UK briefing notes containing background information for use in lobbying your MP
• Write to your MP or arrange to see her or him during surgery hours

Photos from the launch event