Welcome to the e-newsletter of UNA-UK's Young Professionals Network (YPN)           February 2010

YPN is a collaboration of over 3,000 young professionals in their 20s and 30s with an interest - whether personal or professional - in peace, justice and sustainable development. To find out more about us, click here.

Below you will find news about the Network's recent and future activities, including details of how you can get involved; a selection of jobs, internships and training courses featured on our career opportunities board; and some highlights from our events calendar.

What is UNA-UK?
YPN is a programme of the United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK), UNA-UK is the UK's leading source of independent analysis on UN issues, and a UK-wide grassroots movement in support of the UN. UNA-UK advocates a strong, credible and effective United Nations. For more about UNA-UK, and to join, click here.

The aftershock of the Haiti earthquake
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries, on 12 January. At least 100,000 people have died and over a million people are in need of shelter. Buildings and basic services in capital Port-au-Prince have collapsed and the UN estimates that about one-third of Haiti's 9-million strong population has been affected by the disaster. Speaking in Parliament on 14 January, UNA-UK Chair Lord Hannay emphasised the importance of the UN’s role in co-ordinating relief efforts and urged the UK government to commit to making a substantial contribution to the UN flash appeal for Haiti. Click here to read more   Find out what you can do to help in the ‘Do Something’ section below.		(c) UN Photo/Logan Abassi

UN Forum - 12 June 2010 Take part in UN Forum 2010, the UK’s largest civil society gathering on the United Nations. This exciting UNA-UK one-day event will feature presentations by high-level speakers including Dr Hans Blix, the former head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, as well as films, workshops and panel debates on the UN's work in support of peace, development and human rights. Save the date! Click here to find out more	(c) UN Photo/Mark Garten

Have your say! YPN website overhaul The YPN website is in the process of being overhauled. Any suggestions for improvements in information resources or layout would be greatly appreciated. Calling UN staff and interns If you have worked for the United Nations as a staff member or intern and would like to share your experiences with others, please send us a 300-400 word article for publishing online. Please address your comments or articles to Helen Franzen at ypn@una.org.uk

Staff changes at UNA-UK Tim Kellow has moved on from UNA-UK and is currently undertaking consultancy work for International Alert in west Africa. The contact point for YPN remains ypn@una.org.uk Please keep your ideas, job vacancies, training courses etc. rolling in!

Haiti earthquake appeal In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, international organisations, government ministers and charities from the all over the world are working together and pooling their resources in efforts to stabilise the situation. Click here to donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and visit www.una.org.uk/dosomething for more ideas.

 

Job UNICEF, Facilities Assistant UNICEF is looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual to take on a number of facility responsibilities including the ordering, distribution and replenishment of office supplies, co-ordination of internal event procedures and general administrative support. Click here to find out more     Voluntary 10:10, Internship (3 month placement) The 10:10 climate campaign is launching a three-month intern programme from February to help train a new wave of passionate campaigners. Based in Camden, the intern will be a valued member of the team pushing forward the 10:10 campaign. Click here to find out more     Training Free course: how to halve your carbon footprint London Carbon Conversations is a free, 6-session course that will help you look at your lifestyle choices and reduce your personal carbon footprint, so that collectively we can help the environment and make a difference! Click here to find out more United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) / e-Learning The Multilateral Diplomacy Programme offers professional online training courses for those interested in developing their knowledge and understanding of diplomacy and multilateral affairs at the country and regional levels.   Click here to find out more

To view the full list of career opportunities, and to access YPN's Guide To Careers at the United Nations, click here.

 

6 February
UNA LYMINGTON
UN ideas that changed the world
UNA Lymington branch will host a talk by Professor Sir Richard Jolly entitled ‘UN ideas that changed the world’. This event will take place from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Lymington Community Centre, New Street, Lymington SO41 9BQ. To attend this event please contact Patricia de Mowbray on 01590 679030 or patricia@radioactive.org.uk

 

8 February
SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES
Human rights, sovereignty and military intervention - a dialogue with J.S. Mill
Professor of International and Public Affairs, of Law, and of Political Science at Columbia Law School and former special advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Professor Doyle will give a talk on ‘Human rights, sovereignty and military intervention - a dialogue with J.S. Mill’. This event will take place from 7pm in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, London WC1H 0XG.
Click here to find out more
 

 

25 February
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Dirty Business Film Series: Yes Men Fix the World
Directed by Andy Bichlbaum and winner of the Berlin Film Festival, 'Yes Men Fix the World’ is a screwball true story that follows a couple of gonzo political activists as they infiltrate the world of big business and pull off outrageous pranks that highlight the ways that corporate greed is destroying the planet. This screening will be followed by a Q&A with ‘Yes Man’ Mike Bonanno and Amnesty UK Business and Economic Relations Campaign Director Peter Frankental.
Click here to find out more

External events are the responsibility of the bodies that organise them. Events may be subject to change at any time, and such changes may not be reflected in the above listings. Please therefore check with the contact person for each event before attending.

The Young Professionals Network is an initiative of the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UNA-UK). UNA-UK is a company limited by guarantee (No. 2885557). Registered office: 3 Whitehall Court, London, SW1A 2EL.

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