Area: Canterbury, Kent
Shiela Kesby, a long standing UNA member, shared about Canterbury's UN day celebrations in Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO world herritage site, where a particular emphasis was placed on the plight of refugees.
Here are some more connections that Canterbury has with the UN.
- A group of Canterbury people raised thousands of pounds to help a village in Syria. The Canterbury Times reported how the group, with support from the cathedral, dedicated themselves to helping the war-torn village, in need of £20,000 for a health centre. The Canterbury festival linked with the Refugee Action Network seeking to foster and fund study opportunities in creative arts.
- Canterbury is headquarters for the 3PWRR Army Reserve Battalion which has a proud record supporting the regular army in some of the worlds troubled hotspots - such as Afganistan and Iraq. The Battalion was also deployed in Cyprus, supporting the United Nations mission. Canterbury officials also uphold the Gurkha Peace Foundation (based in Ashford). 6,000 Gurkhas currently serve in United Nations Peace Keeping Forces and their calm diplomacy and physical courage is internationally recognised as a factor making them one of the World’s leading police and peacemaking forces.
- Staff at Canterbury University have strong links to the UN. For example the vice-chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University worked with the United Nations. In addition Dame Rosalyn Higgins DBE QC was a student and then a Professor of International law at Canterbury University. She worked as a UK Intern at the UN Office of Legal Affairs; as Counsel in the International Court of Justice; was a member of the Committee on Human Rights and Special Rapporteur for new cases and she has authored various works and articles on international legal theory, United Nations law, the use of force, state and diplomatic immunities, human rights and international petroleum law.
- Work is also being done to support people on a local level. Cassiobury Court offers free help and advice for veterans who suffer with addiction and mental health problems. For more information, click here.