Area: Derby
Researcher: Richard Nelmes
Richard is UNA-UK's Head of Outreach. He grew up in Derby, a small city in the East Midlands.
Researching his home town's links with the UN, Richard made particular note of the following findings and reports on the way in which his community and local council positively responded to his discoveries.
- Derby's MP in the 1940s, Philip Noel-Baker, helped draft the UN Charter, laying the foundations of the UN. Demonstrating that Derby's local politicians had a vision that extended beyond their constituency’s boundaries.
- His city provided a safe haven for refugees of the 1990s Balkans conflict, showing Derby's ability not only to act as refuge for people impoverished and traumatised by war, but as a willing embracer of the energy and skills they bring.
- Derby factories contribute to keeping the peace in some of the most dangerous parts of the world - locally-built Rolls-Royce engines helping save lives by flying in personnel to peacekeeping missions.
Richard said "These discoveries brought the United Nations, to my doorstep and with it, the realisation that my family, my neighbours, my classmates and I were an integral part of something much bigger and much more exciting than just our own community".
Read about the presentation of a commemorative UN charter to the Mayor of Derby and how, the Derby Telegraph reported Richard's findings.
Acknowleding the importance of Derby's contribution, the city have displayed their commemorative UN Charters proudly and prominently in it's council chambers.